Take these simple steps to help you achieve the best possible grades this summer
Exam revision is an essential part of school and college life. It helps us consolidate our learning, retain important information, and prepare ourselves for exams. However, revision can be a daunting task, and it can be difficult to know where to start.
Here’s our top 10 revision tips to help you make the most out of your study time.
Start early: Don’t wait until the last minute to start your revision. Start as early as possible, so you have enough time to cover all the material and go over the difficult concepts multiple times.
Break it down: Break down your revision into smaller chunks, so it becomes more manageable. This approach can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and make the revision process less intimidating.
Create a study plan: Create a study plan that outlines what you need to cover, when you will cover it, and how long you will spend on each topic. This can help you stay organised and focused.
Practise active recall: Instead of passively reading your notes or textbook, practise active recall. This means testing yourself on what you’ve learned and recalling it from memory. This approach has been shown to be more effective than simply reading or highlighting.
Use memory aids: Use memory aids such as flashcards, mnemonics and acronyms to help you remember important information. These tools can be particularly helpful for memorising lists, formulas and other details.
Study in short bursts: Studies have shown that studying in short bursts of 20-30 minutes, followed by a short break, can be more effective than studying for long periods. This approach can help you stay focused and retain more information.
Mix it up: Instead of studying one subject for an extended period, mix up your revision by switching between different subjects. This approach can help you avoid boredom and keep your mind engaged.
Use past papers: Practising past papers can help you get familiar with the types of questions that may appear on exams and help you identify areas where you need to focus your revision.
Take breaks: Taking regular breaks during your revision can help you recharge your brain and improve your concentration. Take a short walk, do some stretching exercises or simply take some deep breaths.
Stay positive: Finally, stay positive and believe in yourself. Revision can be challenging, but with the right mindset, approach and support, you can achieve your academic goals.
In conclusion, revision is an essential part of the academic process, and it is crucial to approach it in a structured, organised, and effective way. By following these 10 revision tips, you can make the most out of your study time and achieve academic success.
For Online Learning Resources to support your studies click here.
The world has changed dramatically with rapid changes in technology impacting how we work and study but also creating exciting opportunities to gain virtual work experience.
More and more students are now taking advantage of online placements to further develop their skills with employers and deepen their knowledge for their future careers.
Since COVID, companies are increasingly offering hybrid working with employees wanting more flexibility and bosses realising the benefits of a less tired and more productive workforce. However, the aftermath of the pandemic and the current economic climate have also made it more challenging for businesses to prioritise in-person work experience in some sectors.
Springpodworks with Capital City College Group (CCCG) to offer virtual work placements and other enrichment opportunities to students. It has around 400,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide gaining online experience with top employers including Siemens, Deloitte, Airbus, Fujitsu, Barclays and the NHS.
Students from City and Islington College (CANDI), which is part of CCCG, recently completed an employability workshop with Springpod to help them prepare for work. Upon completion, 94 per cent rated their awareness of employability skills as good or excellent and 90 per cent felt confident about finding a job in the future.
Advantages to virtual placements include not being restricted to working for companies close to you, enabling students to gain much broader experience and save money on travel costs. They are also beneficial to those who may find it difficult to attend in-person placements due to a disability or health reasons.
While there are many benefits to in-person work placements, students should also consider gaining online experience, or combine both, so they leave college with a CV that stands out to employers.
Here’s our top 10 tips on making the most of virtual work placements:
Start building up your virtual experience now. Why not push yourself out of your comfort zone and try various careers? Find out what Springpod offer here.
Check the deadlines for applications and dates of the placement, and make sure you have all the equipment you need in advance so you’re ready to work.
Virtual experiences are a safe way to try out new areas and develop new skills without having to adjust to a new environment and meet new people.
Practice your communication skills by asking questions in online meetings. Typing in an online chat can be a less intimidating way to find out what you need to know.
Take the opportunity to really connect with employers who may have job opportunities in the future. It can be really impressive if you refer back to your experience in job applications.
Ensure everyone at home is aware of times when you need to focus and make sure you plan breaks, including a lunch break, as you would if you were at work.
Think about what you want to learn from the experience. Reflect on your own skills and think about whether or not this career is right for you.
With more employers now offering hybrid working, virtual placements offer the chance to become proficient using applications such as Teams and Zoom.
Keep notes on what you have learned so you can add the experience to your CV and refer back to them when you are completing UCAS and job applications.
Overall, be professional and enthusiastic in your approach and make the most of these valuable opportunities.
Find out more about Work Experience and Volunteering here.
Former City and Islington College (CANDI) student Naomi Ackie has been nominated for a BAFTA for her starring role in Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody.
Picture courtesy of BAFTA.
Naomi, 31, who studied for her A Levels at CANDI from 2007-09, has won rave reviews for her portrayal of the pop sensation who burst on to the music scene in the 1980s and tragically died in February 2012 aged 48.
She is in the running for the BAFTA Rising Star Award alongside Sheila Atim (The Woman King), Daryl McCormack (Good Luck to You, Leo Grande), Aimee Lou Wood (Living) and Emma Mackey (Emily).
On her nomination, Naomi said: “I’ve followed and been inspired by the BAFTA Film Awards for so many years, so to be recognised amongst this incredible group of artists is huge!
“This nod from the Rising Star jury, and to be recognised for my work in the country that I’ve grown up in, is also a nod of encouragement, to continue to create stories that speak to people. What a beautiful experience to be a part of.”
Naomi Ackie and friend celebrate their AS Level results at CANDI in 2008. Picture courtesy of Islington Tribune.
Before her lead role in the biopic directed by Kasi Lemmons, Naomi appeared as in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019), the final film in the sequel trilogy of the epic saga.
Naomi does not sing all the songs in the film, but she does show off her vocal talents in scenes where Whitney is singing alongside her mother and when she is choosing a new single.
Critics have praised her portrayal of the music icon whose biggest hits include I Wanna Dance With Somebody, Greatest Love Of All, How Will I Know, One Moment in Time and I Will Always Love You.
Empire magazine’s Kelechi Ehenulo wrote: “As the legendary star, Naomi Ackie delivers a commanding performance, channelling every iota of Houston’s mannerisms and magnetism … Ackie’s uncanny embodiment reminds you of Houston’s soul-stirring power.”
The Evening Standard’s Charlotte O’Sullivan referred to Naomi’s “blistering on-screen presence,” adding she is at her absolute best in scenes with Clarke Peters who plays Whitney’s father John.
She further described her performance alongside Danielle Singleton, who plays Bobbi Kristina, the daughter Houston the singer had with her husband Bobby Brown as “electrifyingly raw.”
Now in its 18th year, the BAFTA Rising Star Award recognises up-and-coming acting talent and is the only award at the BAFTAs voted for by the British public. Past winners include James McAvoy, Tom Holland, John Boyega, Shia LaBeouf, Kristen Stewart and Tom Hardy.
Nana Brew, Curriculum Leader for Performing and Visual Arts, said: “Naomi studied for her A Levels at CANDI before I joined the college, but her teachers who were here tell me she was a hard-working and incredibly talented student.
“Everyone at CANDI is hugely proud what she has achieved in her acting career and will be cheering her on to win the BAFTA.”
Naomi Ackie with broadcaster Edith Bowman and the other BAFTA Rising Star Award nominees. Picture courtesy of BAFTA.
Naomi was born in Camden and raised in Walthamstow. She took A Levels in Drama, English Literature and Textiles at CANDI, initially studying these subjects at AS Level, and later went on to study at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
She made her TV debut in Doctor Who and later appeared in Netflix comedy-drama The End of the F***ing World, for which she received a British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Her breakthrough film role was in Lady Macbeth (2016) for which she won the British Independent Film Award for Most Promising Newcomer. She subsequently appeared in Idris Elba’s directorial debut Yardie (2018).
TV and radio broadcaster Edith Bowman announced the BAFTA Rising Star Award nominees at The Savoy Hotel on 17 January. Voting is now open at ee.co.uk/BAFTA.
The winner will be announced at the BAFTA Film Awards ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall, which will be aired on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, on 19 February.
Find out more about studying A Levels at CANDI and apply here.
A former City and Islington College (CANDI) Performing Arts student is starring in a short film she co-produced with acclaimed German director Wim Wenders.
Lena Góra also co-wrote the script for Roving Woman with director Michal Chmielewski, which was also produced by her co-star John Hawkes and Orian Williams.
Wenders is best known for his film Paris, Texas, which won the Palme D’or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1984 and saw him win a BAFTA for Best Direction the following year. He has been nominated for a Oscar for Best Documentary Feature on three occasions
Roving Woman is a quirky road movie about a woman called Sara who is kicked out of her home after a break-up and steals a car, falls in love with the owner and sets out to find him.
Lena, who studied for a Performing Arts Level 3 Diploma at CANDI, explained that the film was inspired by the disappearance of US singer-songwriter Connie Converse and her own life.
She said: “There’s been a really wonderful reaction to the film. I’ve worked with many acclaimed producers and it feels different with each person. Wim is a really special human being and his movies are a work of art. He inspired us all in every possible way.”
Lena was born in Poland where she performed in theatre before taking the stage in London and New York before her TV debut in the CANAL+ series The King of Warsaw. Last year she appeared in the film Traveling Light, filmed in Los Angeles Light and the Polish crime-romance Saint.
She also co-wrote and received a Special Mention for the film Stillborn at the presentation of the Krzysztof Kieslowski Award, which was presented at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019, and is set to star in a Netflix dark comedy feature called Night at the Kindergarten.
Giving her advice to future performers or anyone wanting to get into film, Lena said: “Don’t be lazy. Don’t wait to get discovered. Networking doesn’t work unless you have a really solid project that you are pitching.”
Another former CANDI Performing Arts student, Blanka Douglas, was the Production Manager for Roving Woman, which had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York in June.
Blanka is also from Poland and came to the UK in 2013 and after studying at CANDI she went on to graduate with a BA (Hons) Drama from Queen Mary University of London.
The daughter of a Polish film director, she co-produced and appeared in her first short film An Ode to The Order of Things, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2017. She has also appeared, produced and directed other shorts through her own production company Doorbell Films.
Blanka said: “I will never forget my time at CANDI and the support I got. I came to the UK by myself and was renting a room with people I don’t know, and my English wasn’t great.
“I am so grateful for my teachers who really made sure I had a good experience. They always had a lot of energy and time to pass their expertise. They were wonderful teachers but also exceptional human beings. I made sure I put extra effort to get good grades and they saw it. I truly couldn’t choose a better place to start in London.”
Lena and Blanka are among the many successful CANDI Performing Arts alumni, which includes Charlie Heaton, best known for his role as Jonathan Byers in Netflix hit series Stranger Things.
Other former students include Armin Karima, who has appeared in Netflix series Sex Education and Black Mirror as well as BBC drama Waterloo Road, and Kandaka Moore whose theatre credits include Bernarda Alba, The Bacchae and Yard Girl. She has also sung and featured in music videos for Clean Bandit.
Tim Chaundy, Curriculum Leader for Performing Arts, said: “It’s so inspiring to see our students Lena and Blanka making such fantastic progress in the film industry. Both were students on our Performing Arts courses and were committed students who also liked to question and push the boundaries, which shows in the work that they have gone on to create.
“We’re very proud of the diversity of students that have trained at CANDI, many of whom go on to high-level industry work in theatre and on screen, or further training at some of the world’s top universities and drama schools.”
Find out more about Performing Arts courses and apply here.
A former Westminster Kingsway College hospitality student has been named runner-up in the AICR UK Receptionist of the Year competition.
Emily Gilson-Jones, 19, who works at the five-star Pan Pacific London hotel in the City, came second out of 10 finalists at a ceremony at Hotel Café Royal in Regent Street on 14 November.
She said: “It’s a huge shock to be named as one of the best receptionists in the UK, but one of the best achievements of my career so far.
“When they announced the second runner-up as the girl from Four Seasons, I thought I haven’t got a chance, but then they announced me as the first runner-up. Suddenly, they handed me a certificate and I was in tears. I’m still gobsmacked to be honest. It has only just started to sink in.”
Emily achieved a triple-starred Distinction in her Hospitality Level 3 Diploma at WestKing in 2021 and was one of two students to share the college’s Best Hospitality Student of the Year award that year.
She began her hospitality career working part-time in front and back of house roles at the Roslin Beach Hotel in her hometown of Southend-on-Sea while she was studying at college.
After finishing her diploma, Emily worked as a Private Events Waitress for The Connaught in Mayfair before joining Pan Pacific London as a Front Desk Agent in March this year.
“I loved my time at WestKing. Even when everything went online during the pandemic, we were still doing all our classes and working as a team and all of the college tutors supported us,” she said.
“By the time it came to the graduation ceremony I couldn’t believe it was over. I wanted to stay on for another two years and do it all again.”
Emily was among a group of students at WestKing who provided catering and hospitality for a schools’ event at 10 Downing Street to mark International Women’s Day just prior to lockdown.
“I remember thinking this is quite overwhelming but really cool, I’m 16 years old and I am having the opportunity to do this,” said Emily, who along with other students met then Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other political figures on the day.
“My connection at The Connaught was also through the college. If I hadn’t gone to WestKing I wouldn’t be where I am now, because if The Connaught wasn’t on my CV I wouldn’t have got the opportunity at Pan Pacific.
“I’m working at a five-star hotel, which wouldn’t have happened if I had just walked out of school with A Levels and then decided I wanted to work in hospitality. WestKing gave me my first real stepping stone on my hospitality journey. I wouldn’t change it.”
Emily learnt she was among the finalists in October following an interview with AICR UK committee members after she was nominated by Nicole Cechmann, Front of House Manager at Pan Pacific.
“The team I work alongside at Pan Pacific is one of the best teams I’ve ever worked in,” said Emily.
“For a business to be successful you need to work as a team, and when you get on with the team you work with, it makes it so much easier.
“It’s also nice when guests are checking in and excited about their stay, and when they leave and they tell you their experience has lived up to or gone beyond their expectations. That is probably one of the most rewarding things. It’s the reason we work in the industry.”
The AICR (Amicale Internationale des Sous Directeurs et Chefs de Réception des Grand Hôtel) was founded by the receptionists of several hotels on the Côte d’Azur in France in 1964.
AICR UK was formed when the Association of Front Office Management (UK) joined the AICR in 1989, three years after the association was established in 1986.
Liane Bhalla, Lecturer in Hospitality, Food and Beverage and Supervision, said: “We are all super proud that Emily has finished as the first runner-up in the AICR Best Receptionist UK 2022.
“At college she showed huge potential. She was always bubbly and enthusiastic, going above and beyond what was required of her in her assignment and practical sessions in the training restaurants and happy to volunteer to take part in other events. She was clearly destined for a fantastic career in hospitality.”
Apply now for Hospitality and Culinary Arts courses here.
A “phenomenal” young chef from Westminster Kingsway College has been named Apprentice of the Year 2022 at Compass Group UK & Ireland’s Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards.
Dylan Patel, 25, who is undertaking a Chef de Partie Level 3 Apprenticeship at Compass Group’s head office in Chertsey, Surrey, won the award in the Retail, Hospitality and Tourism category.
The awards showcase the huge talent and hard work within multicultural communities that is made possible through the contribution and support of employers and education providers.
Dylan, from Hounslow, who started his culinary career on a Commis Chef Level 2 Apprenticeship, said: “I am so humbled and proud to being named the winner of this award.
“Taking on this apprenticeship has allowed me to follow my passion, balancing learning with practical work whilst getting paid. I love being part of the team here and learning from others around me.
“There is always something new to uncover and that’s what I enjoy most about being a chef and I hope to build my knowledge further, as I continue this exciting journey.”
Compass Group UK & Ireland is part of Compass Group, the largest contract catering company in the world employing 500,000 people and serving 5.5 billion meals to 55,000 clients each year.
Jonathan Foot, Head of Apprenticeships and Early Careers at Compass Group UK & Ireland, congratulated Dylan on his “wonderful achievement.”
He further praised Dylan’s “phenomenal efforts” as he has progressed in his career and described him as a great role model for anyone looking to start an apprenticeship.
Tom Damen, Chef Lecturer at WestKing, said: “Each week at college I see Dylan’s commitment to improving his culinary skills. Through his apprenticeship at Compass Group he has excelled to a new level of professionalism and confidence.
“I would like to congratulate him on wining Compass Group’s Apprentice of the Year, which is so well deserved. He is an outstanding young chef and destined to go far in the industry.”
Apply now for Hospitality and Culinary Arts apprenticeships here.
A student has praised the teaching and support at City and Islington College (CANDI) after becoming one of only two students nationally to receive a bursary worth £2,500.
Arda Afsar, 19, received the Peter Roberts Bursary from Collab Group, a group of 26 colleges and college groups in England including Capital City College Group (CCCG), which includes CANDI.
He applied for the award while studying a Business Level 3 Diploma at CANDI, which he passed with a D*D*D. He is now studying for an economics and finance degree at the University of Manchester.
Arda, who is originally from Turkey, returned to CANDI to receive the award from Mark Dawe, CEO of The Skills Network, which works with the Collab Group and colleges across the UK.
Thanking Collab Group, The Skills Network and his teachers and support staff at CANDI, he said: “The challenges I faced, having come from a disadvantaged background and a different country and having to learn a completely new culture and way of life, make me extremely honoured and proud to be accepting this award.
“I would especially like to thank my mum. She came to this country with nothing and yet she has given me everything. It’s fair to say I would not be the person I am today, without her.”
Arda gave special mention in his thanks to Business lecturers Regina Oparaugo, Salima Abdallah, Reuben Cape and Zak Hussain, and Student Engagement Officer Elizabeth Millard.
He said: “My experience at CANDI was amazing because my teachers were so supportive. They helped with looking at the higher education options available to me, writing my UCAS personal statement and choosing the modules I needed to take for what I wanted to study at university.
“The course gave me many different perspectives on business including marketing, finance and recruitment. I learnt about trial balances, cash flow, accounting formulas and equations, which I have been able to use on my degree. I always tried to do the best I could in my assignments, and I achieved really good grades.”
Arda plans to use the bursary funds to buy an iPad and a graphic calculator and course materials including textbooks. He hopes to eventually become an accountant or work in asset management or investment banking after he graduates from university.
The Peter Roberts Bursary was set up in memory of the late Chair of Collab Group and Principal of Stockport College and Leeds City College, who was known throughout the further education sector for his professionalism and commitment to students’ success.
Any student at a Collab Group college who has an offer to study at university or other higher education institution, or is looking to start their own small business, can apply for the bursary.
Yvonne Layne, Head of School for Business at CANDI, said: “One of the things I love about my job is when you see young people grow from a place where they hardly say good morning, to a place where they could not be more present. Arda is one of those students.”
“One of the things I admire most about Arda is how he has risen to every challenge, to be bigger and better in the face of adversity. I am very proud of him and pleased he has got this award and I wish him good luck and every success.”
Find out more and apply for Business and Professional Services courses here.
Students and apprentices celebrated a year of outstanding achievements at the first Capital City College Group (CCCG) Excellence Awards.
Around 60 awards were presented to learners in recognition of their hard work, commitment and success over the past year at a glittering ceremony at Tobacco Dock in East London.
Awards were also presented to participants of entrepreneurship programme Visionnaires, which started within CCCG in 2019, and 01 Founders, a coding school launched with CCCG in 2021.
The ceremony was compèred by Kamal Ellis-Hyman, Founder and Director of Aim A Little Higher, which runs personal development programmes for young people across the UK.
Alastair Da Costa, Chair of CCCG, welcomed the award winners and their families and presented the awards along with Jasbir Sondhi, Vice Principal of WestKing, and David Dangana, Director of Group Quality and Compliance.
He said: “Excellence is hard work realised. It takes dedication, perseverance, overcoming frustrations and doubts. Realising excellence requires support from friends and family, it requires picking up when you are down, and it is right to celebrate achievement and success with friends and loved ones.
“This evening, I want to thank you all for being excellent, whether you win an award, are supporting those who win an award or whether you have taught and helped those in this room to realise their potential.”
Awards were presented to students from across CCCG’s provision including many who had achieved success at college and overcome major challenges during their studies.
Among the award winners was Vivek Quissor who gained a triple-starred Distinction in his Public Services diploma at CANDI and was praised for the quality of his well-researched assignments and being an inspiration to other students.
Vivek, 18, who is now studying for a BA (Hons) Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Greenwich, said: “My lecturers provided an outstanding level of teaching throughout the length of my course. I credit my success to them. They left no stone unturned when it came to making sure that assignment work was completed to the highest of standards.”
Also picking up an award was Mariana Ghertan who completed her Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship with CCCT despite catching COVID twice and suffering family bereavement.
Mariana, 36, said: “My tutor was the most incredible support. She encouraged me not to give up and offered me more time. I spoke to my husband and sons who had seen how much hard work I had put in. They said that my mum was proud of me and would have wanted me to finish, so I did.”
Tyler Minter, 24, wanted to start a Rail Engineering apprenticeship with Alstom and CONEL after learning he was to become a dad. He was described by his tutors as “an exceptional student” who produces a high standard of work and is a perfect role model to his peers.
He said: “I love the fact that I’m learning while also getting hands on experience. I’m gaining knowledge that is vital to the job and putting it to use in a practical sense. I’m also not getting into debt like a lot of people who go to university do, and I’m earning a good salary.”
The final award of the night was the CCCG Inspiration Award, which was presented to CANDI Art and Design diploma student Georgiana Guias, who was praised by her teachers for her dedication, intelligence and enthusiasm, as well as her support for her peers.
Georgiana, 18, who is now studying a BA (Hons) Architecture at Central Saint Martins, said: “It’s a big surprise to get this award because everybody on the course worked hard. The course was challenging but I got to learn new skills and techniques and the teachers were friendly and supportive of me and other students.”
The ceremony also featured live performances by Music Performance and Production students from CANDI and WestKing.
CANDI students Beth Cook, 18, Gloria Elubode, 17, and Ralph Heywood, 17, performed their own composition entitled Faith and Strength is the Key.
WestKing students Gabi Reece, 18, and Isabelle Linehan, 17, together known as The Park, performed their own work called She’ll Stay.
Hospitality and Culinary Arts students from WestKing served canapés at the event with front of house service run by WestKing’s Travel and Tourism students and CONEL’s Public Service students.
Roy O’Shaughnessy, CEO of CCCG, described the evening as “absolutely incredible and inspiring” as he congratulated the award winners, staff, sponsors and organisers of the event.
He said: “I want to congratulate our staff, students, their families and friends and thank them for making this evening such a wonderful success. It is such a privilege to look around this room and see students, teachers and staff from across the Group, sitting here today and celebrating the hard, hard work of those that we’ve honoured, so really, truly well done.
“We wouldn’t have been here without our sponsors, and I would like to thank them on behalf of our staff, students, staff and governors. Your work means that at CCCG we not only can offer courses and programmes, but we are able to work with employers to give opportunities for our students to create the future for London.”
Find out more about our wide range of courses and apprenticeships here.
In the article, he shares how he started in acting, what prompted him to move into teaching, his advice for drama students and what he would change about the industry.
Rob said: “The Stage contacted me through Twitter asking if I’d be happy to discuss the provision of the creative arts in further education and how it fits into the jigsaw that is the economy, as part of a series of weekly guest articles in arts training articles they were running.”
Rob, who will be leaving WestKing this summer after nearly two decades at the college, recently wrote and performed his latest one-man show Keeper of the Flame, which premiered at the Young Actors Theatre in Islington and will be performed during Camden Fringe this August.
His acting career includes film and TV roles in The Fifth Element, The Chief, and Devices and Desires, while his stage work includes The Caretaker, Sunset Ship and Alice in Wonderland.
Rob said: “It’s been a pleasure working at WestKing with some wonderfully creative and hugely talented students over the years, many of whom are now friends, including one who is directing my new show!”
Please note, registration is required to view the article.
WestKing is home to some of the best theatrical stage and production facilities in London. Our tutors have experience in all aspects of performance and will harness your talent by developing your vocal, improvisation and collaborative skills, as well as giving you the resilience and confidence needed to work in this highly competitive industry.
Our acting alumni includes Babatunde Aléshé, Jamali Maddix, Tobi King Bakare, Francis Lovehall, Romario Simpson, Amy Revelle, Shaday Barrowes and Babiyre Bukilwa.
A student with autism at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) has shared his excitement at getting a place at university this September.
Chinwoke Edeh, 24, from Tottenham, has an offer to study a Foundation Degree in Media at Middlesex University when he completes his Creative Media Production Level 3 Diploma.
He said: “I’m really excited to be going to university and looking forward to the foundation course in media. It will give me even more independence and improve me as a person as well. I’m very proud of myself and happy with the progress I’m making towards my future career.”
Chinwoke experiences daily challenges with language and communication, literacy and numeracy, but has made huge progress and grown significantly in confidence since he started at CONEL in 2017.
“Sometimes when I’m asked to do things for the first time, I have to write it down step-by-step in order, so I get the hang of doing it. The college has really helped me complete the tasks to the best of my ability,” he said.
Chinwoke has completed Media diplomas at Levels 1-2, having previously been part of the college’s Supported Learning provision for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). During this time, he also studied English and maths courses to help him gain independence and work skills.
“I’ve always been very creative, firstly with pictures and then I got interested how to use Adobe. I like it because you get to express yourself and bring out your ideas and personality,” he said.
“The teaching I have had at college has been excellent. The teachers were really supportive and helped me with any areas I needed to improve. They were always around when I needed them.”
Over the past two years Chinwoke has been supported by Additional Learning Support Assistant Sandra Fox, who is also neurodivergent with dyspraxia and dyslexia.
She said: “Since I’ve been working with Chinwoke, he’s excelled to the extent he is now at Level 3 and done amazingly well at college to get a place at university.
“He will still need help, but each year he’s been moving away from support and working more independently. To go from SEND to mainstream is incredible. It’s been a remarkable journey and I’m so proud of him, but most importantly he is proud of himself.”
Tamara Lesniewska, Curriculum Manager for Creative and Digital Media, was also in awe of Chinwoke’s accomplishments during his time at CONEL.
She said: “Chinwoke is a really wonderful student to teach. I’m immensely proud of him and the high standard and quality of work he has produced at college. What he has achieved from when he started to where he is now with a university offer, is nothing short of fantastic.”
CONEL is committed to providing adjustments to ensure that everyone can succeed with us. If you, or your or your child, has a learning disability, we will provide an exceptional learning experience, understand that your needs are unique andl provide support that is most appropriate for you.
Find out more about CONEL’s Supported Learning provision here and how to apply for Creative Media Production courses here.
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