Langley College page 2 Strode’s College page 3 Windsor College page 4

PRAISE FROM OFSTED:

LEARNING ENVIRONMENTLearners and apprentices benefit from a calm

and respectful learning environment. Behaviour

in lessons and across all college centres is very

good and learners feel safe.

STRENGTH OF CAREERS GUIDANCEAfter good advice from staff, learners choose

programmes that meet their needs well.

Learners can study on vocational programmes

alongside A Level courses.

QUALITY OF TEACHINGTeachers sequence and deliver the curriculum

in a logical and well-planned way.

SUPPORT AND ADDED-VALUELearners value, and gain confidence from,

the high levels of support and care from staff.

COLLEGE VOICE News and updates from Langley, Strode’s and Windsor Colleges.

Part of the

WINDSOR FOREST COLLEGES GROUP

WHAT’S INSIDE:

Issue 3 Spring 2020

GUARANTEED APPLICANT STATUS

We are delighted to offer pupils from our core feeder schools Guaranteed Applicant Status. This means we will fast track your application and interview. Check if your school is on the list at windsor-forest.ac.uk/support-services/guaranteed-applicant

IT’S A ‘GOOD’ FROM OFSTED

Welcome to the third edition of College Voice, our termly newsletter bringing you all the exciting news from across our group of colleges.

What a great way to start 2020 with a ‘GOOD’ rating from Ofsted! In our first full

inspection since the merger, our group of colleges impressed the Ofsted inspectors when

they visited us in November.

A team of 11 inspectors explored all aspects of teaching, learning, support and outcomes

at each of the colleges. They delivered a resounding ‘GOOD’ rating across the board for

overall effectiveness, quality, behaviour, personal development, leadership, education for

young people, adult learning and apprenticeships.

With the new Ofsted framework putting the learner experience at the heart of its

inspection process, a proud Group Principal and CEO Kate Webb commented: ‘What

is really meaningful about this result is that the inspectors reached their judgements by

speaking directly with learners and therefore what is contained in the report is a true

reflection of Langley, Strode’s and Windsor Colleges.’

Take a look inside and find out what’s been happening at our colleges this term.

APPLY NOW FOR SEPTEMBER 2020

We’re busy interviewing for places for September 2020, so if you have not yet applied there’s still time. Visit our website or contact admissions@windsor-forest.ac.uk if you have any questions.

APPRENTICESHIP SUCCESS UNDER NEW STANDARDS

With the recent transition from frameworks to standards, we are delighted that many

apprentices have successfully completed their programmes on a wide range of qualifications

and levels. Many IT, Business Admin, Hairdressing and Motor Vehicle apprentices have

achieved exceptional results including distinctions!

Our first cohorts of Carpentry and Painting and Decorating apprentices are progressing

extremely strongly and will be going through their End Point Assessment (EPA) later this year.

By 31 July all our programmes will be to the new standards – visit the website for

more information.

windsor-forest.ac.uk/becoming-an-apprentice

STRODE’S 1ST XI MEN’S FOOTBALL After a superb 3–0 victory against

Tottenham Hotspur’s college scheme side,

Strode’s 1st XI Men’s Football team is just

one win away from the National Cup

quarter finals. The team were undaunted

by the opponent’s premiership links

putting in a terrific performance which

saw them dominate possession from

the off.

2 I COLLEGE VOICE Newsletter

Parents’ EveningWednesday 25 March 2020

Future Pathways FairWednesday 1 April 2020

Future Pathways FairThursday 19 March 2020

Student ParliamentWednesday 25 March 2020

DIARY DATES DIARY DATES

DISCOVER MORE AT LANGLEY OPEN DAYThursday 12 March 2020 4.30pm – 7.00pm

windsor-forest.ac.uk/opendays

AN EXTENSIVE CURRICULUMOfsted said:

Learners and apprentices benefit from a calm and respectful learning environment.

STRODE’S HELPS UNIVERSITY PREPARATIONOfsted said:

Learners receive effective careers guidance. Most learners who intend to progress to higher education do so, often to their first-choice institution.

OXBRIDGE SUCCESS Strode’s College’s exclusive A*spire programme has once again delivered outstanding

Oxbridge results with the news that five students are celebrating offers (pending final results)

to study at the UK’s two most prestigious universities, Oxford and Cambridge. Students will

be progressing to a variety of courses including Classics, English, Engineering, HSPS

(Human, Social and Political Sciences) and Mathematics.

A*spire is Strode’s enrichment programme designed to expand horizons, be challenging

intellectually and provide support to assist students to become competitive candidates for

the most prestigious courses and universities.

TES FE AWARDS, TEACHER OF THE YEAR

It’s official – we really do have the best teachers!

Eleanor Turner, our Course Leader for Dance

at Strode’s College, has been shortlisted for the

highly celebrated 2020 Tes FE Awards, Teacher

of the Year.

This much deserved shortlisting is in recognition

of Eleanor’s exceptional results, her passion

and knowledge and her partnership working

and industry links. Her dedication has delivered

outstanding results, which are in the top 25%

nationally and seen recruitment to her courses

increase by 40%.

Winners will be announced on Friday 20 March.

FORMER STUDENTS WIN NATIONAL LEARNING AWARDSFormer Langley College Access to Higher Education students have taken title honours in

the national Laser Learning Awards 2020. Amber O’Brien, Access to Nursing and Health

Professions student has won first prize in the Outstanding Academic Achievement category

and fellow Access to Social Sciences student Louise Kettle was awarded runner up for the

same category.

Amber and Louise will be awarded a financial prize to go towards the cost of their studies.

NEW GOVERNMENT FUNDING ANNOUNCED FOR NURSING STUDENTS

There’s some great news from the government if you’re considering training for a career in

nursing, midwifery or other allied health professions. From September 2020 students on these

degree programmes will receive at least £5,000 a year, which they will not have to pay back!

If you haven’t yet got the skills and qualifications required to progress to a nursing, midwifery

programme or courses allied to medicine then take a look at Langley’s Nursing and Health

Professions Access to Higher Education course.

windsor-forest.ac.uk/courses

LANGLEY TOP FUTSAL LEAGUE LEADER BOARD

Langley’s Sport students continue to put

their best foot forward progressing well in the

Association of Colleges Regional Futsal League.

Comprehensive wins against Peter Symonds

College, Chichester College and Merrist Wood

College sees the squad at the top of the league

leader board having played six, won five and

lost one, by goal difference.

DISCOVER MORE AT STRODE’S OPEN DAYThursday 2 July 2020 4.30pm – 7.00pm

windsor-forest.ac.uk/opendays

ENRICHING THE WINDSOR EXPERIENCEA ‘meaningful’ sixth form experience stands for more than top academics here at Windsor. A comprehensive programme of trips, workshops and expert speakers both enriches our students’ study experience but also serves as wider preparation for life after Windsor.

During this first term of 2020 students have visited Tate Modern (Photography),

Victoria and Albert Museum (Art and Design), UCL (Sociology), Keynote History

Conference (History) and an animation workshop. The careers department have also

been busy with external speakers and trips including an employability workshop from

Waitrose and John Lewis, degree apprenticeships with the University of Portsmouth and

a motivational speaker from Prison Me No Way!

4 I COLLEGE VOICE Newsletter

WINDSOR TEACHERS ARE A HIGHLIGHTOfsted said:

Learners benefit from vocational staff who are industry professionals and academic staff who continue to develop their own subject knowledge through external study.

STREET LAW CLINIC INSPIRES STRODE’S AND WINDSOR LAW STUDENTSAn important part of our role is to provide both inspiration and guidance to enable

students to make the right progression. A recent interactive Street Law Clinic for A Level

Law students did just that by giving the inside track on law careers.

The workshop, delivered by Royal Holloway, University of London’s Law Department,

was designed to help students plan their futures with a focus on legal career paths and

employability options, beyond the obvious solicitor or barrister route. Students saw that

law can involve the police, paralegals, legal secretaries, academia, in-house lawyers and

a lot more in between.

COMPETING FOR NATIONAL HONOURSA number of Windsor A Level Maths and

Chemistry students have been bidding for

national honours this term. Maths skills

have been put to the test in the UK Senior

Maths Challenge and Chemistry knowledge

thoroughly quizzed in the Olympiad.

Strong performances were delivered throughout

and we are waiting for the official results to

be announced!

JOIN US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

@WindsorForestColleges

@windsorforestcg

@WindsorForestCG

@windsorforestcolleges

DIARY DATESStudent Parliament Wednesday 1 April 2020

Higher Education Fair

Thursday 7 May 2020

DISCOVER MORE AT WINDSOR OPEN DAYTuesday 23 June 2020 4.30pm – 7.00pm

windsor-forest.ac.uk/opendays