Excellence in all we do - itslearning

March/April
accross
2012
Excellence in all we do
HYNDBURN TO BE THE
LOCATION OF LANCASHIRE’S
FIRST STUDIO SCHOOL
Accrington and Rossendale
College in partnership
with Rhyddings Business
and Enterprise School are set to
open the first Studio School in
Lancashire in September 2012,
with support from Hyndburn
Borough Council and St
Christopher’s C of E School.
The Hyndburn Studio School
will operate in partnership with
a number of local and regional
businesses and educational
establishments in order to give
the students the wide range of
skills they need to start their
careers.
The Studio School, a new model
state school, will provide a unique
opportunity to engage 14-19 year
old learners through work related,
hands-on learning who would not
otherwise reach their full potential
in a traditional school environment.
The school will provide a high quality,
inspirational, learning experience for
students of all abilities, focussed on
supporting the transition from school
to work. It will support local priorities
to raise aspiration and achievement
within the community, and tackle the
challenges of both skills shortages
and youth disengagement within the
Hyndburn area.
The Hyndburn Studio School will be a
small school of around 300 students,
who will learn in small groups,
supported by personal coaches.
Students will combine academic
and vocational qualifications, taking
GCSEs in English Literature, English
Language, Maths and dual award
Science as a minimum; alongside
specialist vocational qualifications
linked to the industries which make
up our local employer base. These
include sport, leisure and tourism,
construction and sustainable energy,
care and health and hospitality and
catering. In the sixth form, students
will take advanced level specialist
qualifications and related A level
subjects. Teaching and learning
will be delivered mainly through
Excellence in all we do
1
April.2012
innovative, enterprise themed
projects, involving local employers.
All students will have work placement
as a main element of their timetable.
For sixth form students this will
be up to 2 days per week and
will be paid. The school will offer
excellent standards of academic and
vocational education, combined with
real work, which will give students the
best possible route into employment
or higher education.
The Hyndburn Studio School, which
will be located at Waterside, in the
centre of Accrington, is strongly
supported by local industry leaders
as a solution to producing ‘workready’
young people who can help to
boost the local economy.
The Hyndburn Studio School will
offer 100 places from September
2012, rising to 300 by 2015.
For more information please contact
Penny Heys via email pheys@
accross.ac.uk or call the college on
01254 354435.
For further information, parents,
learners and employers can also visit
www.hyndburnstudioschool.co.uk.

Welcome
to the
first 2012
edition
of the
accross
Excellence
in all
we do.
Contents
3. We need your votes! & Well done Admin
Students
4. College News
4. Lifetime Achievement Award
4. Construction Courses are GO!
4. accross Dulux Colour
5. Ask a Librarian - New Instant
Messaging Service & ICT
Shared Services Bear Fruit
6. Library+ 5th Annual World
Book Day
7. accross teams up with
Rossendales
8. From Cafe to Compost
9. Working with Linkbridge
Community Centre & Get
Britain working with
Rossendale Borough Council
10. accross Mobile Learning
Unit & Skills for Employment
Success
11. Student Sucess
11. Crown Paints WMC
12. Millennium Baby Woodland
13. Presentation at The
Women’s Centre
14. Performing Arts Students
perform at The Hilton &
Public Services Students
climb 3rd Highest Mountain
15. Brickwork and GCO
Students of the term &
Horticulture Student wins
Apprenticeship
Excellence in all we do
2
April.2012
16. Thank you
16. Passport to Housing Project
& Driving Academy
17. Business Solutions News &
Thank You
18. Hyndburn Homes help residents get a
‘Passport to Housing’
19. Apprenticeships

College News
We need your votes to
win £6,000 from NatWest
Community Force to
make accross College an
even greener college!
Accrington and Rossendale College
has just embarked on a new recycling
project involving Prospects Foundation
and two of our neighbouring schools, Heathlands
College and St Anne’s and St Joseph’s RC Primary
School.
Prospects Foundation has kindly loaned its rocket
composter to the College for the foreseeable
future. Using this machine the students and
pupils will be able to turn food waste and garden
waste into compost in just 14 days, which can
then be used on the grounds and flowerbeds at
the three establishments.
Heathlands College and St Anne’s and St Joseph’s
RC Primary School are neighbours to accross
College and currently have their own recycling
schemes. By working together on recycling
projects, the three establishments can prevent
tonnes of material from going to landfill, whilst
saving time and money.
The bid to NatWest Community Force is to cover
the costs of machinery to make the composting
more efficient and will provide recycling bins
across all three sites, for all three organisations
to utilise.
Here’s where you come in!
Voting is open now! Please follow this link to
view the project on the Natwest Community
Force website and remember to click on the
pictures for more information about the project.
The voting is open now!
Please note every vote counts!
Well done the
Administration
students
The Administration students
were approached by Hyndburn
Homes and asked to run a project which
involved collating the results of a customer survey
that had been sent out to all Hyndburn Homes
tenants. We were approached to collaborate
with the Company so that the results gave an
independent view.
The students received over 600 replies which
were sent direct to the College. All the
Administration groups were involved in opening
the envelopes and logging the results of the
questionnaires and then converted the figures
into an excel spread sheet which then lead to the
creation of a number of charts to visually present
the results and all this went into a full report
which showed excellent positive feedback for
Hyndburn Homes.
This was a brilliant opportunity for the
Administration students to get involved with,
as it gave them knowledge, understanding and
skills for their qualification as well as giving them
the practical and work experience chance.
We have been asked if the students would also
like to present the outcomes of the survey to a
management meeting later in the year, which has
been agreed to, as again, this will be advantageous
for the students.
This has lead to Hyndburn Homes offering
a sponsorship for this year’s Administration
student awards event, at the end of the academic
year, as a thank you and to recognise those
students who have progressed and achieved the
greatest on their Administration course.
Janet Berkon
Course Tutor
Administration Diploma
Excellence in all we do
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April.2012

College News
Denis Crook is to be awarded the lifetime
achievement award from the Worshipful
Company of Plaisterers.
This is in recognition of all Denis’ achievements
and hard work during his 30+ years teaching
career.
His wife and sons will receive the award from the
Lord Mayor at the Plaisterers awards luncheon to
be held at the Plaisterers Hall in London during
October.
The plastering team will be in support and have
once again won an award from the Worshipful
Company of Plaisterers. This year it is for the
highest percentage of plastering L3 achievers in
the country.
It brings in a cup and a generous cheque for the
plastering coffers.
Rob Wilson
plastering team leader
01254 354 337
Construction
Courses are GO!!
Back in September low enrolment numbers
meant that the Ascentis Skills for Working
Life Construction classes didn’t run.
The Business Development Team got involved
with a view to help with recruiting students for
the January classes.
Support was provided in the form of marketing,
recruitment and enrolment.
Once the word was out that the courses were fully
funded for anyone who was unemployed and
actively seeking work, bookings came flooding
in.
All four previously under recruited courses,
of Floor covering, Painting and Decorating,
Brickwork and Joinery recruited fully with a
total of 60 students, bringing a value of £99,600
to the college.
Joanne Calvert
4191
Dulux Colour named after Accrington & Rossendale
Painting & Decorating Department
Dulux Paints have a colour range of 16.7 million colours for which they intend to sell each colour
& have it specifically named, for a small fee to support the children’s charity UNICEF.
Accrington and Rossendale College Painting & Decorating staff and students have raised
£66 for the children’s charity UNICEF. All the money raised will go directly to help transform children’s
lives.
Dulux have named the magenta college corporate colour:
ACCROSS Painters & Decorators code:#EAOCB2
The P&D team are amongst a selection of famous stars such as Roger Moore, Stephen Fry & Wayne
Rooney to have a unique colour named after them.
You can view the colour by logging onto www.ownacolour.com and then typing ACCROSS into the
search box.
Children across the world need our help. Own a colour is a fantastic movement started by a small group
of individuals, passionate in their belief that small acts can combine collectively to save the lives of
many children one child at a time.
Excellence in all we do
4
April.2012

College News
Ask a Librarian
The Library’s New Live Instant Messaging Service
Having trouble finding that key journal
article? Sitting at your computer
wondering how to utilise your keyword
search to best effect? Scratching your head
wondering how to log on to E resources?
Well worry no more, help is at hand! Back
in September, Library+ launched its new
live Instant Messaging service called ‘Ask
a Librarian’.
The new service goes one step further than
traditional referencing provision as it
provides fast and reliable assistance to
learners from the comfort of their own homes
and is very easy to use. The ‘live’ link may be
found situated on the Virtual Library and once
activated will connect users to chat to a skilled
librarian who can then offer help and advice, just
when learners need it.
To get the best out of the instant messaging
service it is best to use brief, factual questions, as
more in-depth enquiries are still better serviced
face to face with information professionals
through our one to one consultation service.
Examples of suggested uses for the ‘Ask a
Librarian’ Service are:
• General service enquiries
• To help with keyword searches
• To check the availability of resources in stock
• To find help locating books/jounals
• To seek help locating resources on the Virtual
Library
• To determine the database most suited to the
research topic
The instant messaging system is part of a suite of
services available through the college’s VLE, It’s
Learning, so the expansion to provision is not
only cost effective, but provides the library with
the opportunity to offer a competitive edge to the
range of virtual services available and provides
users with a facility that is speedy, convenient
and sophisticated.
The provision will by no means replace the
traditional in-house library reference services,
but is designed to complement the resources
already in place. Learners will also contuinue to
have access to the 24 hour a day library E mail
and out of hours answer phone services.
The live chat service is currently available
between 10am – 2pm, Monday to Friday but
times will be reviewed termly and adjusted to
facilitate demand.
ICT Shared
Services bears fruit
We’ve been working with a number of
local colleges in conjunction with
the AOC but one relationship that is
really starting to show clear benefits is that with
Lancaster and Morecambe College. We are both
aiming for very similar goals in terms of ICT
infrastructure and services and we both have
strengths in a number of different areas.
We are hosting a meeting with Lancaster and
Morecambe’s technicians towards the end
of February to discuss our cloud computing,
virtualisation and SharePoint deployments. We
have sector leading technologies and expertise in
these areas and feel we can really add value to
Lancaster and Morecambe’s strategy.
On the flip side of the coin, Lancaster and
Morecambe have already migrated to the
latest version of Microsoft Windows 7 and we
are committed to following in their footsteps.
Our technicians will be visiting Lancaster and
Morecambe College in March to explore the
various ways in which we can deploy Windows
7. We hope to gain first-hand experience, avoid
common pitfalls and reap the real benefits
from direct, hands-on, sector specific staff
development.
The end result? Both Colleges should see
significant added value and expertise in future
projects and strategies.
Excellence in all we do
5
April.2012

College News
and demonstrations organised
throughout the library, ranging
from the “Match the Author to
the Title”, to a wealth of other
quizzes/competitions and a
chance for all visitors attending
to win a prize in our free raffle.
All of the latest ‘Quick Read’
titles were also displayed and
available for loan.
Library+ held its 5th
annual World Book Day
celebration on Thursday
1st March and the library staff
were more than delighted to
welcome almost 500 visitors on
the day.
This popular celebration was
enjoyed by students from a
wide range of courses and levels
across the college. There were
a number of different activities
taking place throughout the day
and we provided an abundance
of sweets, lollipops and free
stationary for visitors to enjoy,
although it seemed that we could
never have enough lollipops!
First to arrive were a group of
Access to HE students, who in
keeping with our local history
and genealogy theme, wasted
no time in trying to match the
library staff to their baby photo’s
in our quiz “Who do you think
we are?”, a challenge which
proved to be a lot more difficult
than first appeared!
There were a series of activities
In addition to the more fun
activities taking place, World
Book Day provided Library+ with
the chance to further promote
our multimedia resource, Scran.
Visitors were provided with oneto-one
demonstrations and had
the opportunity to make picture
books from the resources found,
which generated very positive
interest and feedback amongst
our learners who participated
on the day.
Prize Winners
No. Of Resources
Louise Segal
Raffle
Louise Rawlinson
Who Do You Think We Are?
Nadia Iqbal
Match The Author/Book Title
Ashleigh Testa
Dvd Competition
Junayed Mia & James Moxon
Congratulations
Excellence in all we do
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April.2012
So a very big THANK
YOU to everyone who
helped contribute in any
way to the organisation,
and delivery of our
World Book Day event
and especially to all of
our customers who as
always, ensured that the
day was a truly enjoyable
occasion.

College News
Accrington & Rossendale
College and enforcement
and debt-collection firm
Rossendales have teamed up in the
New Year to begin an innovative
partnership that crosses public
and private sector boundaries to
provide benefits for both parties.
As from January 2012, the
hospitality and catering students
at Accrington and Rossendale
College will get yet another taste of
real world work-experience as they
take over the helm at Rossendales’
catering facilities, providing
healthy, nutritious meals for their
180 staff.
The enterprising project will see
two apprentices from the College
working at Rossendales’ catering
facility full-time, in addition to
catering students who will work
at the business throughout their
course of study. The College has
consulted with Rossendales to
ensure the menu on offer is right
for their diverse staffing body,
with a large emphasis being put on
fresh, healthy options.
Liz Duncan, Head of Hospitality
and Catering at Accrington &
Rossendale College explained,
“This is an innovative project
that is a win win situation for all
involved. Rossendales believe
strongly in supporting the local
community and this project gives
our students a great opportunity to
run their own large-scale catering
facility.
In addition, our learners will gain
invaluable commercial workexperience.
accross
College
teams
up with
Rossendales
to offer
healthy
meals for
staff and
career
progression
for students
they spend working at Rossendales
will put them head and shoulders
ahead of other students who may
leave college with little experience.
They will have to work at the
pace of real chefs and deal with
real customers and that can
only strengthen their claims for
employment when they graduate
and begin looking for a job.
“Some of the food will be prepared
at our facility at the Globe Centre,
while some will be prepared on site
at Rossendales. This is a real step
forward for linking education and
business which is imperative for
learners to leave us with the skills
they need to get a job. We hope that
this will show other businesses in
the area that they can innovate to
support their future workforce.”
Julie Green-Jones, Chairman
of Rossendales said, “I think
this is an opportunity to create
a partnership which benefits
everyone. We’ve always had a
commitment to good, high quality
training and the apprentices and
students from the College will
get the practical experience they
need for their CVs. This is a solid
way for Rossendales to make a
contribution to the workforce of
the future, which will be vital for
all businesses.
Accrington and Rossendale College
will commence the management
of Rossendales’ catering facilities
as from January 2012.
From the moment our students
join us, we’re preparing them to
enter the workforce and the time
Excellence in all we do
7
April.2012

From café
to compost
The college working in partnership with
Accrington Prospects Foundation,
Hyndburn’s community environmental
charity has received funding from the Waste
Action Grant through Global Renewables,
Lancashire Operations Limited to construct a
unit that would house the college composter.
Accrington & Rossendale College reduces its
food waste to landfill
The Rocket composter loaned to the college
by Church Prospects Panel has enabled the
college to reduce its overall food waste from its
Refectory’s on campus to landfill by 100% and at
the same time providing compost for the college
grounds.
The photographs show members of the college
staff involved in the composting process.
Composting is the natural process of
decomposition and recycling of organic material
into a humus rich soil known as compost.
Composting benefits the environment in many
ways. When you compost your food scraps, you
produce a nutrient rich soil, it is also an effective
way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Many people believe that throwing food scraps
into landfill is harmless because the materials
biodegrade. However, most people are surprised
to learn that when these materials break down in
a landfill they rot anaerobically (without oxygen)
and become powerful contributors to greenhouse
gas emissions.
As well as converting food waste to a green use
through the compost system, the reduction of
waste sent to landfill due to onsite composting
reduces transportation costs and landfill
charges. Composting is the natural process of
decomposition and recycling of organic material
into a humus rich soil known as compost.
Composting benefits the environment in many
ways. When you compost your food scraps, you
produce a nutrient rich soil, it is also an effective
way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Excellence in all we do
8
April.2012

College News
Partnership working
with Linkbridge
Community Centre
in Burnley
The Business Development Team are
working closely with Linkbridge
Community Centre in Burnley to deliver
accredited courses to unemployed people who
are actively seeking work.
There is lots on offer and courses which have run
successfully so far are Level 2 Customer Service,
Level 1 Personal Money Management and Level
1 Retail knowledge.
All courses have been well attended and the
students have been strongly supported by Centre
Manager Simon Gill.
Simon commented ‘I am delighted to be
working in partnership with Joanne Calvert
and the ACCROSS team, I find them to be very
efficient and responsive to the needs of the
local community. They offer great courses and
opportunities to people wanting to learn new
skills and gain qualifications. The courses so far
have been very popular with learners saying they
enjoyed the experience and would like to join
more.
Joanne Calvert is coordinating the programme
of training at Linkbridge and says ‘it’s a pleasure
to work with a centre like Linkbridge and a
manager like Simon who is dedicated to helping
the people in his local community. Linkbridge
has excellent facilities and is centrally located. It
even has a lovely garden area for those summer
classes!’
Further classes planned are a second Customer
Service course (TBA) and the L2 Team Leader
course which starts on Friday 20th April.
Get Britain
Working with
Rossendale
Borough Council
Following on from the hard work of 2011,
Accross Community Foundations Team
are continuing to deliver the incredibly
successful Ascentis Skills for Employment
Level 1 Certificate, to adult learners on work
placement. Rossendale Borough Council staff
are at the forefront in terms of implementing
the Get Britain Working scheme, which
allows unemployed people access to real work
experience, and accredited qualifications. The
Accross Community Foundations Team now
have an established working partnership with
the council, with approximately 30 learners
achieving a Level 1 Certificate in the last 10
months. Several of these learners have gone on
to receive offers of employment, most recently a
member the group secured a full-time Grounds
Maintenance position. With a government focus
on proactive engagement and solid results,
Accross college and Rossendale Borough
Council continue to demonstrate their drive and
professionalism.
For more information on working in partnership
with local community organisations please
contact Joanne Calvert on jcalvert@accross.
ac.uk OR 01254 354191.
Excellence in all we do
9
April.2012

College News
We are pleased to announce that we now have a mobile learning unit which is a branded
minibus kitted out with computers, learning aids and more and is available for crosscollege
use. The bus can be used by all staff when going out to schools, communities
and more and should be utilised as an aid to recruitment, as well as mobile classroom. Please
utilise this fantastic resource whenever you can as it will raise our profile immensely. This
could be:
accross Mobile Learning Unit
• For visits to schools or the community
• When attending events
• For pushing courses (e.g. parked up in the town centre)
• Plus much more
Please note, the driver must hold Midas, as College policy, but alternatively we could look at
utilising College minibus drivers to take the Mobile Learning Unit to and from its destination.
If you need any further details contact:
Larry Cunningham
lcunningham@accross.ac.uk.
Skills for Employment Success
Throughout November and December Accrington &
Rossendale College Foundations team have delivered the
Ascentis Level 1 Skills for Employment Award, with 28 out
of work adult learners with previous experience in the construction
sector – successfully completing and achieving. This course has
been delivered in partnership with the Job Centre Plus.
Learners have benefitted from valuable input throughout the
course from construction companies such as McGough and Byrne,
as well as sole-traders and self-employed tradesmen. Learners
enrolled on the Ascentis Award are also offered the opportunity to
gain the industry recognised CSCS card which gives access to sites
and work opportunities nationwide.
On completion of the Ascentis Level 1 Award, and having passed
the CSCS card online assessment, many learners have gone on
to find employment both locally and as far away as West Africa.
Feedback from learners and partners has been excellent.
Foundation Community Team
Excellence in all we do
10
April.2012

Student Success
Crown Paints WMC
At the beginning of October 2011
students from the painting & decorating
department along with students from
the floorcovering department commenced a
refurbishment project for Crown Paints in
Darwen. Crown Paints have long been a major
sponsor of accross construction and this project
has proven to make the link even stronger.
One of the satellite centres at Crown Paints
where Lincrusta was manufactured up until the
early 90’s was converted into a working men’s
club and is used regularly by the local community
for functions, pool & snooker tournaments
and bowls matches. The interior was tired and
needed updating as it hadn’t been touched since
the advent of the smoking ban in 2007.
Crown approached the college and asked if
students could take on the project and give the
club a fresh new look and bring it up to date.
Tutors from the P&D and Floorcovering teams
put their heads together and decided the best
plan of action was to repaint the two main rooms
of the club and replace all the carpets and floor
tiles with new, contemporary materials and
colour schemes.
19 level one P&D students arrived on the job and
worked very hard for 7 days to get the club ready
for it’s re-opening in mid October. Then it was the
turn for 14 level two floorcovering students to get
on the job and rip out all the old carpets and to
prepare and relay new fresh carpets throughout
the two main rooms.
The project was completed on time and to the
full satisfaction of Crown Paints, who have been
generous enough to come into college to present
all students with a certificate of collaboration
and teamwork along with a goody bag. Jemma
Saunders - Crown Paints design consultant,
has also offered to come into college to give our
students a lesson on colour schemes.
Excellence in all we do
11
April.2012

Student Success
Millennium Baby Woodland
In September 2011, a group of Level 1 and
Level 2 full-time Horticulture students
from Accrington and Rossendale began
working at the Millennium Baby Woodland with
Gemma Tomlinson from Prospects Foundation.
They attend a morning session once a month
with Gemma where they undertake woodland
management. This work helps to maintain the
relatively new woodland in good condition so
that everyone who visits the area can enjoy the
environment.
Students from the college have also learned how
to identify different types of fungi, using a key.
This identification work is ongoing as, ultimately,
Gemma is hoping to list all of the species of fungi
present in the woodland.
Students Tom Stratton, Tom Dixon and Rowan Hargreaves
working with Gemma Tomlinson to make a brush hedge.
Just before Christmas, the group undertook
the important task of planting a mixed species
hedge along the boundary of the woodland and
then protecting the whips (seedling trees) with
small stakes and tree guards. This took them full
circle to the very beginning of their work at the
Millennium Baby Woodland, when they removed
tree guards and mulch mats from trees which
had been planted for several years and which had
established themselves in the woodland.
All of the work which the students undertake links in
closely to their curriculum and provides them with
invaluable experience of woodland management.
The group, accompanied by their tutor, Hilary
Warren and Learning Support Worker, Debbie
Kelleher, have not missed a session this academic
year and have worked out in heat, rain, cold and
wind, enjoying every minute of the experience.
So far they have learned how to use the
correct tools for the work they have been
doing, including bow saws, hand saws,
pruning saws, bill hooks and loppers to fell
trees and make habitat piles and stakes.
Students from Accrington and Rossendale
College with Gemma Tomlinson
The stakes, along with some twiggy branches are
used to make brush hedges, for wildlife habitat.
Excellence in all we do
12
April.2012

Student Success
Level 2 Customer Service Certificate
Presentation at The Women’s Centre
Students from the Women’s Centre were in
for a treat when Deputy Principal Lynda
Mason arrived to present them with their
Level 2 certificates in Customer Service.
The course, taught by Trish Fish, ran in June
for 4 weeks and was hosted by The Women’s
Centre in Accrington. 7 ladies attended and all
successfully completed the course.
The course is a Full Level 2 and over the 4
weeks students worked intensively in both the
classroom and on their workbooks in their own
time.
All the ladies enjoyed the course and were
thrilled to pass the exam. One lady has since
gained employment, while others have signed up
for further training courses.
Feedback from students was extremely positive
and included comments such as:
“I found this course very helpful and a
big improvement for my confidence.”
“This course has helped me to interact better
with others.”
Jasmine: “I found the course really helpful and
it was good that the sessions were delivered and
explained in different ways, the tutor was really
patient and knowledgeable.”
Lynda herself enjoyed the event and commented:
“It was a pleasure to present the certificates to a
group of women who had clearly overcome many
challenges and worked so hard to achieve their
level 2 customer care qualification.”
The college works closely with The Women’s
Centre and has delivered various training courses
at their premises.
“All of the sessions were useful and helpful and
will help me when finding work as I have more
knowledge and understanding now.”
Excellence in all we do
13
April.2012

Student Success
Performance at The Hilton
6 students from the Level 3 Extended Diploma In
performing arts (Dance) performed at the Hilton
Hotel in Manchester on Sunday 8th January 2012
in front of approx 350 Hilton hotel staff for their
works christmas party. The students (4 first year
and 2 second year) danced to musical theatre songs
and christmas songs and conducted themselves
professionally throughout the day. The performing
Arts department are very proud of them and would
like to congratulate them on their commitment,
dedication and enthusiasm. The Hilton Hotel
have invited the students back for afternoon tea in
the popular Cloud 23 restaurant. They have also
requested a repeat booking with our students for
next years Christmas party.
Lucy Watkins
Performing Arts Programme Area Leader
CentreStage - The Performers' Studio
Public Services Students climb
3rd Highest Mountain
Success story about the Public Services
students
• Eight, 2nd year public services students
• Helvellyn is 3rd highest mountain in England
at 3,117ft (949m)
• The five hour route encompassed Striding
Edge (possibly the most famous ridge walk in
the country) and a descent of Swirral edge
• Adverse weather conditions - low cloud and
rain.
• The low cloud was possibly a blessing as you
couldn’t see the steep drops down to the
valley floor!!
James Cowpe
Programme Area Leader,
Public Services and Science
01254 354067
jcowpe@accross.ac.uk
Excellence in all we do
14
April.2012

Student Success
Brickwork & GCO
Students of the Term
Brickwork – Kieron Ormerod
Kieron has demonstrated exceptional practical
skills and a strong work ethic during his second
year at college, fully deserving this award.
Ian Harrison
Programme Area Leader
Brickwork & GCO
GCO – Joshua Martin
Joshua is a student who attends 100% and
works extremely hard to complete all his work
to a high standard, even attending extra to
receive support from his tutors.
16 year old Tom Dixon, a Level 2 Horticulture student
at Accrington and Rossendale College, has won an
Advanced Apprenticeship at the prestigious Northcote
Manor, in Lanhgo. Tom had to compete with 18 other
applicants for the post and during his interview he
gave a presentation about Northcote Manor.
Tom’s second interview was with Nigel Howarth
(former Accrington and Rossendale student) who
is the owner of the luxury hotel and Michelin star
restaurant.
Tom will be working in the hotel gardens, including
the organic vegetable garden; the produce from here
is used in the restaurant.
One of Tom’s hobbies is bee keeping. This will come
in useful when he begins work at Northcote Manor as
bee hives are in the future plans for the gardens.
The Horticulture Team would like to congratulate
Tom on his success; he has a great future ahead of
him.
Excellence in all we do
15
April.2012

Thank You
ACCROSS are working in partnership with Hyndburn Borough
Council, B-with-us (registered social landlords) and supported
accommodation organisations to deliver the successful Passport to
Housing programme.
This course comprises of the following units…
Unit 1 – Re-Settlements and Finding Accommodation
Unit 2 – Understanding a Tenancy
Unit 3 – Sustaining a Tenancy
Unit 4 – Money Management
Unit 5 – Community Contribution
Unit 6 – Future Progression
Passport to
Housing
This course gives learners the confidence and skills to be able to gain,
maintain and sustain a tenancy and supplies them with a certificate
that is recognised by social landlords.
Alongside this project, ACCROSS have enrolled 32 members of various
housing teams (Calico Homes, Hyndburn Homes, Greenvale Homes
etc) onto a tailor made PTLLS course with the aim that they help
deliver this course throughout the boroughs for many years to come.
Many staff are hopeful to continue onto CTLLS in September 2012.
Project
The Passport to Housing has had huge success and partnership work
is growing year on year. Many thanks to everyone that is supporting
the Community Foundation Team with this project.
Tracy Landon
Programme Area Leader – Community Foundations
15th March will be the induction to the first group of learners (22)
recruited by the Business Development team.
The vehicle has been ordered which meets all the specs
and was secured £3,000 under budget.
Marketing are finalising the decals and logo’s which includes
the Groundwork logo for the vehicle.
H&S PPE are sourced, and will be printed (logos) by reprographics.
A BIG THANKYOU
Driving Academy
An official launch will be arranged at Groundwork at a later date, Stephen, SMT and the
press, marketing, Groundwork etc will be invited.
Can I take this opportunity to thank all the staff listed below for their part in assisting to get
this project off the ground.
Lynda, Sue T, Sue C, Stephanie, Lorraine and Claire for the encouragement and motivation
to take my plan forward and help with the business plan, staffing, premises and finances.
Nick, Gail and Kelly in the Business Development Team for recruiting the learners.
Tamsin and Cora in marketing for the decals and design materials.
Janet in MIS for the help with courses and funding.
Haydn and Tom for H&S and the vehicle.
Thank you
Larry Cunningham
Excellence in all we do
16
April.2012

Thank You
Business
Solutions
News
Cleaning Science Team
The team launched the funded L1 Cleaning and
Support Service Skills qualification this month.
Manchester University have enrolled 51 learners
on the course, in addition four College cleaners will
be working towards the qualification over the next
few months.
Rossendale Council and enrolled ten adult learners
on the L2 Sustainable Resource Management
Apprenticeship and are due to start in March.
Another new course the Cleaning Science are
developing is the L1 Neighbourhood Improvement
course, this involves graffiti removal and clearing
fly-tipping waste.
Land Transport
In March the first learners enrolled on the Across
Driving Academy suite of courses aimed at securing
employment in the logistics industry.
The College has purchased a 7.5 tonne truck so
the Gateway To Employment learners can gain
experience as a driving licence category C1 driver.
The qualifications they will undertake are;
• Customer Service
• Employability Skills
• Driving goods vehicles safely and efficiently
• Planning routes and timings
• Manoeuvre the rigid vehicle in restricted spaces
• Banksman and health and safety
BI management
The BI management team are developing the L2
Team Leader qualification using the EDI workbook
and aim to enrol learners over the next few months.
The L2 Certificate in Customer Service is attracting
large numbers of learners via team staff (women’s
centres) and the Gateway to employment scheme,
additional staff are being allocated to this popular
course. These learners will go a long way to assist
in reaching the adult line College contract.
Well done to all
Larry Cunningham
Excellence in all we do
17
April.2012

Hyndburn Homes
Hyndburn Homes is one of a number of
social landlords in the East Lancashire
area supporting a new Passport to
Housing qualification.
Passport to Housing is a package of pre-tenancy
training designed to teach people how to maintain
a tenancy successfully. The programme covers
how to be a good tenant, budgeting and money
management, dealing with utility companies
and progression to work and training.
It is an accredited level one qualification and
has been developed by social landlords working
in partnership with Accrington and Rossendale
College. To date, Hyndburn Homes has delivered
the pilot course to 19 students and the feedback
from them has been very positive.
Jackie Scott, 46, is one of the first residents to
gain her Passport to Housing. She is now looking
to gain independence and move to her own
home.
“I’m now on the housing waiting list,” she said.
“Having this qualification means that when I
bid for a property through the B-with-us choice
based letting scheme, the qualification will give
me a better chance of getting a social housing
property because landlords know that I can
manage my tenancy.
“This course provided me with lots of information
that I didn’t know such as thinking about the best
sort of lease for my needs and how to prioritise
bills and avoid getting into debt.
“I now feel more confident than ever about
managing my own home and better still I know
that there is a support network available should
I need it. It’s a great idea.”
Linda Chelton from Hyndburn Homes
commented: “People living independently for
the first time often find it difficult to cope.
“This could be because they are young first time
tenants, or they have issues around drugs, debt
or mental health. Obviously we want to help
people remain in their home and we are looking
at ways to offer support.”
Hyndburn
Homes
help
residents
get a
‘Passport
to
Housing’
Excellence in all we do
18
April.2012

Apprenticeships
What is it?
The Pre-Apprenticeship programme is an ideal starting
place which will give you the skills and knowledge you need
to apply for a full apprenticeship and ultimately get a job.
If you are aged 16-18 and not already working, studying, or
on a training course, this might be the option for you!
Why would I do it?
Embarking on a Pre-Apprenticeship programme, will increase your employability in your chosen area and give you the
skills and confidence required to progress onto an Apprenticeship or a job.
What certificate will I gain?
Award in Employability Skills
The EDI Level 1 Award in Employability Skills aims to provide learners with the knowledge, understanding and skills
necessary to enter employment. The syllabus covers business and customer awareness, working as part of a group and
preparation for work. Assessment is through completing a workbook for each of the mandatory units, in order for the
learner to achieve the EDI Level 1 Award in Employability Skills.
Subjects covered include: Job searching, Applying for a Job, CV Writing, Preparing for an Interview, Personal
Presentation.
What’s the cost?
That’s easy! We are committed to helping you get that important first job and helping you embark on your chosen career,
so there are no costs, you just need to show commitment, and attend regularly during the programme. Your record of
attendance will be shared with potential employers.
How does this help me get an Apprenticeship?
• By developing skills in CV writing, job search and applying for a job.
• By providing advice & guidance to help you make the right career choice.
• By giving you the first steps to employment
What are employers looking for?
In order to become an Apprentice you need to have an employer. Employers need people with the right attitude, the
commitment to achieve, excellent attendance and above all someone who can demonstrate a level of skill and experience
which will benefit and fit into their business.
• Skills, experience and qualifications
We all know employers want people with skills, experience and qualifications.
How are you going to get this? A pre-apprenticeship will provide you with the basics in the area you have chosen which
puts you one step ahead of those who do not undertake a pre-apprenticeship.
• Getting interviews
Whilst on the Pre-Apprenticeship programme our aim will be to help you secure an employer in order to progress.
You will be put forward for any suitable positions which become available and you then have the opportunity to show
potential employers what you have done, how you could benefit them and ultimately make a good employee.
What’s my commitment to a Pre-Apprenticeship?
All you need to do is show a keen interest in the area of your choice, be committed to achieve, attend regularly and take
part in an initial assessment to confirm your suitability to the programme.
Who will be involved in the programme?
The Pre-Apprenticeship programme will be delivered by our Training Support Officers who have extensive knowledge
and experience in supporting both learners and employers in the area of apprenticeships.
Our Training Support Officers know exactly what employers are looking for when taking on an apprenticeship, and will
bring the wealth of knowledge to the programme, and give you as much support as possible to help you succeed in your
chosen area.
What if i don’t want to do an apprenticeship?
The areas covered are equally important to those who wish to get help with securing a job, so this programme will be
available to anyone seeking help in the areas identified.
What’s next?
If you think this is for you then contact Ian Emmott on:
01254354409
Iemmott@accross.ac.uk
Excellence in all we do
19
April.2012
Are you looking at starting an apprenticeship?
Want to get the skills to find a job?
Best of all, do you want this for free?
Then join the accross Pre-Apprenticeship
programme, starting January 2012.

Thank you
to everyone that has contributed to
the first edition of Excellence in all
we do.
If you have a story you would like
featured in the next edition of Excellence
in all we do, please e-mail the details to
intouch@accross.ac.uk.
Future dates
Submission of story
Released
15 May 12 1 June 12
15 July 12 15 August 12
15 September 12 1 October 12
15 November 12 1 December 12
Excellence in all we do
20
April.2012