Following previous success with international training programmes, Harrow College were delighted to welcome a new delegation from Kenya last term, looking to develop their key staff training skills. 

Working in close partnership with Evolve Global Solutions Ltd – dedicated providers of education, training and specialist consultancy support for both the UK & international education and business sector - Harrow College welcomed the group of budding Kenyan trainers through its doors.

The group were all employees from the Kenyan Maritime Authority (KMA) - a government department in Kenya responsible for shipping and marine administration, maritime safety and security, and preservation of the marine environment. Trainers at KMA initially completed PTLLS ‘Preparing to Teach’ Level 3 a few years ago and were now seeking to upskill trainers to a Level 4 teacher training qualification.

During their 6-week stay in the UK, the students attended multiple study sessions at Harrow College. With the help and support of expert teacher training staff, the students increased their knowledge of teaching theory and techniques and experimented with new ways of developing / evaluating learning programmes and delivering training. The tailor-made course consisted of taught sessions, supervised research, assignments, presentations, professional discussions and micro teach sessions as well as cultural visits and activities.

Charles Mutai, one of the students, said “I will definitely return to Harrow College for my level 5 in Learning and Development as a result of the really impressive level of teaching we received which was intensive, absorbing and totally enjoyable”.

Lucy Akinlosotu, Professional Training and Higher Education Manager at Harrow College commented “we are very proud of our work with EU and non-EU students and colleagues in various areas, including teaching and learning, entrepreneurship and education leadership. The KMA team were a pleasure to host and their visit was another enriching and energising experience filled with focused work, sharing experiences, learning on both parts and lots of laughter. We aim to continue working with groups and individuals from every corner of the globe”.

A new delegation from Kenya has now arrived in the UK and is commencing a 6-week teacher training programme at Harrow College starting this week (w/c 2nd Jan, 2017).

Click here for more on Teacher Training at Harrow College

Harrow College is delighted to be opening a brand new, state of the art facility for Health and Social Care training in September 2017.

Health and wellbeing is a growing area for employment locally and nationally, with new emerging specialist areas such as dementia care and autism care. This visually exciting, purpose built building extends to 1,305 m2 across two floors; it will be a regional hub for health care training, providing training for students at levels 1, 2, 3, 4 together with specialist professional/CPD opportunities for employers.

Alongside state of the art classrooms and IT facilities, specialist suites within the building include:

• Domestic care suite, where students can learn how to look after vulnerable adults in a home setting (image above)

• Orthopaedic care suite, for hands-on experience of handling clients getting in/out of hospital beds and learning how to operate the beds (image above)

• Nutrition laboratory, where specialist health diets can be devised and prepared (image above)

• Exercise suite, where students can learn about exercises suitable for specific health needs

• Triage room, for learning how to assess the needs of vulnerable clients in emergency situations

Our new building is part-funded by a grant from the London Enterprise Partnership; designed by IBI Group and under construction by Ashe Ltd. Located on our tranquil Care Campus, in the Green Belt at Harrow Weald, it will be built to a very high environmental standard (BREEAM Excellent), reflecting the College’s commitment to sustainability.

Click here for more on Health & Social Care courses at Harrow College.

This is your last chance to enrol onto our course which starts next week: 

Introduction to Health & Social Care and Children’s & Young Persons Settings L1 & Employability E3 Ext Cert E3

Who is this course for?

If you are currently out of work and looking for a new opportunity, this could be for you. This course is designed for those who have an interest or want to work in the care industry however are unsure as to what specific age group they would like to work with. This is a great opportunity to learn new skills and boost your career prospects.

Course dates:

Tuesday 10 January 2017 – Friday 3 February 2017 (12 days of study over 4 weeks)

Day / times:

Tuesday & Thursday 9.30 - 3.15pm and Friday, 9.30 – 4pm

Areas Covered:

• Understand the Range of Service Provision and Roles within Health and Social Care (Adults and Children and Young People), Early Years and Childcare
• Understand the Principles and Values in Health and Social Care (Adults and Children and Young People), Early Years and Childcare
• Awareness of Protection and Safeguarding in Health and Social Care (Adults and Children and Young People), Early Years and Childcare
• Introduction to Communication in Health and Social Care (Adults and Children and Young People), Early Years and Childcare

Eligibility Requirements:

• Aged 19+
• 3 years resident in the UK/EU/EEA
• Currently receiving benefits JSA/Universal Credit
• Able to provide a passport or birth certificate/travel documents

Contact:

Call Business Base (at Harrow College) on 020 8909 6011 or Click here to email.

During 2016, Architecture, Interior and Product design students from Harrow College went out into the community to put their skills into practice as well as to meet new people and broaden their experiences.

The first success story relates to former student Esterra Badelita (left image). Esterra’s work was on display at the Harrow College end of year exhibition back in 2016. It was there where Claire Linge, Education officer at the newly opened Heath Robinson Museum in Pinner, met Estrerra and offered her a paid commission to build a model based on a book of illustrations called ‘Living in Flats’ by Heath Robinson (William Heath Robinson 1872 – 1944, was a famous illustrator and cartoonist who was best known for drawings of complicated machines achieving simple objectives). Esterra worked over her summer holiday and was invited to attend the official opening of the museum to see her work on display.

Following this, during the autumn half term last year, a group Year 1 Architecture, Interior and Product design students were invited to complete a short period of work experience at the Heath Robinson Museum. They ran a workshop for local children to celebrate the Hindu festival of Diwali. The workshop saw students helping children to stick coloured plastic onto patterns which they had designed to create stained glass windows. Over 120 local children took part and the museum has invited Harrow College students to run the event again next year.

Towards the end of the year, in December 2016, Year 2 Architecture, Interior and Product design students returned to the museum as part of their Harrow Expo project where they designed, produced and installed decorations for the museum shop and activity room. These decorations were welcomed by the trustees of the museum and again the students have been invited to repeat the activity next year.

In addition to this, A-level and BTEC Architecture, Interior and Product design students have been working on a number of projects with Harrow Councils Regeneration Department. This has included a number of work experience days where students have helped run public consultation events for new flats being developed on the site of Vaughan Road car park. The students helped meet and greet the public and have also based a design project on the new development. In December 2016, the lead architect from Adam Khan Architects, who won the pitch to design the flats, visited Harrow College and talked to the student's in depth about the new flat development. Over 40 intrigued students attended the talk.

Click here for more on Art and Design related courses at Harrow College.

In November 2016, the Counselling Department at Harrow College was approached by Place2be with the offer of providing training for trainee counsellors. Place2be is the leading provider of counselling to young people in schools in the UK. The 2 day training provided an induction to working therapeutically with children.

This marks a new development for the Harrow College department. The training was followed by interviews for those trainees who wished to have placements working with children. Many of those who attended have now secured placements and will work in schools.

It is hoped that the Harrow College Trainee Counsellors will be able to make a significant contribution to the local community and provide a much needed service, especially at a time when financial cut backs have significantly reduced the provision of therapy to children and adolescents.

The training was very much valued by the trainees who learnt a great deal from the two day workshop. Commenting after the sessions, one described the training as “an amazing experience”. Another who benefited from the session said “We were led through training by very experienced, knowledgeable and inspiring trainers”. The general feedback was captured well by another trainee who said “The whole weekend was very practical, informative and relevant for anyone wishing to or working with children”.

Michael Lyons, Counselling Coordinator and lecturer at Harrow College said:

“It is now planned to make this a regular and integral part of our training. We welcome the opportunity of the partnership and we look forward to working collaboratively”.

Click here for more about Counselling courses at Harrow College

Harrow College celebrated the graduation of their newly qualified Psychodynamic Counsellors at a special event in late November 2016. The new graduates were each awarded with a Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling.

The event was held at the Grimm’s Dyke hotel in Harrow Weald where guests were treated to a graduation ceremony and lunch. The newly qualified graduates proudly donned gowns and hats to collect their awards and pose for photos.

Harrow College has a long and proud tradition of teaching Counselling at various levels to hundreds of people. This specific Level 4 graduation however, was the first in association with the CPCAB (Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body).

 The course content comprehensibly covers key aspects of working effectively as a therapist. A range of common mental health problems are studied as well as looking at how early childhood experiences can impact on personality structure. The importance of working in line with an ethical framework is crucial to this field of work and is stressed throughout the course programme. Trainees also have to complete at least 100 supervised hours working with patients in an organisational setting.

The graduates can look forward to varied career opportunities – from working in the NHS, roles in the voluntary sector or even setting up their own private practice. As therapists, they will work with people who have a range of mental health issues including children in schools, centres which specialise in addictions, support for refugees and some will work in local MIND centres.

One proud graduate said “The tutor support was second to none and I could not have asked for any more. My passion for counselling was ignited from the very first class by my tutors enthusiasm and extensive experience - I can’t thank them enough”.

Michael Lyons, Counselling Coordinator and Lecturer at Harrow College said “Our commitment to training to the highest possible ethical and professional standards remains paramount. The work which the trainees do plays a vital role in the local community. Trainees find that the training changes them as people in ways which they had not expected and they value that growth. The change which their patients undergo is likewise life changing. We wish the new therapists a long and rewarding career”.

Click here for more information about Counselling related courses at Harrow College.

A former IT student who secured a top graduate employment job with IBM has returned to Harrow College to share his story and inspire current students to follow in his footsteps.

Back in September 2010, Anthony Birley enrolled onto a BTEC Level 3 ICT course at Harrow College with the desire of one day, working within the IT industry. He carefully selected this course at Harrow College due to the specific course modules on offer which would help to broaden his knowledge and develop key computing skills.

With support from IT staff together with a work hard ethic, Anthony took full advantage of the opportunities the course provided him including designing websites, building computers, using animation tools, speaking at events and more. On completion of his two-year course, Anthony had achieved the highest possible grade – a triple distinction star (D*D*D*).

Anthony moved on to university where he would go on to secure a First-class honours degree. Before long, Anthony had secured a top graduate role with IBM – one of the leaders within the IT industry where Anthony had earlier enjoyed a university work placement year.

A very proud Anthony was honoured to be welcomed back to Harrow College to meet his former tutors (Pictured left with former tutor Helen Sabonjian) and speak with current IT students about his journey from education to employment. Anthony spoke in detail about the importance of hard work, to always believe in yourself and to pursue your ambitions. An audience of over 100 aspiring IT students listened on with admiration as well as inspiration.

Speaking after his talk, Anthony said:

“I felt very proud to return to Harrow College. Having been in their position just a few years ago, I can relate to what the current students are experiencing which is why I was so keen to speak with them. I was also very passionate about providing them with the knowledge that I have on work placement and graduate schemes, application processes, voluntary work and more. I have every confidence that these students will follow in my footsteps, especially due to the excellent qualifications and services that Harrow College provide".

Click here for more information about IT courses at Harrow College

Don't miss out on this chance to enrol onto our next course. Develop new skills and receive the training you need to help you get back into employment.

Level 2 Certificate in Warehousing & Storage Principles & Employability E3 (HABC - Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance)

Who is this course for?

If you are currently out of work and looking for a new opportunity, this could be for you. This course will develop the knowledge, understanding skills to work effectively in a warehousing and storage environment. This course will assist and upskill candidates who would like to persue employment or further training within the logistics and distribution industry.

Course dates:

Tuesday 24 January 2017 – Monday 13 February 2017 (9 days of study over 4 weeks)

Day / times:

Week 1 - Tuesday & Thursday 9:30 - 3:15pm
Week 2 - Monday & Tuesday 9:30 - 3:15pm, Thursday 9:30 - 4pm
Week 3 - Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 9:30 - 3:15pm
Week 4 - Monday 9:30 - 4:00pm

Areas Covered:

• Understand how to receive and store goods and materials
• Understand how to process orders and dispatch goods
• Understand how to deliver effective customer service
• Understand Health, Safety, Security and Legislation
• Understand how to be an effective team worker

Eligibility Requirements:

• Aged 19+
• 3 years resident in the UK/EU/EEA
• Currently receiving benefits JSA/Universal Credit
• Able to provide a passport or birth certificate/travel documents

Contact:

Call Business Base (at Harrow College) on 020 8909 6011 or Click here to email.

Harrow College is inviting local businesses to attend a free open-event aimed at providing more information about the forthcoming Apprenticeship Levy tax. The levy will impact every employer, training provider and learner across England from April 2017.

From 6th April 2017 employers will be required to contribute to a new apprenticeship levy tax. Employers, in any sector, with a pay bill of more than £3 million each year, will be required to pay the levy. Within 36 months, SME’s will also have to pay this levy so it is crucial that preparations start now. However, employers can benefit from the levy by taking on and training apprentices. Apprentices who have been accepted on to an apprenticeship programme before April 2017 will be funded for the full duration of the apprenticeship.

This introduction of the levy forms part of the government’s promise of 3 million apprentices by 2020 and will help provide valuable skills and training. Around the world, apprenticeships have long been recognised as a crucial way to develop the skills wanted by employers. For the students themselves, Apprenticeships will become a very viable alternative to University as the qualifications will go up to degree level.

Harrow College wants to provide its community and wider London with all the facts so employers can prepare themselves for the upcoming changes. This event is suited to all employers, whether they will be levy paying or not. It will also be suitable for anyone with a vested interest in apprenticeships, whether it be someone looking at taking on an apprentice or someone who works in the training industry seeking more information.

Business are encouraged to find out how the Apprenticeship levy tax will affect them. The aim of the event is to support and guide employers to understand the intended impact, with assistance to plan and prepare for the change. The event will include a presentation, information about incentives and employer benefits as well as a Q&A session. The Harrow College apprenticeship team will be available throughout to speak to employers on a one to one basis. Refreshments will be provided.

The free ‘Get ready for the Apprenticeship levy’ event takes place in the Enterprise Centre at Harrow College (Harrow on the Hill campus) on Thursday 26th January, 8.30am to 10am and again on Wednesday 1st February, 4.30pm to 6pm. For more information, email Katy Bagnall or click here to register.

Scroll down to view our latest courses which are available now for you to enrol. Develop new skills and receive the training you need to help you get back into employment.

Employability E3 & Intro to Customer Service E3 (City & Guilds)

Who is this course for?

If you are currently out of work and looking for a new opportunity, this could be for you this qualification will boost your career prospects by giving you the skills, knowledge and understanding that employers look for.

Course dates:

Monday 6 February 2017 – Friday 24 February 2017 (9 days of study over 3 weeks)

Day / times:

Monday & Wednesday 9:30 - 3:15pm and Friday 9:30 - 4pm

Areas Covered:

• The importance of appearance & behaviour in customer service
• Legislation, regulation & procedures to follow in customer service
• Communicate customers’ problems’ with others
• The customer service job role
• Handling telephone calls from customers
• Communicate effectively with customers
• Introduction to Customer Service

Eligibility Requirements:

• Aged 19+
• 3 years resident in the UK/EU/EEA
• Currently receiving benefits JSA/Universal Credit
• Able to provide a passport or birth certificate/travel documents

Contact:

Call Business Base (at Harrow College) on 020 8909 6011 or Click to email.

Introduction to Health & Social Care and Children’s & Young Persons Settings L1 & Employability E3 Ext Cert E3 (NCFE)

Who is this course for?

If you are currently out of work and looking for a new opportunity, this could be for you. These qualifications will develop the knowledge and awareness of the types of provision in the Health, Social Care and Children’s and Young People’s sectors. They include the roles played by workers – from principles and values through to health and safety and working with others.

Course dates:

Tuesday 7 February 2017 – Friday 3 March 2017 (12 days of study over 4 weeks)

Day / times:

Tuesday 9:30 - 4:00pm and Thursday & Friday 9:30 - 3:15pm

Areas Covered:

• Understand the Range of Service Provision and Roles within Health and Social Care (Adults and Children and Young People), Early Years and Childcare
• Understand the Principles and Values in Health and Social Care (Adults and Children and Young People), Early Years and Childcare
• Awareness of Protection and Safeguarding in Health and Social Care (Adults and Children and Young People), Early Years and Childcare
• Introduction to Communication in Health and Social Care (Adults and Children and Young People), Early Years and Childcare

Eligibility Requirements:

• Aged 19+
• 3 years resident in the UK/EU/EEA
• Currently receiving benefits JSA/Universal Credit
• Able to provide a passport or birth certificate/travel documents

Contact:

Call Business Base (at Harrow College) on 020 8909 6011 or Click to email.

Harrow College’s focus on IT employability has continued into 2017 with the visits of IT powerhouses IBM and Sky already noted. The visits are part of a weekly employability afternoon which has been embedded into the student curriculum.

Employability and career focus, especially around IT, is already an integral part of education at Harrow College. In 2015, two specialist Career Colleges were launched (one of which is dedicated to Digital and Creative) where employers directly engage with course material and help shape study programmes. By working to employer briefs and having the opportunity to engage with organisations both inside college but also off-site during company visits, students are brought even closer to the industry they aspire to work in.

Last week (16 Jan), Ian Morton, Senior Developer at Sky, visited IT students. The college lecture theatre was filled with eager students who listened intently as they learnt about life as an IT Developer and what goes on behind the scenes at Sky. Students were shown how and why IT impacts lots of different departments at Sky including Sky News and Sky Sports.

The importance of gaining work experience was a recurring theme. Whether it’s just a day volunteering or longer term paid employment, work experience is valuable on so many levels. From gaining an insight into the life of work through to learning new skills and meeting new people – all of which help to build up a student’s CV and show future employers their passion for the industry.

Other recent IT employability activities at Harrow College include Digital and Creative Careers College students visiting one of Amazon’s newest London offices and this link will continue with work on a live brief, to be given out at Amazon next month. Guest speakers to the college in recent weeks have included representation from IBM and Tata – the latter inviting students to help design the company’s internal communication platform. More guest speakers and employer engagement is planned as Harrow College continue to focus on employability and career development for its students.

Click here for more information on IT courses at Harrow College.

A group of students with varying levels of Autism have recently proven that with determination, passion and teacher support, achieving your educational goal is always possible.

The OCR Level 2 Extended Certificate in IT group consists of 10 students, focussing primarily on Game Design & Development and Animation units. They are based at the Harrow Weald campus however spend a day at the Harrow on the Hill campus once a week (where most will be based next year) to support their campus / course transition.

The group deliberately has only one main lecturer - Stella Polydorou (although they have different maths and English lecturers) - having only one lecturer helps alleviate their anxiety and stress. There are also 2 Learning and Support Assistants in every lesson so student support is always high.

Stella uses her specialised dyslexic training techniques in each lesson and adapts them according to each student’s different learning style. A great benefit of smaller group sizes is the one-to-one focus each student receives each day meaning Stella is able to understand how each student prefers to work and how to maximise their output.

Social skills training is also incorporated within the curriculum as well as active listening and speaking exercises. A significant improvement in communication and social skills has been recorded in all of Stella’s students. There is a great work ethic within the group and attendance is excellent. More so, all students to date have achieved a Distinction level in the Gaming unit.

Scott O'Brien, one of the students from the groups said:

“I was really apprehensive about joining Harrow College and a new class as I have social and communication difficulties and do not like change. It took 2 months to feel comfortable with my lecturer, support staff and my class friends. I now feel I belong to my group, I can now talk to other students, and even go lunch with 3 of them, which is a great social progress for me and this is because of how the group is formed and how the teachers help us communicate with each other”

Click here for more information on IT courses at Harrow College.

Learning Links / Life Skills and LLDD students (learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities) from Harrow College have been invited by Headstone Manor Museum to take part in a special project, bringing together both history and creativity.

Having worked with the museum before, students were invited back to take part in a project which is focussed on Whitefriars Glass. In the mid 1800’s Whitefriars Glass were one of the world leaders in glass production and stain glass windows. The Whitefriars factory, which later moved to Wealdstone, closed in the 1980's. Some of the students involved in the project had relatives who worked there. The site is also now the site of the Harrow College Whitefriars Training Centre, used by students pursuing construction and engineering related careers. 

The project with Harrow College is taking place over the academic year. Staff from the museum regularly visit the college to give entertaining talks upon which the students then create artwork. The project consists of making stained glass windows and scenes from the factories. The newly created pieces of work are then presented to the museum who in time will animate the artwork, culminating in a film later in the year. The filmmaker, commissioned by the museum, has visited Harrow College to film some of the talks and film students at work. The film is an animated piece about the history of Whitefriars.

Speaking about the project, Sarah Alison Pike, Supported Learning Lecturer for Entry and LLDD at Harrow College said “It's a really great project for us to take part in and the students are enjoying it and making some fantastic work. The museum staff love coming to see our students and deliver the talks”.

The completed artwork will be exhibited in the museum and the film shared on the museum website and Facebook pages. Excitingly, there has already been some interest expressed in the project by other museums that have Whitefriars glass pieces in their collection. The glassware is very desirable and sought after.

Click here for more on Entry and LLD course at Harrow College

A student at Harrow College is the happy owner of a new Apple iPad after posting a selfie onto social media during her college enrolment.

The enrolment process at any new school or college can sometimes be a daunting time for new students – walking into a new building, meeting new teachers and choosing new courses is a big occasion. The approach by Harrow College was to make this day interactive and as fun as possible for the new students.

Last summer, Harrow College made a number of changes to their student enrolment days meaning the complete process was an even smoother transition - from entering the college reception through to leaving the college with new timetable in hand. More so, with social media on everybody’s fingertips, a selfie posting buzz was also spreading around the college. An Apple iPad was up for grabs for one lucky enrolled student who posted a selfie using the hashtag #JoinHarrow (as well as a £50 gift voucher for the runner up). Before long, Harrow College social media feeds were filling up with selfie posts from newly enrolled students, posing proudly with their Harrow College enrolment packs.

From all of the posts made across Twitter and Instagram, one lucky winner was selected at random at the beginning of the new term. The winner, 17 year old Bedour Al-Shameri (photo above), received a new Apple iPad. The runner up award went to Yumis Zyutyu aged 18. Both students were absolutely delighted with their prizes.

Speaking after the prize presentations, Harrow College Vice Principal Dylan McTaggart said “Harrow College is always looking at new ways to engage with students. Using digital technology and social media is something we can all relate to and posting a selfie in this way was lots of fun. I am pleased that enrolment at the college in 2016 went so well - we’re already looking ahead to enrolment in 2017”.

Log into Twitter or Instagram and search #JoinHarrow to see some of the posted selfies for yourself.

Harrow College offers A-Level packages that form a cohesive offer for career aspirations and progressions with targeted careers input and work experience forming part of the programme of study.

Our new offer

• Students will undertake three A-Levels from one of the packages above.
• All students will undertake a wrap-around programme to support the development of skills and knowledge and also to provide aspirational career-focused activities to aid progression and future employment in these areas.

The packages on offer at Harrow College are as follows: 

Academic Support

All students will be assigned a personal tutor who will provide pastoral care and track and monitor student progress. Tutors will also support students to develop the study skills required to be successful in their A-Level package.

Progression into Higher Education

Students on the new linear A-Levels will undertake AS Exams at the end of Year 1 to give an indication of their progress, these grades will be used as predicted grade indicators for students wishing to progress to university.

Workshops will be delivered by the Careers and Employability team on completing UCAS applications and key universities from each package will be invited in to promote their offer to students, alongside visits to specific university fairs and inviting in graduates from each area to discuss their progression. Sessions will be delivered to students on applying for Russell Group universities and we will be running University masterclasses from each package to stretch beyond their A-Levels and develop analytical and evaluative skills through exploring exciting concepts, ideas and practices.

Progression into Employment

We aim to raise student’s awareness of the wider employment opportunities and new industries associated with each package so that they are fully aware of the progression opportunities open to them. Students will be encouraged to develop their employability skills and the programme will include industry visits, the use of industry mentors and guru lectures from key players in each package. All students will undertake mock interviews and work preparation and it will be possible for students looking to progress into employment to undertake placements to support their skills and knowledge development.

Enrichment

We hope that the experiences, skills and knowledge that student’s develop at Harrow College will prepare them for the future, both in terms of progressing in education and for future employment.

To support students, Harrow College has identified a range of key attributes that will be embedded into all aspects of their A-Level package All students will be encouraged to take part in competitions linked to their relevant packages and join in with student led extracurricular clubs and societies.

Each student will receive an Enterprise Passport where they will be able to reflect on their own experiences in college as well as identifying new opportunities to log evidence within their passport of where and how they have demonstrated these skills & attributes. Evidence can be provided from the activities detailed above or where they have used these within a part time job, voluntary work, and activities outside of the college.

Once completed, the evidence in the passport can be shared with employers and admissions tutors who will value these skills and attributes and enable you to write a stronger CV, application forms and discuss experiences during interviews.

A new student incentive aimed at encouraging maximum student attendance during the college term has proved very popular. The ‘100 Club’ programme, launched at the beginning of the summer term, offers students the chance of winning £100 worth of rewards per month in return for 100% attendance. Those who achieve the attendance milestone are entered into a draw to win the top prize.

The fun initiative follows a number of similar schemes which aim to highlight the importance of high attendance at college. By promoting initiatives in this way, the College aim to not only raise awareness of something very important, but also reward those who put in the extra effort to attend college every day.

578 students achieved 100% attendance in November and 719 students achieved the same in December, all of whom were entered into a draw to win the top prize. The lucky winners, drawn at random for November, were Nirusha Manirangan (left photo), aged 18. December’s prize was awarded to Mahdi Bouchelaala, aged 16 (main photo above)). January’s winner is yet to be announced. The monthly incentive scheme will run until late June 2017 with winners being celebrated each month on the college student online portal.

Speaking about the success of the programme, Harrow College Vice-Principal Dylan McTaggart said:

“Attendance is a key priority for Harrow College students to achieve their very best. Students are re-entered into the 100 club monthly and so can still achieve the mighty 100% target if they haven't quite made it in the previous month. We continue to celebrate students who show true dedication to completing their programmes of study and support the college in maintaining high student attendance”.

Click here if you would like to attend our next Open Days in March 2017.

Sports students from Harrow College have completed a course with Boccia England called the ‘Boccia Young Officials Award’. The course introduced the sixteen young students to the skills and knowledge required to be an effective Boccia official.

Boccia is a precision ball sport, related to bowls. The aim of the game is to throw leather balls — coloured red or blue as close as they can to a white target ball, or jack. The sport is contested by athletes with severe physical disabilities. In 1984, it became a Paralympic sport, and in 2008 was being practised in over fifty countries worldwide.

This specific course was designed to cover the important elements of refereeing a game of Boccia within the community and to support organisations such as the London Youth Games (Europe's largest youth sports festival) with forthcoming event in 2017.

By completing the course in early February 2017, the students now have a detailed understanding of the different roles and responsibilities of a Boccia official, as well as the rules of Boccia and the development of skills to apply these rules in a game situation. The course will also support the students to complete a unit from their BTEC Sports course called "Rules, Regulation and Officiating in Sport".

Philip Munroe, Curriculum Coordinator for Sport at Harrow College, organised the course. As a previously qualified Boccia official himself, Philip recognised that this course would enable students to obtain an additional qualification whilst also developing their ability of supporting less able body participants within sport. Commenting after the course, Philip said “the future goal is to develop our learners within this sport so they can progress to becoming regional officials and support clubs up and down the country”.

Click here for more information on Sports courses at Harrow College

The Harrow College open days will give prospective students, as well as their family and friends, the opportunity to meet staff, discuss courses and get a feel for life at the FE College. The first open day takes place at the Harrow on the Hill campus (Lowlands Road, Harrow, HA1 4AQ) on Saturday 11th March 2017, 10am to 1pm. The second open day will take place at the Harrow Weald campus (Brookshill, Harrow Weald, HA3 6RR) on Thursday 23rd March 2017, 4pm to 7pm.

Tutors across all subject areas will be available to provide information and letting you know more about the courses on offer at all levels. Whether you’re a school leaver, a young learner looking for a college place, a mature learner looking for a part-time course to boost your skills or if it’s apprenticeships you’re interested in, the open days will help you find a course to suit.

The Careers team will also be on hand to provide information, advice and guidance. Whether students are unsure about which course to study next or simply want to know what their options are before to help them decide, the Careers team will be happy to address questions.

The open days are also a great opportunity to see first-hand the excellent facilities that Harrow College has to offer. This includes new science labs to media edit suites, beauty salons to student gym facilities, the flagship Enterprise Centre and the new Spring House which supports learning need students to name but a few. Student ambassadors will be available to show guests around both campuses as well as offering their perspective on student life at Harrow College.

The open days will give all prospective students a great opportunity to explore the college campuses, meet staff and students and see state of the art facilities. To register, click here. For more information, call 0208 909 6000.

Four Sports students aged 18-20 from Harrow College could soon be stepping out on to the home of Cricket – Lords, to umpire a cricket match. The students, currently studying Level 1 and Level 2 courses at the college, have signed up to complete The London Youth Games Introductory Cricket Umpiring Course, run in conjunction with the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board).

The one day intensive training course run by London Youth Games (Europe's largest youth sports festival), sees budding umpires learn about the roles and responsibilities of umpiring. They also get to experience a practical demonstration of the format used in London Youth Games indoor cricket.

In order to complete the course and receive their award, the trainee umpires are then required to officiate at the London Youth Games Indoor Cricket qualifier games which take place at Harrow Leisure Centre in February. There, each student will independently umpire a separate match and then feedback their results to the head official on the day.

The completion of the course will climax with the final at Lords in March 2017.

Click here for more information on Sports courses at Harrow College.

A new radio station has been launched by students at Harrow College. The station, called HC Radio, went live on air this week (Monday 20th Feb) with the first show hosted by members of the college’s Student Union.

The Student Union office based at the Harrow on the Hill campus was converted into a studio for HC Radio’s first taking to the airwaves. The station is broadcast via the internet meaning listeners can log in and listen from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.

Hosting the first show were Student Union President Trust Olamona, 18, alongside Student Union Communications Officer Arjun Kotecha, 19. With the show playing live in the student canteen and with fellow students and staff listening around campus via their smart phones, listeners were treated to a full hour of music mix, college news, current affairs, sports talk and general discussion. Listeners were also able to get involved with the show via an online chat meaning the show had a great interactive element.

The station will broadcast live once a week initially with plans to extend the timetable and broadcast further shows in the near future. Shruti Ratna, Science Lecturer at Harrow College, helped to coordinate the station launch and even took to the mic herself during this week’s live broadcast. Speaking about the launch of HC Radio, Shruti said:

“HC Radio is a great platform for likeminded students to listen to each other and share common interests. The Student Union have worked really hard to get the station off the ground and they have lots of exciting plans for the station moving forward”.

Tune in to next week’s show, Monday 12 – 1pm, via mixlr.com/harrowcollege