Harrow College Blog

Harrow College students and staff attending the presentation

Ten students have been working with the national charity to help prepare a video for their website. The project was carried out to research the issues faced by D/deaf and hard of hearing young people, regarding the dangers of the internet specifically around inappropriate contact from unseen ‘friends, cyber bullying and general safety online.

Due to Harrow College’s outstanding reputation for supporting D/deaf and hard of hearing students, the NSPCC and Childline approached Harrow College. Harrow College is a Regional Centre of Excellence for the D/deaf and Hard of Hearing.

A large proportion of D/deaf young people prefer British Sign Language as their main mode of communication. Whilst this is an officially recognised language in the UK, the structure and syntax is very different from English and is wholly visual, thus sometimes making the written word a challenge to grasp and understand. Historically D/deaf people have travelled to clubs to socialise and chat, the younger generation now have technology at their fingertips that enables them to network via computers and mobile phones without necessarily appreciating the dangers that are out there.

The students participated in a Discovery Workshop organised by the NSPCC, to investigate what older teenagers through about these problems and what advice they would give to younger students. They discussed key issues and suggested storyboards for a video which will be screened online on the NSPCC website.

Tracey Critchley, Co-ordinator for D/deaf and Hard of Hearing Students stated ‘I am really proud of the way the students represented themselves and the College. The NSPCC were very pleased with the enthusiasm and insights into the barriers experienced by D/deaf youngsters when accessing information. I am sure that they would consider us again for any further projects.”

On the 18th April 2012 Chris Faux, Head of Quality and Learner Services, presented on behalf of the NSPCC, certificates and £10 One4All vouchers for the participating students. He congratulated them for their participation with the NSPCC, commenting that the students work was very important as the video will be shown nationally and he recognised that they had all contributed to this important project.

The video will be shown on the NSPCC website later in the summer.

Staff and students welcomed Boris Johnson the Mayor of London to Harrow Skills Centre this March giving him the opportunity to learn about the centre and the skills that are developed there.

Within minutes of arriving Boris leapt into action, joining a student practising making a brick wall as part of his course, Boris then picked up a trowel and laid a couple of bricks himself. Boris in typically lively style commented that there is only one way to build a brick wall, which has been around for over 1000 years, and technology can’t advance it.

Boris spent considerable time in each trade and was eager to speak with both students and lecturers, showing a great interest in the skills they are being taught. Plumbing student Josh said “Boris was very friendly and interested in what we are actually doing”.

Tony Medhurst, Principal and Chief Executive of Harrow College discussed with Boris the importance of Apprenticeships.  Tony described how Harrow College is providing a good supportive environment, which is enabling students to progress into the work place. He said “we are very proud of our Skills Centre, as it gives opportunities for local learners to move into vocational industries”.

Cllr Susan Hall agreed with Tony commenting that 10 years ago at Oxford University she and Boris had spoken about the importance of apprenticeships.  She had visited the Skills Centre previously and was so impressed she wanted Boris to visit it as part of his campaign tour.

 Boris spent over an hour in the Skills Centre, using the word “impressive” to describe the Skills Centre, its students and its staff.  He expressed his appreciation of the work that was being done and stated that he hoped it would continue to grow from strength to strength.

Harrow College Winning Team

Harrow College and Bentley Wood High School were joint winners of the Enterprise Challenge 2012.  Hosted by Harrow College in March, the Inspiring Enterprise Challenge day involved 43 students from Harrow College, Bentley Wood High School, Haydon School and St Dominic’s Sixth Form College.

The student teams engaged in a series of enterprise tasks, with a focus on the London 2012 Olympic Games theme.  Their tasks were judged by a panel which included Tony Medhurst, Principal, Harrow College and two representatives from NACUE (The National Association of Colleges and University Entrepreneurs).

Key speakers were invited to the day, including Homam Al Bahran and Will Bywater from NACUE and Carly Ward, CEO and Founder of the Young Entrepreneur Society, who addressed the students on how she founded her own business.

Michael Howley, Harrow College’s Head of Business, English and Media Studies said:  “ The students worked really hard and produced some excellent ideas for events to support social enterprises, these ranged from themed sports days to a tiled plaque to commemorate the Olympics. The winning teams both presented excellent ideas to the judges and all other competitors and could not be separated, they both received £250 to help fund their events. The students from all participating schools and colleges threw themselves into the activities with gusto and were a credit to their schools and teachers. These events are only as successful as the participants, and once again the young people of Harrow have shown that they are imaginative, innovative and have a social conscience, which with the skills they displayed and have developed, bodes well for their futures and ours.”

Harrow College’s winning team developed sports bags with an Olympic theme; their prize money will be used to finance an event to raise money for their chosen charity St Luke’s Hospice.  Bentley Wood’s winning team planned an event based around an Olympic food day at their school. The food from all the competing countries would be on sale with the proceeds going to an international aid charity.

Mandy Humphreys, Lecturer Harrow College stated “My students loved the atmosphere of the enterprise challenge and they liked it that the day was packed with speakers who they could learn from to help them with their ideas.   The students said that they got a lot out of pitching their ideas and became more confident as the day went on. They were thrilled that they came joint first as they wanted to raise money for the St Luke’s Hospice charity”.

First year BTEC level fashion students worked with local artist Laurence Malthus to design an ‘eye-catching’ mural, in aid of International Women’s Day.

The mural, in Station Road Bridge, Central Harrow, was painted to show the help available in Harrow for expectant mothers.

It was unveiled by Councillor Lurline Champagnie, Conservative, Pinner, who said:  “ It was an honour to be involved in the project and to see the commitment and artistic talent of young people in Harrow yet again shine through”.

Thirty people turned up to the grand opening, including Steve Porter, project co-ordinator for NHS (who funded the project), and said: “It was great way to mark International Women’s Day, the students worked really hard on the painting”.

Foxgloves by David Durque and Floral Display by Ulla Netzband

Learners at the Porcelain & Sugar Flower Workshop classes celebrated sweet success, winning nine awards in sugarcraft work at the Le Salon Culinaire International de Londres 2012 competition, this March.

Ulla Netzband, class tutor stated ‘The Salon Culinare International held at Excel Docklands is a most prestigious awards event, recognising sugarcraft, with competitors from all over the world. I am very proud of the students’ achievements, they are being rewarded for their very hard work”.

Cris Muldoon won two Gold medals “I am excited to win two Golds, it was totally unexpected.  Our teacher Ulla is very knowledgeable and has encouraged me.  I will definitely be coming back to classes and will recommend the workshops to friends” she said.

Winning Silver for his Foxgloves  arrangement, David Duque stated “I am really satisfied with my award as it’s a hobby for me, it will encourage me to carry on participating in sugar craft competitions.  Ulla has been my tutor since 1997, and I still attend her classes at Harrow College. 

Suriya Beesley won a Gold and also 2012 Class Winner in the Miniature Sugar Flowers category.  “Everyone in the class is so good, and we all work together to get even better in our sugarcraft skills” she said.

Leila Middleton who won both Silver and Bronze medals, stated “I have been coming to the classes for five years and working with like minded people, who encourage each other to improve their skills.  Our teacher Ulla inspires all of us to achieve our full potential”.

Claudette Wadood a Silver and Bronze winner, commented “ I like entering competitions, it shows the encouragement that the teacher has given you and other students.  I enjoy the Salon Culinare, as it’s international, so the competition is greater”.

Some of the winners Left to Right: C Wadood, LMiddleton, U Netzband, D Duque, C Muldoon

Medal winners:
Suriya Beesley: Gold and Class Winner – Miniature Sugar Flowers
David Duque: Silver – Floral sugarcraft
Cris Muldoon: Gold – Pastillage mask, Gold – Floral sugarcraft
Leila Middleton: Bronze – Floral sugarcraft, Silver – Miniature sugar flowers
Ulla Netzband: Bronze – Floral sugarcraft
Claudette Wadood: Silver – Floral sugarcraft, Bronze – Bridal bouquet 

Le Salon Culinaire International de Londres, has been taking place at Hotel Olympia for over 60 years.  Competitors come from the UK and abroad across all sectors of the industry.

Image, our rebranded hair and beauty salon was successfully launched at Harrow College on March 1st, 2012. Formally known as Serenity, the new name and look made a big impact at the launch event.

Image launch reception

Competitively priced hair and beauty treatments are provided by Harrow College students
and supervised by qualified lecturers, in a professional commercial salon environment.

Lord Popat and his wife Lady Popat were present to officially cut the ribbon. Lord Popat commented about the fact that Image is a business in its own right and how difficult it can be in the current climate.

Paul Simbler, a founding member of hob salons which began in Mill Hill over 25 years ago, attended the launch and spoke about the importance of training and working in an environment that prepares you for a career. He stated that “what you put into a job is what you get out”. Paul was impressed with the updated brand and said that the name was very apt considering the Industry.

Image hair and beauty salon

Also, supporting the event was Nikki Graham, a former Big Brother contestant and student at Harrow College. Nikki commented that as a Beauty student the Salon provided her, with not only a good understanding of skills and techniques used in a salon, but also gave her lots of insight into customer service and running a business.

The guests enjoyed complimentary hair and beauty treatments, champagne and goodiebags during the event. There were guest speakers from the Hair and Beauty industry and demonstrations from Goldwell and Eve Taylor.

To book an appointment, call the Salon on 020 8909 6550, Monday to Friday, 9.30 – 16.00 during term time.

The British Council held a major international conference entitled Building Effective Employer Engagement in Tunisia on 22-23 February in Tunis. This type of international event was the first of its kind to be held in Tunisia since the revolution.

This two-day conference showcased good international practice and identified key challenges, opportunities, practical next steps and future collaboration models to make training more industry-driven and enhance the employability of skilled graduates in Tunisia.

Focusing on four key sectors: tourism, construction, engineering and health, the conference considered both policy and practice in Tunisia and brought together employers, senior policy-makers, educational leaders, representatives of UK Sector Skills Councils and a range of other international experts in the field of employer engagement. The conference included keynote presentations and a panel discussion as well as facilitated workshops and discussion groups.

The conference was attended by the newly appointed Minister of Vocational Training and Employment as well as over 250 education providers, employers from across the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region.

At the conference, Eunice Crook – Director of the British Council in Tunisia announced the successful outcome of Harrow College’s proposal for a project under the British Council’s Skills for Employability agenda. The project will be a partnership between Harrow College, Dudley College in the UK and Centre de formation et d’apprentissage de Bizerte in Tunisia. The project will be further supported by the British Council and also L’Agence Tunisienne de la Formation Professionnelle (ATFP).

The project will focus on developing our Tunisian partners to develop:

• Employer Engagement/Apprenticeships
• Quality
• Career Guidance

The project will require staff from the UK and in Tunisia to work closely through visits, mentoring and shadowing to develop the above strands.

For more information please contact: Afshan Baksh, abaksh@harrow.ac.uk, +44 208 909 6346 (direct number)

A group of 7 professionals from the Italian education system visited Harrow College on Friday in order to learn more about different practices and share ideas.

The group included a teacher from a training centre – Nicolette Cecotti, who was interested to learn about methods of teaching and how we work with disadvantaged students and Giulia Pozzetti, a Careers officer in a school for children with learning difficulties. Giulia was excited to learn more about Harrow College and how we help our students gain the confidence and skills for a work environment.

Hair and Beauty Studio

The group spent their time at Harrow on the Hill Campus visiting several different areas of the college including a Hairdressing class where they met with Ellie Zaeni and had the opportunity of seeing a practical Hairdressing class in action. They then went on to meet with Dharshini Sanguhan and Jacki Baker where they discussed the College’s Careers service, assessment processes and additional services that are provided to our students.

Their visit ended with a tour of the Learning Centre and a look at the Student Portal.

Giulia Brunato, an English language teacher, said that she had very much enjoyed her time with us at the college.

The group were flying home late on Friday evening after a weeklong visit to the UK which was hosted by Language Link London.

Employability-week-Feb2012

Harrow College held an event to help 16-18 year olds with their employability skills during February half-term.

The event helped young people with their planning for career progression , preparation for work, applying for a job and interview skills where they were given the opportunity to be interviewed by local employers for their feedback.

Karishma Badrakin attended the course and commented ‘This experience has shown me how different people might work in different workplaces. It has given me more confidence and I am pleased with my updated CV’.

Bruno Palmer had previously attended an Apprenticeship event at Harrow College and was informed about the Employability event by his tutor. Bruno commented ‘This has been a useful week. A lot of what we have learnt has been revision for me, for example body language and other communication skills. The interview skills have been helpful and we have had a really good tutor! I would definitely recommend this course!’

Simone Elliott, from the Employability Department at Harrow Council and Aileen Beaumont, Workforce Development Coordinator and Careers Guidance Officer at Harrow Council kindly gave up their time to interview the students and give them feedback to help them in real-life situations. They commented ‘ It has been an enjoyable and rewarding experience. The candidates are varied in their experience and abilities so makes it really interesting for us!’

Harrow College will be running the employability event again. Dates will be confirmed in due course.