Courses for school leavers
Nescot News IN AND FOR OUR COMMUNITY 2024 / 25
Nescot has been at the heart of the local community for 70 years, supporting thousands of learners to achieve their goals and ambitions for seven decades. We are committed to continuing to play a central role in the local and wider community working with our partners, employers, stakeholders and charities. Julie Kapsalis, Principal and CEO said, “We are proud to be a college for our community, offering increased opportunities for people from all walks of life to gain the skills and qualifications they need for a successful career, and continuing to provide learning for the local community in Epsom & Ewell and our surrounding region.” Nescot began life as Ewell County Technical College, with the first students beginning courses in September 1953 and the establishment being formally opened the following March. We celebrated our 70 th anniversary in 2023/24. Explore our rich history, evolution of education and our impact on learning and the local community. OUR HISTORY
To be the college of choice that enables and empowers every learner to achieve their goals and fulfil their potential
To place the learner at the heart of everything we do
To be a dynamic college for our community and its employers
Trust, Respect & Integrity Excellence Ambition & Aspiration Collaboration & Innovation Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Sustainability
NES Talks Both our staff and students have regular opportunities to engage in educational and motivational ‘NES Talks’, aimed at inspiring our learners to dream big. Over the past year, the Nescot community has enjoyed talks by guest speakers on a range of diverse and interesting topics, including: • Equality, diversity and inclusion by Jo Rzymowska, LGBTQ+ influencer and former Managing Director of Royal Caribbean Cruises • Information on County Lines, drug trafficking and gangsby the UK’s leading independent county lines educator, Leo Powell • Celebrating Black History Month with Basil Meade, OBE • Paralympian, Ben Gallagher, sharing his sports success story and the impact of being injured while serving in the military • Go Green endorsing sustainability and Peter Zielke promoting StaySafe • Brigadier Ben Banerjee, Head Army Medical Services Reserve and Ben Trevan, British Army Reservist with The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers sharing their army experiences • Patrick Foster exploring the impact of gambling addiction on mental health • Lewis Wilson and Carmen Garrido talking about their time at The Ritz, London. • Alex Miller, Strategic Consultant from Mandiant gave our students useful insights on career pathways in cyber security. • Renowned chef, Paul Merrett offered inspirational advice to our students from his training and career journey. • Our students benefitted from an interactive webinar hosted by L’Oréal on ‘Hairstylists for the Future’ which focussed on sustainability in the hair industry. • Banye Kanon, Senior Quality Assurance Officer from the General Ostepathic Council met our students to discuss how regulation supports professionalism and standards. • Christian Notley MBE from the WorldSkills Centre of Excellence offered practical advices and guidance to our staff on preparing for WordsSkills and national UK competitions that champion future skills and empower young people.
OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Minister for Skills visit Staff and students were delighted to host Baroness Jacqui Smith, the Department for Education’s Minister of State for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education on her visit to Nescot in September last year. From engaging with our talented WorldSkills UK students, apprentices, dedicated staff, and employer partners, to exploring our cutting-edge facilities, we were so proud to showcase our fantastic college to the Skills Minister. Skills Minister Jacqui Smith said, “It was a pleasure to visit the College and witness the exceptional work being done to prepare students for their future careers. The enthusiasm of the young people, along with the college’s state-of-the-art learning spaces were truly inspiring. I was impressed by the practical, hands-on training students receive, as it’s not often I get to see young people operating virtual diggers or laying concrete slabs in the classroom. The college is clearly committed to forging strong partnerships with local businesses, which will help these bright young people secure jobs in the sector and go on to build bright futures.” Armed Forces Covenant Nescot is proud to have officially signed the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC) at the college by Principal and CEO, Julie Kapsalis and Brigadier Ben Banerjee, Head Army Medical Services Reserve, Army HQ. The Covenant is a formal commitment to those who serve and have served that they will be treated with fairness and respect, and a recognition of the valuable attributes they bring to the workplace. By signing the AFC, Nescot has pledged to uphold its key principles and to recognise the critical contribution that the Armed Forces community make to our country. Nescot has already been awarded the Bronze ERS Award for the college’s commitment to the Armed Forces. Open Events We are delighted to welcome visitors to our Open Events held during the year to explore our courses, learn about the college, our apprenticeships offer and explore our facilities. We had over 2,000 visitors at recent Open Events and look forward to welcoming visitors at our upcoming events. Summer Fair Our Summer Fair is one of the college’s highlights of the year where the whole community is invited to experience Nescot. With fun attractions and activities for all ages, it’s a popular event with the community. This year our Summer Fair takes place on 14 June.
OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP
Construction Skills in Highway Maintenance Our new Highway Maintenance Entry Level and Level 1 courses that commenced in September 2024, are delivered in partnership with Ringway, Surrey’s leading highway maintenance contractor. The courses develop skills in construction, employability and digital with a focus on highway maintenance. SurreyFE Nescot is part of SurreyFE, the collective voice of the county’s Further Education sector. SurreyFE represents Activate Learning (Farnham, Guildford and Merrist Wood), Brooklands Technical College, East Surrey College and NESCOT. Our students have been involved in various joint activities with the SurreyFE group colleges, from competitions in logo design, construction skills and hairdressing to the SEN Environmental and Creative Digital finals, offering opportunities for showcasing talent, developing skills, achieving success and making new friends. And most recently, our students had the chance to experience Bali on a SurreyFE colleges trip with Think Pacific that promotes community growth and cultural exchange. Mental Health Awareness Student and staff actively engage in activities during Mental Health Awareness Week to raise awareness and show their support. During last year’s week, they engaged in activities highlighting the five aspects of wellbeing – Connect, Be Active, Take Note, Keep Learning and Give. Deaf Awareness For International Day of Sign Languages and International Week of Deaf People, staff and students explored the significance of signing and deaf culture through awareness events and sessions. A staff member from our Foundation Learning team demonstrated basic phrases in British Sign Language (BSL) and one of our Performing Arts graduates, who uses both speech and BSL, shared his journey and communication tips. Sussex and Surrey Institute of Technology The Sussex and Surrey Institute of Technology at Nescot officially opened in February 2024. It offers excellent opportunities for both learners and businesses with apprenticeships in digital technologies, including software development, cyber security, networking, data management and IT support. The Sussex and Surrey IoT includes Nescot, Chichester College Group and the Universities of Sussex, Brighton and Chichester. Immersive Learning suite Our new cutting-edge immersive learning classrooms are transforming student education. Funded by the Department for Education’s Local Skills Improvement Fund, they are equipped with vehicle simulators, Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and Virtual Reality (VR) headsets including an Igloo, a 360-degree projection system. The use of AI and VR tools and innovative teaching boosts engagement and creates unique learning experiences for students from various curriculums at the college.
Surrey Police engagement Our students had the opportunity to learn about safe driving behaviours and practices during a visit by Surrey RoadSafe and Surrey Police Vanguard Road Safety team, Our student Basketball team, Nescot Knights were winners in a friendly basketball match with Surrey Police. Both teams enjoyed the game which was held in the college’s Sports Hall with huge support from the college community. AoC Sport Student Leadership Programme Students chosen for the AoC Sport Student Leadership programme are serving as ECFA Football Activators and England Ruby Ambassadors to organise and promote football and rugby activities for students across the college to boost these sports’ visibility and encourage more participation, particularly among female students. Active Surrey Panathlon challenge We’ve hosted the Panathlon challenge in collaboration with Active Surrey for children with special educational needs from local primary schools. Our Sport students benefit from the opportunities to lead and supervise various sports activities during the event.
OUR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Art & Digital Design student’s artwork displayed at Epsom Station Art & Digital Design students from Nescot produced artwork for the covered walkway at Epsom Station for a project commissioned by The Arts Society Epsom and funded by Southern’s parent company, Govia Thameslink Railway. Based on the theme, ‘Sense of Place – Epsom’, the artworks feature iconic landmarks of the town and is part of Art @theStation, a national initiative by The Arts Society to showcase work by budding artists in station waiting rooms and public walkways. Creative Media students’ ‘Then and Now’ exhibition commission Our talented Creative Media students’ experimental photographic exhibition, ‘Then & Now’, was displayed at Epsom Library. Created in collaboration with Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, Bourne Hall Museum and the Libraries of Surrey, the captivating exhibition is an expression of our students’ understanding of the past, present and future of the borough. Students part of the Derby Festival Our students were proud to be involved at the Derby Festival 2024 at Epsom Downs Racecourse. Travel and Tourism students were delighted to be ‘Racemakers’ and our Animal Studies students presented personalised handmade plaques to the Derby runners’ grooms. Our students were thrilled with this amazing opportunity. Foundation Learning students help keep our community clean & tidy Our Foundation Learning students frequently participate in community clean-up projects. They helped clear autumn leaves from the alleyway to Ewell East station, participated in a litter clear-up on Brighton Beach and take part in various recycling projects at the college.
OUR COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING
Animal Care students fundraise for Sane During Halloween, our Animal Care students raised over £80 for mental health charity, Sane by dressing up in a range of Halloween themed outfits. The Animal Care Unit also joined in with the fundraising themed dress-up!
Raising funds and awareness for Men’s Mental Health Our Student Experience team along with the rest of the college team participated in fundraising efforts to raise awareness on men’s mental health and together raised an incredible £135.
Foundation Learning students raise funds for charity Our Foundation Learning students regularly participate in fundraising efforts for charity. They raised over £600 for Macmillan Cancer Support and over £900 for charity at their fun Christmas Fair through their incredible fundraising efforts.
Gameathon and DJing marathon for Teenage Cancer Trust Our Creative Media students participated in a 12-hour live stream with non-stop DJ sets and a Gameathon raising around £274 funds for Teenage Cancer Trust.
Plumbing raise funds for Save the Children Our Plumbing team raised over £300 during Christmas Jumper Day in support of Save the Children.
Hairdressing support The Salvation Army’s Christmas Gift Appeal Our Hairdressing students organised a donation of toys and gifts from the college community for The Salvation Army’s Christmas Present Appeal, for children and young people in the local area who may not otherwise receive a gift.
HIP Learner of the Year South East Regionals winner – Level 3 Plumbing apprentice
OUR COMMUNITY RECOGNITION
WorldSkills UK We were delighted that we had a silver medal winner at WorldSkills UK 2024 in Culinary Arts. Our students also competed in the regional competitions last year in Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy, Media Make-up, Electrical Installation (SkillELECTRIC) and Carpentry (SkillBuild). Nescot students have participated in the finals of WorldSkills UK for the third year running with our Creative Media students winning Gold in 2023 and Bronze in 2022. Pearson National Teaching Awards We are so proud of our inspirational Creative Media Team, Silver Award winners for Further Education Team of the Year at the Pearson National Teaching Awards 2024. The tutors not only teach students skills for a career working in the media, but also shape young lives by partnering with charities and weaving issues like inclusion, mental health and awareness raising into their projects.
Plumbing students and apprentices take part in Polypipe Building Products roadshow
Catering students take part in Get, Set, Cook challenge with the Royal Navy
Surrey Business Awards We were thrilled to win Employer of the Year at the Surrey Business Awards 2024. The award recognises the work of Nescot’s incredible staff.
Dynamic Awards Principal and CEO, Julie Kapsalis was awarded, ‘Employer of the Year’ and ‘Community Hero’ at the Dynamic Awards 2024 for her outstanding leadership and contribution. The judges praised Nescot for its educational prowess, dedication to innovation and empowerment of students and staff, while also commending Julie’s invaluable efforts with the college for the local community.
Read more about all of these stories on our dedicated Nescot News page!
Catering students get a masterclass from The Ritz pastry chefs
Sports students facilitate Panathlon challenge with Active Surrey
Epsom Picturehouse premier for Creative Media students’ film
Nescot marks Remembrance with the Royal British Legion
Road Safety visit from Surrey RoadSafe partnership
Epsom and Ewell Times commission Creative Media students with filming of UK General Election candidate interviews
Performing Arts students showcase talent at WinterFest 2024
Immersive classroom puts Nescot on the map
Carpentry and Joinery students build easels for Letterheads 2024
Foundation Learning students on the Supported Internships programme were first place winners in the Dried Flower Arrangement category at the Jim Green Challenge hosted by the South of England Agricultural Society.
Business students highlight their entrepreneurial skills at Peter Jones Foundation Charity Golf fundraiser
Celebrating Black History Month
Business students showcase their enterprise skills at local markets
www.nescot.ac.uk
Page 1 Page 2-3 Page 4-5 Page 6-7 Page 8-9 Page 10-11 Page 12Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker