As students return to City of Bristol College for the new academic year, they are also returning to refreshed and improved spaces across the college’s sites, following a programme of refurbishment and regeneration over the summer.
From brighter, more welcoming corridors and updated student spaces to more accessible kitchens and improvements to campus sustainability and security, a range of work has taken place across the college during the summer break.
The programme has been designed with one key aim in mind; creating welcoming, inspiring and practical environments where students can learn, develop and truly feel part of the college community.
Creating brighter, more engaging spaces at the College Green Centre
At the College Green Centre, one of the main areas of focus has been the refurbishment of corridors and communal areas.
With hundreds of students and colleagues passing through these spaces every day, the corridors had naturally become worn over time. Some of the artwork and displays were outdated and no longer reflective of the current college community.
The refurbishment has given these areas a fresh look, with improvements to flooring, wall coverings and decoration, alongside updated artwork that better reflects the College’s current brand and community.
The changes also create more purposeful spaces for students, with previously cluttered wall areas now available for displays that can be regularly updated. These can include student work and artwork, student voice, support information, positive messages and key information about college expectations.
There is also greater scope to highlight important topics relevant to students, including British values, behaviour standards, exploitation awareness and drug prevention.
Large digital screens in reception and communal areas now also provide opportunities to showcase student work, videos and images, helping to bring the college community to life throughout the building.
The refreshed spaces can now be managed by designated teams, allowing displays to change regularly and remain relevant to each year’s student cohort.
Supporting a more sustainable college
The improvements at the College Green Centre have also included the installation of new, accessible water fountains, encouraging students and colleagues to use refillable bottles and helping to reduce reliance on single-use plastic.
The centre’s training kitchens have also undergone an important sustainability upgrade.
Previously operating using a combination of gas and electricity, the kitchens have now been refurbished to run exclusively on electricity as part of the college’s Sustainability Plan.
Moving away from gas will help reduce carbon emissions from the kitchens, while more energy-efficient equipment can also help reduce energy consumption and running costs over time.
The changes support the college’s wider ambition to reduce its environmental impact and move towards a lower-carbon future.
A more accessible learning environment at Ashley Down
At the Ashley Down Centre, refurbishment was focused particularly on the café, creating a space designed around the needs of the students who use it.
Welcoming spaces at the South Bristol Skills Academy
At the South Bristol Skills Academy (SBSA), the external wood fascia has been restored, refreshing the appearance of the building and creating a more welcoming first impression for students, colleagues and visitors.
The work is part of the college’s ongoing commitment to maintaining attractive, well-presented environments across its sites.
There is now also a newly developed kitchen that has been tailored to the requirements of the curriculum, while accessibility has been placed at the heart of the design.
A dedicated wheelchair-accessible area includes height-adjustable sinks and hobs, specially designed ovens and an easily accessible storage pantry.
The improvements will support students across SEND, Foundation and Community Learning programmes, providing a more inclusive environment in which students can develop practical skills and learn with greater independence.
Strengthening security at Parkway
Improvements have also been made to the security gates at the Parkway Centre. Maintaining safe and secure campuses is an important part of the college’s duty of care to its students and colleagues, and the upgraded gates form part of the ongoing work to ensure that college sites remain secure.
Investing in the student experience
While many of the summer projects may not be the most visible changes to take place across the college, together they make an important contribution to the experience of students and colleagues alike.
From the spaces students walk through every day, to the kitchens where they develop practical skills, the programme has focused on making college environments more welcoming, accessible, sustainable and fit for the future.
With the new academic year now underway, students can make the most of these refreshed spaces as they begin another year of learning and growth at City of Bristol College.
3 September saw a signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for a collaborative partnership between City of Bristol College and Bristol Airport.
The event took place at the college’s South Bristol Skills Academy as representatives from industry giants such as Jet2, DHL, EasyJet and Ryanair were in attendance.
This innovative step demonstrates the strengthening of an existing valued partnership between the two that helps to enhance the local workforce and build everlasting relationships.
In 2025, an initial partnership was struck between Bristol Airport and Partners in Bristol (a subsidiary of City of Bristol College) in which the airport funded the ‘Take Off Programme,’ designed to provide mentoring and skills development for a diverse range of individuals, including retirees looking to rejoin the workforce and those returning after family or caregiving responsibilities.
The existing programme focuses on supporting underrepresented groups and individuals facing employment barriers, such as those with mental health challenges, low confidence, or limited access to opportunities.
The new leg of the partnership has been formed to enhance student employability skills, boost both industry engagement and personal development for learners and where applicable; CPD opportunities for current colleagues.
As part of the partnership, Bristol Airport will engage with the college to provide industry insights, placements, guest lectures, and networking opportunities, as well as collaborating on curriculum development and industry-relevant projects.
Employer forums, events and advisory panels will also be introduced alongside supporting City of Bristol College with CPD opportunities. This will be done by offering crucial support around work experience, T Level placements and Supported Internship opportunities.
Talking of the strengthened partnership, Cherie Marchant, People Director at Bristol Airport, commented: “We’re really pleased to be strengthening our partnership with City of Bristol College. At Bristol Airport, we want local people to be able to see the wide range of opportunities available within aviation and have the skills, experience and confidence to take those opportunities.
“Working closely with City of Bristol College allows us to connect with local learners, understand their aspirations and help create meaningful pathways into employment.
“As Bristol Airport continues to grow, partnerships like this will play an important role in developing the skills and talent we need for the future, while ensuring that local people can benefit from the opportunities that growth brings.”
Addressing the audience at the signing, Rob Hazelton, Managing Director of Partners in Bristol and Strategic Partnerships, stated: “I think what is particularly important about signing this Memorandum of Understanding is that this isn’t the start of a relationship between Bristol Airport, Partners in Bristol and City of Bristol College. It is really about recognising a partnership that is already delivering and making a commitment to take it even further.
“Through Partners in Bristol, our Take Off programme has already created a direct route for local people to develop the skills and confidence they need and access real employment opportunities here at the Airport.
“But the relationship is much broader than one programme, we have apprentices already developing their careers with Bristol Airport and our full-time students benefit from opportunities that simply can’t be replicated in a classroom – visits and tours, employer insight, interviews and the chance to understand what working in an organisation like Bristol Airport is really like.
“Bristol Airport has significant plans for growth, with ambitions to serve 15 million passengers a year in the late 2030s. Growth on that scale isn’t simply about terminals, infrastructure and aircraft. It needs people. It needs skills. And it needs a strong pipeline of local talent.
“As Bristol Airport grows, we want people from Bristol, North Somerset and across the wider region to see that growth and know that there is a route for them to be part of it – whether that is through education, an apprenticeship, upskilling or moving directly into employment.
“We’re incredibly pleased to be part of it, and I’m really looking forward to seeing where we take the partnership next.”
City of Bristol College is partnering with LPW to launch a new Post-16 education provision designed to support young people who are disengaged from mainstream education and at high risk of becoming not in education, employment or training (NEET).
LPW College will launch in September 2026 following City of Bristol College awarding LPW a subcontract to deliver the new provision. It has been developed to provide a clear, longer-term progression route for young people, including those already engaged with LPW through its alternative education and community-based youth work programmes.
The new provision will support young people who have experienced barriers to education, including those with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs and those facing complex personal or educational circumstances.
LPW College will be built around LPW’s established principles of relational practice, trauma-informed approaches and a zero-exclusion ethos. The aim is to create a safe, welcoming and aspirational environment where young people can build confidence, develop independence and prepare for successful transitions into Further Education, training, apprenticeships or employment.
In its first year, the provision aims to support 70 young people through a phased start, with 50 places intended for young people from South Bristol and 20 for young people from North Bristol.
The curriculum will be designed specifically around the needs, interests and aspirations of individual learners. Following an initial assessment of each young person’s needs, interests and engagement levels, professional assessments will be used to develop personalised timetables and programmes of study.
Young people will follow one of three tailored pathways, designed to reflect their individual circumstances and level of engagement. The curriculum will combine education with personal development, employability and wellbeing support and will include English and Maths, careers education, digital skills and opportunities to gain accredited and non-accredited qualifications.
The provision will particularly support young people who are:
- Disengaged from mainstream education
- Currently enrolled with an alternative learning provider, including Hospital Education
- Identified as having SEMH needs
- Facing complex barriers to education, training or employment
Alongside classroom-based learning, LPW College will work to build strong partnerships with employers, training providers and other education settings, helping learners to develop the skills, confidence and experience they need for their next steps.
City of Bristol College Principal and Chief Executive Officer, Julia Gray, commented: “We know that for some young people, the traditional education system has not always provided the right environment or support needed for them to thrive. Our partnership with LPW gives us an opportunity to create a genuinely personalised Post-16 pathway that starts with the individual young person and focuses on what they need to succeed.
“By combining high quality education with wellbeing, personal development and employability support, we can help more young people in Bristol re-engage with learning and progress towards Further Education, training, employment and greater independence.”
Alexis Angus, Interim Chief Executive at LPW, said: “At LPW, we provide safe, emotionally supportive and enriching spaces where children and young people: build trusted and trauma-informed relationships; grow in confidence and independence; overcome challenges; and have ownership of their learning and future.
“With the launch of LPW College in September, are really pleased to be able to offer Post-16 education which extends the learning pathway for our current students, and will welcome new learners that seek a smaller, personalised and supportive environment.”
The LPW College team will include teaching staff, higher-level teaching assistants, work experience coordinators, SEND support, engagement workers and other specialist roles to ensure that young people receive the individualised support they need.
The partnership forms part of a longer-term commitment to improving outcomes for young people across Bristol by creating meaningful progression opportunities and supporting learners throughout their journey into Further Education, employment and independence.
The LPW website can be accessed here https://www.lpw.org.uk/ and the relevant enquiries email is: mailto:enquiries@lpw.org.uk.
City of Bristol College has celebrated the dedication, creativity and outstanding contributions of its colleagues at its annual People Awards, with 690 nominations received across the college; more than double the number received last year.
The awards, held as part of the college’s Summerfest celebrations, recognise colleagues and teams who go above and beyond to support students, colleagues and the wider college community.
This year’s awards celebrated excellence across eight categories, with winners and highly commended nominees recognised for their contribution to student experience, customer service, innovation, teamwork and professional excellence.
The Enhancing the Student Experience Award was presented to Learning Support colleague Chris Lee, who was praised for being a “celebrity amongst the students” and a consistent champion of student needs. Liz Ellis-Hutchins and Leah Purnell were highly commended in the category.
Hannah Wallis received the Excellence in Customer Service Award, having been nominated three times for her outstanding work supporting the smooth running of exams. She was praised for consistently going the extra mile, troubleshooting questions with grace and patience and being a reliable and supportive colleague. Christopher Tucker, Robert Rowe and Shaun Griffin were highly commended.
The Innovation and Improvement Award went to Michael Crocker for creating new opportunities for students within the college’s digital and creative provision. Michael established a partnership with Arnolfini, connecting students with gallery professionals through portfolio review sessions and providing valuable insight into industry expectations, progression and employment. Daeton Harvey and Elizabeth Wilde were highly commended.
John Mavroudis was named the college’s Rising Star, recognised for his eagerness to learn and develop, his contribution to improving processes and his positive impact on the Finance team. Mary Trehearne and Ellie Gillis were highly commended.
The Team Excellence Award was presented jointly to the Exams and EAA Team, in recognition of their relentless work to ensure processes run smoothly during exam season and students are supported to achieve their individual potential. The Animal Care Team, Safeguarding Team, Facilities Team and Supported Internship Team were highly commended.
Tim Livingston received the Individual Excellence Award, recognised for remaining calm under pressure, supporting his team and consistently making time to care for colleagues despite the demands of his role. Issy Banks, Slavica Talbot, Phil Berryman, Lee Godwin, Patrick Lune, Alex Bosneaga and Colin Smith were highly commended.
The Student Voice Award, which recognises colleagues nominated directly by students, was awarded to Francesca Ferrari. Her nomination highlighted the life-changing impact of her support, with a student describing how she had helped them overcome years of anxiety, build confidence, form friendships and re-engage with education. Natasha Watkins, Jo Skirrow, Sam Wood, Ieva Tenisa and Ryan Fernandes were highly commended.
The final award, the Principal’s Recognise and Respect Award, was presented to Leah Goldberg for her dedication to students and colleagues. Leah was praised for always going the extra mile and taking a highly personalised approach to helping students flourish; from designing tailored lessons to supporting them to access new opportunities and practical support. Mandy Ball and Helena Fowler were highly commended.
The celebration also recognised colleagues who have reached 20 or more years of service at City of Bristol College, thanking them for their longstanding commitment and contribution to students, colleagues and the wider community.
All winners and highly commended colleagues, as well as everyone who was nominated, will receive a copy of their nomination in recognition of their contribution.
The People Awards formed part of the college’s Summerfest celebrations, which also included activities, food and live entertainment for colleagues to enjoy.
The Government has announced additional funding for colleges and other Further Education providers in England, providing a welcome boost for the sector ahead of the 2026/27 academic year.
The Department for Education has confirmed that some £120 million of additional funding will be made available in 2026/27, rising to approximately £365 million in 2027/28. The funding is intended to support colleges with staff recruitment and retention, while helping providers to continue to deliver high-quality education and training.
The announcement follows earlier confirmation of a 0.55% increase to the base funding rates for 2026/27, which had presented significant financial challenges for colleges when planning budgets for the year ahead.
Whilst the additional investment is positive news for the Further Education sector, individual colleges are still awaiting confirmation of how much funding they will receive. The Government has announced the total funding available nationally, with detailed allocations to individual providers yet to be published.
Similarly to many colleges across the country, City of Bristol College welcomes the additional investment and recognises the importance of continued support for Further Education.
Colleges play a vital role in developing the skilled workforce that local employers rely on, bridging the gap in areas where certain skills are desired and crucially helping people of all ages to gain the qualifications, technical skills and confidence needed to progress into employment or Higher Education.
The additional funding is expected to aid colleges in strengthening recruitment and retention of talented staff members while continuing to provide high-quality innovative teaching, learning and student support.
As further details emerge over the coming months, colleges will be able to assess what the announcement means for their individual budgets and future planning. In the meantime, the investment provides encouraging recognition of the essential role that Further Education plays in supporting learners, employers and local economies alike.
Two City of Bristol College Governors have been recognised in the King’s Honours, receiving an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) and an OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in recognition of their outstanding contributions to community and education initiatives across Bristol and the wider region.
The prestigious honours celebrate the exceptional commitment, leadership and lasting impact that both Governors have made throughout their careers, reflecting their dedication to improving opportunities, championing inclusion and making a positive difference to the lives of others.
Governor Sandra Gordon MBE was awarded an MBE for her work supporting equity, representation and community initiatives in Bristol.
At the heart of everything that Sandra does is one central aim; to give everyone a chance to be the best they can be and to bring balance and equality to those groups who are disadvantaged in our society.
Her business provides organisations with services to assist their equality, diversity and inclusion journey, including organisational culture, mainly in supporting organisations in areas of gender and race. It also provides life coaching, career coaching, executive coaching and leadership coaching – especially supporting women into these positions and equitable, inclusive leadership.
Her work for women’s equality includes working with Bristol Women’s Voice, and as a member of the Mayoral Women’s Commission. She is currently a Director for the Bristol Women in Business Charter, whose ambition is to help accelerate the pace of change for the benefit of women, the businesses they work in and the communities they live in.
Sandra became a Commissioner and Co-Chair for the Mayoral Commission on Race Equality to help work on collective solutions to tackling the race inequalities faced by so many in the city. She is also passionate about inclusion and representation and was honoured to be appointed as a Magistrate and as a Governor of City of Bristol College.
Governor Andrea Arlidge OBE was awarded an OBE for her work in education, setting up the Wellsway Multi Academy Trust and Futura Learning Partnership. Andrea has been a Governor for the College since 2019 and was appointed Vice Chair in December 2024.
She is an experienced education professional with over 41 years’ experience in the school sector. She was a secondary headteacher and multi-academy trust CEO and now works to help school trusts achieve their development ambitions. Andrea was a National Leader of Education and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate for Services to Education in 2018. In 2024 she received a Silver Lifetime Achievement Award in the Pearson National Teaching Awards. Throughout her career, she has been a passionate advocate for inclusion and a strong believer in the power of education to change lives.
The achievements of both Sandra and Andrea reflect the values of City of Bristol College and the vital role that its Governors play in supporting the college’s vision, providing strategic leadership and helping to create opportunities for learners and the wider community. Their recognition is a source of pride for the college and an inspiration to colleagues, students and partners alike.
Sandra commented: “It all feels a little overwhelming, but I am truly grateful for the recognition of the work that I care so deeply about. This honour really reflects the collective effort of so many people and communities I’ve had the privilege to work alongside.”
Andrea stated: “The award is in recognition of my work in education, specifically in setting up Wellsway Mult Academy Trust and Futura Learning Partnership.
“The award also recognises my wider contribution and, in accepting it, I would like to pay tribute to all the wonderful people and organisations I have worked with over the years.
“I am very proud to be a Governor of the college and my involvement has contributed significantly to this recognition.”
A City of Bristol College floristry student has reflected on her experience helping to create a stunning floral installation at the prestigious RHS Badminton Flower Show, following the completion of her three-year floristry course.
Jo Hampton, who recently completed her Level 3 Floristry qualification at the college, joined fellow students and tutors as part of the installation team, gaining invaluable experience of working on a large-scale floral display at one of the UK’s most renowned horticultural events.
Having spent most of her career working in industrial catering and soft services across the UK, Jo decided to follow her passion for floristry later in life. Alongside studying at City of Bristol College, she has also worked part-time at a florist in Clifton, developing her practical skills while gaining her qualification.
Speaking of her journey so far, Jo said: “I was overjoyed to be a small part of the team at RHS Badminton after completing my 3-year floristry course and I look forward to supporting them in the future as I am also voulnteering at FleurEx in conjunction with the college.
“Having worked for the majority of my life in industrial large-scale catering and soft services travelling to many counties in the UK, it was time to look at doing something that I loved and had a passion for whilst utilising my skills in the catering industry. I decided to take up floristry and work part time locally in a florist shop in Clifton which I continue to do, whilst also gaining my qualification in floristry at City of Bristol college.
“I have progressed on to each course and found them to be not just educational but also a platform to express your individuality and skill set at your own pace. The teaching I received has allowed me to become creative, skilled and confident.”
Working alongside fellow florists and tutors at the RHS Badminton Flower Show gave Jo the opportunity to put her learning into practice while developing new skills in large-scale floral design.
She added: “I was thrilled to be part of the installation team at RHS Badminton, it allows me to engage and work with other florists to create something very special, I feel humbled to work with our tutor and be a small part of the exhibit. Over the 3 days the teamwork and skill set which we all learnt came into play and the result speaks for itself.
“I have enjoyed the planning mostly and the construction element, it has allowed me to experience challenges that have arisen and how we as a team have coped and adapted to these, nothing is impossible you just need to plan, adapt, change and have faith. My confidence in large build/construction has increased, I understand more about working with venues on a large scale, timings, accurate placement, health and safety and transportation all of the these played a huge part and I have gained invaluable additional skills creating this display.”
Jo says that her time at City of Bristol College has inspired her to continue learning and developing her skills. Alongside floristry, she is now studying accounting to support her growing business.
She said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at City of Bristol college and just wanted to continue the journey with them, I am taking this accounting course to refresh old skills which will support my small home baking and floristry business and keep me engaged and current in the world of accounting.
“I am close to retirement age, but I want to continue to work part time at the florist I have worked at since starting college as this has given me invaluable retail experience and I love my new career thanks to Vicky (my tutor) and the college.
“Floristry is a wonderful course to take, the skills you learn on the course will provide you with the knowledge to pursue a career in floristry, it is informative, supportive, engaging and fun – Take a leap of faith, you are never to old or young to do anything. You can embrace education at any age I am proof of that, good luck!”
Jo’s story highlights how education can open new doors at any stage of life, with City of Bristol College supporting learners to develop new skills, pursue their passions and gain valuable industry experience through incredible opportunities such as the RHS Badminton Flower Show.
Floristry students from City of Bristol College have earned recognition from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) after showcasing their work at the prestigious RHS Badminton Flower Show, with their installation featuring twice on the organisation’s website.
Adult learners from the college’s Level 2 Floristry courses created the ‘Leap into Learning’ floral installation, an eye-catching exhibit celebrating sustainability and creativity.
Working together over several days, students designed, built and maintained the large-scale installation, putting their floristry skills into practice in a live event setting. Despite the challenges of exhibiting during a summer heatwave, the team ensured the display remained vibrant for thousands of visitors.
Floristry lecturer Victoria Veasey praised the students’ teamwork and dedication, saying: “I am so very proud of my students. I have no doubt they will go on to great things in our industry. Many are already working in retail floristry following their studies, while others have started their own businesses.”
Reflecting on the experience, Level 2 Certificate student Salli Chapman said: “It was a fantastic opportunity to take the learning from the classroom and experience how to bring a flower installation to life on such a grand scale. From understanding the mechanics behind keeping it all together, to creatively placing flowers and maintaining the display throughout the event, it was such a valuable learning experience.”
Melissa Gahagan, who recently completed the Level 2 Top Up Diploma, added: “Stepping back and seeing what we had all been able to create as a team was the biggest highlight. I feel well prepared to continue building my career in floristry thanks to everything I have learnt at City of Bristol College.”
Having their work recognised by the RHS was a fantastic achievement for the students, reflecting the commitment and collaboration they demonstrated throughout the project and their time at City of Bristol College.
City of Bristol College has welcomed the launch of Colleges West and Universities West, marking a significant milestone in strengthening collaboration across Further and Higher Education to support learners, employers and the future prosperity of the West of England.
The partnerships bring together colleges and universities from across the region with a shared ambition to create a more connected education and skills system that responds to the needs of local communities and businesses. By working more closely together, members will help to develop stronger pathways into education, training and employment while supporting regional economic growth.
Building on the launch of Colleges West earlier this year, the introduction of Universities West further strengthens collaboration across the education sector, creating new opportunities for institutions to align their work with employers, industry and regional partners.
Rob Hazelton, Managing Director of Partners in Bristol and Strategic Partnerships at City of Bristol College, attended the launch and highlighted the importance of partnership working.
He commented: “It was fantastic to attend the launch of Colleges West and Universities West and to see such strong commitment to collaboration across Further and Higher Education in the region.
“I am a huge believer in organisations working together where there is a shared purpose and these partnerships feel like a really positive step in strengthening our collective voice.
“By collaborating more closely across colleges, universities, employers and regional partners, we can better support learners, businesses and communities, while making sure that the skills system across the West of England is joined up, ambitious and responsive to what the region needs. City of Bristol College is proud to be part of that.”
Principal and Chief Executive Officer, Julia Gray, said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting both learners and the regional economy.
She stated: “The launch of Colleges West and Universities West marks a significant step forward for education and skills across the West of England.
“As colleges and universities, we have a shared responsibility to help secure the future prosperity of our region. That means ensuring current and future residents can access high-quality education and training, while also working with employers to develop the skills, talent and innovation they need to grow.
“For City of Bristol College, this partnership is about looking beyond individual institutions and focusing on the long-term needs of the place we serve. By aligning Further and Higher Education more closely, we can create clearer pathways for learners, stronger support for employers and a more resilient skills system for the West of England.”
The strengthened collaboration between Colleges West and Universities West will help to ensure that the region’s education providers continue to work collectively to address skills priorities, support employers and create opportunities that benefit learners and communities across the West of England.
A team of runners from City of Bristol College proudly joined forces with Bristol Sport Foundation at this year’s AJ Bell Great Bristol Run, raising an incredible £9,083 (including Gift Aid) to support disadvantaged children and young people across Bristol.
Taking on either the 10km or half marathon challenge, colleagues from the college ran alongside fellow supporters on behalf of Bristol Sport Foundation, helping to fund programmes that provide vital opportunities for young people facing significant challenges.
The fundraising effort follows City of Bristol College’s partnership with Bristol Sport Foundation, which aims to support disadvantaged children across the city through the power of sport and education.
Among those taking part was Abby Goulding, Events & Alumni Co-Ordinator at City of Bristol College, who completed her first ever half marathon.
She said: “The run was great, the atmosphere in Bristol was amazing on race day. It’s my first ever half marathon and I’m really proud of myself, I got a sub 2:30.
“Partnering with Bristol Sport Foundation so that we could fundraise for them and contributing to raising £9000 is something that I’m really proud of.
“At City of Bristol College, we were thinking of how we can provide children with additional opportunities; obviously, we already work in a purpose driven sector, but it’s looking at how we can further give back to our community and we decided to support the amazing work that Bristol Sport Foundation is doing in supporting children who wouldn’t otherwise have access to these opportunities.”
Also taking part was Olivia Fox, Copywriter and Communications Officer at City of Bristol College, who completed the 10km race – her first ever running event.
She commented: “I am so proud to have ran the AJ Bell Great Bristol Run 10km on behalf of Bristol Sport Foundation – my first ever race!
“I had my sights set on entering a 10km race event this year and I jumped at the chance when offered the opportunity to combine running with fundraising for this wonderful charity.
“The work that Bristol Sport Foundation do to enrich the lives of underprivileged young people across the city is truly inspiring and is an incredibly worthy cause.”
The college also extends a special thank you to Dovetail & Slate / Talentia Group for generously funding the team’s running tops, which were proudly worn by participants throughout the event.
Lara Short, Head of People and Culture at Bristol Sport Foundation, praised the fundraising achievement and highlighted the impact that the donations will have on communities across the city.
She remarked: “Thanks to the amazing fundraising efforts, a total of £9,083 (including Gift Aid) was raised for Bristol Sport Foundation. An absolutely incredible amount.
“The fundraising will help us continue delivering programmes that support children and young people who are facing significant challenges, particularly in disadvantaged communities across the city.
“From mentoring vulnerable pupils through our Elevate Mentoring programme, to teaching healthier lifestyles through Health Squad and creating accessible basketball opportunities through Project Take Off, this support is helping us use the power of sport to change lives.”
The AJ Bell Great Bristol Run united some 25,000 runners and , with City of Bristol College proud to play its part in supporting Bristol Sport Foundation’s mission to create brighter futures for young people through sport, mentoring and wellbeing programmes.
City of Bristol College students have returned from an unforgettable trip to Thailand, including visits to see industry professionals, hands-on sessions and cultural activities.
They explored everything from digital innovation and game development to local traditions and the natural environment, bringing their studies to life in an exciting new setting.
The trip commenced with a visit to Moon Catalyst, a game development company, where students learned about the industry and how it has evolved over the years. Following a presentation from the team, students were set a challenge to design and pitch their own game concept.
At New Digital Frontiers, students took part in hands-on sessions with mixed reality (MR) and interactive game demonstrations. They also spoke with developers about AI in game design and pathways into careers in 2D and 3D art, as well as independent development.
Alongside the industry visits, students experienced Thai culture first-hand. They took part in a cooking class, preparing a range of traditional dishes and learning new techniques and even participated in a Muay Thai session.
A day at Doi Inthanon National Park offered a change of pace, with students hiking through the landscape, learning from local communities about the area’s wildlife and traditions and taking in the waterfalls and surrounding scenery.
The trip concluded with a visit to Chang Chill Elephant Sanctuary, where students walked alongside elephants and observed them in their natural habitat. The experience gave students an insight into ethical tourism and was described by the group as being “magical”.
Opportunities like this are an important part of how City of Bristol College supports students in building skills and confidence while exploring their potential career pathways.
For more information about the courses that we offer, simply click here.
Two bricklaying apprentices who trained with City of Bristol College recently took part in this year’s Guild of Bricklayer’s competition, achieving outstanding results that highlight their growing talent and commitment to the craft.
Ellie Bush, a Level 3 apprentice, achieved first place in the senior competition, an impressive accomplishment that recognises her precision, skill and consistency under pressure. Molly Sirl, a Level 2 apprentice, also delivered a strong performance and was commended by judges for the accuracy and finish of her brickwork. Both Ellie and Molly are students of On Site Bristol, a specialist provider of apprenticeship training to the construction industry.
The Guild of Bricklayer’s competition is the UK’s largest multi-trade competition for construction apprentices and trainees, bringing together learners from around 15 colleges in regional heats. Competitors are assessed on precision, speed and overall quality of workmanship, with the highest performers progressing to national finals and, in some cases, international competitions.
For Ellie, who was inspired to pursue bricklaying by her father’s work in the trade, SkillBuild marked another significant step forward in her training. Having competed previously, she demonstrated increased confidence and technical ability throughout this year’s competition, reflecting the progress she has made throughout her apprenticeship.
“I’ve really pushed myself,” Ellie said. “I’m taking on more complex tasks now, like setting out drawings for walls and layouts, and I feel much more confident working with different people on site.”
Following her success at Guild of Bricklayer’s competition, Ellie is now looking ahead to completing her apprenticeship and progressing into self-employment, with longer-term ambitions to step into site management or surveying.
Molly, who discovered bricklaying through TikTok before beginning her apprenticeship, was recognised for the quality of her work throughout the competition.
Reflecting on her apprenticeship so far, she said: “I’m most proud of how much my working speed has increased, while still keeping a high standard and attention to detail in my brickwork.”
Speaking about being one of the few women working on site, Molly admits it felt daunting at first, but that quickly changed. “Everyone was really welcoming and supportive, and I’ve never been treated any differently. So, to any other women considering it – I’d say go for it.”
With just two months left of her apprenticeship, Molly is now preparing to move into full-time employment, with aspirations to continue developing her skills and eventually progress into a supervisory or management role.
For both apprentices, SkillBuild provided a valuable opportunity to test their abilities in a high-pressure environment and measure their progress against others from across the country. Their success reflects their hard work and dedication throughout their apprenticeships while attending City of Bristol College.
For more information about apprenticeships at City of Bristol College, simply click here.