A Level student accepts an apprenticeship with Aon after participating in a range of career programmes facilitated by the college careers team.
Ruben Bonomo, a Year 13 A Level Student from City and Islington College (CANDI), has successfully won a place on a prestigious and competitive apprenticeship scheme with Aon. Aon is a global expert in Risk Capital and Human Capital and their apprenticeship scheme has been listed among the top 100 employers by RateMyApprenticeship.
Ruben is studying A Levels in Economics, Psychology and Music at CANDI’s Sixth Form College in Angel and will complete his courses this summer. While studying at CANDI, Ruben has taken part in a variety of initiatives offered and facilitated by the college’s careers department. He participated in the Lloyds Junior Scholars programme which develops students’ finance skills and boosts employability. During the programme, he worked closely with Lloyds apprentices and was selected for a one-week summer work experience placement at Lloyds Banking Group.
Ruben has also been an active participant in the programme offered by Career Ready, a national social mobility charity which connects employers and educators to provide better opportunities to young people. The charity provides mentor meetings, paid internships, workplace visits and masterclasses. As a result of the programme, Ruben has been mentored by SMBC Banking throughout his time at CANDI and completed a four-week summer internship with them in 2023. Ruben also completed the Big Alliance mentoring programme which matches volunteers from local businesses to students in schools and colleges across Islington.
It was Ruben’s experience of working with Lloyds apprentices that inspired him to consider an apprenticeship after completing his A Levels. After applying for a number of business and finance apprenticeships, Ruben was shortlisted for an apprenticeship with Aon and made it through to the assessment day, where he joined around 40 other candidates to complete group activities and attend a formal interview. His suitability for the programme was also informally assessed during a lunch, a tour and a Q&A session.
Ruben gained a great deal of experience in corporate environments through his participation in CCCG’s career programmes supported by the careers team. These experiences enabled him to step into the apprenticeship application process with ease and experience. As a result, he was able to demonstrate his skills and show how he would be an asset to Aon during the interview. Following the assessment day, Ruben was offered a place on Aon’s Commercial Risk and Reinsurance Broking Higher Level Apprenticeship commencing in September 2024, which he was delighted to accept.
Ruben said: “I’m particularly excited about the learning and development opportunities that lie ahead. I’ll be diving into a structured program that encompasses on-the-job learning, centralized learning sessions, and the pursuit of professional qualifications – all with full support from Aon.”
Ben Orcese, Careers and Higher Education Advisor at CANDI, said: “Moving onto any kind of apprenticeship post A Level or BTEC is incredibly challenging for any student. With Ruben, it is clear that motivation, hard work, resilience and dedication really does pay off if you are serious about making a professional non-higher education destination.”
Ruben’s success demonstrates the importance of career education and career enrichment for students. At Capital City College Group (CCCG) we offer extensive Career Support and Work Experience to all of our students, whether they are about to embark upon a new career or career path, or need support in their current role.
Congratulations to Ruben on your apprenticeship with Aon!
We offer one of the largest ranges of Apprenticeship Training across London, allowing students to gain valuable skills and earn while they learn. If you’re interested in doing an apprenticeship, take a look at our excellent range of Apprenticeship Courses.
A group of A Level and Business students meet expert volunteers from marketing, technology, finance and law professions at an event designed to build confidence and boost employability.
A group of 40 Students from Westminster Kingsway College (WestKing) took part in an Employability Festival as part of In House Pro Bono Day at The Law Society on 24 April. In House Pro Bono Day is an event organised by In House Pro Bono Group to support people looking to secure meaningful employment.
Volunteers from international law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP joined professional services firms including Goldman Sachs, Bank of America and Bloomberg to volunteer their knowledge and experience. The event brought together lawyers and experts from the fields of marketing, technology and finance.
During the Employability Festival, students took part in a speed networking session and connected with business professionals from a variety of industries. They were able to learn more about different professions and ask questions about career paths and professional roles.
The next session was a CV workshop, where students had the opportunity to draw on the expertise of a volunteer from one of the companies and look at ways to strengthen their CVs. This was followed by mock interviews, where volunteers used the students’ CVs as a guide and asked a variety of competency-based and strength-based questions. These personalised simulated interviews gave students the chance to role-play an interview and develop their responses. The Employability Festival concluded with a wider group discussion where attendees reflected on their experiences.
Amna Akhtar, a Year 12 A Level student, said: “Entering The Law Society was a dive into a trove of wisdom and possibility, each interaction a stroke toward crafting both my corporate and legal journey.”
Jennifer Oteng, Employability and Events Coordinator at WestKing said: “The students were really engaged in all the activities and networked with the professionals which was great to see. It was insightful and highlighted the significance of professionals engaging in events like this with students, to share their knowledge and expertise and leave the students feeling inspired”
Capital City College Group (CCCG) is committed to supporting students in finding meaningful employment. We do this by providing access to events such as In House Pro Bono Day, offering exceptional Career Support and Work Experience opportunities and maintaining and continuously developing our Employer Partnerships.
Whether you’re looking to take A Levels, study Business or start an Apprenticeship, we have an excellent range of courses for learners of all levels. Apply today and see how our courses could benefit you.
Students showcase writing skills and create dystopian worlds for a college competition.
A group of six GCSE English students from City and Islington College (CANDI) have been awarded creative writing prizes for their original stories. The students, all of whom study at CANDI’s Centre for Business, Arts and Technology, Camden Road (CBAT), wrote short creative pieces as part of their GCSE English course. The course involves a range of project-based work and in February students completed a creative writing task on the theme of Utopia and Dystopia.
The creative writing competition was organised by Sean Vernell, a GCSE English Teacher, who opened up the challenge to five of his GCSE English groups. Sean invited students to submit their creative pieces and chose six winners.
The winning pieces are set in dystopian worlds brought about by wars, climate change, new technologies and pandemics. They include richly descriptive and detailed portrayals of dystopian landscapes, incorporating dramatic scenes of conflict and survival as well as engaging original characters.
The six winnings stories were:
The Authority by Zahara Parsons
Life in 50 Years by Kiara Ezechie
A Time To Die by Aisha Sharif
The Silent Room by Ediana Pires
Meta Earth by Plando Hoppe
Trapped in a World by Jade Byrne
Sean Vernall, the GCSE English Teacher who guided the students through the project and organised the competition, said: “The world in which young people live is fraught with tensions and fears. These stories reflect these anxieties about their future worlds. […] All six are worthy winners of this year’s creative writing competition.”
The winning authors received a short anthology containing their creative writing pieces along with Amazon vouchers. The prizes were presented by Sacha Murmann, Head of School for Maths and English at CANDI, Shima Javadzadeh, Curriculum Manager for Maths and English. and Seval Fadil, Assistant Principal at CANDI.
Sacha Murmann, Head of School for Maths and English at CANDI, said: “We found all the entries to be outstanding examples of high-quality powerful writing that should now be enjoyed by a wider audience. […] I look forward to seeing these young, exciting writers in a few years’ time with their first novels.”
Two teams represented CANDI at The Big Idea Challenge final at London Metropolitan University on 24 April. The Big Idea Challenge is an annual enterprise competition held by London Metropolitan University that allows students and recent graduates to turn their ideas into a business. Entries can be commercial, creative or focussed on social impact. Winning entries receive prizes which will support them in developing their ideas and launching their product or business.
The event began with a speech from Donna Atchere and Dr Abigail Othchere, co-founders of SiSTEM, a platform which supports and connects women in STEM. This was followed by the awards presentation, including a Popular Choice Award, 2nd Runners-Up, 1st Runners-Up and Overall Winner.
Team Mag Vision from CANDI’s Centre for Business, Arts and Technology, Camden Road (CBAT) were awarded the position of 2nd runners-up for their innovative invention. Team Mag Vision designed state-of-the-art glasses that connect to personal devices via Bluetooth, enabling users to protect confidential information when working in public spaces. The glasses work by turning the device screen black and transferring private information directly to the glasses so that only the wearer can see it. The members of Team Mag Vision were Kyle Cambell-Evans, Naomi Weres, Zahrah Parsons and Idorenyin Unwene.
The other CBAT student team in the final round, Team SEDA, designed a cropped hoodie with a silk hood to protect the wearer against the unpredictable UK weather. The members of Team SEDA were Elizampet Lesi , Gulici Karaaslan, Mahnaz Nazar, Tasnim Wahid and Celeste Garcia.
The students came from a range of Business Courses and Health and Social Care Courses and were supported by Rahma Hussein, a CBAT Student Engagement Officer, throughout the competition. The project was an extracurricular task that helped students to develop their entrepreneurial abilities. Participation in The Big Ideas Challenge also enabled them to build on essential skills such as research, collaboration, presentation, problem-solving, critical thinking and communication.
Congratulations to both teams for making it to the final of London Metropolitan University’s Big Idea Challenge 2024!
Students from Capital City College Group display their sporting abilities and compete in six sports at the Association of Colleges National Championships.
Students from Capital City College Group (CCCG) showcased their sporting skills at The Association of Colleges (AoC) National Championships 2024. The event, which took place from 19 to 21 April in Nottingham, was an exciting celebration of 12 competitive sports which gave students the opportunity to compete against their peers.
The AoC National Championships are the largest annual Further Education student sporting event in Europe, with around 1500 colleges taking part each year.
This year, Team CCCG Sport consisted of 40 learners who competed in six different sports: Basketball, Table Tennis, Badminton, Netball, Cross Country and Football. After excellent performances in the regional sports championships, the students progressed to the national competition. As a result, Team CCCG Sport made up the majority of representatives from London, and they proudly represented both the college group and the city.
Basketball
Team CCCG Sport’s Basketball team entered the National Championships as reigning champions and was asked to take part in the opening ceremony and a showcase game to open the tournament. After winning the opening fixture, the team continued to perform well and made it to the final, where they had high hopes of retaining their title. They played a closely matched evening final in front of a packed arena and were narrowly beaten by a strong Cardiff team who won 13-9.
Table Tennis
Business student Rayan Ansari entered the national competition after winning the regional championships comfortably. Rayan played extremely well in the competition and was eventually knocked out in the semi-final by the player who went on to win the championship. This year is the first year that Team CCCG Sport has been represented in the sport and the team is immensely proud of Ryan’s achievements.
Badminton
Another first for Team CCCG Sport was its participation in the Badminton competition. City and Islington College (CANDI) student Dylan Gregory competed as part of the doubles team representing London, which included two more players from other London colleges. Dylan played alongside a partner from Kingston College, and they performed well, winning five of their eight matches. The London doubles badminton team was placed 6th at the end of the competition and Team CCCG Sport were incredibly proud of Dylan’s performance.
Team CCCG Sport’s Netball Team have continued to work hard, achieving two regional championship trophies and qualifying for national competitions. During the National Championships, they maintained their position from last year, coming 9th in the competition. Having only been established two years ago, the team continues to grow and improve.
This year marked Team CCCG’s Football Team’s debut at the National Championships and the players adapted well to the new competition format. The tournament was incredibly competitive and they finished 5th, a great result for their first national competition.
Robert Murphy, Sports Development Manager, said: “I am hugely proud of the achievement of our students in the championships in Nottingham. The students had a great time at the event and treated us to some excellent performances. With so many successes in the regional championships qualifying us for national competitions, it shows how fantastic we are becoming at sports. If you are serious about sports then CCCG is a great college to attend.”
Being part of Team CCCG provides students with opportunities beyond their academic courses. The various sports departments across the college group are dedicated to supporting students in their sporting activities.
Robert Murphy said: “I would like to thank all the staff for their hard work over the competition weekend. It was very much appreciated. The days were long and staff went above and beyond to ensure everything ran smoothly.”
“If you are serious about sports then CCCG is a great college to attend.”
Congratulations to TEAM CCCG for your excellent achievements and participation in the AoC National Championships 2024!
If you’re passionate about sports, why not consider joining one of our Sports Academies? Our Sports Academies are open to anyone aged 16-19 and enrolled on one of our courses. The Sports Academies allow students to combine their academic courses with excellent sports training and are partnered with local professional organisations and give students the best training, advice, and opportunities.
Here are some essential ways to look after your mental health while taking end-of-year assessments and exams.
With exam season upon us, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Whether you’re taking A Level courses or coming to your end-of-course assessment, the prospect of retaining lots of information and performing under pressure can cause stress levels to rise.
That’s why it’s more important than ever to think about ways to manage stress and look after your mental health. This week is also Mental Health Awareness Week (13-19 May), so we’ve put together 5 ways to recognise, manage and relieve stress during exam season.
1. Notice how exam stress affects you
Before we even get started trying to tackle stress, it’s good to think about how it shows up in our minds and bodies. Are you feeling exhausted and restless or are you simply avoiding your revision?
Here are some of the typical ways that exam stress can affect people.
Emotions or feelings
Exam stress and play havoc with your emotions. You might be feeling any combination of the following:
Anxious, overwhelmed
Upset, teary
Easily annoyed, frustrated, angry
Bored, uninterested, lacking in energy, exhausted
Disappointed, embarrassed, lacking in confidence, confused
Physical responses to stress
Stress can also manifest physically, and you might find that you notice that your body feels different. You may experience:
Headaches, dizziness, blurred vision
A racing heartbeat
Changes in eating habits, loss of appetite, feeling sick, stomach pain
Struggling to focus, being forgetful
Feeling restless or tense
Trembling or shaking, sweating a lot
Feeling tired, difficulty sleeping or waking up
Stress-related thought patterns
You may find that your mind wanders off or that you’re experiencing self-doubt or fear.
It’s common to experience:
Self-doubt and negative self-talk
Fear of failure
Comparing yourself to others
Fear of disappointing yourself or others
Feeling like you can’t cope with what’s facing you
Behaviour linked to stress
Stress can make us act a little differently too, and it’s common for people experiencing exam stress to do the following:
Avoiding revision and exam planning
Struggling to manage day-to-day tasks
Lose motivation
Not do things you usually enjoy, or not enjoying them as much
Forget to take breaks and work too much
Stress is a natural response to pressure and can often help motivate us to complete the tasks at hand, but if any of these responses feel like they’re taking over, then don’t be shy about asking for help. Stress can also make existing mental health problems feel more difficult to manage. If you’re struggling to cope, don’t sit on it.
For Capital City College Group (CCCG) students, the Support and Wellbeing team are ready to help. Organisations like Young Minds and The Mix offer great advice and insight based on the experiences of other young people about exam stress. Childline, Saneline and Samaritans are ready to provide support when things get too much. Remember that you can also contact your GP for an appointment with a doctor.
2. Stay connected
When times get tough, it’s tempting to hunker down until it’s all over – but that can be lonely. It’s important to remain connected to family and friends as they’re often the best people to distract you when you need to unwind.
If you have friends or classmates who are also in the thick of it, take a moment to check in on each other. Your peers will be able to empathise and sometimes a chat about a shared experience is the best way to air your worries. You may even want to buddy up and study together. Some studies show that revising with others helps you absorb information effectively, and then of course there’s the added benefit of feeling connected and supported.
If you’re anxious about one aspect of your exams in particular, find a teacher, friend or family member whose advice you value and talk it through with them. It’ll help to get it off your chest, and they may be able to offer useful suggestions to help you tackle it.
It’s not always easy to start a conversation about what you’re experiencing. You may find it useful to try out these sentences:
Can we talk for a bit? I’m finding things difficult and my exams are getting on top of me.
I’ve been struggling with my exams and I’m feeling overwhelmed. Can I talk to you about it?
I’m finding my exams stressful.3. I don’t think I need solutions, but I’d like to talk and get some things off my chest.
I’m really feeling the pressure of these exams and just need to talk to someone about it. Can I vent in your direction for a bit?
3. Eat, sleep, breathe and move.
This should be your exam-season mantra. Eat, sleep, breathe and well.
Eat (and drink)
What you eat can affect how you feel in exam season, and eating certain foods may even improve your exam performance.
Don’t skip meals as this can cause your blood sugar levels to drop, which negatively affects your ability to focus
Stock up on slow-release carbs such as oats, whole-grain bread, brown rice and pulses
Boost your brain power by upping your intake of Omega-3 by eating oily fish and seafood
The fibre in fruit and vegetables helps your body to release energy more consistently so embrace your favourite fresh produce. Think about getting in some leafy greens for iron and boost your vitamin C with oranges or kiwis
Drink less caffeine and more water. Water helps maximise focus so hydrate your brain!
Sleep
Lack of sleep affects your memory and slows your ability to respond quickly to things. That said, getting your 8 hours can be tricky when you’re stressed.
Heavy evening meals can interfere with your sleep so eat at least 3 hours before bedtime
Steer clear of caffeine at least 4 hours before bed (or longer if you know you’re sensitive to its effects)
Put your devices away at least an hour before you go to bed
Try to get 8-9 hours of sleep a night
Breathe
We take it for granted so often, but something as simple as taking a breath can be incredibly effective in managing stress.
Our breath changes when we’re stressed and anxious, often becoming shallow, fast and irregular
Recalibrating the rhythm of your breath can bring down your heart rate and stimulate the vagus nerve, enabling you to calm your nervous system
Doing regular breathing exercises trains your nervous system and helps build long-term resilience against stress
Move
Regular physical movement is known to have a positive effect on mental health and well-being – so much so that it’s the main theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week.
Sitting at a desk or in front of a screen for long periods of time can make you feel lethargic, so combat that by moving your body.
Aim to do 30 minutes of movement each day
Get outside if you can – your brain and body will benefit from a change of scene
If you can’t hit the gym or your usual sports club, try something different – a walk to the shops, a run around the park, a yoga video, a 15-minute kitchen dance party – whatever you can manage will be worth it
4. Take breaks and plan treats
Revising non-stop is not the most effective way to get through it all. Plan out your revision timetable and make sure that your working day has a start and end point. Be sure to factor in breaks every hour or so to give yourself a mental and physical rest. Use your breaks to do something you actively enjoy – go for a walk with your favourite podcast or playlist, create something, kick a ball around the garden, chat to a friend or make yourself something delicious to eat.
Having something to look forward to is also highly motivating, and treats don’t need to be expensive. You can reward yourself with your favourite snack, a refreshing shower or a relaxing bath – whatever feels like a treat for you. Although it can be tempting to go online to play or scroll, try to destimulate your brain by doing something that moves you away from your study area or screens and gives your eyes a rest.
5. Be kind to yourself
Exam season is the time when we’re most likely to compare ourselves to others, whether it’s asking how much someone else has revised or finding out which essay question they went for. If you find post-exam talk stressful, then be kind to yourself. Let your classmates know that dissecting the paper after the exam is not something you want to do.
Finally, think about how far you’ve come and what you’ve already achieved. Remain proud of your efforts and nudge out negative self-talk with more positive truths. If you find yourself thinking “I’m going to fail this exam,” replace that thought with “I’ve worked hard in this area and now have a better understanding of X. I can be proud of that.”
Exams are stressful – there’s no denying that. But they’re also good preparation for the stresses of life after your studies. Finding effective ways to manage stress is an ongoing investment in your mental health, not just for exam season, but for life.
If you’re a CCCG student struggling with exam stress, contact the Support and Wellbeing team at your college. It’s what they’re there for.
We wish all Capital City College Group students the best as we enter exam season! We want you to do your best but, more importantly, we want you to stay healthy.
The Centenary Learning Centre at the college’s Tottenham Centre invited students from ESOL courses and Literacy and Numeracy courses to take part in a literary treasure hunt on 23 and 24 April. The event was organised and run by Pavla Jonasova from the ESOL Department, Nicky Evans and CONEL’s library team as part of the Reading Ahead Scheme, which encourages people to build confidence in their reading skills. The treasure hunt proved very popular, with over 275 students from both ESOL and Literacy and Numeracy courses taking part.
During the event, students followed a trail of puzzles, with each one leading them to a classic book or well-known author. The activities enabled them to develop problem-solving skills, work collaboratively and develop their knowledge of a range of literary titles and writers. Pavla, Nicky and the library team supported and encouraged students as they completed the challenges. Once the students had successfully completed all of the puzzles, they were able to claim their treasure, a free book from World Book Night’s Quick Read collection.
The treasure hunt reinforced the importance of both Literacy and Mathematics and offered a great introduction to the college’s library service, encouraging students to use the facilities as they develop their own reading practice.
We recently held a World Book Night Treasure Hunt at The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London’s library for ESOL and Functional Skills students! 🙌 Full news story to follow. #college#london#conel#tottenham#esol#books#lifeatcccg
Kamila Buhajczuk, ESOL Curriculum Manager, said: “The treasure hunt was a fantastic event that our students thoroughly enjoyed. It provided great enrichment and an opportunity to develop problem-solving skills and collaborative work. Students were very happy to receive a book as a reward for their efforts. The event was very well organised and fun for all involved.”
Sibel Tancuay, ESOL Lecturer, said: “The treasure hunt organised was an absolute joy for the learners. The thrill of finding clues encouraged learners to participate in the journey. The clues were cleverly crafted requiring several different abilities and skills. The hunt tested different techniques and gave an opportunity for the learners to become friends with other groups. The experience was a celebration of literature, a test of wit and a chance to embark on a new adventure.”
Marie Scarlett Davis, Literacy Lecturer, said: “The Treasure Hunt was well organized and engaging. It was creative and well-crafted, bringing together maths, English, problem-solving and team-building skills for all levels. My students enjoyed the experience and had fun. They took part with great enthusiasm and are looking forward to the next one!”
If you are interested in developing your ESOL or Literacy and Numeracy skills, then why not take a look at our courses? We offer a range of flexible options for learners of all backgrounds and abilities, with courses that combine ESOL study with other subjects such as Accounting and Business or Childcare.
The Culinary Arts and Hospitality team from WestKing has been shortlisted for a popular national award, recognising their dedication to teaching and education.
The competition consists of 16 team and individual categories recognising educators across early years, primary, secondary and Further Education sectors. The Culinary Arts and Hospitality Team from WestKing has been selected as a finalist by the judges in the Further Education Team of the Year category.
The next stage of the competition involves judging visits, which will take place during April and May. Following announcements of Certificate, Bronze and Silver Winners on National Thank a Teacher Day on 19 June, the competition will culminate in November with the Pearson National Teaching Awards UK Ceremony as well as coverage on the BBC’s The One Show.
Paul Jervis, Head of Hospitality and Culinary Arts at WestKing, said: “We are delighted that our team has been shortlisted for the Further Education Team of the Year in the Pearson National Teaching Awards. The School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts has an exceptional team of teaching and support staff, and it’s their passion and dedication to their craft that makes Westminster Kingsway College one of the best places in the country to study Hospitality and Culinary Arts.”
The British Red Cross which is known for its pioneering work and global humanitarian efforts across the globe, partnered with CONEL’s Creative Media and Computing and IT departments and invited students to apply for a work experience programme.
After undergoing a rigorous selection process which assessed their dedication, passion and aptitude for the humanitarian field, four students were selected to participate in a week-long British Red Cross work experience programme from 19 February to 23 February.
The four CONEL students who took part in the programme were:
During the work experience placement, the students immersed themselves in various roles within the organisation which included communications, media relations and community outreach. The programme took place both online and in person and was designed to provide them with hands-on experience that would enable them to create positive change within their communities.
Under the guidance of experienced professionals within the organisation, students took on new challenges, embraced learning opportunities and developed professional skills.
Jasmine White, who is currently studying Creative Media Production – Level 3 Extended Diploma, said: “Engaging in the Red Cross Work Experience Program has been an invaluable opportunity for personal and professional growth, thank you.”
Kehinde Ayomikun Ogunfowokan, an IT – Level 1 Introductory Diploma student, said: “The Red Cross work experience taught me how to understand and engage with customers effectively.”
Upon completing their work experience, The British Red Cross awarded each student with a certificate acknowledging their commitment to humanitarian service and their contributions during their time with the organisation.
We work with a variety of organisations and employers to provide valuable work experience placements for all full-time students. These placements enable students to gain a deeper understanding of working life, develop transferable skills, make informed choices about their future careers and build their professional network.
The International Salon Culinaire is one of the most prestigious chef competitions in the world, providing a platform for chefs of all levels, from aspiring trainees to experienced and established professionals. The three-day event formed part of Hotel, Restaurant and Catering (HRC), an enormous UK hospitality business event and exhibition which ran during Food, Drink and Hospitality Week at ExCel London.
This year’s International Salon Culinaire took place from 25 March to 27 March at ExCel London and included over 120 different competitions, giving chefs of varying levels of skills and experience the opportunity to showcase their talents.
The competitions fell into one of four different categories: Live Theatre, Salon Display, Skills Theatre and Sugarcraft.
Live Theatre featured eight fully equipped workstations where competitors participated in a series of thrilling live competitions
Salon Display incorporated a visually stunning array of competition pieces where participants demonstrated their culinary art skills using a variety of mediums. For this category, entrants brought their fully prepared finished dishes to the event for presentation
Skills Theatre featured the Salon’s Skills Competitions tailored to aspiring chefs and culinary students. These challenges offered less experienced chefs the perfect platform to showcase their talents and refine essential skills
Sugarcraft allowed skilled sugar and cake artisans to demonstrate their artistic flair in thrilling decorating competitions
Westminster Kingsway College’s (WestKing) School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality was incredibly well-represented at the International Salon Culinaire, with 102 students taking part and some students entering multiple classes. Students benefited by gaining competition experience as well as invaluable feedback from industry experts which will help guide them as they move into their careers. The event also gave students the opportunity to meet key figures, network with industry professionals and watch both their current classmates and former WestKing students in action.
The students who attended and competed came from a range of Culinary Arts and Hospitality courses including:
At the end of the competitions, the team from WestKing has amassed an impressive haul of medals which included 18 Gold medals, 58 Silver medals, 14 Bronze medals and 12 Certificate of Merits. As a result of their incredible success, the college was awarded The John Retallick Memorial Trophy, a unique award presented to the college that leads the medal table at the end of the International Salon Culinaire.
A lecturer from WestKing was also awarded the accolade of Outstanding Support Mentor. Steve Oram, who teaches the Apprenticeship and RACA (Royal Academy of Culinary Arts) courses, was recognised for his efforts in helping students develop their skills and expertise.
Sharon Barry, Head of School Culinary Arts Apprenticeships and Adults, said: “We are so proud of the achievements of all the learners who have participated in the HRC competition. The teaching team and the learners have put a huge amount of hard work into preparing for these and the results are an amazing achievement and representation of the hard work and continued progress and development of the learners.”
Paul Jervis, Head of Hospitality and Culinary Arts at WestKing said: “Competitions give our learners a unique opportunity to showcase their skills in a different and challenging environment. I am incredibly proud of the work both the staff and students put into The HRC show, and their efforts were reflected by the exceptional haul of medals and awards.”
