October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
Harrow, Richmond and Uxbridge Colleges (HRUC) has been awarded Chartered Status securing membership to the prestigious Chartered Institution for Further Education (CIFE).
The award is an acknowledgement of the outstanding work taking place across the three colleges in west and south London driving skills and helping to meet the future needs of its 16,000 learners, and employers.
CIFE was established to highlight the excellence of further education and skills across the UK. As well as being the only FE-related organisation with Royal Assent to provide chartered status, the CIFE works alongside industry to shape and influence the national skills system ensuring that skills providers are recognised as the key drivers of economic growth and development within their local communities. As a membership body for FE organisations with exceptional standards, CIFE works alongside industry to influence and shape the national skills system, it also promotes collaboration and the sharing of good practice.
HRUC was officially recognised as a member of The Chartered Institution for Further Education at a prestigious Admissions Ceremony held at The Apothecaries Hall in London.
To celebrate the proud moment on behalf of HRUC, Keith Smith, CEO, attended the ceremony with Nick Davies, HRUC's Chair of Governors, Deputy CEO Dylan McTaggart, Senior Leaders Shane Woodhatch and Peregrine Perrott FIoD, FLPI, FIKE, College Principals Jo Withers and Gavin Hughes, one of our key employer partners Poorvi Patel from Heathrow and representatives from our health and social care provision, Section Manager Rose Etim-Ibom alongside one of students - Harry Haynes.
After the ceremony Keith said:
“I am thrilled that HRUC (Harrow, Richmond and Uxbridge Colleges) has been invited to join the Chartered Institute for Further Education. This is a proud moment for our students and our staff as the institute works under a Royal Charter and exists to promote the very best in FE. We are one of 25 organisations and colleges with chartered membership and this will open up further opportunities for professional development for our staff, enabling them to continue to provide our students with the very best educational experience.
“One of our core values is around high expectations and being great in everything we do and the Chartered Status is a proud reflection of the amazing work that goes on across our college group at Harrow College, Richmond upon Thames College, Uxbridge College, West London Institute of Technology and HRUC Apprenticeships & Skills. We are delighted to be officially recognised as members of the Chartered Institute for Further Education and this demonstrates our continued commitment to a sector that really does change lives.”
On 27th June, Richmond upon Thames College (RuTC) Level 2 Art and Design students unveiled their final major project of the academic year at the Museum of Richmond's 'Artificial Silk' Exhibition.
Earlier in the year, the Museum of Richmond explained to the students how material, Rayon Viscose was invented in the nearby, Kew Gardens. The museum also explained how the amazing artificial fibre has transformed textiles since its creation.
The students were greatly inspired by the transformative processes involved in its manufacture and decided the theme of their final project was 'Transformation'.
Students' work was made in textiles, ceramics, printmaking, product design and painting amongst other media, and photographed for the exhibition.
Each student exhibited a framed photo of their work, these will be on display in the museum's exhibition until March 2024.
At the Opening Reception, the Chair of the Museum, Hilda Clarke, and the Director of Kew, Richard Deverell, praised the quality of work made by the students.
At the opening reception, students were joined by RuTC staff, Toby Rye, Kirsty Chau, Paul Williams and Julia Hembrow.
Toby Rye was proud of his students work and efforts in creating the pieces for the exhibition, explaining, “The students really impressed me with their creativity and skill in creating these pieces for the Museum. It's been exciting to work on a project so close to home, learning more about Kew Gardens and its influence on the textile industry. I know the students have greatly enjoyed this project and seeing their work on display in public.”
Learn more about studying Level 2 Art and Design here.
June 2023
On 20 June, Art and Design students of all levels, showcased the projects they have been working on this academic year at their end of year exhibition.
On the 4th floor was a display featuring work from, level 1 art, design and media, level 3 extended in art, design and communication, A Level, Architecture, Graphic design and Fine art as well as work from HNC/HND Graphic design students.
The exhibition coincided with RuTC's final open event of the year, so potential students were provided with the opportunity to see the fantastic range of creative opportunities on offer.
Other visitors included RuTC alumni, students' families and potential students.
In June, as one of their final projects for the year, Level 2 and 3 Travel and Tourism students held a cultural day event in the college's auditorium.
The aim of the event was to celebrate the differences in both culture and heritage of all the staff and students in the college.
The event, although planned and ran by Travel and Tourism students, welcomed everyone at the college whether staff or student, to represent a culture they either were from, or a culture they love and want to share with others.
Students from other areas, including science and sport, also got involved with the event through hosting and offering a helping hand on the day.
The event both gave an opportunity to celebrate the rich diversity of the students and staff at RuTC and successfully promoted cultural diversity, by showcasing the many different types of cultural expressions that are inclusive, equitable and vibrant.
Cultural day was another outstanding event hosted by Travel and Tourism students and teacher, Hannah Talabany.
Joanne Little, Head of Business and Service Industries at RuTC was delighted by how well-received the event was, saying “RuTC is a proudly diverse college, and we are always looking for ways to celebrate this, from our staff to our students, we all got involved and it was wonderful to see how everyone wanted to learn or try something new.
“The Travel and Tourism students did a fantastic job of organising and hosting the event, as well as creating boards filled with information on their chosen country.
“The day was a great success and I look forward to next year's cultural day. Thank-you also to Hannah Talabany for helping organise the event, you all did a fantastic job."
The event was a huge success with a large turnout of guests, tables of freshly made food, beautiful decorations and more.
Learn more about studying Travel and Tourism at RuTC here.
This term, Level 3 Catering and Hospitality students, Alisha Mbala and Yasmin Gibbs have been working at the BAFTA 195 Piccadilly Kitchen twice a week as part of their course's work experience module.
The BAFTA's (British Academy Film Awards) society, use the phenomenal BAFTA 195 Piccadilly building in St James' for their London headquarters.
Housed in an historic Grade II Listed building in the heart of the West End, the building contains multiple for hire event spaces including a cinema room, a couple of galleries, roof terrace, a theatre and café / restaurant.
Yasmin and Alisha are the second group of RuTC Catering and Hospitality students to achieve a work placement at BAFTA, with one of the students from the year prior, achieving a full-time position following this work experience opportunity.
Alisha and Yasmin are both really enjoying their work experience at the BAFTA, explaining that they have learnt a huge amount during their time there.
Alisha says, “Since starting my work experience placement at BAFTA I have learnt so much about working in hospitality and the skills that are needed to go far in it.
I've worked some amazing events at BAFTA and the really enjoy my time there, I also know it will look great on my CV, so I am grateful to the college for providing me with the opportunity.
Yasmin also is enjoying her time at BAFTA and hope's that after she completes their work experience, there may be a chance for her to work their full time.
She says, “I love working at BAFTA and it makes it even better that Alisha and I work together, it's a fun yet serious environment and we are given real responsibility during our shifts. I enjoy the responsibility and since that my skills and confidence in the kitchen have improved significantly since I started.
“My hope is that after this placement finishes, I can get myself a full-time role at BAFTA because I really do enjoy working there.”
Catering and Hospitality teacher, Daniele Giraud, is proud of the girls' progress and determination to make the best of their experience, explaining, “Both Alisha and Yasmin are hardworking students who do their best in and outside of the classroom.
"They are growing in confidence each week and I am certain they will both thrive in the hospitality industry.”