Latest News
The College's Marketing Team has been shortlisted for the ' Professional team of the year' category for their outstanding contribution and services during the COVID-19 pandemic
The most outstanding individuals and institutions that the further education sector has to offer have been recognised in the shortlist for the 2021 Tes FE Awards.
It's been revealed that Waltham Forest College has been shortlisted for the ' Professional Services Team of the Year' award.
Head of Digital Marketing and Communications, Antoinette Beekye, said: 'We are extremely delighted to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award and to see the team's professional performance and service standards recognised during what has been an unprecedented time during the COVID pandemic.'
Tes head of FE Julia Belgutay said: 'Further education providers have excelled in what has been a truly challenging year, and the amazing individuals, teams and institutions on our Tes FE Awards shortlist showcase that. Our judges were highly impressed with the calibre of entries and I want to congratulate everyone who has made the shortlist ' it is a brilliant achievement"
After a very successful online awards ceremony last year, we are once again holding this year's awards ceremony virtually. Winners will be announced on Friday 28 May 2021.
To see the full list of who is in the running and to reserve your free place, visit www.tesfeawards.co.uk
For many of us, the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak and the various national and local lockdowns brought about a period of self-reflection and self-assessment, often raising questions about our future pathways.
Often, the answer has been a need to change direction and set out on a new career path and we, as individuals, are not the only ones to be prompted by the pandemic to look at how we can reshape the future. Institutions, too, have been reappraising their place in a post COVID world.
Waltham Forest College has a rich history rising to unprecedented national challenges and providing skills-led technical training. In keeping with that strong tradition, Waltham Forest College is best placed at the centre of the economic rebuild by equipping students with the skills and qualifications to thrive and prosper in a post COVID-19 Britain.
The College has developed partnerships with national employers to review skills demands for the future and recently launched a Youth Hub developed in tandem with the Department of Work and Pensions Jobcentre Plus, that supports young people dealing with the impact of COVID-19, during this unprecedented time.
Amir Ahmed, Director of Learner Services and Marketing at Waltham Forest College, said: 'The College is an anchor institution within the community, and we are proud to be the first College to launch the Youth Hub that will kickstart the careers of thousands of young people, who could otherwise be left behind' .
'There has been a significant number of positive outcomes since the launch of the Youth Hub with many students progressing onto securing employment and we will continue to drive forward our college vision and strategy to further serve the needs of our local community' .
Every year Waltham Forest College supports and encourage the career aspirations of many young people and adults and the College is accepting applications for courses starting in September 2021. If you wish to discover more about the exciting opportunities which are available at Waltham Forest College, then why not attend the up-and-coming Virtual Open Events.
Over the course of four days - Monday, March 22 -Thursday, March 25 - the College is running a series of live course webinars that will help you to discover the course that's right for you.
WHAT'S ON OFFER?
BUSINESS, IT AND CREATIVE - Monday, March 22, 4pm - 5pm
Art & Design, Business, Digital Media, Information Technology, Fashion
HEALTH CARE, PUBLIC SERVICES AND SPORT - Tuesday, March 23, 4pm - 5pm
Early Years, Health & Social Care, Public Services, Sport
AUTOMOTIVE, CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING - Wednesday, March 24, 4pm - 5pm
Automotive Engineering, Bricklaying, Carpentry, Electrical Engineering, Engineering, Plumbing
ADULT COURSES - Wednesday, March 24, 4pm - 5pm
Access to Higher Education. English, ESOL, Maths, Part-time, Teacher Training
LEISURE AND TOURISM - Thursday, March 25, 4pm - 5pm
Hair, Beauty & Barbering, Hospitality & Culinary Arts, Travel & Tourism
FOUNDATION LEARNING - Thursday, March 25, 4pm - 5pm
Pathway to Employment, Pathway to Independence.
Click here to book your place: https://bit.ly/3bwQUqG
The influence on national life exerted by the blue ribboned colleges of Oxford and Cambridge has been well documented, but what about your local college? What about, for example, our very own Waltham Forest College?
A new project, unveiled on Sunday (February 28), detailing the history of Waltham Forest College, has uncovered the important role the institution has played in both local and national life, especially during the war years.
Led by Senior Marketing Officer, Tom Barden, the online project has a timeline, from 1924 through to the present day, detailing the college's response to a changing world.
Said Tom: 'Exploring the college's history has been a really exciting experience. When I first came here over four years ago, I never imagined that I would be helping to preserve such an important piece of local and national history.
'I feel privileged to be able to share the exciting history that has been hidden away from the public in archives and a college storeroom and not seen in 50 years'
During the college's founding years Tom discovered just how fascinating the college's place in history is and the vital role the college played during the Second World War.
'When I think about the people who previously walked the corridors, the essential work the college did during World War II and the education that has been delivered over the years, I cannot help but feel pride in working here, I hope by sharing this information, others can feel the same,' said Tom.
The South-West Essex Technical College was officially opened in February 1939, but the first students ' over 5,000 bright young things ' had enrolled in September 1938, with the first classes taking place in October of 1938. In March 1939, the college held its first open day with over 25,000 people coming along to take a look at what was the grandest and most substantial building in the area.
The storm clouds of war were already gathering over Europe in 1938. Just a year after the college's opening, in September 1939, Britain declared war on Nazi Germany following Hitler's order to invade Poland, Britain's ally.
With Britain now at war, the government initially felt that it was best to close colleges and schools, but it quickly became apparent just how important a technical college could be to the war effort.
All branches of the Armed Forces required recruits to have a high level of technical skills, literacy and numeracy, and the college, showing a brilliant degree of flexibility and ability to adapt and change, implemented courses to teach the skills needed by a nation at war.
One such vital skill was teaching the then still developing technology of radio. Radio, which was in those days, mainly associated with a large item of furniture situated in the majority of Britain's living rooms, became an important part of how the Armed Forces communicated. Radios became smaller and more portable and required men and women who could both operate and repair this rapidly changing bit of tech.
The first recruits arrived at the college in the early months of 1940, and throughout the war years were taught skills in different aspects of engineering and radio technology.
Said Tom: 'In total, no fewer than 12,000 service personnel were trained at the college during the war years.
'Civilian education also continued during the war with teaching and learning taking place during air raids and blackout conditions.'
After the war, an emergency teacher training college was established to counter the expected shortage of teachers, while the Royal Navy continued to use the college until 1947.
The college still embraces a can-do spirit and last year, showing great flexibility in responding to the pandemic, the college partnered with JobCentre Plus to deliver the first college-based Youth Hub to provide employability skills and advice to young adults.
To read more about the college's amazing history click here.
To keep updated as more information is released follow the History Facebook Page
If you have a story to share about the college, contact Tom Barden at:
Photos in order of appearance:
- Royal Navy recruits in radio engineering class
- College under construction (mid 1930s)
- British Red Cross - College Detatchment (circa 1940s)
- Laying of stone by Alderman J. Hewett (1937)
- Ministry of Labour Trainees (1941)
- Education Ministers of Allied Nations with staff members (1942)
Waltham Forest College teams up with ISTEK Antalya High Schools Group to deliver an interactive cultural exchange project online, connecting peers overseas.
Waltham Forest College's English Department has launched an online exchange project with a prestigious institution in Turkey. The ISTEK Antalya High Schools Group has over 21 schools across the region and works in association with İstanbul Yeditepe University, one of the top universities in the country.
As part of a range of Eramus+ initiatives, the group would normally provide students with opportunities to study and travel abroad to gain in-country cultural and educational experiences whilst living alongside students in the UK and Europe.
Given the CoVID-19 restrictions, the English Department and faculty members from ISTEK Antalya, have introduced an alternative to keep learners engaged and in touch with overseas peers. The first online session took place on Friday 22 January with a select group of students.
Head of English, Omur Derelikoylu, said, 'The project aims to support students in using digital platforms to connect and exchange ideas on their experiences of what it means to be a modern-day student striving to create their future within their own culture and environment, and how that might compare to teenagers in Turkey at a similar stage in their lives' .
The project also supports English language communication development for students not used to speaking the language to contemporaries.
To find out more about the ISTEK Antalya High Schools Group, visit https://antalya.istek.k12.tr/
For more information about the project, contact Matthew Gordon
A partnership between Waltham Forest College and youth hostelling charity YHA (England & Wales) has enabled 39 Level 3, first year travel and tourism students to gain vital work experience during Lockdown.
The teenagers have taken their talents online to become website testers, secret shoppers and social media marketers for YHA, completing their 12-week work experience course element virtually.
Under normal circumstances, the students would be working onsite in YHA's network of youth hostels. However, the pandemic has forced all hostels to close their doors. Determined to find a solution and ensure the students are on track to complete their course, the College and YHA decided on the best option of virtual volunteering.
The students have set up their own YHA-focused Instagram account - @youthwaltham - to raise awareness of YHA amongst their peers. They are also testing out how easy it is for people to navigate YHA's website and book breaks as part of its customer experience programme.
Stella Takkas, Senior Employability Coach at Waltham Forest College, explained: 'Despite the current closure of businesses in the travel and tourism sector it is so important that we maintain links and deliver real experiences to our students and we are grateful to YHA for enabling that.'
'The virtual volunteering is highly effective and very well organised by YHA. It has encouraged independent learning amongst the students and given them a much deeper appreciation of how important digital engagements are to the travel and tourism sector.
Tom Vittles, Head of Service Industries at Waltham Forest College said: 'We appreciate the benefit that this project has given the students and, despite the obstacles often encountered with remote working, the results have been very fruitful. We would like to thank YHA for making it possible.'
One of the students, Fatima Saeed (17), who hopes to study Airline and Airport Management at University when she finishes her course, said: 'It is a new way of doing work experience, but it has really opened my eyes. I have learned a lot about websites and how they are organised. I've really enjoyed it and learnt a lot about YHA as well.'
Throughout the project, the students work with each other via Zoom, sharing information and planning. Student David Turgay said: 'It's a great opportunity to get us all together in a virtual setting outside the college campus. We've worked well together and all contributed ideas to the project. It's great to get other people's perspectives.'
YHA has worked with Waltham Forest College since 2019 delivering work experience opportunities to students. Jamie Wakefield YHA (England & Wales) Youth Volunteering and Engagement Manager, explained: 'Being a charity, YHA is so much more than an accommodation provider. We are committed to providing opportunities for young people, whether that's providing accommodation so they can access the outdoors and heritage or delivering meaningful work experience or volunteering opportunities. It's certainly a challenge to continue to deliver these opportunities during the pandemic but thanks to our collaboration with organisations like Waltham Forest College we were able to make it happen. It's been wonderful to have the students on board with us and introduce them to YHA.'
Prior to the pandemic, more than 1000 young people a year volunteered in YHA hostels in order to learn new skills, boost their CV, give something back and even travel. To support young people to complete their DofE Award in lockdown, during COVID YHA has launched a number of virtual volunteering opportunities with roles in fundraising, videography and social media.
To apply for a virtual volunteering role, please visit https://volunteer.yha.org.uk/vk/volunteers
Aspiring electricians hired after impressing recruiters from Aston Group, the leading building services and facilities management company.
Aston Group, an established, family-run business has been setting standards for efficiency, innovation, and quality for over 55 years and the recent partnership with Waltham Forest College has helped pave the way for aspiring apprentices seeking on-the-job training as skilled workers.
Rachel Statter, Aston Group HR Officer, said: 'We originally had one apprenticeship vacancy, but we were impressed with both College candidates, so I campaigned for both students to be taken on, as they demonstrated their skills-set, knowledge, and enthusiasm for the role' .
An apprenticeship is an ideal way for students to gain a qualification whilst working to learn the skills needed to be successful in their chosen career and students Trenay Graham-Jackson and Jerome Whyte were nominated by their tutor to apply for an apprenticeship with Aston Group, after completing their Level 1 electrical course and progressing on to Level 2 at the College.
Trenay commented: 'I am very pleased to have secured an apprenticeship with Aston Group and the College has prepared me well for the start of this journey. I was able to apply my learning during the interview stage and cannot wait to begin my career in the field I am passionate about' .
Craig Buist, Head of Construction at Waltham Forest College said: 'Our vision is to inspire our learners to create their future and I am pleased that Aston Group has decided to take on both our learners as this is a perfect example of how we prepare students well for the world of work' .
'We will continue to work with leading employers that provides the best progression opportunities for our learners that supports London's economic recovery' .
If you would like to know more about apprenticeships, it's benefits to learners and employers, visit the College website www.waltham.ac.uk or email the Apprenticeship Team at
Waltham Forest College has announced its latest GCSE resit exam results in English and maths, demonstrating success levels are even higher.
Students joining the College in September with a GCSE grade 3 in English and maths worked towards exam resits held in November. The College offered the opportunity to gain the standard pass grade 4 or above needed for future academic and career progression.
Almost, 100 students improved the previous GCSE grade results that they achieved prior to joining the College, with over 50% of the students achieving a grade 4 or above in maths, and 35% achieving a grade 4 or above in English.
John Newton, Director of Curriculum at Waltham Forest College, said: 'Our vision is to inspire our learners to create their future and we were delighted with the results of the recent GCSE retakes. This demonstrates the resilience and determination of our students and I am thrilled that the hard work of our learners and staff has paid off.'
'We know what a positive difference a pass in GCSE English and maths means to our learners and brings them closer to reaching their position destination, whether that is employment, apprenticeships or university".
As well as school leavers joining the College, adult learners were also given the opportunity to improve their career prospects through resitting their exams.
Adult learner, Melinda Christopher, who re-took her exams after 40 years, said: 'I thought it was an impossible dream as I am working full-time, but I was really pleased with the support offered by my tutors, such as extra tutorials to strengthen my knowledge, ready to resit the exam".
"This grade 5 will allow me to look for higher-paid roles within my sector and I am really excited about my future".
The GSCE English and maths results for the College in summer 2020 were both above national average benchmarks.
The College is now taking applications from students and adult learners looking to enrol on a full-time course starting September or part-time courses starting up to April. Those interested in joining the College are invited to apply online at www.waltham.ac.uk or to register their interest in one the College's up and coming Virtual Open Events.
January 2021 Courses
Create Your Future at Waltham Forest College
Applications are now open for ' Adult' and ' Young People' courses starting in January!
If you are looking to retain, upskill or pursue a new career, we can help. We have a wide range of courses starting in January 2021.
Discover what's available below and apply today.
Study for Free
You may be entitled to study for free if:
- You earn an annual gross salary of less than £20,962 or are in receipt of benefits.
- You are 19-23 and this is your first time studying a Full Level 2 or Full Level 3 course.
January Start Course List
Click on a course to apply
ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION COURSES
Access to HE Diploma: Nursing and Midwifery
Access to HE Diploma: Social Sciences
Access to HE Diploma: Business Management
EMPLOYABILITY & INDEPENDENT SKILLS
Prince's Trust Team Programme
Skills for Employment Certificate, Level 1
ENGLISH & MATHS
English for Adults
Maths for Adults - Functional Skills
HAIRDRESSING & BEAUTY THERAPY
Beauty Therapy, Level 2, VRQ - Fast Track
Barbering, Level 2, NVQ - Fast Track
TEACHER TRAINING COURSES
Award in Education and Training Level 3
Certificate in Education and Training Level 4
Diploma in Education and Training, Level 5
Waltham Forest College partners with the London Borough of Waltham Forest Council in developing a pilot testing programme for all staff and students, to minimise the risk of spreading the disease.
The Department for Health and Social Care has provided the London Borough of Waltham Forest (LBWF) with new rapid ' lateral flow' Covid-19 tests for a pilot programme of testing in the borough. As an anchor institution within the community, Waltham Forest College has been working in close partnership with LBWF in developing a pilot testing programme for all staff and students. This will reduce the risk of positive transmission within the College and the wider community.
The testing site has been set up within the College and an existing open area has been re-purposed temporarily for this dedicated use. The first phase of the pilot has been to test staff from the college in preparation for the wider roll-out to all students.
The tests are self-administered through a throat and nose swab with trained facilitators from LBWF on hand to support; The tests are purely voluntary and can provide results in 30 minutes, helping to identify people who may have the virus but are not showing any symptoms.
College Principal, Janet Gardner said:
'The wellbeing of our students and staff is our absolute priority and I have been incredibly proud of the determination and resilience showed by our students and staff since the start of term.
To have these testing centres open so quickly is a testament to our dedicated staff as well as the partnership approach with the local authority. Waltham Forest College is a key institution within our local community, and we will continue to step up and support our health system during this crucial stage of the pandemic.'
The tests have been positively endorsed by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who visited the College's test site on Monday 14th December to support Waltham Forest College in being the first Further Education (FE) College to be offering lateral flow testing on-site.
He said: 'Increased testing is key to getting the spread under control, which is why I want to see regular asymptomatic testing extended to all those unable to work from home and to students and staff at London's secondary schools, sixth-form college and FE colleges.'
The borough's Director of Public Health, Joe McDonnell, added: 'The tests will allow us to quickly identify people who may unwittingly have the virus, so they can isolate, and protect vital services for particularly vulnerable residents, allowing them to remain open.
'This pilot scheme is in the very early stages and should it prove successful we plan to roll it out to other similar settings.'
Anyone displaying Covid-19 symptoms is encouraged to immediately get a conventional test by visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or calling 119.
