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Waltham Forest College is once again experiencing a rise in the number of students securing top university offers as students plan their next steps.
Total UCAS applications have risen by nearly 25% proving learner resilience and competence time and time again throughout the pandemic. This can be seen in the number of offers to students to further their education at several Russell Group Universities or their success in finding work soon after completing their course.
Student Darcie Williams, studying Level 3 Diploma in Sports has just accepted an offer to study Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at the University of Birmingham.
'The College has prepared me well in understanding the careers within the sports industry and more importantly what I need to do to get there. I received dedicated support from my tutors and the Careers Team and I cannot wait to start the next chapter in my life' .
Another student who will be moving on from Waltham Forest College is Siyar Ozcaki, having studied Level 3 Extended Diploma in Interactive Digital Media and accepted an offer at University of Arts London to study Games Design.
'I am so pleased that I have been accepted and I have been dreaming of starting university to further my knowledge in games design. I sometimes need to remind myself that this year has been incredibly challenging because of the pandemic and I personally want to thank the staff at the College for being there for all of us' .
Director of Learner Services, Amir Ahmed, states 'Our vision is to inspire learners to create their future and these students have great futures with many securing firm offers by Russell Group Universities. I am extremely proud of our learners and I wish them well on their next steps' .
To take the next step in your education and join a welcoming, diverse, and successful community, simply head over to our website to find out more.
Aspiring tradies at Waltham Forest College were praised during a celebratory event that recognised their outstanding commitment and achievement.
Young people in Alternative Provision (AP) (at risk of unemployment or dropping out of education at age 16), were levelling up their success and recently celebrated 100 per cent pass rate for the Level 1 City & Guilds Certificate in Construction.
Parents, staff and guests attended the annual celebration event and students showcased their work whilst sharing their journey of success.
Student George Nathan, who was amongst those exhibiting on the day said: 'I was offered mentoring support on the course from day one and this gave me the boost that I needed. I feel very proud of my journey' .
The exhibition of work included tiled tabletops, handmade stools and a dovetailed toolbox to name a few.
Parent, Donna Beech, who attended the celebration in support of her son Fenton, commented: "I was so proud of the work Fenton has achieved and I know it wasn't an easy journey for him, but he has got there. I want to thank the College staff for providing this amazing opportunity to Fenton' .
Waltham Forest College's Alternative Provision offers a lifeline to young people and their families, who are at risk of unemployment or dropping out of education at age 16 by providing tailored support from teachers and smaller classes to help them focus and fulfil their potential to create their future.
Rosemary Partin, Programme Head said: 'Being excluded from school should never be at the cost of a young person's education or place a barrier in the way of their future. All young people deserve an excellent education that sets them up for life and we know that the last year has been challenging for students in Alternative Provision.
'With determination, resilience and ambition all students have excelled in developing a high level of craftsmanship and I wish them all a very successful career' .
The College is looking forward to further success within the construction department and the ongoing breakthroughs that the Alternative Provision team provides young learners.
Playing a key role in the economic recovery and the first choice for students in London, Waltham Forest College is here to provide you with excellent skills-based knowledge that will drive you forward in your career, whether that is in a field you have been working in for years or embarking on a new challenge.
As an anchor institution in the heart of north east London and the go-to place for skills training, the College is ready to help to meet the increasing demand of local, regional, and national priorities in partnership with employers to train competent individuals looking to advance their career, supporting local people into great jobs.
Everyone who comes onboard at Waltham Forest College leaves not only with their certification and qualifications, but they also come away with vocational experience in their industry that boosts their knowledge and puts them one step ahead of the competition. This real-world experience provides you with an invaluable knowledge base to draw from and helps you exceed your career aspirations.
As wells as supporting people into employment, they also help people in lower-paid work to upskill into higher-skilled, better-paid employment. This year the College has supported nearly 200 NHS staff in their quest to develop their digital, English and math skills, which enables them to progress to higher-skilled and key shortage areas such as nursing, helping not only the individual but also the community.
The College is an official member of the Mayor's Construction Academy and has been awarded a prestigious Quality Mark that recognises the high standard of skilled workers that it produces.
The Mayor's Construction Academy has been set up to tackle the immediate skills shortage across London and will strengthen coordination between construction skills training providers and construction sector employers.
And that is not all; taking it one step further, Waltham Forest College is working with employers to develop vital skills needed to support the growing demand in the industry for low carbon solutions and green construction allowing the College to lead the way in developing industry-led provision in renewable technologies.
The Principal and CEO Janet Gardner intends for the College to remain the number one choice for students with outstanding vocational and higher technical training, building on their previous accomplishments and aspiring to go even further.
'We will build on our successful Mayor's Construction Academy Status leading on the development of green skills through renewable building technologies, working with employers to provide the skills and training needed to meet this growing demand.
"We are currently working with employers developing skills in areas such as renewable energies, hybrid vehicles and charging stations, and smart home control systems to provide our student with the best opportunities for employment.
"Our pledge is to continue to drive the training and skills needed to support the economic recovery of Waltham Forest and North/East London' .
Waltham Forest College might just be the next step for your career. To find out head over to www.waltham.ac.uk
This year the theme is ' Nature' and how connecting with the natural world can support good mental health.
Waltham Forest College staff and students are celebrating the launch of Mental Health Awareness Week, the UK's national week to raise awareness of mental health, hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, is in its 21st year and runs from 10-16 May.
Across the country, people will be celebrating the mental health benefits of being around nature in their local community in a range of digital and creative ways.
In Waltham Forest College students will have access to a range of resources that allow them to discuss what mental health means to them along with the opportunity to take part in healthy outdoor activities, in keeping with the ' Nature' theme.
Director of Learner Services, Amir Ahmed said: 'We are proud of how resilient our students have been over the lockdown period as the pandemic has affected many young people's mental health and wellbeing. Getting our learners back into the classrooms was a vital step in supporting their recovery.'
Waltham Forest College has organised a series of workshops on themed topics linked to wellbeing that promotes active discussions around positive wellbeing. The College has also recently launched a new online Wellbeing Hub that contains useful advice and tips for maintaining positive mental health and wellbeing.
Mark Rowland Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation said: 'Mental Health Awareness Week has grown to be one of the biggest awareness weeks in the UK. This year the theme is on nature and its central role in our mental health. Since the beginning of the pandemic, millions of us turned to nature to help us get through lockdowns and our research shows that good mental health depends on us being able to connect with nature in some way and its power in both prevention of and recovery from poor mental health.
'During the week, we want to hear millions of people's stories about how the natural world has supported their mental health.
'We also want to highlight the huge disparities between who is and who isn't able to access nature. We want the week to explore how everyone across the UK can connect with nature and experience the mental health benefits wherever they live.'
Some of the ways people can participate in Mental Health Awareness Week: 
- During Mental Health Awareness Week, why not try to make a habit each day of connecting to nature in your local area? Stop to listen to the birdsong, smell the freshly cut grass, take care of a house plant, notice any trees, flowers or animals nearby. Take a moment to appreciate these connections.
- Share images/videos/or just sound recordings of the nature on your doorstep (and how this made you feel) on social media using #ConnectWithNature and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
- Use Mental Health Foundation resources in your family, school, workplace and community to join with thousands of people who will be finding new ways to connect with nature in their local environment.
For more information about this year's Mental Health Awareness Week visit mentalhealth.org.uk/mhaw or join the conversation on social media using #ConnectWithNature and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
Proving once again the dedication to their learners, Waltham Forest College has been highly commended for their outstanding achievement of the Gatsby Benchmarks, with the award panel going so far as to single out Careers Leader, Ali Yusuf, for the pivotal role he played.
In the awards category of ' Whole School/College Careers Programme', awarded by London Enterprise Adviser Network, part of the Mayor of London GLA project, Waltham Forest College achieved this brilliant accomplishment by involving staff from across the college in the provision of career activities. Working side-by-side, the team have helped to ensure the future of their learners across multiple platforms and seen to it that they have all the guidance and advice necessary when entering the world of work.
'We are extremely excited to be recognised for achieving a key milestone of the Gatsby benchmark and also collaborating with schools and Colleges for the benefit of our learners.' Explains Ali Yusuf, Learner Services Manager. 'We are grateful for the support we received from London Enterprise Adviser Network who has been instrumental in bringing together employers and career leaders across London.'
Offering a wide range of courses to suit your interests, as well as being a diverse and inclusive campus that welcomes you regardless, the college is a fantastic place to learn and grow.
And there are a whole host of benefits to consider when you choose Waltham Forest College as the next step in your education.
With access to high quality, impartial careers information, advice, and guidance from appropriately qualified staff to help clarify their aspirations for work, students are able to understand the options open to them and to take control of and make informed decisions in terms of job and career change, training, and promotion.
Getting your foot in the door can be tricky in this day and age, but with Waltham Forest College, young people will receive support to find suitable placements or work experience to help develop the skills they need to gain employment upon finishing their studies, offering a helping hand from the very beginning.
And that's not all; with the chance to speak with Careers Advisors to support applicants throughout the admissions process from the moment they contact the College, team members who provide high quality, impartial careers information, advice, and guidance, you'll feel like part of the family from the start.
If Waltham Forest College is the next step in your education, why not take part in their Careers and Applications Virtual Open event? Taking place on Wednesday 19th May, this event is for you to have all of your questions answered by the people you'll soon be working alongside, helping you to make an informed decision ready for the September term.
To find out more information, and to register your interest in the upcoming webinar, simply head over to: https://bit.ly/VOE-May-21
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
