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  • HCC honoured by Queen for mental health support service

    College honoured by the Queen at Buckingham Palace for mental health support service

    Hackney Community College was presented with the most prestigious accolade available in the FE sector by Her Majesty, the Queen today (Friday 24th February).

    The College received the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for its outstanding mental health support service at a very special ceremony held in Buckingham Palace.

    Principal Ian Ashman, staff, students and key partners represented the College at the high profile event.

    HCC was the sole London College and one of only three FE institutions in the UK to receive the special award this year.

    Coinciding with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the honours, which recognises the exceptional work the College does to help people with mental health needs in education, holds even more significance.

    Mr Ashman said: “Hackney Community College is extremely proud of the work that we do to support people with mental health needs to succeed through education. We are thrilled that our efforts have been recognised by Her Majesty; it is a huge honour and is a great tribute to all our staff who work with people with mental health needs.”

    The Mental Health Education and Employment Service was established in 1997 to address concerns around the lack of provision for supporting mental health service users to access education and training; and to provide support with study and progression.

    From supporting approximately 50 learners in its first year, the service has evolved into a multi-faceted network delivering a range of interventions, opportunities and activities to over 4,000 learners and prospective learners with mental health support needs.

    Funded by the East London Foundation Trust and City and Hackney’s Primary Care Trust, the service also provides professional support to teachers and support staff.

    Its development and success is due to intensive multi-agency liaison, dedication and professional expertise across all partners.

    Many students have benefited immensely from this service.

    Georgina, who had been suicidal and suffered serious mental health issues is now thriving in her job, owing to the support she received from HCC.

    She said: “The College has given me unbelievable support and has helped change my life. I can now walk around with my head held high. It’s a whole different world to me now. If there are people like you in this world then it’s better to live than to die.”

    John McClean, Mental Health Adviser added: “Having this support service is extremely valuable to our learners with mental health issues. Seeing them progress into confident individuals, who go on to further study, or into jobs is very rewarding. To be acknowledged with this fantastic award really does mean an awful lot and we are extremely proud of our achievements.”

    What makes this achievement all the more significant, is the fact that it is the second time HCC has been awarded a Queen’s Anniversary Prize.

    This is thought to be only the second time a college has won the award twice.

    In 1996, the College was awarded the prize for successfully encouraging more young women to excel in science through its innovative and engaging course programme.

  • HRH, The Duke of York KG hosts Head Teachers event at Buckingham Palace

    His Royal Highness The Duke of York hosted an advisory session at Buckingham Palace on behalf of Hackney UTC (University Technical College), which is opening in Shoreditch this September. During the event, the Duke also announced that he will be Patron to Hackney UTC.

    Approximately 50 Head Teachers from East London boroughs, joined together to hear about the wider range of options now open to students aged 14 – 19, including Hackney UTC, apprenticeship and college options.

    Head Teachers have a new responsibility to provide impartial Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) to their students, so this event provided the perfect opportunity to brief them on the new UTC, of which His Royal Highness is a keen supporter.

    The new school will specialise in Digital and Health Technologies and will give young people the chance to gain real-work skills while they study. The curriculum is employer-led and includes relevant projects set by local employers.

    Head Teacher, Annie Blackmore is excited about the opportunities the new school will bring: “Having His Royal Highness as Patron emphasises the importance of offering an innovative curriculum, which Hackney UTC will provide. Many students are keen to follow a work-related route, as opposed to a purely academic one — and this makes the UTC the perfect choice for them.”

    Ian Ashman, Principal of partner Hackney Community College added: “Schools now have an important role in offering unbiased advice and guidance to their pupils. The feedback from the Heads at the event was very positive, with a high number identifying pupils from their school that they feel would benefit from the UTC.”

    Not only is the curriculum employer-led, but through its partner links, major businesses will provide exciting and relevant work experience for all its students.

    Admissions are now open, and students in year 9 can apply by emailing us or by visiting their website

  • HCC students use 2012 Games as inspiration to create legacy in community

    Students become 2012 Legacy Champions to help community

    Hackney Community College students are set to make a difference in the community as they take on the important role of 2012 Legacy Champions.

    The group of students will lead on an engaging community initiative, inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which they hope will have a lasting impact in years to come.

    The Legacy Champions programme, sponsored by EDF Energy and delivered by youth action charity Envision, gives young people the opportunity to create a positive change in their local area, through developing projects to tackle social and environmental issues.

    Students got to work on their ideas in planning workshops at the launch event held on Friday (10 February) at Morley Hall in Mare Street.

    They were also able to draw inspiration from Paralympian dressage rider and London 2012 medal contender Natasha Baker, who was guest speaker at the event.

    Over the next few months, the students will go about implementing their project idea within the community, with the guidance of mentors from EDF.

    Eighteen year old Colleen Kinch, who lived in Hackney for 11 years, is very excited about taking part in the programme.

    The Travel and Tourism student said: “I will probably never get to experience the Olympics on my doorstep again and so it is nice to be a part of something that can help make changes because of the Games — even if it is a small part. I’ve got huge pride in Hackney and want to help continue portraying a positive image of the community. I want to help to make things better.”

    Henk Griffith, 20, studying BTEC in IT at Hackney Community College, said: “I am taking part in the Legacy Champions Programme and hope to put some work into a project that will leave a lasting effect in the community. We have come up with quite a few good ideas for our project, like a carnival of celebration. We want to shed the negative image that is around Hackney and to promote the good side, like all of our new facilities, and what we have on offer by being an Olympic Borough.”

    As well as their community project, the students will also team up with students from eight other host borough Colleges to clean up the River Thames bank in March.

    Last year, HCC students helped to regenerate a local community centre garden by planting flowers and vegetables.

    Gareth Wynn, EDF Group Director for the London 2012 Programme said: “The Legacy Champions programme inspired so many people to think of ways to improve their community and take action last year that we want to build on this momentum, ahead of the Games, through new projects and ideas.”

    Principal Ian Ashman said: “The Legacy Champions initiative is testimony to the enthusiastic spirit of our learners. We are totally committed to bringing the benefits to our students and embracing the values of the Games and it’s good to see all the students in the five host boroughs coming together to discuss the issues and opportunities that they face as the young people of East London.”

    The scheme, which started in 2010 as a joint partnership between host borough colleges, is accredited with the “Inspired by 2012” mark given by LOCOG (London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games).

  • Celebrating Hackney’s Apprentices

    Meg Hiller, MP joined Apprentices and employers at Hackney Community College’s training bar and resturant, Open Kitchen.

    Around 30 Hackney apprentices came together for a lively networking lunch on Friday 10th February at Hackney Community College’s training bar and restaurant, Open Kitchen.

    The apprentices, working as childcare and youth workers, business administrators, marketing assistants and more, got together to celebrate the role they play in the workplaces of Hackney.

    Typically, an apprentice will work four days a week and attend college or another training venue one day a week, and they earn a real wage.

    Apprentice Chloe Roxburgh, who is working as an Office Administrator at Sodexo said: “I love the fact that you get a qualification at the same time as getting work experience, alongside earning money. This lunch is a great chance to meet employers and other apprentices.”

    Speaking about the value of Apprentices, Meg Hillier, MP said “I really believe in education. Colleges like Hackney Community College are really good at increasing opportunities for young people; with many leaving HCC to go on to get great jobs. What we need to continue to focus on, is increasing the number of Apprenticeships across all sectors – in order to provide a real option for young people.”

    The guests were treated to lunch at Hackney Community College’s training restaurant, Open Kitchen in Hoxton Street. They got to know other apprentices and demonstrated strong team spirit.

    Ian Ashman, principal of Hackney Community College, said: “We were very pleased to host the Hackney apprentices’ networking lunch. Apprentices play such a vital role in the workplace, and their – and their employers’ dedication to their training means that we will have a strong, qualified and experienced local workforce in the future.”

    The event was organised as part of National Apprenticeship Week, which saw politicians and industry leaders pledging their support to apprentices and the firms that employ them. It was arranged by Hackney Community College.

    Sarah Long, from Prospects really values the apprenticeship scheme. She said: “As an employer that has close to 100 Apprentices, it’s great to be able to give these vocational learners the chance to find the potential in themselves and build their skills, while benefiting the business.”

    If you’re interested in taking on an Apprentice, you can get in touch with the College by emailing employer@hackney.ac.uk

  • Media students make jingle at KISS FM

    Media students make jingle at KISS FM

    Hackney Community College’s Interactive Media students practised their skills on the microphone when they made a short jingle at popular urban radio station Kiss FM.

    The Level 3 students visited the studios in London to get a behind the scenes look at the world of radio broadcasting.

    They spoke to several DJs and members of the production crew about their experiences in the industry, in addition to recording the jingle sample promoting Kiss FM’s Ibiza summer music festival.

    They even managed to run into Hollywood actor Channing Tatum who was being interviewed about his new film.

    Student Liejil Kuta said: “It was an amazing experience visiting the studios. We got a real insight into how radio broadcasting works by speaking to the professionals.”

    Classmate Junior Ngandu added, “I was really impressed with their high quality equipment and the staff were very professional. I even interviewed some of them for my course project.”

    The trip was organised to help the students with a radio journalism assignment they are working on as part of a community heritage project called Mapping the Change, co-ordinated by the Hackney Museum.

    Over the next few weeks, the students will be documenting the significant changes in Hackney as a result of the 2012 Olympics coming to the borough, using various multimedia techniques such as photography, film and audio recordings.

    They will then produce a podcast using the material, which will be aired at an official exhibition at the Hackney Museum in March 2012 and form part of the Museum’s Archive collection.

    HCC is working in partnership with the Hackney Museum and Ignite Creative TV to deliver the training on-site using the College’s state of the art media equipment.

    Students gain an additional qualification on this course, as well as, get a clearer understanding of what it is like to work in the media profession — through a series of engaging workshops.

    For more information about our Media or other courses please call 020 7613 9123 or email info@hackney.ac.uk

  • HCC students donate food hampers to local homeless shelter

    HCC students donate food hampers to local homeless shelter

    A group of Hackney Community College students showed that charity does indeed start at home when they donated items from their cupboards to a local homeless shelter.

    Students, on the 14-16 On Track programme at HCC, prepared two food hampers for the St Peter’s Crypt Night Shelter based in De Beauvoir Road.

    The hampers, which will help towards feeding the shelter’s users in the coming months, was presented to shelter manager Barbara Walshe on Monday 23 January.

    Student John Maughan, aged 14, said: “It made me feel really good to know that I was helping people.”

    Chloe Sailsman, also aged 14, added, “I got involved because I thought it would be a good cause and other people should be helped. I put posters up around the college to get as much support as possible.”

    The young students campaigned tirelessly for the charity over the last few months and encouraged fellow students and staff to contribute to its worthy cause.

    St Peter’s Crypt Night Shelter provides hot food, a bed and breakfast for 15-18 homeless people every Monday night during January- March. The shelter is run by volunteers and funded by donations.

    Learning support assistant Wendy Monksfield said: “I, myself, regularly volunteer at the night shelter and I know what a difference this donation will make. I am so proud of our students!”

    To find out more about volunteering with the charity or to make a donation click here

  • HRH, The Duke of York KG hosts Tech event with Hackney Community College

    HRH, The Duke of York KG hosts Tech event with Hackney Community College

    His Royal Highness The Duke of York was present to assist Hackney Community College play host to Tech City employers on Wednesday 18th January at Open Kitchen, the College’s training Bar & Restaurant.

    The event gave the College an opportunity to outline to major international businesses how local education providers can work with businesses to provide them with the skilled staff they need and how businesses can recruit local people, to help increase employment rates in Hackney.

    The businesses also outlined to HRH and the College, their growth plans, staff needs and latest technical developments.

    The Duke of York offered to help host the event after a 2011 visit to the college to learn about its Tech City Apprentice and University Technical College initiatives.

    The Duke has a strong personal interest in Apprenticeships and Youth Skills and believes that a key issue for the UK is to ensure that its young people develop the skills needed for today’s workforce.

    Ian Ashman, Principal of Hackney Community College said: “Our last Ofsted inspection, graded the College ‘outstanding’ for our partnership work. This dinner, is another example of how we’re listening to employers and ensuring that we develop young people with the right skills, so they can benefit from the fantastic employment opportunities created by the regeneration of the Tech City area. We are most grateful to The Duke of York for attending; his involvement has helped us to secure really strong business interest in local recruitment.”

    The Tech City Apprenticeships Company is just one of the ways in which HCC and its partner Renaisi, aim to help continue the growth of skills by working with key employers in the area to create employment opportunities for young people while they receive professional training at the College.

    As well as the Tech City Apprentice Programme, the new University Technical College (UTC), the first school of its kind in London, being launched on the Shoreditch campus in September 2012, will further prepare young people with the needed skill-set to succeed in the creative industries with its specialist digital media training courses.

    The curriculum will include computer programming, a major skills shortage in the area.

    Head Teacher, Annie Blackmore is excited about the opportunities Tech City is bringing to Hackney: “Having Tech City right on our door step brings fantastic opportunities for our UTC students. Not only is the curriculum employer-led, but through these links major businesses will provide exciting and relevant projects and work experience for all our students. “

    A further briefing on Tech City Apprentices for local small and medium enterprises will be taking place on February 7th at 6pm at Open Kitchen

  • Fashion students embrace the world with trendy Olympics jacket

    HCC Fashion students create unique global Olympics jacket

    Hackney Community College’s ESOL Fashion students gave a different meaning to global warming when they created a snug jacket using flags of some of the participating countries in this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games.

    The dynamic patchwork piece was unveiled and modelled by students across the campus last week.

    Principal Ian Ashman said: “The students’ work is visually stunning and of great quality. It is a fantastic example of the wide range of students benefiting from London 2012.”

    In addition to learning new sewing techniques, the students picked up new foreign language skills too.

    This project is part of a wider venture to produce artwork for the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) to showcase in various Olympic training venues.

    Around 60 Art & Design, Media and Fashion students at HCC are involved in creating individual video installations, textiles and artwork — all of which will be presented for exhibition.

    All the work is based around the Olympic and Paralympic values of Excellence, Respect, Courage, Inspiration, Friendship, Equality and Determination.

    Paulene Carr, Head of Art, Media and Fashion at HCC said: ‘I am really excited and thrilled that we have been given this opportunity to be part of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Both students and staff are inspired and motivated by this opportunity to contribute to what will be a longstanding legacy to the local community. We hope 2012 is not just a number or a year, but will be a constant reminder of success not only for Stratford and London, but for the United Kingdom; let people talk of 2012 for many years to come.”

    To check out the students’ creative journey click here

    For more information about our Fashion or any other courses please call 020 7613 9123 or email info@hackney.ac.uk

  • GB Olympian swimmer delivers master class to Sports students

    GB Olympian swimmer delivers master class to Sports students

    “It’s not about winning, it’s about taking part.” Suki Brownsdon, GB Olympian swimmer

    Hackney Community College’s Sports students got an insight into what it takes to perform at the top level when they attended a master class run by Olympian swimmer Suki Brownsdon.

    Suki, who represented Great Britain at four Olympic Games, shared her experiences with students from HCC and B Six College at the Shoreditch Campus on Monday 16 January.

    The students were intrigued by her fascinating anecdotes of her time spent at the various Games — her first being Moscow 1980 when she was just 14 years old!

    The swimmer was joined by sport nutritionist Gill Horgan, who spoke about various athlete diet programmes and specialised fitness training regimes.

    Students also learnt more about the rich history of the Olympic Games, with the seven Olympic and Paralympic values – excellence, respect, friendship, courage, determination, inspiration and equality — being the main themes of the presentation.

    Level 3 student Lauren Trott found the session enlightening.

    She said: “The nutrition element of the presentation touched on my current study topic. I found it very interesting.”

    Kofi Billy added: “There was so much information about the Olympic Games and sport in general which was very informative.”

    HCC offers a range of Sports courses from Level 2 to HNDs.

    Students are able to train as part of their course, in SPACe, the College’s sport and leisure centre which is also the main training venue for the 2012 Games.

    HCC is dedicated to helping students maximise the opportunities made available through the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and continues to strengthen its ties with sporting figures, organisations and the local community.

    For more information about our Sports and other courses please call 020 7613 9123 or email info@hackney.ac.uk

  • Olympics Countdown: 200 Days to Go to London 2012

    School pupils take on “200 days to go” basketball challenge at College’s 2012 sports training venue

    There are only 200 days to go until the Olympic and Paralympic Games!

    To mark the milestone, Hackney Community College welcomed a group of local primary school children to have a shot at a “200 days to go” basketball challenge, in its official London 2012 training facility.

    Pupils from St John the Baptist School visited SPACe, the College’s sport and leisure centre, on Monday, where they enjoyed a morning of fun, sporting activity.

    The youngsters had a go at shooting 200 hoops on the playing courts, which will be used by athletes and volunteers preparing for the 2012 Games in the upcoming months.

    Ex-HCC student and former professional basketball player, Jeff Danchie was on hand to help the children meet their target, along with the College’s Level 3 Sports students.

    The pupils were presented with certificates and a special customised trophy for their tremendous effort and achievement.

    The activity was co-ordinated as part of the Personal Best initiative, a 2012-inspired primary school athletics programme, run by Hackney Council, to encourage more children to partake in sport.

    Jeff, who played for the Plymouth Raiders and is a graduate of HCC’s highly successful Basketball Academy, said: “With the Olympics coming up, there is a huge buzz within the community and it’s great to see the youngsters really excited about it all. The children today had the right attitude and worked well at motivating themselves and each other to achieve their goal. A bit of teamwork really does make the dream work.”

    Eight year old Jodie-Mai Davis said: “I really enjoyed doing the basketball challenge. It was lots of fun. I’m also very excited about the Olympics coming to London. I can’t wait to watch the gymnastics.”

    HCC Principal Ian Ashman added: “Hackney Community College is absolutely delighted to be playing such an instrumental role in preparing volunteers for the Olympics. Being selected as an official training provider for London 2012 is a strong testament to the excellent facilities we have here at the College. With just 200 days to go, we’re looking forward to helping make this the best Games ever.”

    HCC was announced as the official training venue for the Olympic and Paralympic Games last year.

    The College will accommodate over 70,000 Games Makers; plus hundreds of athletes, including basketballers, who will train in the professional standard facilities also used by HCC’s renowned Basketball Academy.

    The Academy consists of both men and women’s teams, who have won numerous trophies and national titles over the years.

    It maintains its phenomenal success by instilling drive and discipline in the players to consistently perform at exceptional standards.

    Students train hard alongside their main course of study and are motivated to excel both on and off the court.

    Many graduates of the Academy, such as Jeff, go on to play professionally at national and international level.

    As well as the Basketball Academy, the College runs sports academies in football, athletics and cricket.

    For more information about HCC’s Sport Academies please email academis@hackney.ac.uk or call 020 7613 9586.

  • Season of Goodwill: Students volunteer at local homeless charity

    HCC students volunteer at local homeless charity over the festive period

    Hackney Community College students brought merriment and cheer to the less fortunate when they volunteered at local charity, North London Action for the Homeless, over the festive period.

    Students offered their support to the drop in centre, currently based at St Paul’s Church Hall, Stoke Newington, to help lift the spirits of the homeless and people in needy circumstances.

    As well as lending helping hands, the College also donated a sum of money to the charity which will go towards some much needed new kitchen equipment.

    The donation was made in the place of spending money on corporate Christmas cards.

    Level 3 Housing student Theresa Oleru, who intends on becoming a long term volunteer said: “I really enjoy serving people. It gives me great joy to see other people happy. It’s been very rewarding working at the centre. Plus I don’t mind doing the washing up!”

    Manager Mike Tomes said: “It’s been a pleasure having the students volunteering over such a busy time at the centre. They have been very helpful. Many thanks to Hackney Community College for their continued support over the years.”

    The North London Action for the Homeless serves food to approximately 40-90 people twice weekly. The charity provides three course meals at each session, which consist of soup, a main meal, dessert, tea and coffee — just the thing to keep the cold away.

    The centre also provides take away food, clothing (upon request), Welfare Rights Advisers, and Health Access workers. As well as all of this, they run literacy classes, music sessions and outings.

    Volunteers are always needed at the centre to help prepare and serve the food, set the tables, deal with any requests and of course that all important washing up.

    For information on volunteering or to make a donation, visit the website at www.nlah.org.uk

  • Catering students pop up with delicious treats at East London Design Show

    HCC’s Hospitality and Catering students serve up a treat at popular contemporary design exhibition

    Hackney Community College’s Hospitality and Catering students served up a treat for thousands to enjoy at the East London Design Show last weekend.

    The Level 1 students from the London City Hospitality Centre, HCC’s on-site hospitality and catering training facility, prepared a variety of dishes to tickle the taste buds of exhibitors and visitors at the popular annual event held at the Shoreditch Town Hall.

    They delivered an appetising menu of hot and cold dishes presented in a self-service style buffet along with bar snacks and sweet accompaniments.

    Delights, including thai chicken, teriyaki salmon and sweet potato curry, were all rustled up in the College’s professional standard kitchens, under the guidance of head chef Scott Kelly.

    The trainee chefs catered for the entire duration of the contemporary design showcase, which ran from Friday 2nd — Sunday 4th December.

    Student Philomena Asumang from Hackney said: “Preparing for such a huge event is definitely a great experience. It is giving me a taste of my future career. I am really enjoying the course at HCC.”

    Classmate Maudella Daley also from Hackney added: “The course is fun and enjoyable. You learn how to cook so many new and different dishes. I would definitely recommend others to study at HCC.”

    The students worked in collaboration with Chew, a London-based hospitality and catering agency, for the event.

    For more information about HCC’s Hospitality and Catering courses please call 020 7613 9123 or email info@hackney.ac.uk

    For more information about the East London Design Show click here

  • First London-based University Technical College set to open on Shoreditch Campus

    London’s first ever University Technical College (UTC) is set to open on Hackney Community College’s Shoreditch campus in September 2012.

    Specialising in Digital and Health Technologies, Hackney UTC is a specialist school for 14-19 year olds. It offers a specialist course of study, designed in partnership with employers, skills sector agencies and universities. The emphasis will be on technical, vocational and employability skills.

    It’s different from schools and colleges, as it operates very much like a business day. The school day is 8:30am-5pm, students wear business attire and projects are employer-led, making sure they’re prepared for employment upon graduation.

    Hackney UTC is sponsored by Hackney Community College, The University of East London, BT Group and Homerton University Hospital. All of whom will provide exciting opportunities for work experience, mentoring and workplace visits.

    60% of the time will be spent on general education, which includes English, Mathematics, Science, a Modern Language, Humanities, English Baccalaureate, Sport, Citizenship and Enrichment Activities. The following ‘bridging subjects’ are also included: financial literacy, understanding and setting up a business, IT and careers education and guidance.

    The remaining 40% of the time is devoted to the specialisms of Digital and Health Technologies.

    The designated Head Teacher, Annie Blackmore, hosted an information evening at Open Kitchen on Hoxton Street last night. The evening was attended by local schools and careers advisers, with the aim of providing information on what Hackney UTC has to offer.

    Annie commented “We’re really pleased with the interest that Hackney UTC has had so far. With unemployment at an all-time high, the employer-led curriculum, combined with our partnerships, will provide students with a real opportunity to gain valuable skills for working life. It’s a really exciting time for young people in Hackney and we’re proud to be taking part in this new initiative.”

    Admissions will be open from January 2012 and an Open Evening for parents and learners is being planned for February 2012.

    Notes to editors

    For information about University Technical Colleges, go to www.utcolleges.org

    University Technical Colleges are a new concept in education created by the Baker Dearing Educational Trust and supported by the Department for Education. A UTC offers 14-19 year olds the opportunity to take a highly regarded, full time, technically-orientated course of study. They are equipped to the highest standard, sponsored by a university and offer clear progression routes into higher education or further learning in work including apprenticeships.

    How are UTCs different?

    They are different in three crucially important ways:

    1. They are 14-19 not 11-18 schools
    2. Each must be sponsored by a university or an FE college
    3. Employers will be involved from the start in shaping the curriculum
    ? Their school day runs on ‘business hours’ e.g. from 8:30am to 5:00pm
    ? They have a longer school year of up to 40 weeks and a different term pattern is being considered e.g. 4 term year.
    ? Extra-curricular activities are compulsory.
    ? There is a broad general curriculum, and the core subjects of maths, English and science are taught through highly demanding technical projects.
    ? Pre 16 students will spend about 60% of their time on academic subjects and 40% on technical ones. Post 16 the percentage is reversed with about 40% academic teaching, 60% technical.
    ? The curriculum content is determined and shaped through the partnership of employers and universities.
    ? All students study a foreign language related to their technical curriculum
    ? Experience of work is a central element of the curriculum.
    ? The Government is fully supportive of ensuring that students combine work and study.

    In the recent budget announcement, the Chancellor pledged continued support to UTCs, unveiling the funding for 24 UTCs.

    The Hackney UTC partners include Hackney Community College, The Learning Trust, the London Development Agency, BT Group, the University of East London and the Homerton University Hospital NHS Trust.

    Hackney Community College has an excellent track record of improving quality and student success rates and was graded Good by Ofsted in 2010. Hackney Community College has been acknowledged as a strong lead partner in the development of the Hackney UTC.

  • Hackney Community College wins prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for outstanding mental health support service

    HCC wins prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for outstanding mental health support service

    Hackney Community College has been awarded the most prestigious accolade available in the FE sector — recognising the exceptional work it does to help people with mental health needs in education.

    The Queen’s Anniversary Prize is a National honour, approved by Her Majesty, which acknowledges excellence in higher and further education across the country.

    The College was the sole London College and one of only three FE institutions in the UK to receive the special award this year.

    The prize was in recognition of the dedicated support scheme created to assist those with mental health support needs in making a smooth transition back into education and employment.

    The College was officially announced as a winner at a ceremony held in St James’s Palace on Thursday (24 November).

    A formal presentation of the awards will be held in February 2012 at Buckingham Palace.

    Principal Ian Ashman said: “Hackney Community College is extremely proud of the work that we do to support people with mental health needs to succeed through education. We are thrilled that our efforts have been recognised by Her Majesty; it is a huge honour and is a great tribute to all our staff who work with people with mental health needs.”

    The Mental Health Education and Employment Service was established in 1997 to address concerns around the lack of provision for supporting mental health service users to access education and training; and to provide support with study and progression.

    From supporting approximately 50 learners in its first year, the service has evolved into a multi-faceted network delivering a range of interventions, opportunities and activities to over 4,000 learners and prospective learners with mental health support needs.

    The service, which is funded by the East London Foundation Trust and City and Hackney’s Primary Care Trust, also provides professional support to teachers and support staff.

    Its development and success is due to intensive multi-agency liaison, dedication and professional expertise across all partners.

    Many students have benefited immensely from this service.

    Georgina, who had been suicidal and suffered serious mental health issues is now thriving in her job, owing to the support she received from HCC.

    She said: “The College has given me unbelievable support and has helped change my life. I can now walk around with my head held high. It’s a whole different world to me now. If there are people like you in this world then it’s better to live than to die.”

    Earlier this year, HCC’s outstanding Mental Health team helped the College pick up an Association of Colleges Beacon Award for Widening Participation in Education, for the excellent service it delivers to individuals with mental health support needs, plus its significant outreach partnership work with other community organisations.

    John McClean, Mental Health Adviser added: “Having this support service is extremely valuable to our learners with mental health issues. Seeing them progress into confident individuals, who go on to further study, or into jobs is very rewarding. To be acknowledged with this fantastic award really does mean an awful lot and we are extremely proud of our achievements.”

    What makes this achievement all the more poignant, is the fact that it is the second time HCC has been awarded a Queen’s Anniversary Prize.

    In 1996, the College was awarded the prize for successfully encouraging more young women to excel in science through its innovative and engaging course programme.

    For more information about the Queen’s Anniversary Prizes click here

  • Weymouth comes to Hackney for the Olympics

    Students from the South West visit HCC to talk 2012 Olympics

    Hackney Community College was a source of inspiration for a group of 2012 Youth Ambassadors from the South West eager to maximise on the opportunities of the Olympic Games coming to the UK.

    Students from Weymouth College in Dorset visited the Shoreditch Campus on Monday to find out about HCC’s involvement with the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and how the College is preparing students to contribute to the global event next year.

    They were treated to a tour of the College’s superb facilities, including the professional standard catering kitchens and Construction workshops and spoke with staff and students to get a better insight into how the Games will impact the local community.

    They also watched a showcase of films which HCC Media students produced about the Olympics, including footage of a recent vox pop conducted by Level 2 Media students capturing locals’ opinions about the Olympics coming to Hackney.

    Plus, they heard about all the other exciting projects HCC students have been involved with, including the exploits of the College’s Hospitality and Catering students who volunteered at the Vancouver Winter Olympics where they gained valuable work experience.

    The afternoon was rounded off with a complimentary lunch in Open Kitchen, HCC’s on-site training restaurant, which the group thoroughly enjoyed.

    Overall, they were very impressed with the College and its facilities.

    Joe Walker, 18 who studies Public Services at Weymouth said: “The facilities at HCC are amazing. The quality of learning is of a massive standard. I was very impressed, especially with how much the College is involved in the Olympics.”

    The visit to the College was part of a three day 2012 Olympic-inspired tour which also included a trip to the Games’ main site in Stratford.

    Weymouth is currently busy with Olympic preparations of its own- with the coastal town expecting to welcome thousands onto its shores when it hosts the sailing events at the Games next summer.

    The young ambassadors intend to use the information they gathered on their visit to HCC to fuel their own projects back in Dorset with the aim of encouraging others to get involved with preparing for the Games in their community.

    Last week, HCC was officially announced as the principal training venue for the 2012 Games. The College will be in charge of preparing over 70,000 volunteers to support the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

    As well as providing a training venue, the College has already made other commitments for the Games, including training hundreds of students and unemployed people to take up 2012 jobs in industries like security, catering, retail and cleaning.

    HCC has also put forward ambassadors to support sports events, students to perform at the opening and closing ceremonies as well as have an involvement in the cultural Olympiad.
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