BTEC in the Press

							BTEC in the Press
September 2008

Praise from The Ritz for catering students
Two BTEC hospitality and catering students from Doncaster College have been offered jobs at the Ritz
Hotel in London after impressing managers on a work placement. 4 August 2008. Yorkshire Post

Search for the next Spielberg
Doncaster College is on the lookout for the next Steven Spielberg, with a one-year full-time BTEC First
Diploma in Media course offering students the chance to work on a broad range of media projects
including animation, interactive media and video production. 3 September 2008.

Drivers take taxi courses
Over 70 taxi drivers in the Black Country have completed relevant new qualifications, including a BTEC in
Transporting Passengers. Express & Star, Auto Express. 4 September 2008.
http://www.thestar.co.uk/doncaster/Search-for-the-next-Spielberg.4448388.jp

Engineering apprenticeship expanded
The company forecasts that 20 per cent of its shop floor workers will be apprentices by 2010. Last
Autumn, the first cohort of seven apprentices started a three-to-four year programme, which will lead to
NVQ Level 3 and BTEC diploma qualifications. 5 September 2008.
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/kvn/kvn117.html

Evidence points to forensics
Sutton Coldfield & Matthew Boulton College is offering prospective students the opportunity to take their
first step towards a career in forensic science through studying for a BTEC National Diploma in the
subject. 5 September 2008.http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/family-life/learning-
zone/2008/09/04/evidence-points-to-forensics-97319-21672936/

College kids given tools for future careers
Students from five schools in Bedford, who attend Bedford College one day a week as part of their BTEC
Construction course, took part in the National Construction College East activity week in Norfolk to build
the blocks of a career in the industry. 5 September 2008.
http://www.bedsonsunday.com/bedsonsunday-news/displayarticle.asp?id=346026

Risk materials
Managing director of SAFE, Raymond Clarke, has said that he believes the new BTEC in Security Risk
Management 'is the most comprehensive programme available'. Professional Security (web), 8 September
2008. http://www.info4security.com/story.asp?sectioncode=10&storycode=4120588&c=1

The best thing about Oldham is...
Steve Jones took a BTEC Higher National Diploma in Sound and Lighting Design at Oldham College and runs
one of Oldham's biggest live music venues; The Castle. 8 September 2008. Oldham Advertiser
Flintshire teenager supports Pete Doherty on European tour
Flintshire teenager Cal Roberts, who is studying for a BTEC in Music Technology has been supporting rock
star Pete Doherty on his European tour. 8 September 2008.
http://www.eveningleader.co.uk/news/Flintshire-teenager-supports-Pete-Doherty.4464029.jp

Impressive list of awards for students at Tatton Flower Show
Students from Reaseheath College studying for their Higher National Certificate have been awarded 'silver
gilt' for their garden design at Tatton Park. 8 September 2008. Shropshire Star

Talent spot
Simon Hassan, who's work was exhibited in the Royal College of Art's graduate exhibition, first studied a
BTEC HND in Furniture Design at London Metropolitan University. 8 September 2008. Crafts Magazine

Find a new job in the security industry
BTEC courses available to ex-military personnel. 9 September 2008.
http://www.securitypark.co.uk/security_article262027.html

Opportunities to maximise your potential
The George Dixon International School in Birmingham offers traditional GCSEs alongside BTEC courses. The
school is unique in providing students with two BTEC options at certificate level. 10 September 2008.
Birmingham Mail

Front line staff trained to deal with violence
A BTEC Award is available to individuals who may need to use physical intervention skills in the workplace
has been accredited by Ofqual. 10 September 2008.
http://www.prosecurizine.com/WeeklyFolders/prosec09-09-08/News-edexcelFrontline.html

West sprinter Ben brings home silver at Paralympics
Ben Rushgrove who completed a BTEC National Diploma in Sport at Alton College has won a silver medal
at the Paralympics. 10 September 2008.
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/wdp/news/West-sprinter-Ben-brings-home-silver-Paralympics/article-
316402-detail/article.html

Azan: A call to a prayer
A new shot documentary directed by a BTEC media student has been showcased on the BBC film site. 10
September 2008.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/filmnetwork/A39570249

£10,000 lottery grant for Skegness college
£10,000 has been given to the St Clement's College gym, Skegness, by the Lottery Awards. The gym will
initially be used to benefit students at the college as part of their health and fitness lessons and BTEC
sports courses. 11 September 2008.
http://www.skegnessstandard.co.uk/news/10000-lottery-grant-for-Skegness.4472610.jp

Trainers SAFE have announced the release of a new learning package
The programme, which provides learning materials at level 4 for security risk management and also
supports the delivery of a four day course leading to the new level 4 BTEC in Security Risk Management,
through trainers SAFE. 12 September 2008.
http://www.professionalsecurity.co.uk/newsdetails.aspx?NewsArticleID=9828&imgID=1

They're out to pamper you
The School of Hair, Beauty and Holistic Therapies at the Great Barr campus of Sutton Coldfield College is
now open. It offers BTEC and NVQ courses in a wide range of beauty fields. 12 September 2008. The
Birmingham Mail

Take off and sign up for air cadets
The Air Cadets is offering young people aged between thirteen and seventeen the chance to participate in
'flying, gliding, shooting, first aid, sport and adventure training camps' as well as work towards a BTEC in
aviation studies or public services. 12 September 2008. St Neots Weekly News, Cambourne Weekly News
Working towards an honours degree in Animal Behaviour
A case study of a young lady who hopes to work on conservation projects when she completes her degree
in Animal Behaviour and Ecology; Trishia left Capel Manor last year with a distinction in the BTEC National
Diploma in Animal Management. 12 September 2008. The Mercury (Lewisham and Greenwich Borough)

Demand increases for Chester construction courses
Demand for places on construction courses has grown this year in Chester, despite a downturn in the
industry. Many of the people applying for construction courses are those who went straight from school
into construction jobs without any formal training, and sadly have been the first to be let go in the
current economic climate. 12 September 2008.
http://www.chestereveningleader.co.uk/news/Demand-increases-for-Chester-construction.4483202.jp

Willingdon Community School is supporting a multimedia exhibition called Virtual Iraq
Photographer Lisa Barnard's exhibition examines the use of interactive media by the US army to recruit,
train and treat military personnel before and after they embark on a tour of duty to the Middle East. It
was filmed at a university in Los Angeles and explores the relationship between the US army, virtual
reality and the gaming industry. The school, which is running a new BTEC module in interactive game
design, has provided financial support to the artist for the exhibition and students will have the chance to
take part in workshops with the artists, and have tours of the exhibition. 15 September 2008.
http://www.bexhillobserver.net/eastbourne-news/Virtual-Iraq-comes-to-school.4484504.jp

St Vincent still making the grade!
St Vincent College has teamed up with the Crofton Manor Riding School to offer a BTEC in Horse Care from
September 2009. 16 September 2008. The News (Portsmouth)

BTEC student receives perfect score
A junior engineer with the Ipswich-based Building Systems Eastern division of Inviron, a building services
and facilities management provider, has gained distinctions in all 10 subjects and scored a perfect 60 out
of 60 points in his final examinations for his BTEC National Certificate in Building Services Engineering. 17
September 2008.
http://www.eadt.co.uk/content/eadt/businessnews/story.aspx?brand=EADOnline&category=BusinessMov
ers&tBrand=EADOnline&tCategory=Business&itemid=IPED15%20Sep%202008%2017%3A53%3A05%3A153

 Hi-tech route to glittering career
Understanding how computers work can also lead you towards an illustrious career in IT.
The BTEC and higher education qualifications offered at Sutton Coldfield and Matthew Boulton Colleges in
Birmingham will give students the skills and expertise required to become IT server and technical support
workers, network administrators, web developers or programmers. 19 September 2008.
http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/family-life/learning-zone/2008/09/18/hi-tech-route-to-
glittering-career-97319-21847682/

Secure profession
Darlington College, Catterick, was the first establishment nationally to provide a close protection course
to prepare students for guarding VIPS and business leaders, a BTEC level three qualification. It has been
praised by a former military policeman, Martin Allen, now a consultant and close protection officer. 19
September 2008. Evening Gazette (Teesside)

Pupils build own future
Completion of a £1 million school sports pitch is just around the corner, thanks to pupils.
Year 10 and 11 students at Cottenham Village College in Cambridge, have been doing some construction
work on the school's new all-weather pitch. They are on the BTEC construction course, which includes a
unit on bricklaying, and have been able to put their skills into practice. 22 September 2008.
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_video/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=350283

Putting on the Ritz!
Two students have been offered permanent jobs at the Ritz, once they pass their BTEC courses. 23
September 2008.
http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/askern/Putting-on-the-Ritz.4514670.jp
Study time Gold medallist starts course
Photo of Michael McKillop, a paralympic gold medallist, who begins a two-year HND in Leisure and Sport
Management at Belfast Metropolitan College. 26 September 2008. Belfast Telegraph

Outlook is Sunny for Bollywood dancer
Sunny Patel, 18, of Stratford, was crowned winner of the national Bollywood Dance Championship in July.
He has completed a BTEC in Performing Arts and is off to Middlesex University to study contemporary
theatre. He will continue training and is already planning his star-studded future. 26 September 2008.
http://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/content/redbridge/recorder/whatson/story.aspx?brand=RECOnline&cat
egory=whatsonmisc&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=whatsonnewham&itemid=WeED25%20Sep%202008%
2010%3A28%3A14%3A367

A Disney fairytale come true for Amy
A former Harborough-based drama school student had a dream come true when she was chosen to play a
lead role in a Disney Channel sitcom. She did a BTEC in Acting at Brooksby Melton College and is now
waiting to see what offers come her way after her appearance in ‘Lifebites.’ 26 September 2008.
http://www.harboroughmail.co.uk/news/A-Disney-fairytale-come-true.4524343.jp

Complex instruction teaching technique puts ‘streaming’ to the test
A radical maths teaching technique that mixes children of all abilities together so they can help to teach
each other is being tested in England. The technique, known as complex instruction, has been developed
by academics in California where research found that children in mixed-ability maths classes routinely
outperformed those grouped by ability. Professor Boaler presented her findings to Downing Street
advisers last year. This resulted in the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust inviting schools to be
trained in the approach and to use it within their new BTEC maths course. The results of the research
have also fed into the Primary Review. 29 September 2008.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/article4834334.ece

Budding internationals
Three budding footballers have been selected for trials for the English National Colleges team. The
Dunstable College students are currently studying in their first year BTEC National Diploma in Football.
29 September 2008.
http://www.lutononsunday.com/lutononsunday/DisplayArticle.asp?id=352605

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