Camila Montes Duque, a Year 1 student at Capital City College’s Mosaic@Soho centre, has made the finals for this year’s 2025 BAFTA Young Game Designers Competition.
The students’ work impressed the teachers, and Ade Anwar, Curriculum Manager for Games and Digital at Mosaic@Soho, thought that some of the students had a good chance at the BAFTA competition, so put forward a nomination.
Ade explained: “The BAFTA YGD competition focused on games ideas. I’m happy my assignment on how to write games design documents was helpful for Camila and allowed our students to communicate their ideas in a professional context.”
Camila’s game concept, Rhythm Hell: A Journey of self-discovery, invites players into a powerful rhythm battle where a bass guitar becomes a weapon against demonic manifestations of self-doubt and societal pressure. It’s a compelling exploration of inner strength, creativity, and the fight to stay true to a person’s dreams.
Artwork designs for Camila Montes Duque’s game concept, Rhythm Hell: A Journey of self-discovery
A snapshot of Camila Montes Duque’s game concept, Rhythm Hell: A Journey of self-discovery
Camila Montes Duque
Camila said: “I’m delighted to be given this opportunity to showcase my work to the public, my family and friends. This is a character’s journey of self-discovery, where The player uses rhythm gameplay to destroy spirits who are a metaphor for his family’s need for social conformity. To break free he has to use his bass to defeat them in a rhythmic battle. I’m excited to see other’s hard work and what the final outcome is!”
Ade added: “Having the learners choose to lo-fi engineer games for an old console like the Sega Megadrive for sustainability reasons, was also a proud moment. I can see our Mosaic students take responsibility for their industry, as we focus so much on accolades and our own personal gratification in games that we do not think about the environmental impact. It’s good to know we are teaching aware and reflective students.”
The winners of the BAFTA Young Game Designers Competition will be announced on 18 June at a virtual ceremony. Camila and the other finalists will have the chance to visit BAFTA HQ to showcase their games and concepts to industry professionals later in the month, with a public showcase to display their work on 29 June.
Our apprenticeships team has been shortlisted for the Learning Provider of the Year category at the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards 2025, in partnership with Pearson.
This prestigious recognition celebrates our unwavering commitment to supporting apprentices from diverse backgrounds and delivering inclusive, high-quality education that empowers individuals and communities.
Now in its 10th year, the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards continues to spotlight the achievements of multicultural British apprentices and the organisations that champion them. The awards aim to inspire the next generation of talent by showcasing the positive impact of apprenticeships and the vital role of learning providers and employers in nurturing success.
Jerome Lecerf, Group Head of School ‑ Apprenticeships at Capital City College, explained how the team at CCC “applied for the Multicultural Award 2025 to highlight its commitment to equity and inclusion in apprenticeship education. With a large proportion of its apprentices coming from multicultural backgrounds, the college wanted to showcase how it provides tailored support, inclusive outreach, and meaningful progression opportunities — ensuring every learner, regardless of background, has the chance to succeed.”
The winners will be announced at a black-tie gala on Friday 7th November 2025 in London, where finalists from across the UK will celebrate excellence in apprenticeship delivery.
We are proud to stand alongside other outstanding organisations and individuals who are making a real difference in the apprenticeship landscape. You can view the full shortlist and learn more about the awards online.
Thank you to everyone who continues to support our mission of creating opportunity through education.
Facilities Management Apprentice Jagpal Singh shares how his apprenticeship is already supporting him in developing his career.
Jagpal Singh, a CCC Facilities Management Apprentice
Over the past 15 months, Jagpal Singh has been doing a Level 2 apprenticeship in Facilities Management with Apprenticeships+ while working as a Housing Apprentice within the Neighbourhood Services team at Islington Council. Since starting his apprenticeship, Jagpal has succeeded in becoming a Quality Assurance Officer at Islington Council.
What had you done before you started your apprenticeship?
Before my apprenticeship, I had no experience in anything related to facilities. My career background was mostly in retail, customer service, and hospitality. My highest educational achievement was A-levels in History, Sociology and Design Technology.
Why did you choose to study with Apprenticeships+?
I chose an apprenticeship because I believed it was the best way to start a long-term career, especially given my background and not having a university degree. I chose Apprenticeships+ because the course was paired with a great employer, a local government council, which presented a valuable opportunity.
What did you like about the course?
I really appreciated how the course integrated learning with practical experience, as it pushed me to further develop my knowledge, skills, and my confidence.
I chose an apprenticeship because I believed it was the best way to start a long-term career. […] I chose Apprenticeships+ because the course was paired with a great employer.
What was the highlight of your apprenticeship experience?
Even though the learning process was enjoyable, one of the highlights of my apprenticeship was finally completing my assignments and coursework. It felt great to look back and see all the work and knowledge I’d built in a field I previously knew nothing about.
How was your apprenticeship relevant to your role?
The essay component of the apprenticeship provided a strong theoretical foundation in key topics such as sustainability, career development, health and safety, and how to foster positive relationships with customers. These theoretical learnings were directly applicable to my practical work and helped me perform with greater knowledge and efficiency.
Additionally, the evidence portion of the apprenticeship encouraged me to explore different departments and foster positive relationships while maintaining a high standard of work. This aspect of the apprenticeship was particularly valuable in highlighting my work ethic and providing a broad understanding of the organisation’s operations.
What did you find challenging about the course?
I think that the most challenging aspect of the course was the coursework. At times, it was difficult to translate my practical work into well-structured written evidence.
How did you manage working while completing your apprenticeship?
I set clear goals and created a schedule that balanced both my practical work and the requirements of my apprenticeship, which ultimately supported my achievement. Managing my practical work alongside my apprenticeship gave me a deeper understanding of my responsibilities and provided me with the confidence to navigate my tasks effectively.
How are you feeling about the End Point Assessment (EPA)?
I was recently triggered for my EPA after 12 months on the course, and although I have not yet completed it, I feel very confident about completing my assessment.
How have your employer and the college supported you?
My employer supported me throughout the apprenticeship, opening paths for me whenever necessary to complete requirements for my course, such as for coursework. The college supported me by always keeping me confident. I had an amazing tutor who consistently encouraged me and reminded me of how well I was doing.
How has the apprenticeship benefitted your career?
I am pleased to share that I have been promoted to the position of Quality Assurance Officer from my previous role as a Housing Apprentice within Islington Council. Over the course of the year, my practical work and apprenticeship were closely aligned, which allowed me to develop both the knowledge and skills required to succeed in my new role. The combination of practical experience and academic knowledge has been instrumental in my development, and I am excited to apply these learnings in my new role as Quality Assurance Officer.
Do you have any advice for anyone embarking upon an apprenticeship?
I highly recommend an apprenticeship. At times, it can be overwhelming balancing the course and practical work, but it’s important to remain calm and always be willing to reach out for help. The opportunities are endless.
What’s next for you?
I am working towards becoming an Estate Service Coordinator, which is a step up from my current position.
Our Angel Centre hosted Rachel Corp, CEO of ITN, for a look into the world of journalism and broadcast media.
Nana Brew, Curriculum Lead for Creative subjects at Angel and Rachel Corp, CEO of ITN
Organised in collaboration with Speakers for Schools, Rachel’s talk gave students the chance to hear directly from a leading figure in British media. Rachel leads the teams behind ITV News, Channel 4 News, 5 News, and a wide range of award-winning documentaries and digital content.
Rachel shared her personal career journey, and spoke about working in the media industry, including its challenges, fast-paced nature, and a sense of purpose that comes from presenting stories to the public. She described journalism as a ‘meaningful career that allows individuals to enter people’s lives, share their stories, and influence social change through storytelling’.
Reflecting on her own career path, Rachel highlighted the differences between the media landscape when she began and the current environment. For example, today young aspiring journalists have access to social media and mobile technology, allowing them to document and share stories in ways that were not possible in the past. This presents both exciting opportunities and new challenges for the next generation of media professionals.
Follow your passion, stay curious, and explore opportunities
Throughout the session, Rachel offered students practical and motivational advice. She emphasised the importance of following one’s passion, staying curious, and taking proactive steps to explore opportunities. She encouraged students to embrace setbacks as valuable learning experiences, to approach each day with energy and a willingness to grow, and to maintain a fearless attitude in the face of uncertainty. Her message was clear: careers are rarely linear, but those who stay resilient, open-minded and driven can achieve extraordinary things.
Students were particularly impressed by Rachel’s openness in discussing the realities of her journey—including the demands of a day in the life of a Journalist and the obstacles she overcame along the way. Her willingness to speak candidly about the difficulties of journalism, as well as the rewards, made her talk engaging and offered a realistic yet inspiring perspective on the industry.
What our students said
One student said they liked: “The most personal story from the speaker with her ups and downs. I enjoyed how she was sharing each of her stories and how she experiences many different situations and emotions with just one career.”
Another student added how they enjoyed “the personal story of the speaker, with the journey of how she got to the position she’s in now, highlighting how it isn’t an easy road.”
Stefania Caria, Enterprise, Employability and Careers Manager at CCC, explained the importance of events like these: “Exposing young people to meaningful employer encounters is fundamental to inspiring them, broadening their horizons, and helping them make informed career choices. Hearing directly from someone who has built an outstanding career, and having the chance to engage with them, adds significant value to our students’ education and helps shape their future ambitions.”
Want to know more? Have a look at our Media courses and see if a career in the media industry is right for you.
What makes a great business pitch? Learners at Capital City College (CCC)’s Westminster centre faced a new challenge with their Introduction to Marketing course this year.
Business students taking part in Dragon’s Den style challenge
Georgia Puckett, Sensory Science and Nutrition Lecturer at CCC, is the module leader for the Access to HE Business Studies. She explained:
“This year we have revamped the curriculum to include all learning styles and to bring innovative learning for our students. Our Business Studies students worked very hard to interpret two units of the diploma – Introduction to Marketing and Market Analysis in a creative, innovative and fun way.
“In Introduction to Marketing, the students went out and created an advert for a product that they later pitched to ‘investors’ in a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style. The ‘dragons’ were members of our department as well as colleagues from other departments, which was really good to see. It was a fun day and we all learned from one another.”
An energy drink advert from CCC business students
One of the popular courses at CCC is Business Studies, where students learn about business organisation and structure, human resources management, management and leadership, and more. They can also expand their knowledge by taking part in debates, writing business letters, compiling an HR staff handbook, and wellbeing leaflets for employees.
Elham Noori, who is studying Business – Level 3 Access to Higher Education Diploma, said: “From the very beginning, this course has been more than just a route to university for me. It’s been a space of transformation, challenge, and support. Georgia and her team have created an environment where students are not only taught the subject matter, but truly guided — with passion, care, and belief in our potential.
“I have grown not just academically, but personally. I have had the chance to explore meaningful projects like launching a sustainable tech business and have been encouraged every step of the way. I have also developed confidence, time management, and resilience; all skills that helped me run a marathon and keep pushing for a future at King’s College London.”
Georgia added, “The Access to Business Studies at CCC is a course like no other. It is an all-rounder and robust programme of studies that comprehensively prepares our students for academic life at university. The units of the course are varied and diverse and we have responded to all learning styles in innovative ways.
“The assessments stretch and enrich the students’ academic and creative abilities, as they range from essay writing, report writing, writing persuasive business letters to interactive quizzes, creating leaflets with relevant advice for stress management in the workplace, creating adverts, pitching their business in front of a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style panel, conducting debates, academic poster presentations in front of an audience and so on.
“We are even doing an oral exam, old-school thinking meets Gen-Z energy, for adding authenticity and counteracting AI in writing. There is something for everyone to get stuck in!”
His Excellency, the Jordanian Minister of Education, paid a visit to our King’s Cross centre to learn more about our courses.
His Excellency, the Jordanian Minister of Education
This month, His Excellency, the Jordanian Minister of Education, visited Capital City College (CCC)’s King’s Cross centre to learn about the range of courses we provide.
Organised by Jane Baker, the Vice President of Business Development at Pearson, the Jordanian Minister of Education and colleagues from the Jordan Ministry of Education and the Jordan Embassy were treated to a tour of the school and learned about the vocational courses for students.
His Excellency has recently introduced vocational qualifications in Jordan and wanted to see the qualifications we offer at CCC, with a particular interest in healthcare, engineering, music, and the progression routes these provide for students.
The tour included a look at the healthcare suite, music studios and engineering workshops and showed students using the facilities, demonstrating how theory combines with practical experience.
His Excellency also expressed an interest in the construction workshops at CCC, as he aims to deliver women-only construction qualifications to upskill the younger female generation in Jordan.
Puneet Dhaliwal, Assistant Principal at CCC’s King’s Cross centre and His Excellency, the Jordanian Minister of Education
His Excellency, the Jordanian Minister of Education
Puneet Dhaliwal, Assistant Principal at CCC’s King’s Cross centre
Puneet Dhaliwal, Assistant Principal at CCC’s King’s Cross centre, said: “We were honoured to welcome His Excellency, the Jordanian Minister of Education, to our campus. It is always a privilege to showcase the innovative work we’re doing in technical and vocational education — an area we are incredibly proud of.
“Significant investment has been made to create industry-standard learning environments, such as our state-of-the-art healthcare suites, which enable students to develop the knowledge, skills, and behaviours needed to thrive in the workplace. Sharing our facilities and best practices with both local and international partners reinforces our commitment to excellence in education and workforce readiness.”
Chris Faulkner, Project Director for the Pearson & Jordan BTEC Partnership, added: “Pearson are very grateful to Puneet and her team at Capital City College Kings Cross campus for hosting an informative visit by the Jordan Minister of Education, representatives from the Jordan Ministry of Education and the Jordan Embassy. The visit showed great examples of how vocational education can be delivered using state of the art facilities, helping to provide innovative solutions to meeting the employment needs of local communities.”
Thank you to His Excellency for visiting! We hope to welcome you and your colleagues back again soon.
Capital City College (CCC)’s King’s Cross centre welcomed visiting university executives and high school headmasters from Korea, as well as the new mayor of Camden.
The visiting delegation Chungnam National University (CNU) with Eddie Hanson, Mayor of Camden, and colleagues from CCC
CCC were treated to a visit from special guest Councillor Eddie Hanson, Mayor of Camden, and a group of around 30 visitors from Chungnam National University (CNU).
Based in Daejeon, Korea, CNU is one of ten Flagship Korean National Universities which cooperates with government and non-government institutions, due to its location near the Daedeok R&D Special District, the Multifunctional Administrative City, the Daejeon Government Complex, and the Headquarters of the Korean Army, Air Force, and Navy.
As part of their initiative to improve the region’s technical high schools, CNU organised a group of headmasters of technical high schools (so-called ‘Meister High Schools’) who have an interest in schools preparing young people for industry. They came to the UK to learn and share good practices by visiting various organisations.
On Friday 16 May, the delegation visited CCC and learned about the major courses on offer for young people, especially some of the A level, apprenticeships and technical and vocational courses available.
Eddie Hanson, Mayor of Camden and Jasbir Sondhi, Group Principal for Young People, English, Mathematics and SEND at CCC with guests
Eddie Hanson, Mayor of Camden
Jasbir Sondhi, Group Principal for Young People, English, Mathematics and SEND and Toby Clark, Group Principal at CCC with guests
A special guest of the day was Councillor Eddie Hanson, Mayor of Camden. This was his very first engagement as mayor, and he said: “It’s amazing that we’re having students from abroad coming to our local educational facilities, exchanging knowledge and ideas. It’s been wonderful to be able to host them and see how happy a day it’s been to share cultures, learning and educational ideas.”
He explained to guests that “Camden brings opportunities in the digital, scientific and creative industries to life for Camden’s young people, and is a home to many innovative businesses and institutions, from Google to the Francis Crick Institute, and world-leading university centres like UCL, as well as a huge range of thriving small and medium businesses and start-ups.”
The visitors received a tour of the centre, and in recognition of Teacher’s Day, which is celebrated each year in Korea on 15 May, the organisers from CCC were presented with red floral badges, in symbolism of the camellia flower which are often given to teachers and which are native to Korea.
Jasbir Sondhi, Group Principal for Young People, English, Mathematics and SEND at CCC, added: “It’s always really good for us to showcase how we have been innovating here, and I think for them to use the example they’ve based their model on, and what we’ve kind of done here is a demonstrate of being impactful. We’re not only having a local level but internationally as well. And I think we are in a unique position to show case what we’re doing around that vocation.”
Kirsty McLaren, International Recruitment and Compliance Manager at CCC, said: “We were delighted to welcome senior representatives from Korean Meister High Schools to Capital City College today, sharing with them an insight into the vital role of the Further Education sector. Visits like this are invaluable in fostering the exchange of best practice and exploring opportunities for partnership and collaboration. We were honoured to be joined by the newly appointed Mayor of Camden, Councillor Eddie Hanson, whose presence on his first day in office made the occasion one to remember for everyone involved!”
Thank you to our visitors from Korea, and congratulations to Eddie Hanson, our new mayor of Camden!
We spoke to Tim Chaundy, Curriculum Manager for Performing Arts and Music at Capital City College to get his insight into the Eurovision Song Contest.
The trophy of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest at St. Jakobshalle in Basel – Corinne Cumming / EBU
This year’s Eurovision Song Contest Final will be made up of entries from 26 countries including the UK. The UK entry for this year is Remember Monday, an all-female group featuring singers Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele who will perform the song What The Hell Just Happened?
To celebrate the 69th Eurovision Song Contest happening in Basel, Switzerland this week, we caught up with Tim Chaundy, Curriculum Manager for Performing Arts and Music at Capital City College (CCC).
Timothy Chaundy, Curriculum Leader (Centre Schools) at CCC
What Music and Music Production courses do you teach at CCC?
I oversee our UAL (University of the Arts London) Music and Music Production Courses at Capital City College. We run Level 2 and 3 vocational courses and they are very practical, but there’s also a good amount of theoretical understanding involved.
Our courses offer a good mix of performance and production, and nowadays you need knowledge of both of those skills nowadays to progress into the music industry. As a learner on those courses, you have some choice about what skills you want to develop, where you want to take your musical journey and your musical learning during the one or two years that you’re with us. We provide our students with the platform to get to the next steps – a lot of our students go to university or music school, and some go straight into the industry.
What do you enjoy about teaching music?
Music is wonderful and everyone in the world appreciates music in some form. I’m not actually teaching music at the moment as I primarily teach performing arts, but what I do love about teaching music is bringing small groups together, creating musical ensembles, and introducing people to different genres and styles. I’m particularly interested in international music, so I enjoy exposing people to new styles and getting them to play in different ways, as well as developing their own repertoire.
What do you know about Eurovision?
I watch Eurovision occasionally and I do appreciate it, but I wouldn’t say I’m a big fan. It is such a huge event though, and lots of people love it. I have friends in Sweden and it’s really popular there. Also, we’ve just had a group of teachers and students visiting us from a college in Reykjavik, Iceland. They were talking about it a lot because they absolutely love it and it’s huge in Iceland, even though Iceland has never actually won it. Also, someone who worked with us at CCC a few years ago went on to become one of the production managers for the Eurovision events.
What makes a great Eurovision entry?
I think it’s about having a catchy melody – and actually it’s quite difficult to write something that really has a strong tune. It’s also about appealing to a modern audience, and that’s quite a tricky thing to get right.
But it’s not just about the music itself, it’s about the way it’s performed – and that’s down to the styling of it, the aesthetic, the production value – and bringing all of those elements together is really what makes a great Eurovision entry.
What skills and techniques are important for a strong Eurovision performance?
From a performance perspective, it’s important to have all the elements of performance such as musical performance, dance, being able to really engage an audience – and it takes a lot of technique to really develop confidence in those areas.
It’s important to understand how to choreograph that kind of large scale performance event and think about the design elements as well – and some of the Eurovision performances really tie in with their cultural outlook.
Do you have a favourite Eurovision entry from previous years?
I think it would have to be any of the Abba performances, Abba became huge and wrote really amazing pop songs, which were very much in that Europop tradition. Obviously, that led to Mama Mia, the musical and then the film. Abba have a lasting legacy which has grown and grown, and there are still performances going on now using modern technology.
What skills and techniques can students learn on music courses at CCC?
We teach you about the fundamental skills involved in performance and production, and you’ve got that flexibility, that choice that you can make as a learner, to decide on where you want to go and what pathway you want to take.
Also, from next year our Music and Music Production Courses will primarily be run at our King’s Cross centre, and I think that the resources at King’s Cross are genuinely fantastic. We’ve got a Steinway grand piano, an amazing band practice room and fantastic professional recording studios – all of which can be used by the students. I think that we offer an opportunity to really develop your own pathway through the course, which hopefully leads to bigger and greater things.
How do the courses at CCC support students in creating original music?
Our courses are all about creating original music and UAL, our awarding body, is very much centred on delivering a creative qualification. It’s all about encouraging the student’s voice, the student’s own authenticity, and we try to really develop that here. Last year, some of our students won the UAL origins creative award for original music that was based on Latin music. We really do try and encourage students to draw their own authenticity, their own interests, and to develop that into original music.
Whether it’s Europop, Afrobeats or Classical music that inspires you, our range of Music and Music Production Courses offer an opportunity to find your own unique pathway into music creation. Apply today!
Capital City College (CCC) and Network Rail have signed a major partnership agreement to launch the Network Rail Academy – a new training and pre-apprenticeship pathway designed to help young people in London, who are looking for training or educational opportunities to gain the skills and support they need to build successful careers in rail engineering.
The teams of Network Rail and Capital City College at a signing event
The academy will provide industry-specific courses, mentorship, work experience, and engineering, professional and employability skills.
The rail industry is facing a critical skills gap; it is projected that the industry will lose 3,000+ engineers over the next five years, and current talent pipelines are insufficient to bridge this gap. The academy addresses this challenge by providing young people with a gateway into rail careers, feeding into key apprenticeship schemes such as:
Level 3 Rail Engineering Technician
Level 3 Rail Infrastructure Operator
In partnership with CCC, the Network Rail Academy is geared towards young people aged 16–19 who are interested in rail or engineering, who may not have any formal qualifications or have not achieved GCSEs grade 4 or above.
With more than 837,000 16-24 year olds in the UK looking for training or education last year,1 there is a real need for educational and career opportunities for young people.
Learners will gain valuable training in engineering, employability skills, mentoring from Network Rail professionals, and the chance to study at a specialist centre in Enfield whilst preparing for a possible career in Rail.
Sharon Wallace, Assistant Principal at Capital City College’s Enfield Centre, said: ‘This partnership is a bold step towards breaking down barriers in education and opening up real career opportunities. By working with Network Rail, we want to re-energise young people who are seeking education, employment or training opportunities. The Network Rail Academy offers a solid start – practical, hands-on learning, professional mentoring and a clear route into a skilled job. It’s about giving young people a reason to believe in their future – and the tools to build it.’
Richard Turner, Head of Apprenticeships, Graduates, and Industry Development, Network Rail, said: ‘The rail industry is a fantastic place to work, and in need of skilled, motivated workers to keep us moving. By working with local colleges, the Network Rail Academy offers real-life, job-ready skills and training that is immediately relevant to not just Network Rail, but many other employers too. This marriage between local education providers and employer-led initiatives is exactly what’s needed to maximise employability and bridge skills gaps.’
Adults studying ESOL at Capital City College (CCC) King’s Cross centre gained valuable information on education pathways.
Huw Hides from Refugee Education
Delivered at Capital City College King’s Cross centre, on 30th April and 1st May, these two-day workshops were delivered by Huw Hides from Refugee Education. The workshops combined educational and interactive elements to inform learners, particularly asylum seekers and refugees about the British education system. This event discussed possible funding options, entry requirements for courses, eligibility and documents needed to enrol on courses. The workshops also provided information regarding the UK education system and prospective pathways.
Aleena Sharif, Events and Activities Co-ordinator at CCC, shared a few words about the day.
“Huw delivered an engaging and insightful workshop that was well received by our learners. He began with interactive activities such as a “thumbs up/thumbs down” icebreaker, where participants responded to light-hearted questions like “Thumbs up if you prefer coffee over tea.”
“This gradually progressed to more meaningful questions, such as whether learners felt confident about their next steps. These activities encouraged open discussion and helped build confidence in asking questions. Learners were asking questions throughout and left the workshop with a greater understanding of their next steps, post course.”
Adult learners were also provided guidance on potential educational pathways, such as previous qualifications obtained in other countries that relate to the UK system, and the role of ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages). Many learners already hold degrees from abroad, so the workshops addressed the idea that someone can be at different academic levels simultaneously.
For example, a learner may hold a degree equivalent to a UK Level 6 qualification, indicating advanced subject knowledge, while their English proficiency might be at Entry Level 2. The sessions helped clarify how learners can navigate the UK education system and what steps they should take to progress.
Aleena added, “Many learners felt comfortable enough to stay behind afterwards to ask more in-depth questions. The workshop also provided valuable signposting to other organisations that support asylum seekers and refugees. These included services that assist with converting qualifications from their home countries, as well as those that help individuals into employment. Huw covered all aspects of pathways thoroughly and responded to questions throughout the session. The workshop was greatly appreciated by all attendees.”
“This is the second year that Huw has delivered the pathways workshop to our ESOL learners, and it’s clear to see the positive impact it has had. The workshop has provided them with crucial information about their next steps. As always, it was highly informative and interactive, keeping the learners engaged and encouraging them to feel more confident in asking questions.”
Curious to learn more about studying ESOL at CCC? Read more about our courses to help you get started, whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced speaker and want to brush up on your skills.
Two Capital City College students talk about their experience of running this year’s London Marathon.
Capital City College students Matin Tordman and Elham Noori
On 27 April, two Capital City College (CCC) students, Elham Noori and Matin Tordman, were among the record-breaking 56,640 participants who crossed the finish line at this year’s London Marathon. Elham and Matin both ran on behalf of The Running Charity, an organisation that uses the power of running to support young people who are experiencing homelessness or have complex needs.
Digital and IT Skills – Level 2 Diploma. We caught up with the two students to learn more about their passion for running and what it was like to take part in the London Marathon.
How long have you been running?
Elham: I started running in August last year, so I’ve been running for around 10 months.
Matin I’ve been running for over a year now, but I’ve been playing football for a while so I’m used to running.
What are your other interests?
Elham: I’m really interested in business and technology, especially how communication and information management help organizations run efficiently. I also enjoy reading, volunteering and spending time outdoors.
Matin: I play football and I like writing.
What inspired you to enter the London Marathon?
Elham: Before registering for the London Marathon, I hadn’t run any long distance races before, only a 5k. I wanted to challenge myself mentally and physically, and I saw the London Marathon as a great opportunity to push my limits. I was inspired by the positive energy of past participants, and the sense of community the marathon brings. I also wanted to support The Running Charity, which has helped me. I think it was the best opportunity to support them and have an impact as I was wearing their T-shirt and running with them, so people could see the charity’s name and donate on the website.
Matin: I joined a running group early last year, and some of the young people had signed up to run the marathon. I thought I could do it and wanted to try it so I just went for it.
How did you prepare for the marathon?
Elham: It was my first time running the London Marathon so I did my training with The Running Charity and they helped me a lot. We started training around four months before the race by doing 15k runs every weekend. During the week, I took a break to help my body recover. I ran with other people from the charity and that was very helpful. If I’d tried to do it on my own, I would have found it too tiring, but when you’re with other people, you don’t notice how long it’s taking and how far you’ve run.
Matin: I have a running coach through The Running Charity, so about three months prior to the race we started training on Saturdays and Mondays, doing longer and shorter runs. You have to do some running on your own so you can get in shape, so I usually ran about three times a week, doing two short runs and one longer run of about 12k or 15k.
How did you feel on the day?
Elham: It was very incredible, and the support from the crowds kept me going. There were tough moments, but crossing the finishing line was an unforgettable achievement.
Matin: I woke up in the morning on the day of the race feeling very nervous because it was my first time. I told one of my coaches that I was feeling nervous and that the day felt different for me, but my coach reassured me that it was just another Sunday and that I shouldn’t let it get to me.
What were the highlights of the marathon?
Elham: The best part was the crowds cheering along the road. It gave me such a boost. Seeing people of all backgrounds running together from different causes was also really inspiring.
Matin: I started the race and, about 20 minutes in, I remember thinking “Oh, I’ve got a long way to go. Can I do this?” but it was amazing, because as soon as I started getting tired, people kept cheering my name so I had the confidence to keep going. Everyone showed positive energy and it was a good experience as well.
What were the challenges?
Elham: The most difficult thing was staying motivated during the race. When I started running, I felt good and was motivated, but when other people started to overtake me, it affected my motivation and I thought I might be the last person to finish. When I looked behind me and saw there were lots of people behind me, it motivated me to keep running. It was a hot day but I completed the race in 5 hours and 34 minutes.
Matin: The difficult part was after 30k. The last 10k was very difficult because, by that time, my body was done and my energy was gone. But then people kept on shouting out my name, and that’s what kept me going. In the end, I finished in 4 hours and 7 minutes
How did you feel after the race?
Elham: After the race my whole body was in pain, but when I got into a cold bath it helped my body to recover faster. After two days my body was almost 50% recovered and after four days I was ready to get back to running.
Matin: After the race, my legs were gone and I started feeling pain. I played football last week and then I tried running a 5k yesterday but it hurt, so I think I’ll start in a few days instead.
Are you planning to enter similar events in the future?
Elham: Absolutely. I’d like to do it again and again.
Matin: Yes, if there was another marathon next week, I’d go for it – it’s an amazing feeling. When I was running, I was thinking “When I’m done with this, I’m not doing a marathon again.” but 10 minutes after I finished I thought “This is a lovely experience, I’d do this again any day.”
What advice would you give to someone who is planning to run a marathon?
Elham: If it’s your first time doing a marathon, start training early – around three or four months before the race, and be consistent. Don’t be too hard on yourself, trust the process and make sure you listen to your body. Most importantly, enjoy the journey – it’s a big achievement.
Matin: I had a time in mind to finish and I’d planned to finish in under four hours because I felt like I could do that, but on the day, I couldn’t finish in under four hours and I finished in 4 hours and 7 minutes. For anyone trying to do a marathon for the first time, you should make sure you’re prepared and not think too much about hitting a specific time – just try to finish it. Then maybe for the second one you should prepare for the race and maybe have a time in mind.
The marathon is an amazing experience, especially when you’re doing it for a purpose. When you’re running, I think a lot of things go through your head, and as you’re running you start getting answers to some of the questions in your mind. I like running a lot – yes, sometimes it’s uncomfortable, but after you’re done you feel relieved and very happy you did it. So, for anyone planning on running a marathon, I’d say “Go for it!” – it’s a good experience and it’s a great feeling when you’ve done it.
If you’re interested in running, why not consider joining one of CCC’s Sports Academies such as the Athletics Academy. Joining the academy will provide you with elite training, support, guidance, and coaching and allow you to enter athletics competitions.
Congratulations to Elham and Matin for completing the London Marathon!
Capital City College A Level student Chidera Odo has made the most of mentorship during a visit to South Korea.
Capital City College student Chidera Odo at Lacoste
A Capital City College (CCC) student has taken a mentoring experience with Lacoste in London to new heights during a visit to the global brand’s South Korean headquarters whilst on the college’s fully funded Turing Scheme mobility trip.
Chidera Odo, who is studying A Level courses in Biology, Chemistry and Maths, is enrolled on the Committed Crocodiles programme with Lacoste. The programme partners learners with professionals within the fashion industry to build confidence and develop essential skills.
While visiting South Korea as part of the Turing Scheme, Chidera was able to take advantage of a unique opportunity to meet with a Korean mentor, Sumyung Kim, in an extension of the Committed Crocodiles programme. Chidera received a warm welcome at Lacoste’s Hyundai Department Store in Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, followed by a visit to the South Korea Head office which offered panoramic views over the iconic Hangang (Han River).
During her tour of the South Korean Head Office, Chidera had the opportunity to explore different departments, meet designers and the CEO. She said: “The office was stunning – really modern and open, and you could see the whole river from up there.”
Philippa Cooke, Head of Hub at CCC’s Angel centre, said: “Bringing together the Lacoste mentoring programme and the Turing mobility scheme was a deliberate decision. Both opportunities aim to expand learners’ personal and professional horizons. By connecting them, we created a richer, more coherent experience that allowed the student to deepen her learning, apply it in a global context, and build lasting confidence in her ability to navigate the professional world.”
The experience offered Chidera a rare insight into Lacoste’s international operations and design processes. A key moment during her visit was a discussion around cultural influences on fashion. Chidera said: “In London, we tend to wear more trousers, but Sumyung explained that Korean women often prefer long dresses. The designs reflect that – the collections in Seoul feel fluid and elegant, shaped by the local culture.”
Philippa said: “High-quality mentoring helps learners visualise themselves in aspirational industries they may previously have felt excluded from, building confidence, curiosity, and long-term ambition. For both mentor and mentee, the experience in Seoul underscored the value of international collaboration and cultural exchange.”
Chidera’s visit showcases the opportunities on offer at CCC. Our dedicated careers teams understand the vital role of mentoring in effective career development – supporting learners through a range of Career programmes to build self-awareness, independence, confidence, communication skills and a clearer understanding of their place in the world of work.
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