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South Hampshire College Group (SHCG) have announced the appointment of Stephen Marston as the new Chair of the Corporation, effective from 01 September 2025. He succeeds Sandra Prail MBE who has served in the position of Chair since August 2023 when the corporation was established.
Stephen Marston brings to this role a wealth of experience from decades of service in the education sector, including 12 years as Vice-Chancellor of University of Gloucestershire between 2011 and 2023. Prior to this, he held various roles in the Civil Service, such as the Director of Skills and Director General in three government departments, where he had crucial input in both further education and higher education strategic development.
Andrew Kaye, CEO of South Hampshire College Group, commented: “I am very pleased that Stephen Marston has taken up the role of Chair of the South Hampshire College Group Corporation and I warmly welcome him to the Board. Stephen joins at an exciting time for the College Group, as we build on the success of our first Ofsted inspection since merger and as we complete a two-year significant capital investment strategy undertaken to improve our teaching facilities across the group.
“South Hampshire College Group is deeply committed to its role as an FE anchor institution in the region; Stephen brings hugely valuable skills and experience which will help the corporation go from success to success as we continue to ensure we create better futures for all our students, apprentices, and employers we work with. The corporation is very well-placed under Stephen’s leadership to respond to the government’s recent Industrial Strategy, potential changes that may be recommended by Skills England, and any implications arising from a new Post-16 Education and Skills Strategy.
“As Stephen joins, I also want to extend my sincere thanks to Sandra Prail, our outgoing Chair, for her remarkable stewardship of the corporation in a period of significant transition.”
Stephen Marston said: “I am delighted to be joining SHCG as Chair of the Corporation at such an exciting time in the College Group’s development. I am hugely impressed by what has been achieved in just two years since the merger, including the stand-out result of an Ofsted rating of Good for the whole organisation. It is a tribute to the commitment, professionalism and skill of everyone in the College Group. And it has created a strong platform to keep developing together the quality and range of what we can offer our students and apprentices across all three campuses, advancing our mission to help all our students achieve better futures. Thanks to the exceptional leadership of Sandra Prail as Chair of the Board, we are now well placed to meet both the opportunities and the challenges we will face. I am very much looking forward to working to achieve our shared ambitions for our students, our employers and our community.”
Sandra Prail MBE reflected on her time as Chair of the Corporation: “I have mixed emotions as I say farewell. Pride in the creation of SHCG and its remarkable achievements. Total respect for every member of staff working tirelessly day after day putting our students at the heart of the College Group. And a touch of sadness as I say goodbye. When I joined prior to merger I had big dreams for our new College Group. These have been exceeded. SHCG has redefined the art of the possible. I spoke from day one of creating a top-performing Board and I believe that the foundations of governance we have put in place are strong, our vision clear and that our defining culture will drive SHCG to greater heights. I will always be cheerleading from afar and shall be forever proud to have been the first SHCG Chair. I wish Stephen, my successor, much fun and know that SHCG is in safe hands.”
South Hampshire College Group expresses its thanks and gratitude to Sandra Prail MBE for her guidance and leadership over the past two years in the role of Chair, which have proved a crucial time of growth and success for the organisation as it now prepares for an ambitious 2025/2026 academic year.
A series of three memorable student awards ceremonies have been staged across South Hampshire College Group this summer, celebrating learners and apprentices who have gone above and beyond in their studies, work placements, and contributions to college life.
Event Management Students rolled out the red carpet at Eastleigh College, Fareham College and Southampton College, as award winners gathered with friends, families and lecturers to celebrate their successes this year. All in attendance were treated to delicious canapés and drinks prepared by Hospitality and Catering Students before winners took to the stage to receive their certificates and have their professional photographs taken.
Awards were presented in three key categories: Resilience, Achievement, and Contribution – each highlighting students who have demonstrated exceptional commitment, perseverance, and impact both academically and within the wider college community. Four special awards were then presented at each College to mark the overall Young Person, Higher Education, Apprentice and Adult Students of the Year.
Eastleigh College’s Young Student of the Year was Alicia Elkins, with the Adult Student of the Year Brenna Frost-Williams and the Apprentice of the Year awarded to Ben Brockway. Tyler Willis was named the Higher Education Student of the Year.
Vice Principal of Eastleigh College Rosie Sharp said: “Every student recognised in these awards has done something extraordinary. These students have stood out not just through their results, but through their attitude, their work ethic, and the impact they’ve made on those around them.”
Fareham College was delighted to name Jake Pazzard as Young Student of the Year, while Jon Lloyd-Jones received the title of Adult Student of the Year. Katie Cumming was honoured as Apprentice of the Year, and Tayler Merrell was recognised as Higher Education Student of the Year.
Ben Sheridan, Vice Principal of Fareham College, said: “We are constantly amazed by the standard of work our students produce – innovative, inspiring, and full of promise … their dedication and contributions have played a vital role in making our college the vibrant, high-achieving community we are so proud of.”
At Southampton College, Amelie Osman was named Young Student of the Year, with Bruno Neves receiving the Adult Student of the Year award. Summer-Louise Risbey was honoured as Apprentice of the Year, while the Higher Education Student of the Year accolade went to Asif Yaqub.
Vice Principal of Southampton College Neala Whybrow said: “In my short time here at Southampton College, I have been overwhelmed by the hardworking, caring and driven attitudes presented by our students and staff, and therefore being able to be a part of this event is a true honour.”
Full list of award winners:
Eastleigh College
Achievement: Deandra St Hilliare, Brenna Frost-Williams, Katharine Kirk, Harvey Crow, Ben Brockway, Alicia Elkins, Thomas Howe, Ellie Cameron, Lily Orchard, Harry Bradley, Alice Upstell, Connor Robson
Recognition: Lottie Evans, Tyler Wills, Melody Munday, Charlotte Taylor, Charlie Fellbrich-Crespin, Anna Bethel, Ruslana Shkurat, Georgia Grimm, Charlie Bradbrook, Malyar Niazi, Martin Pearman, Brianna Morris
Contribution: Gill Hockin, Hettie Anderson
Young Student of the Year: Alicia Elkins
Apprentice of the Year: Ben Brockway
Adult Student of the Year: Brenna Frost-Williams
Higher Education Student of the Year: Tyler Willis
Fareham College
Achievement: Finn Owen, Alina Caterina Trandafir, Axl Rose, Jon Lloyd-Jones, George Hendricks, Rhydian Mills, Katie Cumming, Aiden Wood, Libby Harrower, Poppy Hare, Davina Lauder, Rosie Ozanne, Alfie Brown, Connor Hammal, Toby Southwell, Oscar Molyneaux, Lynsey Watts
Contribution: Evelyn Malec, Jake Pazzard, Jenny Madgwick, Thomas Collinson, Lewis Planner, Saphira Berwick
Recognition: Finn Owen, Melissa Graham, Brooke Corbin, Charlotte Yeats, Ayla Graetz, Evie Duncan, Bruce Ferguson, Megan Piper, Emily Wooster, Mark Rodgers, Taylor Merrell, Tyler Cope
Young Student of the Year: Jake Pazzard
Apprentice of the Year: Katie Cumming
Adult Student of the Year: Jon Lloyd-Jones
Higher Education Student of the Year: Taylor Merrell
Southampton College
Achievement: Tegan Browne, Bruno Neves, Owen Batchelor, Lewis McNamara, Leah Batchelor, Carla French, Callum Hutchins, Marcia Patricia Santos Teles, Reggie Strang, Riley Edmond, Amelie Osman, Josh Sharp, Ryan Pinnick, Summer Louise Risbey, Goncalo Viveiros, Jasmine Harris, Kushi Kaur, Anuolowa (Mary-Ann) Ogunyem, Claudia Gamza, Asif Yaqub, Dat Nguen
Contribution: Josh Anderson, Maisie Hillman, Toby Floyd
Recognition: Eddie Harding, Ella Freeman, Eli Doherty, Jessica Cooper
Young Student of the Year: Amelie Osman
Apprentice of the Year: Summer-Louise Risbey
Adult Student of the Year: Bruno Neves
Higher Education Student of the Year: Asif Yaqub
Staff across South Hampshire College Group have received national recognition from the Pearson National Teaching Awards for their exceptional contributions this year.
Recipients of Pearson honours included Gemma Braybrook, Lecturer in Media, Marketing and Event Management, Clair Pearman, Reception and Administrative Assistant, and the collective College Group IT Department. The awards were announced on National Thank a Teacher Day, a nationwide celebration of all the incredible work across the education community and the impact teachers and staff have on the student experience.
Gemma Braybrook was announced as a Bronze Winner in the Pearson’s FE Lecturer of the Year category. This accolade reflects her significant impact in the Media, Marketing and Events department, having initially stepped up this year to deliver this course single-handedly and at peak, providing teaching and support to over 70 students. Thanks to Gemma’s tireless efforts, students have enjoyed an enriched course program, including a huge range of internal and external events, with a record number progressing successfully into industry careers or higher education.
Gemma commented: “I’m shocked, to be honest, I never imagined I’d win this award. It’s been a challenging year in our department and there’s times you think you won’t get through it but you find a way somehow and build resilience along the way which is what we do for these students. They’re my inspiration and they keep me going.”
Clair Pearman received a ‘Highly Commended’ certificate in the Pearson’s Unsung Hero category. This recognition was given in light of Clair’s strong impact on the college community in her front-facing role at Eastleigh College. Clair’s exemplary professionalism and positivity has helped diffuse many challenging situations and her excellent knowledge has helped her become a trusted and reliable figure for students and staff alike.
Reflecting on her win, Clair said: “This was totally unexpected, I love my job and never expect to get anything like this back from it. I always do my best to make sure our students feel safe and happy in the environment that they’re in so to have this recognised makes me feel happy.”
The South Hampshire College Group IT team was awarded Pearson’s ‘Certificate of Excellence’ in the FE Team of the Year category as a commendation for their sterling efforts in creating a brand-new network that is now used by over 8000 students and staff across three college sites and two training centres. Maintaining an impressive 100% uptime rate on this new network, while simultaneously balancing four existing college networks, is a testament to the collaboration and teamwork of this highly skilled department and has enriched the digital experience for both students and staff alike.
Rosie Sharp, Vice Principal at South Hampshire College Group, commented: “The Pearson Teaching Awards are often seen as the ‘Oscars’ of the teaching community, so all our winners should feel extremely proud of themselves for their accomplishments. We are very fortunate as a College Group to have so many wonderful staff who truly go above and beyond for our students, it makes our community a fantastic place to grow, learn and achieve.”
National Thank a Teacher Day and the Pearson National Teaching Awards are organised by the Teaching Awards Trust—an independent charity founded over 25 years ago to celebrate the powerful impact of education. The Trust highlights the vital contributions of teachers, support staff, schools, colleges, and early years educators in inspiring and shaping young lives every day.
South Hampshire College Group has been recognised for its ‘strong contribution to meeting skills needs’, ‘highly knowledgeable teachers’ and for ‘raising the quality of education for learners and apprentices’, in the College Group’s first full Ofsted inspection since the merger of Eastleigh College, Fareham College and Southampton College in 2023. The College Group received an overall grade of ‘Good’, with all eight areas inspected also judged to be ‘Good’.
The inspection, which took place from 29 April to 2 May 2025, reviewed the organisation’s three colleges, in addition to its Centre of Excellence in Engineering, Manufacturing and Advanced Skills Training (CEMAST) and its Civil Engineering Training Centre (CETC), both based at Lee-on-the-Solent. Special commendation was given to the College Group’s skills contribution, formed through a close working partnership with employers and stakeholders to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the region’s skills needs, and a commitment to adapting the college curriculum accordingly. The quality of teaching was also praised, along with the strategic sequencing of training programmes to enhance the learning experience. The benefits of this across all students were outlined in the report, with young students motivated to learn, adult students increasingly confident and empowered, and apprentices valuing the expert advice and training they receive. Students with high needs were also deemed to make successful progress in their academic, vocational and personal development.
Andrew Kaye, Chief Executive Officer of South Hampshire College Group, said: “I’m delighted to see the hard work of students and colleagues at South Hampshire College Group recognised through this Ofsted report. The report’s positive endorsement of the good quality of education is a testament to the commitment of those who make South Hampshire College Group an amazing place to learn and work. I’m pleased the report recognises the strong contribution the college makes to meeting skills needs and the instrumental role the college plays in shaping and advancing local skills improvement planning. Our quality of education and our responsiveness to skills are what enables us to create better futures.”
Strong leadership was further singled out in the inspection report, with commendation given to the college’s ambitious investments in industry-standard resources through dedicated new Centres of Excellence, as well as a commitment to continuous improvement through strong internal training to upskill managers and staff.
Anoushka Ottley, Executive Director of Business and Partnerships at South Hampshire College Group, commented: “We are proud to be recognised by Ofsted for making a strong contribution to skills. At South Hampshire College Group, we are firmly committed to addressing local, regional, and national skills priorities through strong partnerships our stakeholders. Our curriculum is closely aligned with the priorities set out in the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), ensuring we equip our students with industry-relevant knowledge, skills, and behaviours. Through our diverse training offer and collaborative projects, we are actively helping to reshape the skills landscape across the South Hampshire region, this progress wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support and engagement of our stakeholders, whose collaboration is vital to our shared success.”
Pete Joddrell, Group Principal and Ofsted nominee for South Hampshire College Group, commented: “As a College Group we warmly welcome this report and are proud to be rated ‘Good’ in all eight judgement areas. The strength of teaching at the College Group and our students’ positive attitude and strong motivations to learn really shines through in this report, while our newly established Centres of Excellence are already making a huge impact on the learning experience. It’s fantastic to see how far we’ve already come as a College Group less than two years since merger, and we can’t wait to build upon these accomplishments and reach new successes in the years to come.”
To view the full inspection report please click here.
The introduction of our latest college therapy dog, Fudge, has already made a positive impression on staff and student wellbeing.
Fudge, a two-year-old Cavapoo based at Eastleigh College, joins Dexter, a nine-year-old Golden Retriever at Southampton College, with a further eight-year-old Bordoodle, Bella, at Fareham College. Each dog spends one or two days in college per week, meeting and greeting students, providing comfort to those who are struggling and helping students connect with the college environment.
Lorraine Wheeler, Designated Safeguarding Lead at Southampton College, is the owner of Fudge. She commented: “From the first day, we could already see the positive influence Fudge has made on the college community. There have already been so many examples of her helping students, but the one that stands out for me was during an exam period. We had a student who was sitting outside the exam room, unable to talk or bring himself to go in for his exam. But when Fudge went up to him, his demeanour changed completely, and he was finally able to articulate his anxieties. She empowered him to go in for his exam and even sat beside him while he completed it.”
Kierston Paskall, Emotional Literacy and Support Assistant at Southampton College, is the owner of Dexter. She said: “As well as being a therapy dog, Dexter is also a trained assistance dog and this training has already been invaluable, such as when he administered deep pressure therapy during a student’s seizure. We do meet and greets with him every week and I have seen him transform staff who previously had a fear of dogs and soften students who struggled with emotional volatility. He has helped people open up and feel calm and relaxed during their college studies, which is so conducive to positive learning outcomes.”
The benefits of therapy dogs are well documented in the education environment. Examples of these include increased attendance, stronger relationships between students and staff, growth in confidence and reduced anxiety. Extensive risk assessments are taken prior to the arrival of every new dog, and careful precautions are taken in relation to any allergies or fears around dogs.
If you would like to learn more about our therapy dogs, please contact our safeguarding team.
Free support and resources on handling stress can also be found from the NHS here.
South Hampshire College Group are celebrating National Careers Week 2025 with a new matrix Standard accreditation, successfully achieved through sustained delivery of high-quality careers support for prospective and current students.
Special commendation was given in this report to the College Group’s commitment to positive working and effective collaboration with internal and external partners, and commitment of managers to work towards alignment across the organisation. Staff and students alike were identified as being well supported, with plenty of available careers guidance that has proved impactful to students.
The matrix Standard is the international quality standard for organisations that deliver careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG), either as their sole purpose or as part of their service offering. This external audit required a review of South Hampshire College Group’s Careers and Admissions processes and procedures, feedback from students, as well as reviewing relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Roger Chapman, Head of the matrix Service for The Growth Company said: “This is a fantastic achievement for South Hampshire College Group and I would like to congratulate the team on their success. We believe that at the heart of high-quality advice and support services are strong leadership, excellent service and a focus on continuous improvement, all underpinned by effective use of the resources available. The matrix Standard is designed to benchmark organisations against best practice in these areas. With their accreditation success, South Hampshire College Group is working to provide the best possible support to their clients.”
Ashley Martin, Director of Student Experience and Transition at South Hampshire College Group, commented: “We are extremely proud to have achieved matrix accreditation. This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and hard work of all across our organisation. It reinforces our commitment to support students in receiving high-quality advice and guidance that helps them reach their full potential and achieve their career goals.”
Trudy McKenzie, Group Careers and Admissions Manager at South Hampshire College Group, commented: “We are delighted to have received this accreditation as recognition for all the hard work that goes into the delivery of our careers information, advice, guidance and customer service. The progress of the merger and aligning careers and admissions across our three colleges – Eastleigh College, Fareham College and Southampton College – hasn’t been without its challenges, but it is great to know that it has not affected the level of support given to students and potential students.
“We couldn’t have received this accreditation without the dedication and hard work of all our Admissions & Guidance Officers, Reception staff, Admissions Leads and Careers Advisers. This has been a real team effort and we would like to thank all those other wider staff members, stakeholders and students, who assisted by speaking to the Report Assessor.”
Building upon this fantastic achievement, South Hampshire College Group’s celebrations of National Careers Week (which runs 3rd – 8th March) will be extra special this year, featuring engaging events and activities for all students across the college group, including employer talks, in-person support from universities, mock interview opportunities, CV workshops and careers drop-in sessions.
For further information, please contact South Hampshire College Group at [email protected] or visit www.shcg.ac.uk.
A packed programme of activities was warmly across South Hampshire College Group to celebrate apprenticeship and T Level qualifications as part of National Apprenticeship Week 2025.
Throughout the week a popular series of presentations and informative talks were staged across the College Group’s sites, comprising Eastleigh College, Fareham College, Southampton College, CEMAST and CETC, which have featured input from local government services including the NHS, the DVSA and the wider Civil Service. There have also been special networking events including an Employer’s Breakfast, bringing key local business and education figures together to celebrate apprenticeship developments this year, and a particularly useful ‘Meet your Match’ event which enabled progressing students and apprentices to connect with various employers from different sectors, opening up further opportunities for work interviews, placements and careers beyond college.
Clare Lewis is an employer at local mortgage broker business C L Mortgages, and has employed South Hampshire College Group student Cameron on an apprenticeship. She commented: “We need young people coming up through the ranks so we can grow our company. Apprenticeships are one of the best ways to achieve this and as an employer they allow me to shape staff to work how they need to in order to best support the firm.”
The week was also a unified celebration of T Levels, where the college group welcomed hundreds of young people and their parents to four special T Level information evenings where they had the opportunity to understand the value of the significant work placement and discover progression opportunities available through this dynamic new learning pathway. These events were gratefully supported by the University of Portsmouth, University of Southampton and Solent University, to endorse the progression pathways of T Levels and to continue to strengthen the important local community ties between Further Education (FE) and Higher Education (HE).
Briony is one of South Hampshire College Group’s many students currently undertaking a T Level programme – her study of Early Years & Education has opened up future ambitions for a career in safeguarding and supporting young people. She commented: “As part of my T Level, I have a large work placement in a school, which gives me real experience working with children from a range of circumstances. Our facilities at college also are really good because there’s a nursery and spaces where we learn hands-on skills, as well as classrooms, so we get a real mix of learning and experience.”
To learn more about National Apprenticeship Week and its importance in the education landscape, please click here.
For further information about South Hampshire College Group and its high-quality technical and professional training, please contact [email protected] or visit www.shcg.ac.uk.
South Hampshire College Group students from the Early Years and Health & Social Care departments have returned from an unforgettable two-week adventure in The Gambia. There, they helped support local schools and hospitals, visited wildlife parks, and engaged in team-building activities. This trip was the organisation’s first as part of the government’s Turing Scheme.
A total of 14 students, across Level 1, 2 and 3 studies, and staff participated in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, as part of a program designed to offer enriching personal and professional development through unique work placements, exploratory visits to cultural areas of interest and supporting local communities. The cohort began their adventure with a team-bonding weekend, where they visited the country’s capital, Banjal, in addition to a crocodile park, a monkey park and a full induction. 10 days of eye-opening work placements followed, with the eight Early Years students supporting teaching at a local school, while six Health & Social Care students were stationed at a local hospital, supporting A+E, surgical and maternity wards. An activity weekend provided a valuable respite between the work placement days, during which students enjoyed a special sunrise kayaking trip and learnt valuable skills with the local community, such as cooking new dishes and caring for young children.
Kirsty Rennie, Curriculum Area Manager at South Hampshire College Group, was one of the staff members who supervised the trip. She commented: “This was truly an incredible experience for all of us, and it was amazing to see how our students culturally embraced the experience, none of whom had been to a third world country before. There were challenges to overcome, such as language barriers, intense hospital experiences and generally stepping outside of the comfort zone, but our students should be so proud of how they rose to these challenges and demonstrated professionalism and resilience.”
Sophie is a Health and Social Care student who participated in the trip. She commented: “The highlights of my experience include my favourite locations, such as the beach and the monkey park, as well as the exceptional staff at Kanifing Hospital. I would also like to express how much this opportunity enhanced my self-confidence, not only in my personal abilities but also in my capacity to engage in future opportunities. This experience allowed me to observe healthcare and professionalism within a different cultural context, particularly in a less affluent community. Furthermore, the trip provided me with the opportunity to meet new individuals and develop my social skills. I believe that my time in The Gambia has contributed to my personal growth and expanded my knowledge, creating lasting memories that I will never forget.”
Millie is an Early Years student who joined the trip. She said: “This trip really changed me so much as a person. It’s such a different environment from my experience working in an English nursery and we all felt so welcomed into the community. I felt so emotional having to leave the children because we all wanted to keep helping them, but it really makes you appreciate the simple things and how fortunate we are. I would recommend an experience like this to anyone, it really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
This trip was made possible through the Turing Scheme, a new £110 million initiative from the UK government that offers overseas learning experiences for students across the UK, with additional support for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. These fully funded trips give students experiences they otherwise might not be able to enjoy. The scheme has received a hugely positive reception since launching at South Hampshire College Group in December 2024. Further trips are already planned for Sri Lanka and Bali in March 2025, and more trips will be announced later in the year.
To learn more about the Turing Scheme, please click here: https://shcg.ac.uk/turing-scheme/.
South Hampshire College Group has been officially awarded with ‘Highly Commended’ status in the 2024 Digital Education Awards.
This international recognition is for the exceptional progress the organisation has made this year in digital industries through leading a variety of successful initiatives. These include the mobile technology roadshow TECH:TRUCK, the brand new Digital Training Vessel, and the community-focused South Coast Institute of Technology, which brings together further education and higher education providers from across Hampshire. The accolade also acknowledges the organisation’s commitment to community impact, diversity, and technology-driven learning, addressing local needs and reducing skills gaps.
Naomi Smith, Local Skills Improvement Fund Programme Director at South Hampshire College Group, commented: “We are delighted to receive this Highly Commended recognition for our digital breakthroughs this year as an organisation. TECH:TRUCK has grown to become one of the most popular attractions in the Solent’s education sector, introducing exciting new technical education technologies to young people and helping them identify career pathways in our LSIP-identified priority sectors, including Creative Arts, Health and Social Care, Engineering and Manufacturing, Marine Engineering and Net Zero technologies. As we continue to embrace the innovation ecosystem, through initiatives such as our state-of-the-art Digital Training Vessel (DTV1) we are excited to be at the forefront of industry-lead skills development for the Solent. The South Coast Institute of Technology represents unprecedented higher technical education opportunities, thanks to the collaboration of further education and higher education providers across Hampshire. We are constantly looking to innovate and grow, and this award gives us great encouragement going forward into 2025.”
A 2024 Digital Education Awards judge commented: “Your proactive collaboration and innovative use of technology position SHCG as a transformative leader in education. By continuing to embrace and expand these strategies, you have the opportunity to solidify your reputation as a key player in reshaping the local skills landscape.”
The Digital Education Awards celebrate the products, platforms, teams, and services leading the digital education scene today. They are open to individuals, organisations, and businesses worldwide. The 2024 awards featured sixteen different categories, with South Hampshire College Group’s Highly Commended recognition in the ‘Digital Education Institution of the Year’ category.
For any further information, please contact the College Group at [email protected].
South Hampshire College Group is excited to announce its participation in a new government scheme designed to provide unforgettable learning experiences abroad for students.
The Turing Scheme is a £110 million government programme designed to offer fully-funded international education trips to students across the UK, with additional support to those from disadvantaged backgrounds. A variety of activities can take place on these trips such as building houses for the local population, working in the local care community, and collaborating with local education and sports groups. There are also opportunities to enjoy the local culture, such as safari trips, city explorations, visiting famous landmarks, and working on arts and community projects.
Ben Sheridan, Vice Principal at South Hampshire College Group, commented: “The Turing Scheme provides South Hampshire College Group with an excellent opportunity to send our students abroad for life enhancing work placements. This will provide unique first-hand experiences of life abroad, immersing students in different cultures. Our students will be visiting unique destinations which for many, will be their first time outside the European continent or possibly abroad. I am truly proud to be able to offer this to our students, and this year marks the start of a growing international department who will be able offer further trips to more students in the future.”
Paris Carter, Turing Scheme Coordinator at South Hampshire College Group, commented: “The Turing Scheme provides unique, once-in-a-lifetime international work experience placements and cultural experiences for our students at South Hampshire College Group. Participation in these trips allows for personal – and professional – growth and development and boosts employability and is a fantastic opportunity!”
South Hampshire College Group has already announced four planned trips in 2025 through the Turing Scheme including to Gambia in January, Sri Lanka in February, Bali in March and USA in April. These initial trips will be available to students on Health, Childcare, Sport and Travel and Tourism courses, with opportunities being explored to expand this offering further into 2025.
The 2024 Hampshire Business Awards have taken place, with South Hampshire College Group attending alongside over 100 fellow finalists across sixteen distinct categories.
The event took place at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre. The awards ceremony was interspersed with a gala dinner, which was enjoyed by over 370 guests. Comedian Cally Beaton oversaw proceedings and entertained the audience. 2024 marks the second year of the Hampshire Business Awards, and this year, the addition of a silent auction enabled important fundraising for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Service, which provides vital support for the local community.
South Hampshire College Group were one of six recognised finalists in the Commitment to Education, Training and Skills category, which was won by local blacksmith business Parmenter Forge. All finalists were met with rapturous applause and a warm reception in this celebration of success across the Hampshire community.
Naomi Smith, LSIF Programme Director, attended the event on behalf of South Hampshire College Group. She commented: “Being shortlisted for the Commitment to Education, Training and Skills Award highlights our commitment to delivering impactful education at South Hampshire College Group. Though we didn’t win, we’re proud of our technical education, apprenticeships and employer-led skills provisions that drive participation in our region’s priority sectors. By putting business at the heart of our work, we empower learners to thrive and are proud of the opportunities we create for our future workforce.”
Emma Ward is the Director of Sugoi Campers, who were also a finalist in the Made in Hampshire category. She commented: “Being shortlisted in the Hampshire Business Awards is an incredible honour for Sugoi Campers and highlights the value of projects like TECH:TRUCK, which we were proud to create with South Hampshire College Group. This recognition celebrates the innovation and collaboration behind initiatives that inspire future generations and strengthen ties between education and industry. Events like these are essential for showcasing the exceptional work being done by local businesses and their impact on the community.”
Hannah Kent Colls, Founder and Director of Watermark Communications, attended the event as a guest. She commented: “It was a pleasure attending the Hampshire Business Awards as a guest of South Hampshire College Group. Awards such as these are extremely valuable for businesses, particularly those that are small, niche, or new to their market, as recognition is key to business success. It is also great to be able to celebrate these local businesses and individuals who help drive innovation and commerce both within the region and further afield.”
For a full list of winners and a recap of the evening, please visit the Hampshire Business Magazine website.
South Hampshire College Group has been named as a finalist in the 2024 Hampshire Business Awards in the Education, Training and Skills category.
This regional recognition is testament to the exceptional progress South Hampshire College Group has made over the last year as a further education organisation, having launched a range of exciting new initiatives such as a pioneering Digital Training Vessel to grow new and innovative maritime and digital skills, a bespoke professional development provider in Business Plus for upskilling staff and business growth, and leading on the second iteration of the ever popular mobile technology roadshow TECH:TRUCK which is introducing thousands of young people to cutting-edge and emerging technologies and inspiring them with their future career options.
To celebrate the occasion, a formal drinks reception took place on Wednesday 06 November, at Lainston House Hotel in Winchester, where all finalists could network while enjoying cocktails and canapés.
Lisa Congdon, Business Development Manager at South Hampshire College Group, was one of the attendees representing the organisation. She commented: “It was fantastic to meet some of the fellow nominees in our category and hear some very inspiring stories. It was a brilliant event in a lovely setting where everyone was so supportive of each other.”
The main black-tie gala awards dinner will take place on Thursday 21 November, at Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre, where the overall winners will be announced. Sixteen categories will be recognised during the ceremony with a total of six nominees in the Education, Training and Skills category.
Over 240 entries were received in this year’s event, with four independent judges deciding the winners. The finalist ceremony will be packed with the region’s strongest entrepreneurs from start and scale-ups, leaders from small and medium-sized enterprises, and all manner of talent living and working in the region.
Commenting on the tough task faced by the judges in selecting finalists and winners, Jo Whittle, Operations Director at The Business Magazine said: “As always, with such a high number and standard of entries judging was difficult and some tough decisions had to be made. Our finalists represent the cream of Hampshire, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements on the night.”
For a complete list of categories and finalists, please visit the Hampshire Business Awards dedicated webpage here.
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