Activate Learning

🌈 Wear your Pride | Celebrating diversity, inclusion and belonging 🌈

On 11 June, we're inviting all students and staff to wear their Pride colours and help make our campuses a vibrant celebration of inclusion, identity and community.

Whether it's a rainbow accessory, a Pride T-shirt, colourful socks or a full spectrum outfit, every show of support helps create an environment where everyone feels seen, valued and respected.

Join us as we celebrate Pride Month and demonstrate our commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive community for all!

Learn more about Pride events and activities across Activate Learning: https://bit.ly/4o6vq7K

We were delighted to welcome Michael John, Head of the Raymond Blanc Cookery School at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, to City of Oxford College and University Centre to judge our new culinary competition today ❤️

The competition sees students creating their own menus and a wide range of dishes before winners are crowned on both our Level 1 and 2 Culinary Arts programmes at an awards ceremony in Oxford in July.

Michael said: “It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm, dedication, and effort that all the students put into their cooking. It was especially rewarding to see their creative minds at work as they responded to the brief I had set them.

"The standard of work on display was impressive, and I was delighted to recognise two students for their outstanding achievements. Congratulations to everyone involved. I have no doubt that these talented young chefs have a bright future ahead of them.”

Well done to all those who took part in the competition.

🌈 This Pride Month, we’re celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community and reaffirming our commitment to creating safe, inclusive and welcoming spaces for every student and member of staff across Activate Learning.

Through our LGBTQIA+ clubs, enrichment activities, support services and Pride events, we’re proud to champion acceptance, equality and the freedom to be yourself.

At Activate Learning, everyone deserves to feel seen, supported and valued for who they are.

Join us as we celebrate Pride and continue working towards a culture where diversity is embraced and everyone can thrive. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4o6vq7K

100km. 30-degree heat. One incredible cause. 💚🏃

A huge congratulations to Romeo Malcon, Tim Gamble, Kieran Chambers, Mark Tempest and Neil Axon, who took on the London to Brighton Ultra Challenge to raise money for MindGreen, Activate Learning’s wellbeing and inclusion fund.

Every mile covered showed extraordinary grit, resilience, teamwork and determination.

The team faced relentless heat and one of the toughest endurance challenges imaginable, all to raise awareness and vital funds for positive mental health and wellbeing across our college communities.

Mental Health Awareness Week may be over, but the conversation and the support continues all year round through MindGreen.

We couldn’t be prouder of this team. Absolute legends. 💚💪

We were delighted to welcome Peter Swallow, MP for Bracknell, Crowthorne, Sandhurst and Whitegrove to Bracknell and Wokingham College today to meet with Sarah Price, Psychology Teacher and Chair of MindGreen and Pete Reynolds, Chief Marketing Officer, Activate Learning, to learn about MindGreen 💚

MindGreen is Activate Learning's wellbeing and inclusion fund 💚

Peter Swallow MP originally met Sarah and Pete at the Association of College's National Beacon Awards ceremony, which Activate Learning's MindGreen was a finalist for the mental health category 🏆

During the visit, Sarah talked about how MindGreen also helps young people, particularly those from poor socioeconomic backgrounds, with SEND and social anxiety to get involved in volunteering through taking part in a MindGreen event, such as our recent cycle challenge🚴‍♂️✨

Sarah and Pete also spoke about how through being involved with MindGreen, young people can:

💚 Raise money for student and staff enrichment
🧠 Take an active role in mental health
🌟Use their skills for good
🎤 Become youth ambassadors
🔬 Be involved in research.

Peter Swallow MP was enthusiastic about empowering young people and how MindGreen fits in with many policies including the community cohesion, Whitepaper for schools, NHS reform, and projects that the Education Select Committee and Health Select Committee 📚🏥 are collaborating on📄

Sarah and Pete also spoke about how MindGreen is working with the AoC as part of their Lead the Change Fund.

✨ MindGreen are thrilled to have discussed the opportunity of being invited to Parliament in the future! 🏛️

We're delighted that Furniture Apprentice Chelsey Church has won Intermediate Apprentice of the Year at the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards ❤️

Whilst studying at Rycotewood Furniture Centre, Chelsey works as an Apprentice Furniture Manufacturer at Bill Cleyndert & Company and has been recognised for her diligence and proactive approach.

Faith King, Teacher of Apprenticeships at Activate Learning, said:

“We are delighted that Chelsey has received this award in recognition of her outstanding commitment, progress, and professionalism throughout her apprenticeship.

“From the very beginning, Chelsey has demonstrated an exceptional work ethic, a positive and proactive approach to learning, and a genuine passion for developing her skills within the furniture making industry.”

Congratulations to our other two incredible learners, Bricklaying Apprentice, Finlay White, and Professional Culinary Arts Apprentice, Lily Fogg, who were runners up in the category.

Meet Toby, one of our talented Level 3 Creative Practice students, currently working on their final major project!

Inspired by the beauty of stained glass windows, Toby is creating a stunning original piece — and we can’t wait to see the finished design showcased at our Creative Arts Exhibition next month! ✨

Watch this space for more details! 🎨

🖌️Find out more about our Art, Design and Digital Creative programmes here: https://bit.ly/4eVMryK

🌍✈️ Dreaming of a career that could take you around the world?

At Guildford College, our Travel & Tourism courses are designed to help you turn your passion for travel into an exciting future career. From airlines and cruise ships to hotels, events and tourist attractions, you’ll gain the skills employers are looking for in this fast-paced global industry. 🌎✨

🎒 What makes our courses stand out?
✅ Industry-focused learning
✅ Trips and visits to major tourism destinations
✅ Varied and exciting work experience opportunities
✅ Access to specialist airline cabin crew training facilities
✅ Guest speakers and employer links to help launch your career

⬇️ Read what our students say about our exciting Travel and Tourism programmes. Find out more and apply today: https://bit.ly/4uZJfHk

Ready for take-off? 🛫

🌍🐢Today is Endangered Species Day — a chance to raise awareness of the incredible animals around the world that urgently need our protection. 💚

Here at Merrist Wood College and University Centre, we’re proud to care for a number of endangered and critically endangered species as part of our ongoing commitment to conservation and education.

🔴 Critically Endangered species in our collection:
• Roti Island Snake Neck Turtles
• Indochinese Box Turtles
• Axolotls

🟠 Endangered species in our collection:
• Sulcata Tortoises
• Java Sparrows
• Fly River Turtle
• Hog Island Boa
• African Grey Parrot🦜

Every species plays an important role in our planet’s ecosystems, and days like this remind us why conservation matters more than ever.