Key business community figures put their support behind West London Institute of Technology at its dynamic Preview Launch, which marked early student and partnership successes, and showcased exciting £8.6m plans for its development.

Heathrow, Berkeley Group, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, Atkins Global and Constellium UK presented the Sector Project Awards 2019, which recognised student achievements in innovation and skills, developed through a range of technical and creative challenges designed and supported by the employers.

The prestigious West London IoT, which opened in September, is one of just 12 IoTs currently licenced nationally to provide higher technical qualifications in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) sector. Engineering, Construction and Digital Technologies are among some of the core areas being served by its high-quality employer-led education and training in West London.

Dozens of local and regional employers, community organisations and other supporters attended the event, getting a chance to network and hear from the IoT’s anchor partners Brunel University London, Fujitsu, Heathrow and West London Business. They also viewed a new 3D video fly-through animation from Project Manager Robert Drury, showcasing plans for the extensive new facilities and accommodation being developed in the multi-million-pound fit-out at Uxbridge College’s site in Park Road, Uxbridge.

Dr Darrell DeSouza, Group Principal and CEO of HCUC, said: “Our preview launch was a great way of marking the start of this pioneering initiative and to celebrate some of West London IoT's early successes, and the Sector Project Awards 2019 reflected just how exciting it has been to immerse our new cohort in real-world work experience from the outset. I have every confidence that HCUC’s strong track record of student achievement - one of the key factors in having won the IoT commission - will continue to support high quality teaching and learning as the institute grows."

Pat Carvalho, Deputy CEO of HCUC, said: “The strength of the anchor partnership between HCUC and Brunel University London, Heathrow, Fujitsu and West London Business is key to the ground-breaking work we are now putting into play with West London Institute of Technology students.  A key feature of our prestigious partnership is the dialogue between the knowledge and expertise of our wider employer network and this IoT, creating a curriculum and talent pool fit to deliver the higher technical skills employers tell us they really need. This event showcased all this brilliantly.” 

Teaching and development of the higher technical qualifications - equivalent to university undergraduate study levels - at the IoT based at Uxbridge College, is being backed by hundreds of employers. Led by the merged college group HCUC, the IoT is an alliance with higher education and employers. The full range of IoT courses is being provided across sites at Uxbridge College and Harrow College.

Partners and other support employers help drive the content of the qualifications, provide placements and masterclasses, and give students the chance to work on real projects in their workplaces.

The Sector Project Awards were presented to the winning students, who have been working on their challenge briefs during the IoT’s first term after it opened its doors in September. Briefs for the HNC and HND students included: Morgan Sindall Infrastructure - developing a model of success for construction industry when working with local authority and community; The Berkeley Group - coming up with a combined heating and power system (CHP) for Southall Waterside Development; Heathrow - improving security for Biometric Check-in Solutions; Atkins Global and University Tech Centre, Constellium Ltd - to present an emerging ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) problem for a specific domestic or commercial or industrial sector.

Attendees on the night included Buckinghamshire College Group, Vyners School, Balfour Beatty, the Community Coding Club, Frazine Johnson Solicitors, Hillingdon Council, Hillingdon Chamber of Commerce, Hounslow Chamber of Commerce, Hayes Town Partnership, Pearson UK, PwC, KSBC plc and mmd web. IoT students, and staff developing, supporting and providing the IoT and its technical offer also attended.

Our thanks to the following for agreeing to speak at the event: Michael Heanue from the GLA, Prof Stefaan Simons from Brunel University London, Bally Grewal from Heathrow, Andrew Dakers from West London Business, and Ash Merchant from Fujitsu.

For more photos see: https://www.facebook.com/pg/uxbridgecollege/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10157268141600283

Thank you to all staff and students for generously donating clothing, blankets, coats, food and toiletry items for the homeless and the local foodbank.

The idea for the collection came from Jasmine Abd-Allah, Student Council Rep and Level 2 Plumbing student, who in conjunction with her scout group, 1^st Northolt, has helped to organise a massive Harrow/Greenford wide drive to collect donations for 4 homeless shelters and foodbanks.

Jasmine masterminded the collection at Harrow College, working with other students to promote the campaign. With support from the Harrow College Student Union and other Student Council Reps ten bags of donated items were collected and sorted. To support Jasmine’s initiative, our Harrow College Student Union raised over £100 by collecting money and giving out sweets in aid of local homeless projects.

Another enterprising student from our Access to Nursing course, ran a stall in the last week of term selling snacks, green tea and cakes, raising over £100 for the charity Water Aid.

Well done to Jasmine and members of the Student Council and Student Union Officers for making our Harrow College Christmas collections this year such a success.

Photo caption: HCUC’s HNC & HND achievers celebrate their graduation at Brunel University London with the traditional custom of throwing their mortar boards in the air.

Students who have joined university degrees in the final year thanks to their HND qualifications were among those celebrating at HCUC’s graduation ceremony.

The Higher Education graduation ceremony for the merged college group for Harrow College & Uxbridge College recognised the achievements of students from HNC and HND courses. This included Top-up HNDs, in which students study specifically to enter degrees in the final year. Equivalent to up to two years of university undergraduate study, HNCs and HNDs are targetted at industry skills such as Business, Computing, Engineering, and the Health and Leisure industries.

The group graduated in a formal ceremony at Brunel University London, wearing the traditional cap and gown of Higher Education, and celebrated afterwards with friends and family.

Dr Darrell DeSouza, Principal and CEO of HCUC, who presented the awards, said: “These qualifications are an increasingly popular route to university and it is wonderful to see so many of our students have the opportunity to progress to this level of education in this way, including via Top-up qualifications. Equally, our HNCs and HNDs are highly sought-after by employers, due to the way they are designed for industry with the help of employers themselves.

“I’d like to say a huge congratulations to all our graduates this year and I hope their success and the benefits they’re enjoying as a result will inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

“We are also looking forward to seeing future students on these courses and others benefit from brand new £8.6m facilities being developed as part of HCUC’s West London Institute of Technology, due to be fully launched in September.”

West London Institute of Technology, based at Uxbridge College, is just one of 12 such Institutes being developed nationally as part of Government strategy to close the skills gap in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects, by providing higher level qualifications and Apprenticeships. West London IoT is being developed in partnership with a wide range of employers including anchor partners Brunel University London, Fujitsu, Heathrow and West London Business.

The BTEC HNC Level 4 and BTEC HND Level 5 Diplomas, accredited by Pearson, were completed by Uxbridge College and Harrow College students in the following subject areas: Business; Computing; Computing Plus; Creative Computing – Games/Visual Effects; Electrical Engineering; Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Construction & The Built Environment; Sport (Community Sport); Travel & Tourism Management.

This year’s HE Graduates progressed to the following universities: Middlesex University, City University, Coventry University, University of Westminster, University of Brighton, University of Portsmouth, University of Hertfordshire, University of Surrey, University of Southampton, University of East London, University of Hertfordshire, Southampton Solent University, London Southbank, Nottingham Trent University, University of Northampton, University of Kent, Bucks New University. 

For more information about HNCs and HNDs go to https://www.hcuc.ac.uk/

On Wednesday 29^th Jan, Working Knowledge, in partnership with Harrow College,  welcomed a number of professionals from the Business, Sports and Hair and Beauty industries to give students insider knowledge about career paths and professional workplaces.

Students practiced networking with the professionals and picked up some very useful interview tips through roleplaying activities. 

They were also made aware of lesser known roles and alternative routes that exist within each respective industry.

Many of those present were keen to learn how to run their own business, particularly those students who aspire to run their own salons and sports coaching centres. 

The professionals spoke about how, with the right attitude and qualifications, students can transform their passions into a lifelong vocation.   

Lexie Grech talking to students.  Interestingly, Lexie Grech, a Management Consultant and Personal Performance Coach who was invited to speak to Harrow students, had also previously attended a Working Knowledge workshop  ten years earlier when she herself was a student. She had the following to say;

  “Attending the Employer Aware Event at Harrow College was fantastic. These type of events were crucial in helping me shape my behaviours and goals whilst studying, so I am very keen to pass the learnings onto the next generation, and to ensure that the students really understand that above and beyond anything else, employers are human too. Breaking the barriers and conversing with the wonderful students in attendance was a truly enriching and rewarding experience for me personally. I have learnt from them as much as, I hope, they have learnt from me and from each other. It excites me to see young adults so engaged and motivated to do well in whatever comes next for them. I'd be thrilled to be involved in more of these events in the future.”

If you’re interested in gaining a qualification and kick starting your career, follow this link to view our courses.

‘Empowerment and independence through the life stages’, was the theme for the Health and Care Department’s Expo 2020. Students from all levels were in attendance to showcase their work and highlight how important these subjects are when working with and caring for others. Expos provide students with the opportunity to share their knowledge and insight with the wider Harrow community and the Health and Care students were more than enthusiastic to do so!

Level 1 Health, Social Care and Childcare students displayed charts related to food groups and healthy diet plans for growing children. Many individuals talked of their aspirations to work with young infants and toddlers in nurseries and play-groups and were very excited about achieving their certification.

Level 2 Health and Social Care students focused on the elderly, designing social board games for them to play, whilst being mindful of those that might have difficulties with mobility and movement. Guests were invited to play and test out these games, providing their feedback in the process.
Alexandra talking to us about why she enjoys her course.

Level 3 Health and Social Care students shared their knowledge about caring for adolescents and those in early adulthood, as well as discussing the type of equipment available for the elderly to remain independent and empowered.

Many students within the department aspire to study hard so that they may pursue a career in Nursing, Caring or as a Special Educational Needs Specialist (SENS). Alexandra Mihaila, a visually impaired student who is in the process of achieving her L3 Diploma in Health and Social Care, is no different. Having also completed her L1 and L2 certifications at Harrow, Alexandra told us that her experience of both the quality of her course as well as the support she receives has only further reinforced her dream of becoming a SENS for other visually impaired learners.

Additionally, pupils from the department helped raise funds for the local branch of MIND, a charity that helps to support people struggling with their mental health in Harrow. Stalls with freshly baked cakes and sweet treats were colourfully displayed for purchase in support of the cause.

Expo visitors, were impressed at how well prepared the students were and how well they interacted with guests. The students taking part enjoyed the experience as it enabled them to develop their communication skills, meet new people and learn from one another.

Interested in doing a course from this department? Click here to view courses.

As part of their Public Service Project, a group of Level 3 Vocational Studies students made a trip to South Harrow Police Station to see how things operate.

Students testing out the Breathalyser machineDuring their visit, they got to experience what it is like to use a breathalyser machine as well as the procedures involved in detaining and bringing someone in to the station. Staff discussed in detain how they have been trained to work and deal with bringing in individuals that have learning difficulties, as well as what a person's rights are when being detained.

In the parking lot, students were able to compare South Harrow Police Station’s current police cars with their vintage powder blue UAF224S Austin Allegro from the 1970s. It was very interesting to note and discuss how technology and the needs of policing and patrolling have changed over the years. The class also got to experience what it was like to be inside a police minibus that is equipped to deal with major incidents and rioting in the city.Students exploring the riot van

Student, Athithiya Balendra, found the experience really informative; "The police station trip was exciting. I learned some new stuff like the breathalyser. I also learned about the cells, how the Police bring in criminals, how they check them and how they detain them. I asked if the police get trained to deal with people with learning difficulties. 

Aya El-Mahmoud said, “It was a special trip and good experience. We all asked a lot of questions and also learned about police work and how they work together with the local community.”

The trip has really left an impression on the class who have learned so much about how the police work with the local community in South Harrow to keep everyone safe. 

If you are interested in studying a Foundation course, click here to learn more about all that we offer. 

It is an exciting time at Harrow College as we continue to build on success across our campuses at Harrow on the Hill and Harrow Weald.

You may have noticed the building work on your way into Harrow on the Hill Campus. We are paving the way for some fantastic new developments and have been working hard to provide an updated gym and some new classrooms and computer rooms which were ready for use this September.

The building work is ongoing over the next couple of months as we continue to update the facilities including a canteen and social area due to be ready in April, so our students can look forward to even better spaces to relax in between classes.

We are also making way for a new reception and entrance, sports hall and more updated classrooms and teaching spaces which will be ready in time for the next academic year.
So, if you are planning to study with us next year there is even more to look forward to!

We have also been updating the Harrow Weald Campus and over the last two years we have opened a new canteen area, library, new facilities for health & social care and art & design plus we have just opened a brand new building for construction.

Please bear with us as we continue to make Harrow College even bigger and better!

Pictured with Gaby Roslin (left) are West Met Skills Winner Matthew Jeffrey (right) and Highly Commended award winners Jaycee Sibley (third left), Sophie Claesen (fourth left) and Rebecca Mills. Also pictured is Highly Commended Apprentice Sologbia Tulu from Location Cars and The JGA Group.

Celebrity presenter Gaby Roslin was the guest of honour presenting prestigious awards to West Met Skills Apprentices at the recent West London Business 2020 black tie gala night.

The annual awards, which celebrate business excellence in the region, honoured winners from across the area including four of our Apprentices, who scooped one Winner and three Highly Commended awards.

West Met Skills - which provides Apprenticeships and Employer Services through the merged college group HCUC (Harrow College Uxbridge College) - was also a Category Sponsor, with Jo Withers, Executive Director Employer Skills & Partnerships, presenting Food and Drink Business of the Year award at the ceremony and dinner at Twickenham Stadium.

Winner of the Apprenticeship in the Sustainable and Responsible Business category was Matthew Jeffrey, a Level 3 Team Leading & Management Apprentice, based at Perivale Primary School and Uxbridge College.

Originally Assistant Caretaker at Perivale Primary, he joined the Apprentice Programme in Leadership and Management in June 2018 and was promoted to Site Manager in January 2019. Self-motivated with a very positive attitude to his work, he carries out his responsibilities to a very high standard, and shows lots of initiative.

Matthew is also a fantastic communicator and team player who knows how to motivate both colleagues and those he supervises. He has played a key part in enabling the school to achieve 100% health and safety compliance - and goes above and beyond the call of duty including helping with fundraising events or dressing up as the school mascot Perivale Pete!

WLB judges said: “Matthew’s progression and initiative throughout his Apprenticeship is really clear. He has shown he is able to work with a wide range of people, funders, contractors, governors and the senior leadership team, taking on the role of project leader when developing an underutilised area of the school playground.”

Highly Commended Apprentices in the Sustainable and Responsible Business category from West Met Skills were: 

Rebecca Mills - Level 3 Creative Media Apprentice - based at Surindera Studios and Harrow College.

Rebecca was a motivated self-starter at the Asian wedding photography and videography business from the beginning. Keen to learn, and already passionate about photography, she was soon ready to take things off her employer’s hands, setting up new systems to manage social media and learning all the necessary technical and creative skills. Her genuine interest and personal commitment to photography has now helped her to progress into university and she started her Degree in September 2019.

Jaycee Sibley - Level 3 Engineering Technician Machinist Apprentice - Constellium UK Ltd (University Tech Centre) and Uxbridge College.

Jaycee joined Constellium as an Apprentice after previously completing a Bachelor of Science degree and taking a change of direction to expand her opportunities. With a passion for cars, she entered the area of engineering, and right from the start showed complete commitment. She achieved competence in one of her technical areas - press driving - in much less time than usually expected, making a core contribution to the continued running of this area of the business. Her success has led to corporate approval being given for three more apprentices at Constellium UTC.

Sophie Claesen - Level 3 Mechanical Engineering - Technical Support Apprentice, based at Martin-Baker Aircraft Company Limited and Uxbridge College.

Sophie, who is completing a four-year Level 3 Mechanical Engineering Apprenticeship, has to manage anxiety issues on a day to day basis, but her work ethic and passion for engineering has ensured her ongoing success. Her depth of knowledge and understanding about her employer’s systems and equipment is exemplary, and she has even formulated a set of instructions which are now being used across the department, even by the more experienced and skilled engineers in the department.

Jo Withers, Executive Director Employer Skills & Partnerships at West Met Skills said: “This is a fantastic result for all our Apprentices and, of course, their wonderful employers who provide so much support to their learning and growth and make it possible for them to complete their qualifications. Congratulations to everyone involved and of course to West London Business for making these awards such a success too.”

Just six Apprentices were shortlisted for the WLB Business awards this year, four of which were those chosen for awards from West Met Skills.

West Met Skills was also recently honoured with a Key Apprenticeship Provider award from Ealing Council. Council Leader Julian Bell presented the award to Business Development Consultant Harry Dosanjh at Ealing Apprenticeship Network Team’s Apprenticeship Employer Event.

Apprenticeship training at HCUC was also in the spotlight when Uxbridge College’s MP Boris Johnson visited during Apprenticeship Week.

Harrow College Student Services Support During Enforced College Closure

Dear Student,

As you will now have heard in recent government announcements about the Covid-19 virus, the college will be closed from Monday 23rd March. We understand that this may be a very difficult time for students and wish to make you aware of support you can continue to access from the Student Services team.

College Bursary Payments

The College will look to continue to pay students their weekly bursary, providing they have attended regularly throughout the academic year. We will continue to review this dependent on College budgets. Students will not be paid during the Easter holiday dates.

Free College Meals

It is our intention to pay students who are entitled to Free College Meals a weekly payment of £10 during the Enforced College Closure. Student Services staff will make contact with any student whose bank account we do not have.

Student Wellbeing Support

Any students who is concerned by about their own wellbeing during the enforced College Closure can contact the Student Services Team by email StudentWellbeing@hcuc.harrow.ac.uk

Students who have seen our Student Support Officer for Mental Health concerns, can contact Lisa Brown during her working hours, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday by email lbrown@hcuc.harrow.ac.uk or by phone on 0208 909 6319.

Students can continue to access counselling support through Kooth, which is available via the College App and additional wellbeing resources and links are available on Moodle.

Safeguarding

Harrow College has a statutory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of its young people and vulnerable adults both in and out of college. Students who are concerned about things such as physical/domestic/mental abuse, being exploited, neglect or topics such as serious violence and crime should contact the Student Services Team by email StudentWellbeing@hcuc.harrow.ac.uk

Looked After Children

An email will be sent out to all Looked After Children detailing support available and our Student Support Officer for Looked After Children Sarita Sharma will continue to offer support for Looked After Children and liaise with Social Workers.
Sarita Sharma is available Monday to Thursday between 9.30am and 4pm and can be contacted by email ssharma@hcuc.harrow.ac.uk or by phone on 0208 909 6330.

Careers Support

The Careers Team will be on hand to support any student who has a question in regards to Careers Information, Advice or Guidance. They can be contacted by email at hc-careers@hcuc.ac.uk

Please continue to check the College website, Moodle, College App and College emails regularly for updates and we look forward to remaining in contact with you during this period.

If you have any other concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Lee Janaway, Head of Guidance, Student Services and Designated Safeguarding Lead by email ljanaway@hcuc.harrow.ac.uk or by phone on either 0208 909 6135 or 07766 510058.

Best wishes and stay healthy!

The Student Services Team

A merger between Harrow College & Uxbridge College

Harrow College goes virtual during coronavirus crisis

Harrow College may have the doors to its buildings closed, but it is undoubtedly open for business as usual with a host of innovative adaptations, like schools, colleges, businesses and other organisations around the country and globally.

It has also joined community efforts to support NHS workers by donating 33 pairs of goggles to Northwick Park Hospital.The boxes of safety goggles sent to Northwick Park Hospital and a student working from home.

Students are attending virtual classes whilst completing real assignments and looking to their real futures, as staff continue to run classes remotely, keep the IT systems standing and provide advice and guidance on options going forward.

Harrow College has capitalised on its excellent relationships between staff and students, high standards, and already-outstanding online learning systems, to make the transfer from college buildings to home as fast and smooth as possible in these unprecedented times.

Dr Darrell DeSouza Group Principal and CEO of the merged college group HCUC said: “Harrow College and Uxbridge College may have gone almost entirely online but we are still absolutely open for business. There are so many heart-warming and successful stories and there has been a fantastic effort on the part of both staff and students - it is a tribute to the fundamental quality of our staff, our relationships with students, and our systems that we have managed this transfer to home working in this way. I have no doubt that this would not have been possible so quickly, or worked so well, without the highly effective systems which now operate on behalf of both Harrow College and Uxbridge College through HCUC.

“At the same time we are also continuing to plan for the future with applications for next year’s courses ongoing, both for current students, and for school students who will be finishing Year 11 and planning to come to College to study one of our courses.”

“Whilst there is naturally tremendous anxiety for many about what their future in education holds, our message is clear: we can help! Anyone who wants more information about future courses should just get in touch.”

Lecturers are running a 10am online registration so they are ready and waiting to meet their students and start their virtual classes. Learning Resource Centres have increased their emphasis on Ebooks, remote study skills and online resources, and lecturers across the college are coming up with all sorts of innovative ways to teach and support their students. Examples include:

• Plumbing lecturer Dan Richards made and posted a video on the moodle online learning platform showing how to bend a crossover copper pipe.
• Beauty Therapy students have been given a daily online positivity tracker to help them stay upbeat despite current events, and working on face painting skills at home.
• Foundation Learning students were given an online tutorial on how to make pizza - then posted pictures of their cookery successes.
• Engineering students learned skills through their lecture sharing drawings and diagrams.

Staff are using email, moodle and google, and increasingly Zoom video calling, and phone, chat and video calls on Microsoft Teams. The first live Zoom all-staff meeting for HCUC involved nearly 500 staff by videolink with 100 on chat. Those who couldn’t attend were mainly in (online) training or other online meetings. The meeting was led jointly by: Dr DeSouza; Pat Carvalho, Principal of Harrow College and Deputy CEO of HCUC; and Dylan McTaggart, Deputy Principal Curriculum & Quality for HCUC.

The standard 9am-5.15pm day is also in full operation to ensure both a high level of communication and to ensure staff down tools at the end of the day to ensure commitment to physical and mental health.

Harrow College’s Harrow Weald Campus is still open for key workers’ children, whilst Harrow on the Hill and other community outposts are currently closed.

Harrow College and Uxbridge College continue to serve employers and students in their local communities as well as benefiting from being part of HCUC college group.

Harrow College hits No. 1 spot again!

Students and staff at Harrow College/Uxbridge College are celebrating after jointly hitting the No. 1 spot in London for success for 16-18 year olds for the second year running - plus showing a performance improvement on the previous year.

HCUC, the merged college group for Harrow College and Uxbridge College, achieved the highest overall achievement rate in the capital at 88% for 2018/19, in the figures released this Spring, up by 2.4% for 2017/18. HCUC teaches more than 12,000 students in this age range.

The figures rank London’s 27 colleges and college groups - which teach more than 1,000,000 students between them - in the tables published by the Education and Skills Funding Agency in March 2020. The data covers achievement rates in all classroom-based qualifications including in science, engineering, computing, business and the creative arts.

Dr Darrell DeSouza, Group Principal of Uxbridge College and HCUC, said: “This represents a tremendous performance by the students and staff, the best in the College’s long-running record of success. Importantly, the 16-18 Achievement statistic is based on substantial qualifications that have meaning to Universities and employers. The College’s strong reputation and high–end performance continues to attract London’s 16-18 learners.”

Pat Carvalho, Principal of Harrow College and Deputy CEO of HCUC, said: “I am very proud that students and staff continue to raise the College’s standard of performance year on year and that we have retained our top position in London for 16-18 achievements rates. Alongside this I am equally proud to say that many of our Level 3 students continue to progress on to their chosen university, apprenticeship or employment.”

Dylan McTaggart, Deputy Principal Curriculum & Quality HCUC, said: “What a year as alongside the HCUC No.1 16-18 spot for achievement rates, our students have made the highest A-Level progress of all London Colleges. Similarly for English and Maths where HCUC students make the highest and third highest progress respectively in London. We are also very pleased with our high 19+ achievement figures at 91.7%, including ESOL & vocational students, which is above all benchmarks, and continues to ensure our adult students improve their progression, employability skills and employment opportunities. Congratulations to our HCUC staff and students!”

HCUC’s QAR (Qualification Achievement Rate) in the Department for Education’s National Achievement Rate Tables places it 1% above the next best performing college in London, and 1.3% above the next best performing college in west London. This is a particularly impressive performance, given that the College is the second largest 16-18 provider in London and has also retained this first place slot for the second year running. These figures are also a particularly demanding measure as they compare those students who were successful to the number who started the course.

Harrow Student fundraises to support the NHS

Harrow College Science student Aaron Burke, a member of the Harrow College Student Union, came up with an innovative way of raising much needed funds for the NHS during the current coronovirus lockdown.Aaron Burke raising funds for the NHS

As a gaming enthusiast, Aaron wanted to do something more constructive than just playing a computer game.   He and his friends decided to do a live stream gaming session with the goal of raising as much money as possible and to donate it to the NHS.

Using Virgin Media’s “Give Money” system it was easy to set up.  Aaron and friends posted links onto their social media channels – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.  The live stream started at 1pm with four players and they embarked on a mammoth non-stop live stream of Call of Duty.  An amazing 13 hours later at 2am just Aaron and his friend were still playing and completed the game raising £50 plus a further £50 from their donation page making a grand total of £100 for the NHS.

Aaron was happy with the result saying “For myself this is a big accomplishment – to make £100 from the game and the donation page in just three days is really good and shows how people are willing to donate – it just puts a smile on my face”

This is not the first time Aaron has raised money for a good cause.  At Christmas he and the Harrow College Student Union Team raised over a £100 to support the homeless and local food bank.

ESOL Staff at Harrow college have been fantastic with their response to covid. A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes to keep ESOL students engaged:

Remote learning guide from TutorsTutors have adapted all the instructions for remote access to make them accessible to those with ESOL needs, helping students over the phone to download Apps so that they can join remote learning. They have also been corresponding by sending out letters with information and instructions on remote learning to those students who are not reachable by text, email or phone calls.

Staff have also been producing lesson materials on-line for all our ESOL classes and use different hubs to deliver lessons to cater for the wide range of ability in ESOL: Zoom, Moodle, Skype for Business etc. Additionally, the tutors have been working remotely with our exam boards to get students’ work verified so that they can receive their qualifications.

A number of Tutorial sessions have focused on staying well while in lockdown; this has really helped to prevent ESOL students from feeling isolated during such a difficult time. Similarly, daily virtual meetings take place across the department to make sure staff feel supported and ready to teach their students. Staff have also ensured they make regular contact with teachers who have been unwell while in lockdown so they also feel connected.

 ESOL teachers and administrators have found many ways to support those in needs while at home:

• Delivering shopping to vulnerable neighbours.
• Baking and cooking food for neighbours and friends in need.
• Chatting daily (on-line or from a safe distance) with those neighbours who are feeling isolated and frightened.
• Cleaning up their local street as part of their daily physical activity.
• Collecting medicine from chemists for those in need.
• Helping isolated people to download Apps so that they can remain connected to the outside world.
• Walking a dog for a sick neighbour.
• Looking after sick relatives.
• Keeping their own family well, staying in touch with friends and relatives, often overseas.

Harrow College prides itself on its excellence in teaching, extra learning facilities and social activities. If you have applied for a course at Harrow College, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together a range of resources, activities, book recommendations and more for your chosen subject area, to give you a taster for your course and to make the transition to college, easier for you.

Click on the subject images below to see the study pack for your chosen area.
Keep checking this page frequently as we are constantly adding more subject areas to the list. If your subject does not feature on the left, please check back in a few days. In the meanwhile, why not take a look at our student guide video below or read up the latest news from Harrow College.

We look forward to welcoming you to Harrow College! #YourCareerStartsHere

IT and Computing	Applied Science	Sport

(Click on the images to download the study pack)

Harrow College prides itself on its excellence in teaching, extra learning facilities and social activities. If you have applied for a course at Harrow College, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together a range of resources, activities, book recommendations and more for your chosen subject area, to give you a taster for your course and to make the transition to college, easier for you.

Click on the subject images below to see the study pack for your chosen area.
Keep checking this page frequently as we are constantly adding more subject areas to the list. If your subject does not feature below, please check back in a few days. 

We look forward to welcoming you to Harrow College! #YourCareerStartsHere

IT and Computing	Applied Science	Sport

(Click on the images to download the study pack)

Harrow College is gearing up for a series of ‘Virtual Open Day’ events from June 2 in the shape of live information sessions, Q&As, careers advice, and enrolment details.

Pictured: Pat Carvalho (left) and Darrell DeSouza (right)

The new ‘Virtual Open Days’ are designed to give parents and prospective students a chance to find out more about the fantastic range of options from September 2020 as school students make plans for what to do after GCSE.

The live and recorded events are being run on the Zoom video platform due to the current social distancing restrictions and are bookable online now. Virtual Open Day sessions are available for various individual subject areas - including STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects, Computing, Business, Hair and Beauty, Catering and Hospitality, Creative Arts and Media, Public Services, Sport, Travel and Tourism. They also include general information about college facilities and life, as well as individual slots.

Apprenticeship programmes will also be covered with a chance to find out more about the unique advantages of these earn-as-you-learn programmes.

From September 2020, Harrow College will be continuing to offer GCSEs, A Levels and the whole range of skills-based qualifications including BTECs, City & Guilds, and University of the Arts London (UAL) creative subjects. Our HE technical vocational programmes will be delivered through the West London Institute of Technology based at our  Uxbridge, Hayes and Harrow-on-the-Hill campuses with new facilities expected to be ready in September 2020.

Dr Darrell DeSouza Group Principal of Uxbridge College and the merged college group HCUC, said “‘Whilst it is difficult to convey the full excitement and engagement of student life at HCUC without currently being able to invite people onto campus, we are aiming to share as much as we can about the flavour and quality of studying at our two fantastic colleges going forward. Our talented staff have been so creative and innovative in continuing to offer high quality teaching and learning to our students during the remote learning period. Importantly, these high levels of teaching and support that our students have come to expect, provide links to so many great future opportunities - in college, at university, and in the workplace.”

Pat Carvalho (pictured left), Principal of Harrow College and Deputy CEO of HCUC, said: “I’m pleased to confirm we continue to offer a great range of very popular, high quality programmes for every level, full- and part-time, for both young people and adults.  It really is best to enrol now and secure a place at any of our campuses to ensure you are on the right track to employment, further study at college or university.”

School students getting ready for college in September can also download Harrow College ‘Get Ahead’ packs from the website. The packs contain a programme of activities and resources including links to educational videos and tasks such as creating posters and learning summaries.

Careers advice and information also continues to be made available on an ongoing basis with remote support including advice and guidance for learners applying to college and Zoom advice and information sessions for parents and learners. Young people can make contact through the college website, facebook, twitter, instagram, or email and phone.

* For more information about Virtual Open Days and to book sessions go to harrow.ac.uk/opendays
* For more information about applications and enrolment go to: harrow.ac.uk/apply
* For Get Ahead packs go to www.harrow.ac.uk/get-ahead

One-year part-time courses for adults in English / Maths
Essential qualifications for work and further study
High achievement rate

(Eligibility for free courses assessed at interview)

Courses available:
• Functional Skills English L1/L2 – Day and Evening
• GCSE English – Day and Evening
• Functional Skills Maths L1/L2 – Day and Evening
• GCSE Maths – Day and Evening

Interested?
Simply come to our Harrow-on-the-Hill Campus on Lowlands Road (HA1 3AQ) for more information and to enrol or apply on line.
Enrolment days: (click for enrolment times).

For more information about ESOL, Maths and English, you can take a look at our Virtual Open Day sessions by going through the links on this page; harrow.ac.uk/opendays

For more information about applications and enrolment go to: harrow.ac.uk/apply

Over 40 ESOL-related qualifications offered (ESOL/English at all levels, Living and Working in the UK, Digital Skills, Employability, Volunteering and Maths)

(Eligibility for free courses and choices of subjets assessed at interview)

Interested?
Simply come to our Harrow-on-the-Hill Campus on Lowlands Road (HA1 3AQ) for more information and to enrol or apply on line. 
Enrolment days: (click for enrolment times).

Course information

ESOL Part-Time Day Courses

Our ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses run in semesters with different enrolment dates. You will learn a lot of important skills and can take a wide range of qualifications in some or all the subjects listed below*:
• Speaking and listening
• Reading
• Writing
• Maths
• Living and Working in the UK
• Digital Skills
• Employability
• Volunteering (Level 1 & L2 only)
(The choice will depend on the course you are enrolled on.)

ESOL Part-Time Evening Courses

Our English evening courses run in semesters with different enrolment dates. You will learn a lot of important skills and can take a wide range of qualifications in some or all the subjects listed below*:
• Speaking and listening
• Reading
• Writing
• Maths
• Digital Skills
(The choice will depend on the course you are enrolled on.)

*All courses above are subject to availability

For more information about ESOL, Maths and English, you can take a look at our Virtual Open Day sessions by going through the links on this page; harrow.ac.uk/opendays

For more information about applications and enrolment go to: harrow.ac.uk/apply

Harrow College students are celebrating their hard work and commitment and looking to the future after receiving their GCSE results. 

Controversies around this year’s academic and vocational results, which have been subject to major revisions under Government policy changes due to the Covid crisis, are not stopping the college’s students going from strength to strength and progressing on to the right programme of study for them.

Our 2019/20 students have continued a strong tradition of progressing in high numbers with the majority of students achieving the GCSE grades that enable them to continue to a Level 3 qualification. Many will be coming back to college to do A Levels or a Level 3 BTEC, often planning to continue to university.

Harrow College Science, which offers a full-time one year GCSE programme for students who are either doing the exams for the first time or who didn’t fulfil their potential at school, achieved a 75% pass rate at GCSE grades 9-4 (equivalent to the old A*-C) and 95% overall pass rate, grades 9-1.

GCSE Science students in their element.

Pat Carvalho, Principal of Harrow College, said: “I would like to say a huge congratulations to all our students and also to say how incredibly proud I am of them. Everyone has done their absolute best to rise to the challenge of being in lockdown during their studies, and they all deserve to celebrate and look to a happy and successful future.”

Dr Darrell DeSouza, Group Principal of the merged college group Harrow College Uxbridge College, said: “Harrow College is pleased to continue to run a successful full-time GCSE science programme where students can either sit the exams for the first time, or study them again if they have not been able to fulfil their potential at school. This gives young people a chance to progress to higher study at A Level or join vocational programmes including Apprenticeships, which means they can then progress to University or into a career of their choice.
“As the college GCSE programme is completed across just one year, students normally take up to five subjects as opposed to the higher numbers taken at school, where this is part of the final two years of high school study.”

BTEC Levels 1 and 2 and some other vocational qualifications which would normally have been released on the same day as GCSEs, have been delayed due to changes in how they are calculated. A Levels and Level 3 vocational qualifications such as BTECs are also due to be re-graded.

The new state-of-the-art building at the Harrow on the Hill campus, Lowlands Road.

The college’s two campuses at Harrow on the Hill and Harrow Weald have benefitted from Mayor of London funds, creating state-of-the-art facilities for construction and digital skills training.

Three projects, fully detailed below, include an £8 million refurbishment and redevelopment at Harrow on the Hill Campus to create a Digital and Skills for Work Academy, updated classroom spaces for IT and ESOL courses, an improved reception area, a new sports hall, and a new canteen area and social spaces.
Harrow Weald Campus benefits from £5m to transforming an existing building into a modern facility for construction training including a new gas engineer workshop to provide higher level skills for the sector.

The work at Harrow on the Hill is funded with £5.3m from the Skills for Londoners fund (SfL), and at Harrow Weald just over £1.4m is being contributed by the Mayor’s Construction Academy fund, with the remainder being met by HCUC - the merged college group for Harrow College and Uxbridge College.

Pat Carvalho, Principal of Harrow College, said:
“This generous funding from the Skills for Londoners fund is an extremely welcome contribution to ensuring Harrow College continues to provide state-of-the-art-facilities to support young people and adults in gaining the skills they need. As well as our broader offer, both construction and digital skills are core needs for London, regional and national employers and we are proud to be in a position to be developing cutting edge provision to support these vital economic areas.”

The SfL capital fund and Mayor’s Construction Academy fund are funded through the LEAP (London Economic Action Partnership) and HM Government.

Full details of the projects:

Construction Skills Centre, Newton Building at Harrow Weald Campus
Value: £4,036,096
Completion: September 2019

This Project has consolidated college construction provision into a new construction skills centre in Harrow Weald to significantly improve the learner experience and enable delivery of high quality training and skills under the umbrella of the Mayor’s Construction Academy.

Project Objectives:

1. Increase participation in learning intermediate skills and above in West London of diverse working age residents (16+).

2. Increase the number of working age residents in employment and apprenticeships and associated benefits for individuals and wider community.

3. Improve the labour market relevance of skills provision through engagement with employers

4. Create a modern high quality estate accessed by all that contributes to the financial resilience of Harrow campuses and HCUC (Harrow College Uxbridge College).

Digital and Skills for Work Academy, Armstrong Building at Harrow on the Hill Campus

Value: £8,200,803
Completion: September 2020

This Project will modernise digital and ESOL classrooms, learner services and access to the College to improve the learner experience and enable delivery of employer-led curriculum addressing regional, sub-regional and local priorities.

Project Objectives:

1. Increase participation in learning intermediate skills and above in West London of diverse working age residents (16+) in priority sectors.

2. Increase the number of working age residents in employment and apprenticeships particularly in digital and creative sectors and associated benefits for individuals and wider community.

3. Improve the labour market relevance of skills provision through engagement with employers

4. Create a modern high quality estate accessed by all that contributes to the financial resilience of Harrow campuses and HCUC.

Gas Engineer Workshop, Newton Building at Harrow Weald Campus
Value: £298,708
Completion Date: October 2020

HCUC will enhance its current construction provision across its campuses to enable its learners and apprentices to develop the required higher level skills for the gas sector. This will be achieved with the creation of a gas engineer workshop at the Harrow Weald campus for September 2020.

Project Objectives:

1. The workshop will complement and provide progression for plumbers - trainees and those looking to up-skill in this vital area in West London.

2. The use of digital technologies to support the delivery of skills and knowledge, as well as develop learners’ digital skills, will form an essential part of the level 3 plumbing and gas offer as part of the new West London Institute of Technology that HCUC is leading on.