Capital City College Group

CONEL Maths Specialist wins mentoring award at Canterbury Christ Church University

Posted on July 19, 2024July 19, 2024 by Hannah Fenton

Reza Orak, a Maths Specialist at CONEL receives an award for Recognised Excellence in Mentoring in Initial Teacher Education at Canterbury Christ Church University’s Mentor Awards.

The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London’s (CONEL) Teacher Education team and their mentoring scheme have been recognised by the prestigious Canterbury Christ Church University.

Reza Orak, a Lecturer in Functional Skills – Maths within CONEL’s Health Care and Early Years department, received an award for Recognised Excellence in Mentoring in Initial Teacher Education at Canterbury Christ Church University’s Mentor Awards 2024.

The event, which took place on 11 July, was held at Canterbury Christ Church University where Reza attended along with his colleagues. Reza was nominated for the award because of his contribution to CONEL’s Teacher Education mentoring scheme. The award recognises his positive approach and supportive nature which has had a positive impact on those under his guidance.

Reza has mentored trainee teachers for around eight years, with most of his mentees securing a position at the end of the training period. He participates in regular Continuing Professional Development sessions organised by Canterbury Christ Church University and has demonstrated a commitment to developing his mentoring skills to better support trainee teachers.

Reza said: “It has been a privilege. I studied at CONEL, trained at CONEL and now teach at CONEL. Now I want to develop and help teachers to flourish and teach.”

David Bryan, a Health and Social Care Lecturer at CONEL, said: “The award could not have gone to a more deserving colleague who truly represents the college values. He demonstrated excellent mentoring and bringing much-needed people into FE teaching.”

Congratulations to Reza and the CONEL Teacher Education team on this great award!

Would you like to explore a rewarding career in education? Check out our exciting and varied selection of Teaching and Teacher Education Courses.

WestKing hosts Employer Celebration and Networking Event

Posted on July 19, 2024July 19, 2024 by Hannah Fenton

Work experience providers join Capital City College Group (CCCG) colleagues and students to celebrate another year of impactful placements.

On 2 July Westminster Kingsway College’s (WestKing) King’s Cross Centre welcomed a range of employers to celebrate their involvement in the college’s work experience programmes.

The Employer Celebration and Networking Event was attended by a varied list of WestKing’s work experience partners including:

Carlo Liu, Head of Work Experience and T Level lead at CCCG, said: “We wanted to celebrate all our wonderful employer connections and thank them for supporting our students this year with impactful employability work placements and career insights.”

Rebecca Davies, Social Value Manager at Willmott Dixon, said: “Working with CCCG is a really big important part of what we do. […] Capital City College Group has got an amazing talent pool of young people that come from all across London.”

The event highlighted the importance of work experience opportunities and showcased the tangible benefits for students completing placements with the college’s industry partners.

Alfie Gillan recently completed a work experience placement that led to him being offered a permanent role at the end of his course. He said: “Whilst with Westminster Kingsway College, I did work experience at Wates where I was a Processing Assistant and I learnt how to process invoices. I learnt how to work in an office environment very well, get along with co-workers and I was involved in a Riverside Bid Group where we were bidding for a new contract with the council.”

Christina Byrne, Regional Social Value Manager at Wates, said: “Events like this are really important, particularly to employers and also to students and teachers. It gives everybody the opportunity to network and I always say to the students who come to do work experience that networking is really important because you could end up getting a job opportunity out of it.”

All full-time students at CCCG can take part in our excellent Work Experience programmes. We work with a variety of employers across London who provide professional placements to enhance students’ understanding of their chosen field.

Check out our exciting range of courses!

CCCG’s second STEM Technicians Conference welcomes 120 Science Technicians from across the country

Posted on July 12, 2024July 12, 2024 by Hannah Fenton

Science Technicians join speakers and sponsors for another highly successful and unique STEM Technicians Conference.

On 11 July, City and Islington College’s (CANDI) Sixth Form College played host to 120 Science Technicians from across the country for CCCG’s STEM Technicians Conference.

Building on the success of last year’s event, this year’s conference welcomed more Science Technicians, speakers and sponsors from the world of science education. After an introduction and welcome from Matt Wojtyniak, Deputy Principal at CANDI, attendees enjoyed an exceptional day of subject-specific learning and networking.

The keynote speech was delivered by Steve Jones, Director of CLEAPPS, the supporting body that regulates practical work in science education. During his speech, Steve stressed the importance of STEM Technicians in education, highlighting their expertise and the impact they have on students through their practical and engaging work.

The attendees were then able to choose from an impressive range of 24 workshops, delivered over three sessions. The vast array of workshops on offer covered everything from GCSE and A Level specific practicals to skills such as laser cutting, soldering, microscale distillation and data harvesting. Guests were also able to delve into the use of AI and machine learning, learn how to unleash the power of 3D printing and explore a number of practical techniques to promote engagement and encourage creativity.

A particularly popular workshop, titled My Technicians Journey, focussed on the career paths of three Science Technicians from CANDI’s Sixth Form College and the Centre for Applied Sciences, Britney Ofori, Colette McNamara and Becca Moore began their Science Technician careers within the college, either as junior employees on apprenticeships and now make up the core science delivery team.

The schedule allowed plenty of time for attendees and exhibitors to network and discuss their ideas and discoveries – with lunch provided courtesy of event sponsor Phillip Harris. The conference concluded with a raffle and special prize draw, where winners took home equipment and resources from sponsors Labexpert UK and Vitta Education.

The event offered Science Technicians from across the UK the opportunity to come together, allowing them to network, learn new skills and celebrate the importance of their role within education.

One attendee said: “I am the only Science Technician at my school. It’s fantastic to be able to come and meet so many other people who do my role, learn from each other and feel invested in. It really gave me a sense of belonging. Also, the conference organised by the phenomenal Science Technicians team working under Chris Pambou (Chief Science Technician at City and Islington College) was so well organised and the topics covered were so useful for me. I’m definitely coming back next year!”

We offer an excellent range of Science and Forensics Courses for learners of all ages and backgrounds – all supported by our dedicated team of Science Technicians!

CANDI and WestKing students selected for Origins Creatives 2024 Exhibition

Posted on July 12, 2024July 12, 2024 by Hannah Fenton

Three students from CANDI and WestKing will exhibit their original music productions and fashion creations at UAL’s Origins Creatives 2024.

A creative trio of students from Capital City College Group (CCCG) have been selected from over 500 entries nationwide to exhibit at the University of the Arts London (UAL) Origins Creatives 2024.

The UAL Origins Creatives exhibition provides an opportunity for students, teachers and families to come together and celebrate student creativity and innovation in a number of creative forms. The event brings together student work from a range of Art and Design, Fashion Business and Retail, Creative Media, Music Performance and Production as well as Performing Arts courses. The 2024 exhibition will take place at the Mall Galleries between 17 and 20 July.

This year, two music students from City and Islington College (CANDI) and one fashion student from Westminster Kingsway College (WestKing) have been selected to showcase their work at the Origins Creatives 2024 exhibition.

Singer Izzy Ohajah, who is studying Music Performance and Production – Level 3 Extended Diploma at CANDI, has loved music from a young age. Izzy wrote and recorded an original song titled 18. The video for the song was shot in the Media Department at the college’s Centre for Business, Arts and Technology (CBAT).

Izzy said: “I have always been involved in my church worship team and choir at Christmas time, alongside being involved in any music activity at school. Although it took me some time to find my voice, one of the major events that increased my confidence was performing in the Hackney Empire and winning first place in a competition.”

Izzy’s influences come in the form of an array of artists such as Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, The Smiths and Van Halen – all of whom have inspired the use of different genres in original compositions.

Noelia Carrera Montenegro, who is also studying Music Performance and Production – Level 3 Extended Diploma at CANDI, is a music producer, rapper, and songwriter. For Noelia, music has always been a way to express emotions. Noelia’s entry in the Origins Creatives 2024 exhibition comes in the form of a song titled Baila Mi Amor.

Noelia said: “For the final project, I produced three tracks, each in a different style of Latin music—cumbia, bachata, and reggaeton. Being Latina myself, I feel a strong connection to Latin music’s roots and history, so I want to bring that into my work. My goal is to celebrate my culture and create music that’s unique and meaningful to people.”

Adriana Holguin Silva has just completed the Fashion and Communication – Level 3 Extended Diploma (UAL) WestKing. Adriana’s submission Depths of Sorrow explores fluidity and submersion in water as part of her experimentation with textile and fashion construction techniques.

Congratulations to Izzy, Noelia and Adriana on being selected for the Origins Creatives 2024 exhibition!

Apply for Art, Design and Fashion Courses and Music and Music Production Courses!

WestKing hosts top industry chefs for Korean Culinary Experience

Posted on July 11, 2024July 11, 2024 by Hannah Fenton

An esteemed chef from the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group visits WestKing’s School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality to demonstrate the delights of Korean cuisine.

On 10 June, Westminster Kingsway College (WestKing) School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality hosted an exclusive culinary event to showcase various elements of Korean cuisine.

*Photo credit: Isobel Scarlette Photography*

The event featured a fantastic demonstration by renowned Korean chef, Jihun Maxime Kim, who is the Executive Chef of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. Chef Kim demonstrated the use of Korean fermented sauces to create an array of innovative fusion dishes.

Guests at this event included a number of senior chefs from some of the most recognised names in UK hospitality. During the event, attendees had the opportunity to observe Chef Kim as he prepared dishes such as kimchi a la minute, turbot with makgeolli butter and seaweed, and yukhoe (beef tartare) bibimbap.

While watching the demonstration, guests were able to sample tasters prepared by a group of seven students at WestKing’s School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality under the watchful eye of Chef Lecturer Tom Egerton.

The event was hosted by WestKing in collaboration with the Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Organisation, a Korean Government agency promoting trade, exportation and marketing of Korean food and beverages from around the world.

Tom Egerton, Chef Lecturer at WestKing, said “Getting involved in the event has been a fantastic opportunity for our students, enhancing their knowledge and skills of Korean ingredients and fusion dishes. Preparing new, intricate dishes in a short time was certainly a challenge but they excelled at it.”

Ben Murphy, Chef Patron at Launceston Place, said “The event was a truly great experience. I learnt a lot about Korean ingredients and look forward to adding them to future dishes.”

Want to learn more about Culinary Arts and Hospitality? Apply for our courses!

CANDI students and teachers hit the pitch for end of year match

Posted on July 11, 2024July 11, 2024 by Hannah Fenton

CCCG teachers take on their students in a special football match.

On 26 June a group of City and Islington College (CANDI) students and teachers took to the football pitch for an end-of-year Teachers vs Students game.

The football match was organised by Year 13 student Sami Ahmed, who is studying A Levels in Computer Science, Mathematics and Electronics. The student team was made up of 15 students from CANDI’s Sixth Form College and the Centre for Applied Sciences.

CANDI teacher Vijay Goswami, who teaches Maths and Computing, put together the 10-person teachers’ team.

The teachers took the lead in the first half, racking up an impressive five goals, and at half time, the score was 5-1. By the end of the match, the students had come from behind to claim an impressive victory, winning 10-6.

If you’re interested in becoming part of our college community, take a look at our wide range of courses and apply now!

Green Skills Showcase 2024 shares opportunities for a sustainable future

Posted on July 11, 2024July 11, 2024 by Hannah Fenton

Green Skills Showcase 2024 at CONEL provides information and opportunities for students, local community members and small businesses.

On 26 June The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London’s (CONEL) Tottenham Centre played host to the Green Skills Showcase 2024.

The event was organised as part of the Haringey Eco Urban Festival and London Climate Action Week to showcase a range of organisations and the career opportunities they offer. The organisations present at the event included:

Capital City College Group (CCCG)
Haringey Council
Haringey Works – an organisation helping local residents into sustainable employment through career advice, training, access to employability services and in-post support
Retrofit Works – a non-profit cooperative that offers services aimed at lowering energy bills, creating healthy homes, reaching Net Zero and improving the environment for contractors, homeowners and everyone across the UK
The Nova Team – a construction, landscaping and school maintenance company offering retrofit services
4U2 – a community enterprise and Newsmag providing practical and informative content for the local community

The event also enabled a number of construction and construction training companies such as Mulalley, 3t training services, K&T Heating Services, Ecofurb and Sureserve to share information about their courses, job openings and apprenticeship opportunities.

During the morning, the event welcomed both CCCG students and members of the public looking to gain insight into the Green Sector. They were able to learn about the courses on offer through CONEL’s Green Skills Academy, access free resources, and attend mini-sessions and keynote talks to boost their green knowledge. Attendees also had the opportunity to gain practical insights into ways to improve energy efficiency within their homes with guidance from industry experts.

The afternoon session was open to small businesses from all sectors and industries. During this part of the event, small business professionals were able to learn about specialised training while getting advice and support on developing green and sustainable practices. Builders, contractors, surveyors and installers were also able to attend expert talks about opportunities in the retrofit market.

Gain employment in green projects by applying for Green Skills Academy courses.

SEND teams showcase what CCCG can offer at Islington Council’s My Way Day

Posted on July 10, 2024July 10, 2024 by Hannah Fenton

Capital City College Group (CCCG)’s SEND teams presented the college group’s range of offerings for students with learning disabilities as part of Islington Council’s My Way Day at the Emirates Stadium.

My Way Day is a free event aimed at people aged 14 and over with learning disabilities and their carers or families as well as professionals working with people with learning disabilities or autism. The event offers access to valuable information about advocacy and support, education, employment as well as health and wellbeing and was run by Islington Council in collaboration with Community Catalysts and Arsenal Community.

The event, which took place on 18 June, offered an opportunity for 7 staff members from SEND teams from across the college group to speak directly to students, carers and educators. They were able to share information on the range of courses on offer and showcase the SEND support available to prospective students.

During My Way Day, the CCCG SEND team took the opportunity to network with other SEND organisations and education providers. The event welcomed local colleges, support groups, mental health and wellbeing organisations as well as arts organisations such as the Angel Shed Theatre Company which is based at City and Islington College (CANDI). The event also included an itinerary of activities and performances such as a mindfulness session, music and dance performances and an interactive music session.

The CCCG SEND team were able to present their positive and vibrant approach to supporting learners and received great feedback from the organisers. They also enjoyed seeing so many organisations showcasing what they can offer to local residents.

Kam Kalirai, Head of Foundation Learning at CANDI, said: “We are privileged that we were asked to attend the event and represent CCCG. We had a lot of positive comments from parents, young people and some of the exhibitors. The commissioning officer from Islington Council stated he was impressed by the positive approach by CCCG and was pleased that we were well represented.”

CCCG offers a range of Foundation and Supported Learning Courses, from Creative Arts – Entry Level courses to Supported Internships. Our student support and wellbeing teams are committed to providing the right support to enable students to engage with and benefit from their chosen learning pathways.

Apply for Foundation and Supported Learning Courses!

CONEL Cyphers win at British Esports Student National Championships

Posted on July 9, 2024July 11, 2024 by Hannah Fenton

CCCG’s Esports team CONEL Cyphers take on top student competitors teams at the National Championships.

On 6 July, Capital City College Group’s (CCCG) official Esports Team, the CONEL Cyphers, competed in the British Esports Student National Championships in Nottingham.

CCCG was represented by two teams taking part in the Valorant and the League of Legends competitions and included students from City and Islington College (CANDI), The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) and Westminster Kingsway College (WestKing).

Both the Valorant and League of Legends teams had worked hard throughout the academic year to reach their respective finals, defeating a wide range of opponents in their journey to the National Championships.

In their final match, The Valorant team faced gruelling technical issues and lengthy matches before conceding to Burnley College. It was the narrowest defeat of the series and the team performed incredibly well under the circumstances.

The five players on the Valorant team were: Daniel Ra, Cyrus Sullivan, Ermir Frashn, Waeel Mansoor and Tony Bamvuama. Daniel Ra, Cyrus Sullivan, Ermir Frashn are studying the Esports Level 3 Diploma, Waeel Mansoor is a Level 3 Engineering student and Tony Bamvuama is currently studying Games Animation and VFX Skills.

The League of Legends team won their final match in convincing fashion, defeating Belfast Metropolitan College 2-0. Team member Alex Pawlak took home the award for Most Valuable Player in recognition of his excellent competitive skills.

The League of Legends team consisted of – Luis Costa, Rojelio Kuka, Alex Pawlak, Ilia Keris, Ben Knight and Thomas Lui. The players study a broad range of courses spanning Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and Creative Media.

Finlay Stewart, Esports Coach and Computing course Lecturer at CONEL said “We are incredibly proud of all those involved and are looking forward to what the next year will bring for Esports at CCCG.”

Congratulations to the CONEL Cyphers for their performance at the Esports National Championships!

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@capitalccg
We are extremely proud of our CONEL Cyphers Esports team, who recently competed in the @britishesports National Championships competition this past weekend! 🙌 🎮 The team, who went into the competition as defending champions in both @valorant and @leagueoflegends, did not disappoint as the team had some amazing performances with students picking up individual awards along the way. The Valorant team were unlucky, despite their amazing performances, and finished as runners up while the League of Legends team managed to best all their opponents and finish the competition as national champions for a second consecutive year! 🏆 🎉 This means we are the best college Esports team for League of Legends in the country! 🙌 Well done to the team and be sure to keep an eye out for the full article on this event coming soon. If you would like to learn more about our Esports Academy and how you can also get involved, click here the link in our bio. esports britishesports NationalChampionships CONEL CONELCyphers Enfield Tottenham Valorant LeagueOfLegends college London lifeatcccg
♬ original sound – Capital City College Group – Capital City College Group

CANDI students explore business and culture during a memorable trip to Dubai

Posted on July 9, 2024July 9, 2024 by Hannah Fenton

CANDI Level 3 Business students take part in an unforgettable educational visit to Dubai, taking in elements of the city’s educational, cultural and business landscape.

On 2 June, a group of 20 enthusiastic Business students from City and Islington College’s (CANDI) Centre for Business, Arts and Technology (CBAT) embarked upon an exciting trip to Dubai.

During the 6-day visit, the Business Level 3 Extended Diploma students immersed themselves in the vibrant culture and dynamic business landscape of one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities.

The trip, which was intricately linked to the International Business element of the Business Level 3 Extended Diploma course, was organised by Kassim Jabar, Curriculum Manager for Business, and Hamza Hussain, Business Lecturer at CANDI. It was designed to provide opportunities for students to expand their horizons and gain firsthand insights into global business practices.

The adventure began with a visit to the Canadian University Dubai, where students received a warm welcome and an in-depth campus tour. They engaged in interactive sessions with faculty members and students, discussing topics ranging from international trade to entrepreneurship. This visit highlighted the differences and similarities between educational systems and emphasised the importance of a global perspective in business education.

The following days were filled with exploration of Dubai’s dazzling cityscape. Students completed a comprehensive tour of the city, visiting iconic landmarks such as Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, and the historic Al Fahidi District. A major highlight was visiting the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. From the observation deck, students were treated to breathtaking views of the city, reinforcing the awe-inspiring scale of Dubai’s architectural and economic achievements.

The students also had the opportunity to attend an International Business Trade Show where they were able to network with industry leaders, explore innovative products and services, and attend seminars on global market trends. This key experience provided practical insights into the workings of international business and the strategies employed by successful global enterprises.

Finally, the students got a taste of traditional Emirati culture through a desert safari, where they ventured into the Arabian Desert and experienced the thrill of dune bashing and camel riding. The desert safari concluded with a sumptuous dinner under the stars which included authentic Middle Eastern cuisine and captivating cultural performances.

Throughout the trip, students were able to relate their experiences to the International Business elements of their course. They observed the practical application of business theories in a real-world setting and gained a nuanced understanding of how cultural contexts influence business practices. The diverse activities offered a holistic view of Dubai’s business environment, from academic insights at the university to the practicalities of trade at the business show.

The trip deeply enriched the student’s academic journey, providing them with a wealth of knowledge and experiences that will benefit their future studies and careers.

Sheulee Firdaus Chowdhury said: “A once-in-a-lifetime experience with college which was enjoyable. Everything was well planned and thought out, and if I could do it again, I would. A trip I will never forget.”

Student Tia Rock said: “This trip was fantastic. We had the opportunity to learn about the rich cultural landscape. It really helped us apply a practical approach to our International Business unit. We not only learned about the culture in the United Arab Emirates but also observed firsthand how international businesses from the USA and other countries established themselves in Dubai. It was a great way to finish up my two-year college experience.”

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