Level 3 Performing Arts students received positive reviews for their performance of "Pool No Water" earlier this month.

Hanishta Hurrynundon, Pamela Dheer, Laila Hassanzadeh, Ann Atkin and Azize Asan all qualified as Microsoft Certified Educators.

Teachers at The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London are embracing the very latest in education technology after being accredited by Microsoft.

Eighteen teaching staff at the College were among the first to qualify as Microsoft Certified Educators (MCE) this summer. The MCE course provides teachers with the skills and knowledge on how to use new computer technology to enhance teaching and learning.

Staff from all areas of the College, including computing, construction, hair and beauty, creative and media, sport and teacher education, studied for the accreditation.

The course looked at how new software can be used to produce more creative presentations to support learning in the classroom, as well as how existing applications can be used to monitor and assess students’ progress.

Head of Hair and Beauty Ann Atkin said: “I found the course informative and instructive, with practical solutions using ICT to give students the 21^st century skills needed for today’s economy”.

“MCE showed me how to use Movie Maker, AutoCollage, and Picture Manager to create compelling lessons, and support students in their own studies.”

GCSE English Teacher Pamela Dheer added: ““Using IT is a great way for teachers to bring subjects to life. The MCE course gave me an insight into how I can embed technology in the classroom and make learning more engaging and interactive for my students, also helping my students in creating their own presentations.

Kurt Hintz, Vice Principal for Curriculum and Learner Experience, congratulated the teachers achieving the MCE accreditation.

He said: “The College is training all our teachers to achieve the MCE qualification, which ensures they are well-equipped to deliver high quality e-learning to students. We are very proud of our first graduates of the programme.”

Amanda Smith, Claire Jaggard, Sarah Shucksmith, Mario Amico, Nike Adenle, Oya Karabetca, and Jolanta Sostakiene all qualified as Microsoft Certified Educators.

1. Sambit Sen, Head of Apprenticeships at CONEL, and Charlotte Johnson, Head of Learning and Development at Whittington Health, with prospective apprentices Desrine Williams, Lynette Johnston, Rose Ress, Patricia Gay, Tracey Lawrence and Iwona Pybarczyk.

The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) has won a contract with Whittington Health NHS Trust to train up to 85 apprentices to work in the healthcare sector over the next 12 months.

The Trust provides hospital and community care services to 500,000 people living in Islington and Haringey as well as other London boroughs, including Barnet, Enfield, Camden and Hackney.

The apprenticeships are a combination of new vacancies and opportunities for existing staff and run for 12 or 18 months, with the first 10 apprentices recruited earlier in September.

Depending on the role, the schemes will include training in areas including clinical support, business administration, management and IT services.

Charlotte Johnson, Head of Learning and Development at Whittington Health, said: “We’re extremely pleased to be working with CONEL to deliver training for our apprentices.

“At Whittington Health, we invest in our apprentices so that they will become part of our skilled and motivated workforce, and see this as an exciting career development opportunity for both new and existing staff.

“CONEL’s flexibility in offering the training times we need to support staff in different locations was a factor in choosing the College as our training provider, as was its invaluable help in recruiting talent from our local community.”

Rose Rees, 41, a Personal Assistant at Whittington hospital, who has enrolled on a Level 3 apprenticeship in business administration, said: “I have just completed my Level 2 and wanted to improve my skills to further my career in the NHS. This apprenticeship will hopefully give me the knowledge and experience to help me get there.”

2. Carol Smith , Apprenticeship Project Manager at Whittington Health, centre, with prospective apprentices Lynette Johnston, Desrine Williams, Rose Rees, Patricia Gay, Tracey Lawrence and Iwona Pybarczyk.

In 2015/16 95% of employers were satisfied with the training provided by CONEL with 97% confirming training had seen an improvement in employee skills and increased productivity.

Over the past year CONEL has worked in partnership with North Middlesex University Hospital Trust to help more than 40 people gain employment in the NHS, either through apprenticeships or on completion of a full-time healthcare course.

Jackie Chapman, Director of Employability and Employer Engagement at CONEL, said:”We’re delighted to have won this tender to provide apprentices and training to Whittington Health NHS Trust.

“This will create an excellent partnership as both of our organisations are focused on supporting the local community in improving their lives. Newly created apprenticeship positions will introduce new employees to the NHS, creating opportunities for many people to begin their career.

 “The creation of additional employment opportunities with Whittington Health for local residents through this new partnership is an excellent development.”

For more information on health and social care apprenticeship opportunities at CONEL call 020 8442 3055 or visit www.conel.ac.uk/courses/apprenticeships.

Luena Martinez on The X Factor. Picture courtesy of ITV

X Factor star Luena Martinez hopes her ‘incredible experience’ appearing on the ITV talent show will inspire others to fulfil their dreams after vowing to return to face the judges again next year.

The singer, 17, is a student at SoundSkool, a non-profit organisation which has been changing young people's lives through music since 2008. She is among the first students to study for a Level 2 Artist Development and Business course as part of new partnership launched with The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) this year.

She performed an amazing version of Leona Lewis’s cover of the Snow Patrol’s Run on Saturday night. Despite initially winning a seat in The Six Chair Challenge she was replaced after mentor for the girls Simon Cowell decided on final act Olivia Garcia.

Luena Martinez's perormance on The X Factor.

Saturday was the first time she had been seen on the TV show having got through the room auditions and boot camp, and her powerful vocals immediately impressed the X Factor judge, who said: "I look for someone with a heart, determination and talent."

Luena said: “It was hard to take getting so close, but an incredible experience and it was amazing to perform in front of 5,000 people. I couldn’t have asked for a better reaction.”

She received a lot of support after her appearance on the show. One comment on her Twitter page @LuenaOfficial described her has having a “magical voice” and another declared “it’s not a matter of if, but when she will become a superstar”.

Luena said: “I feel very happy that people were backing me up and feel really motivated, I haven’t gone silently, and want to go again next year and prove them [the judges] wrong. I never give up on something I really want!”

Luena, whose real name is Luena Martins-Aguiar, fell in love with singing after being called up on stage to sing with other children at a theatre show. She has received professional tuition since she was eight, and names Leona Lewis, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Michael Jackson among her music idols.

You can hear more of Luena's music on her YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/LuenaOfficial and on her SoundCloud page https://soundcloud.com/luena-martinez.

Simon Gordon, Founder and CEO of SoundSkool, said: “I am so proud of Luena. Her performance for me on The X factor was actually the best. She is a shining example of what at SoundSkool is all about - creativity, responsibility, excellence and determination. I am looking forward to her fulfilling her destiny and seeing it all happen.”

Alongside its partnership with SoundSkool, CONEL also offers courses in music technology, music production courses from Level 1 to Level 5 and performing arts courses at Level 3.

“When I’m at college I try to encourage everyone around me,” added Luena.  “Hopefully, I’ve shown them you can be on X Factor, or do anything you want if you just put your mind to it, work hard and practice. I wanted to be a singer and I’ve stuck with that. Don’t put yourself down, just have be yourself. You can do it!”

Find more information on Music and Performing Arts courses at CONEL click on this link or call 020 8442 3055.

Animation and Computer Games Development student Kyle Stevens at Techmix.

Students showed they were on top of their game at this year’s Techmix Digital Careers Show in London.

Around 35 students from The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) attended at the event at Stamford Bridge, the home of Chelsea Football Club.

Techmix featured 40 stands from leading technology companies and education providers, including CONEL, and provided an opportunity for students to network with employers.

Among the big names attending the event were Cisco, IBM, Oracle, PWC, Jellyfish, Visu.al, Juniper Networks, Volo, Dynamic Platform and Transport for London.

Animation and Computer Games Development student Eimantas Kabakas at Techmix.

Throughout the day students Kyle Stevens and Eimantas Kabakas demonstrated their skills at game design and programming to the crowds.

Kyle 19, who is studying a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animation and Computer Games Development, said: “I found the day challenging creating a game live in front of an audience. I was nervous at first but then I found it exciting.

“Scripting is the trickiest part of creating a game and I was proud to achieve a fully functional game in a short amount of time, working with Eimantas.”

Eimantas, 17, who is studying the same course, added: “The day was so fun, it was my first time creating a game live at an event. This was a great personal achievement, creating three levels to a game in just one day.”

Animation and Computer Games Development student Kyle Stevens with tutor Gareth Healey at Techmix.

CONEL offers courses in games development and animation from Level 3 to HNC and HND levels, which cover game design, app development, 3D modelling, concept art and digital graphics.

Games Development tutor Gareth Healey said: “Techmix is a great opportunity for our students to showcase their talents to industry professionals and network with big name employers to boost their career prospects.

“I’m very proud of our students. They worked tirelessly in difficult conditions to produce a high quality, excellent result in demonstrating their game design skills, which really impressed many visitors to the CONEL stand.”

For more information on Creative Media courses at CONEL call 020 8442 3055 or click on this link.

New students discovered more about activities and support services at CONEL and in the community at this year's Freshers' Fairs.

Hundreds of newly enrolled students attended The College of Haringey Enfield and North East London’s annual Freshers’ Fairs this week.

Fairs were held at the Tottenham and Enfield Centres to promote activities, volunteering opportunities and support services at the College and in the local community.

Among the organisations at the events were Haringey Council, Barclays, St John Ambulance, Reach Out, Volunteering Matters, Mind in Haringey, Middlesex Football Association, Compass and the National Citizen Service.

Lina Hailu, 27, who is studying a Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care, was keen to hear about the charity Henry (Health, Exercise, Nutrition for the Really Young), which supports parents give their child a healthy start in life.

She said: “I love children, and really interested in doing some work with them. I want to be a nurse and this will really give me confidence and good experience working with children and families.”

The fairs also proved popular with many of the organisations that attended.

“There is a lot of misinformation out there about drink and substance misuse and they’re at the age when there’s a lot of peer pressure,” said  Qas Bandali from Compass, a drug and alcohol support service in Enfield.

“It’s good just to be here, so they know where they can go for help.”

Helen Menczykowski, from the National Citizen Service which arranges personal development activity breaks, said: “Event like this are really good. Everyone we have spoken to has been really interested to find our more.

“They have been really  keen to sign up and get the experience we can offer, which will help them get the skills for jobs or on their courses.”

If your organisation is interested in attending an event at CONEL or supporting students through activities, work placements or services call 020 8442 3055.

The Four Principals: David Byrne - Barnet and Southgate College, Penny Wycherley - Waltham Forest College, Tony Medhurst - Hertford Regional College and Andy Forbes - College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London.

The London Apprenticeship Training Group (LATG) today launched their new collaboration; established between Barnet and Southgate College, the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL), Hertford Regional College and Waltham Forest College.

The apprenticeship focused alliance promises to identify the right training provider, the right course and the right candidate acting as a broker between the employer and the newly formed Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS), which will be fully operational by April 2017.

The new alliance aims to support large and small businesses through the recent apprenticeship reform and apprenticeships’ levy, ensuring employers find the right apprentice with the skills to fit their business needs.

The introduction of the apprenticeships’ levy will move apprenticeship funding to employers who may find this confusing and time consuming. LATG will ensure employers ‘gain without pain’ with the additional responsibility this brings.

Research from the National Apprenticeships Service (NAS) has shown that 80% of those who employ apprentices agree that they make the workplace more productive and that apprentices are loyal and hardworking. In fact 83% of businesses that employ apprentices rely on their apprenticeships to provide the skilled workers that they will need for the future.

Andy Forbes, Principal of the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London, on behalf of the London Apprenticeships Training Group (LTAG), said: "LATG will provide a full service from start to finish in recruting apprentices for all industries.

"Colleges working together will be able to offer an even bigger range of options while at the same time making things much simpler for employers and young people looking for apprenticeships. We will take the load off companies of all sizes and help them gain fully from the new apprenticeships levy." 

For further information go to: www.londonatg.co.uk

If you are interested in an apprenticeship either as a potential apprentice or as an employer, please call the Apprenticeships Hotline on 020 8442 3442 or browse our website for more information at: www.conel.ac.uk/job

The Apprenticeship Levy

The levy fundamentally changes the way apprenticeship funding flows; for larger employers a levy will be charged via the tax system, collected into a pot and made available to employers via the new Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS). Employers will then be able to choose a training provider, course and candidate, with the DAS's help.

The levy will apply to all UK Employers but is only payable on annual 'pay' bills of £3 million plus. Employers whose 'pay' bills are less that this threshold will continue to have access to Government Apprenticeship Funding in the current way, which is less than 2% of employers. 0.5% of the employers 'pay' bill will be taken directly via PAYE.

There will be a £15k fixed annual allowance for employers to offset against the levy and this will be collected via HMRC and then made available via the new DAS; employers will then be able to use this to pay for Apprenticeship training. The DAS will help employers to identify training providers, choose a course and find a candidate and the DAS will be fully operational by April 2017.

Employers will be able to use funding up to a cap dependant on the framework/standard, this is to cover costs of training, assessment and certification. It cannot be used for other associated costs such as cost of supervision or apprenticeship wages. Employers cannot spend an unlimited amount on one single apprenticeship, caps will vary - the higher standard, quality and level, the higher the cap and the levy can be used on existing staff or new recruits.

Levy funds can only be used with an approved SFA training providers, so employers can either buy in via an approved provider, or become one themselves - subject to the usual SFA criteria, including Ofsted inspections. Some employers will want to direct their funding to their suppliers and this will be made possible. The levy is designed to put apprenticeship funding in the hands of employers and encourage take up. Engaged employers will be able to get more out than they put in via a monthly 10% digital top up and any unused funds will be reallocated to committed employers. The Institute of Apprenticeships will be established to regulate quality, set caps and approve standards and assessment.

Chloe Lydon with her haul of medals and trophies including her two successive silver medals in the British International Open Karate Championships.

Karate champion Chloe Lydon has won a silver medal at the British International Open Championships for a second successive year.

The 16-year-old trains five days a week at the at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London’s (CONEL) Martial Arts Academy while studying for a Level 3 Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science.

She was thrilled to have won another medal after repeating her performance in last year’s competition and add to her already impressive haul of medals and trophies.

Chloe, who is ranked 15^th in the world for her age and weight, competed in three fights during the completion to earn a place on the podium at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre in Sheffield.

She said: “It was a really big achievement for me. I have got the European placements coming up, so it was a real confidence boost to do so well.

“I was pleased to come away with a silver medal, as it showed my hard work had paid off. I have my sights set on gold next year.”

So far this year, Chloe has won two gold medals in the English Karate Federation Championships and British Karate Federation 4 Nations Championships and bronze in the World Karate Federation Karate1 competition.

 “Karate is all about discipline. It helps you to balance things out and focus, which can help with exams and college work,” said Chloe.

“I also love the fitness side of it. It’s also something different, but you still have to work just as hard as in any other sport. It’s also a good way to relieve stress.”

Chloe began taking karate lessons when she was 10 after seeing how much her uncle and cousins enjoyed the sport, and began competing at 13. She is currently a brown belt, but hopes to complete her training to become a black belt by the end of the year.

She said: “Karate will be a new sport at the 2020 Olympics, and the Martial Arts Academy has been really good in helping me to train as a full-time athlete and building up my fitness to give me the chance of fulfilling my dream of competing in Tokyo.”

Chloe Lydon in karate action.

The Martial Arts Academy, run in partnership with the English Karate Federation, was launched at the College in June and is open to students aged 16 to 18. It offers up to 15 hours professional coaching a week from top coaches, headed up by former world champion Will Thomas.

The academy is also home to students Ben Storey, 17, and David Lister, 16, who have amassed three gold, two silver and two bronze medals between them in domestic and international karate tournaments this year alone.

They and Chloe are part of the College’s Sports Scholarship Programme, which offers young for young athletes aged 16 to 18, who are competing in their chosen sport, physical and financial support

Ben Storey (left) and David Lister (right) have amassed three gold, two silver and two bronze medals between them this year.

Jonathan Silman, Head of School - Sport, Public Service and Key Stage 4, said: “Our Martial Arts Academy is already proving very popular with many of our students, particularly those studying sport and fitness courses.

“We are incredibly proud of Chloe and congratulate her on her latest success. She is a shining example of what you can achieve in sport through practice, the right attitude, hard work and determination. I am sure we will be hearing a lot more about her in the years to come.”

If you are interested in Sport, Fitness and Active Leisure courses at CONEL, please browse our website at www.conel.ac.uk/courses/sport-fitness-and-active-leisure.html.

Our Accounting Academy gives apprentices the chance to gain skills and experience.

For Arthi Mahinda the choice of an accountancy apprenticeship was a no brainer.

After completing her A-levels she decided to enrol on a pre-apprenticeship programme at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) to provide her with the skills to start a full apprenticeship later this year, and has also joined its Accounting Academy.

The academy, run in partnership with Leyton Orient Football Club, offers a wide range of activities, such as, sports coaching, personal branding, presentation skills, interview techniques and social media training to support learners on AAT apprenticeship and pre-apprentice schemes.

Arthi, 18, said: “There are a lot of benefits with an apprenticeship, such as getting a job straightaway, the money you earn and real work experience.

“I’ve always liked numbers and accountancy was an obvious choice. I am enjoying what I’m learning and the teachers make it easy to understand.

“The Academy is a good opportunity to gain leadership skills. I am not much of a leader, but this will help give me the skills and confidence to lead a team, which will be really useful in the future.”

Khairunnisa Hussain 18, is also taking a pre-apprenticeship.

“My teacher used to be an accountant and inspired me to try it out, and thought I might be able to teach it one day.  I’m enjoying my apprenticeship and The Academy will really enhance my skills to get me a good job,” she said.

Pre-apprentice Krissana Kaeween, 17, realised sixth form wasn’t for him.

He said: “I prefer to learn by doing more practical things and thought the best option would be to do an apprenticeship.

“I saw an online survey which showed accountants are among the highest earners and wanted to gain the skills and experience to make this my career, and to better manage my own money.”

CONEL offers AAT apprenticeships and courses at Levels 1 to 4 part-time and full-time, enabling study towards chartered qualifications, namely CIMA, ACCA and ICAEW, or alternatively a degree.

The College is currently working with accountancy firms, such as Goldman Sachs and KPMG, which are providing a range of employability workshops

The Academy gives apprentices aged 16 to 24 the chance to develop their leadership skills through football coaching courses with the football club, and put these into practice through work placement at local primary schools. It provides opportunities for apprentices to hear from top industry employers, work placements and gain employability skills, including CV writing and interview techniques.

Jackie Mitchell, Head of School for Accounting, said: “The Accounting Academy is a great opportunity for young people to become proficient in accounting as well as develop skills in leadership, communication, build confidence and generally become great assets to any workforce.”

“Accountancy is quite a traditional area of business and many top firms tend to take on graduates, but by giving our apprentices these skills we are looking to give them the edge when it comes to competing for a job.”

Call 020 8442 3055 or click this link to find out more about our Accountancy apprenticeships and courses.

Hundreds of students attended our Higher Education Fair to find out about courses and university life.

Students at The College of Haringey Enfield and North London (CONEL) had the chance to find out more about going to university at a Higher Education Fair.

Around 150 students attended the fair which also included a programme of talks on completing personal statements as part of the university application process, making university choice and funding options, including student loans.

Institutions at the event included London South Bank University, London Metropolitan University, Brunel University, Kingston University, Royal Holloway, King’s College London, Goldsmiths, Birkbeck University of London and the University of Westminster.

Hundreds of CONEL students go on to university each year after studying Access to Higher Education or Level 3 extended vocational courses in various subjects, which are equivalent to three A-levels.

The College offers various HND and HNC courses. HNDs can be topped up to a full honours degree by studying a final year at university. CONEL also offers foundation and honours degrees in counselling, and Association of Accounting Technician (AAT) apprenticeship at Level 4, and a range of higher education teaching qualification, including a Postgraduate Certificate in Post-Compulsory Education.

Renu Arrowsmith, Careers Adviser at CONEL, said: “Our annual Higher Education Fair provides a great opportunity for students to learn more about higher education study.

“It’s a great way to help them decide on which universities they should apply to, by giving them the chance to ask questions about everything from course content and  selection procedures to bursaries, accommodation and student events.

“The students who attended fully participated in the event, which really showed their enthusiasm to progress on to higher education."

Hair and Beauty staff Esther Anyargoatim, Sandra Burgher, Maria Rees, Ann Atkin, Lydia Pelopida, Ines Angelini and Amy Frankland with a selection of the cakes on sale.

Staff from the School of Hair and Beauty at The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) swapped scissors for spatulas when they held a cake sale and whisked up over £100 for charity.

Coconut and Victoria sponges, carrot cake, rum cake, chocolate fudge cake, lemon drizzle, Malteaser cake, a Mississippi mud pie and chocolate brownies were among the tasty treats on offer.

Cash from the sale will go to Global Radio’s charity Make Some Noise, which helps various small projects supporting disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.

Staff and students were quick to compliment on the quality of the cakes at the fundraiser organised by Beauty Therapy Lecturer Amy Frankland and Work-based Assessor Ines Angelini.

Amy said: “We were absolutely delighted to have raised such a good amount of money for the charity, and would like to thank everyone who made the cakes and those who bought them who helped make the sale such a success.”

Monique Irving and Amy Frankland tuck into slices of cake.

The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) offers a wide range of vocational courses and apprenticeships. Each year more than 60% of our learners achieve full-time employment within six months of leaving college and hundreds more gain places at university.

Here are 10 reasons why we believe further education is a great place to start building your future.

1, The teachers are experts from their industry to perfectly prepare you for the job or career you’re training for.

2. You can do an apprenticeship and earn while you learn by having a job while also training at college, which in some cases can lead on to study at university.

3. You can still get into university with Level 3 Extended courses, the equivalent to three A-levels, or study an Access to Higher Education course.

4. You can study higher education qualifications such as, Higher Nationals.  You can top up your Higher National Diploma to an honours degree with one year’s further study at university.

5. The cost of studying for higher education qualifications at College is much  lower than university tuition fees.

6. If you are 16-18 the Government covers the cost of your education, so it’s FREE to study.

7. You get to call your teachers by their first names instead of Sir or Miss.

8. You’re treated more like an adult and have more independence and responsibility for your learning.

9. If you haven’t got the grades for a full apprenticeship you can apply for a pre-apprenticeship where you’ll gain work experience and the skills to get you into work.

10. There is huge demand for skilled jobs in the UK with.employers increasingly demanding a greater element of vocational training be introduced alongside academic studies.

Here’s what our students had to say:

“I wanted to study accountancy and felt college was a better place to do this than school. The teachers are very friendly and helpful, and they give you more time to understand. There are also lots of opportunities for work experience to build your skills and confidence, so you’re ready for work whenever you finish your study.”

Papiya Sulthana, 19, Accounting AAT Level 3

Papriya Sulthana

“When I came to the UK aged 17, secondary schools were unable to accept me. Choosing to enrol at CONEL turned out to be the best option. The College gave me the chance to achieve more and learn things that I hadn’t realised before. Everything is explained in a practical way, and I’m treated with respect by my teachers and other students. All in all, my life changed when I came to CONEL.”

Panagiotis Plekis, 19, Diploma in Computing Level 3

 “College allows you to focus much more on what you want to do rather than having to study other subjects, which means you can excel more at your career. It’s also a much more relaxed environment and the teachers see you for who you are now. I’m also into karate and the new Martial Arts Academy is brilliant and means I can train full-time with top coaches, which I could never have done at school.”

Ben Storey, 17, Diploma in Health, Fitness and Exercise Instruction Level 2

Ben Storey

The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London: Tottenham Centre
In parallel with the London Area Review of Further Education, the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) has been having discussions with Barnet & Southgate College and Waltham Forest College to explore the possibility of a three-way merger.

This option has now been shelved by agreement. Barnet & Southgate College and Waltham Forest College have today announced their decision to pursue a two-way merger between them, with a target date of August 2017. 

From CONEL’s  perspective, the key issue is a difference of approach to the issue of governance and management of a large merged college serving such a broad area of London.  CONEL’s view is that we need to look at an innovative group structure, in which there is strong local governance and management of each component college. CONEL’s  two partners expressed a preference for a traditional model of merger and feel that developing an alternative at this stage would cause unnecessary delay to their merger timetable.

This means that as things stand the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London will continue as a separate college for the foreseeable future.

Andy Forbes, Principal of CONEL, commented: “Given our current financial strength and the continued improvement in our academic results, we are confident about the college’s future prospects. We are a successful college with strong roots in our local communities and this will continue.”

Keith Brown, Chair of Governors of CONEL, said: “We will always be open to exploring closer collaboration with partner colleges where we feel that would further improve what we can offer to learners. We will therefore continue to work closely with Barnet & Southgate and Waltham Forest, and other neighbouring colleges to develop London’s education and skills provision.”

It’s easy to assume that GCSEs are just another way for your school to give you more work and more exams, but the truth is your GCSEs are crucial to helping you succeed later in life. It’s not just the ability to total up your monthly bills without a calculator or put together a well written cover letter when applying for a job that makes them a crucial part of your life. They act as a gateway to gaining the necessary qualifications you will need to pursue your dream career. However, if you haven’t got the GCSE qualifications you need to get on to your chosen course, don’t panic. At the College of North London Enfield and Haringey, we can support you through GCSE retakes to make sure you have all the relevant skills to pursue further education.

What you can do with GCSEs

All of our vocational courses require GCSE level qualifications, so if you’ve found a course that suits you but don’t have the grades you need to start, we can put you in touch with the department to make sure you’re in the right place to retake your GCSEs. Once you’ve retaken your exams and achieved a Grade C in English and Maths you can look forward to a career in a number of areas.

A recent ruling means that you can’t work in any childcare setting without Maths and English GCSEs at Grade C or above. This applies to most of our health and social care courses, so if you’re interested in working in a nursery, your best bet is to sign up to our English Language and Literacy GCSE course  or a Maths GCSE course depending on your needs.

A great way to learn crucial skills while working on the job is to get an apprenticeship, and at CONEL we pride ourselves in a successful apprenticeship program that matches employers with apprenticeships that perfectly suit their needs. More often than not this means students with good GCSE qualifications. Remember the ability to achieve GCSE pass grades doesn’t only indicate how much you know about that subject, it’s a good sign of your ability to apply yourself, learn new things and keep calm under the pressure of an exam; all traits any employer would look for in an apprentice.

What do I need to do to retake my GCSEs at CONEL

Depending on your existing level of study there are two different options for retaking your GCSEs. If you have a D grade in Maths and/or English you will take a year-long course to re sit the exams to achieve a grade C or above.

If you currently have an E grade or below you will need to complete a functional skills course in Maths and/or English until you are ready for GCSE study. By approaching the course in this way, we can make sure your time is spent wisely and you can enhance your skills before you are put under the pressure of a GCSE exam before you are fully ready.

Why your GCSE studies at CONEL will be different

If you’ve attempted GCSEs in the past and not achieved the results you hoped for, you may question why studying with us will be different. At CONEL, the success of our students is the same as the success of the college, and we pride ourselves in supporting our students all the way through to a successful pass and beyond.

Not to mention the fact our results are something to be proud of; GCSE Maths students this year achieved a 93% pass rate, and as our own Vice Principal for Curriculum and Learner Experience, Kurt Hintz says, “Good GCSE results in English and maths are extremely important to gain places on apprenticeships or in higher education and employment.” Apply for one of our GCSE English or Maths courses today for more information and guidance on the right path for you.

Choosing to study a course is an important decision that will shape your future and will mean a high level of commitment once you begin. So you’ll want to be sure you’re actually taking a course that’s right for you.

If you’re reading this, then we’re guessing you’re excited about making people feel great about the way they look or love the idea of creating art from innovative hairstyles and makeovers. Perhaps you’ve even dreamt of opening up your own salon or of working as a make-up artist or hair stylist on TV, film or theatre!

We’d like to help you to get an idea of what it’s actually like to study a Hairdressing or Beauty Therapy course here at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London and help you make your decision.

We’ll go through the different courses we offer, what your day to day would be like and what you could expect to get out of it once you’ve finished.

Which level of course should I take?

CONEL offers one of the largest ranges of courses of all the hairdressing and beauty schools in London. They range from Level 1 to 3, in various areas of hair, beauty and complementary therapies and include apprenticeships.

Level 1 is for complete beginners and covers either hairdressing or beauty basics or both. To enrol you’ll need basic English and Maths, which would be checked in an initial assessment.

Level 2 and Level 3 teaches progressively more advanced skills, giving you access to more senior level jobs. If you already have some experience, you may be more suited to one of these courses.

We also offer courses in complementary therapies, where students study therapies such as massage, aromatherapy and nutrition. At Level 3, beauty students can specialise for TV, film and theatre by studying Theatrical Media Make-Up.

After applying, you’ll be invited to talk to one of our tutors and do a practical assessment, which will help determine which course would be the best fit for you.

What does the course entail?

Our courses combine workshops, real-life customer sessions and classroom-based theory. You will practice with industry-standard products and equipment at our state-of-the-art training salons or our professional salon in North East London.

You will also get one-to-one tutorial support from industry-qualified lecturers with up-to-date knowledge of current industry trends, but will also be expected to practice and do some extra studying at home.

Our students have a brilliant track record in prestigious competitions such as the BaByliss-sponsored Chris & Sons competition. In fact, in 2016, one of our Level 2 Hairdressing students won the top prize.

What are my career prospects?

We are delighted to have the highest success rate of all the further education colleges in London and in 2015, 96.9% of our Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy students achieved their qualifications.

You will have the opportunity to work as a junior or senior stylist or beauty therapist at salons we have links with, or indeed any relevant business. You will come away with an industry-recognised qualification and lots of relevant work experience from our training salons.

You could even progress onto other courses to become a salon manager or even to train other future hairdressers or complementary therapists.

If you would like to hear more about our courses, apply online and we will contact you to come visit one of our London campuses to talk about the best course for you.

CONEL Introduction to Early Years Education student Kai Baptiste with Diana Toader from Goldman Sachs.

Staff from global investment bank Goldman Sachs helped students gain work-ready skills by offering them advice on CV writing, job applications and interview techniques, during an employability workshop at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL).

The event, part of the College’s programme of enrichment activities, also gave students the chance to find out about job opportunities with the financial giant, the type of people it recruits and advice on running a business.

Health and Social Care Level 2 student Fatma Bahcesular, 18, said: “I now have more knowledge about what I need to do for interviews, what to say and what not to say, what employers are looking for and how to present myself, which will be really useful in helping me to get a job.”

Zeinab Ahmed, 17, who is studying the same course, added:  “I learnt a lot about leadership and how to be successful in business, and what you need to do to get a job. I don’t have a CV so I found that part really helpful.”

The event was organised by Goldman Sachs’s staff volunteer programme Community Teamworks, which encourages employees to take time off during work hours to share their ideas and expertise in the communities where they work and live.

“This year we’ve been very focused on helping young people,” said Lin Liu, a Technologist at Goldman Sachs, who headed up the volunteer group visiting the College.

“Looking into the future, we need to build a skilled and diverse workforce. Many of the young people we recruit come from university, but we want to include Further Education colleges as well.

“We were really impressed with how engaged and the level of maturity the students have shown. Some were quite shy at the beginning, but as they got more involved they shone through and really participated in the activities.”

Goldman Sachs have already run two employability workshops at CONEL this year and will have run a further seven by December.

Anthony Robinson, Quality and Learner Experience Manager, said: “Giving our students the opportunity to talk to employers such as Goldman Sachs and find out what they look for when recruiting can really help our students stand out when they start looking for work and begin their careers.”

Newly-hired apprentices from CONEL are working on major UK rail projects.

Eight newly-hired apprentices from The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) have begun their careers working on some of the UK’s biggest rail projects.

Construction and engineering company VGC Group agreed to take on the group of apprentices after they completed a Pre-Apprenticeship Level 2 Diploma in Rail Track Engineering Maintenance at the College.

Pre-Apprenticeships are 12-15 week courses that offer a fast-track to your chosen career. They are a stepping stone to Apprenticeships and prepare students for work by providing them with the essential skills and experience needed in their chosen industry.

Newly-hired rail engineering apprentices Daniel Smith, Josiah Narkwa, Daniel Pang, David Williams and Ersin Behceci.

VGC Group is one of the largest suppliers of workers and services to the UK’s construction and engineering industries, with divisions in roads and bridges, airports, nuclear facilities, utilities and mainline and underground rail.

New apprentice David Williams, 19, said: “Getting a place on the Apprenticeship scheme feels really good. I’ve always been interested in railway engineering and wanted to get on a railway apprenticeship for a long time.

“This is a really big deal. It’s a huge opportunity to work on some massive rail projects, which will be great for my experience.”

Josiah Narkwa,19, who was also hired by VGC Group, added: “Apprenticeships give you better training in the skills you need to do the job and you get to work on real life projects. What you put in, you get out.

“I can’t wait to get out there and start working. Hopefully this will be the start of really good career for me.”

David Williams and Josiah Narkwa.

Nick Wells, Labour manager at VGC Group, visited the College to interview the group pre-apprentices earlier this month before confirming eight had been offered Apprenticeships with the company.

He said: “I’ve been very impressed by the depth and breadth of learning experiences offered by the college. The apprentices have been really lucky to get such excellent training. It is the best I’ve ever seen, and has obviously given them a thorough preparation for their working careers.

“Not only have they been given access to qualifications which will give them an excellent start on site, they’ve also been given skills which will set them up for life in general.

“Having met all the apprentices, I am delighted with their attitude and I know they will fit in well on site and become a really good part of the VGC team.”

VGC Group expects to take on more apprentices from the College after also meeting the latest group of pre-apprentices, who began their 10-week training programme at the end of September.

Acknowledging VGC’s stringent selection criteria, Jackie Chapman, Director of Employability and Employer Engagement at CONEL, said: “I am delighted that these apprentices are starting their careers with a company that offers support and long-term career opportunities for its people.

“This is an example of a great partnership between employers and CONEL. We designed our Pre-Apprenticeship programme based on the skills needs within the industry, and we’re pleased with the opportunities it has given these young people.

“We look forward to this partnership expanding as the rail projects across the UK continue to develop.”

If you're interested in a Pre-Apprenticeship in Rail Track Engineering call 020 8442 3055 or click this link to find out more.

Accountancy Pre-Apprentices at KPMG's head office at Canary Wharf.

Aspiring accountants learnt how to improve their career prospects when they visited global financial giant KPMG.

Around 20 accountancy pre-apprentices from The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) took part in the Careers Day at the company’s head office at Canary Wharf.

KPMG is one of the four biggest accountancy firms in the world providing audit, tax and advisory services and employing around 174,000 people.

The group took part in workshops and activities run by staff from KPMG in partnership with the charity Volunteering Matters.

The workshops focused on employability including CV and cover letter writing, job applications and interview techniques. The pre-apprentices also participated in a presentation and question and answer session a director and partner at KPMG and learnt about career opportunities at the company.

Accountancy pre-apprentice Sufiyan Xec, 19, said: “It was a really well organised event. I really enjoyed it and It gave me more insight into accounting as a profession and where I want to be in the future, as well as help on how I could improve my CV.

“It seemed like a great environment to work in and somewhere I would like to work when I finish my course.”

Another pre-apprentice Adeel Ahmed, 23, said: “It was really interesting. I learnt more about the audit side of accountancy and what other businesses are doing, and I am now thinking about that as a career.”

Accountnancy Pre-Apprentices take part in employability workshops at KPMG.

CONEL offers AAT Accountancy courses and apprenticeships at Levels 1 to 4, enabling study towards chartered qualifications, namely CIMA, ACCA and ICAEW, or alternatively a degree.

Jacqueline Dyett, Curriculum Manager for Business and Accounting at CONEL, said: “Events like these really broaden our students’ skills and experience, and bring to life what they’ve learnt at College

“They also give them a chance to find out more about what employers are looking for, which can give them a real advantage when applying for jobs in the future.”

Students Eduardo Fernandez and Natasha Thompson in our new Microsoft Showcase Classroom.

The College of Haringey, Enfield and North London (CONEL) and IT services and consultancy firm risual have teamed up to create a new academy to enhance the career prospects of a new generation of IT professionals.

The risual Academy, which will be launched on 9 November, forms part of the risual Education programme and comprises a new cutting edge Microsoft Showcase Classroom, an Apprenticeship scheme and workshops by industry experts throughout the year.

The Showcase Classroom at the Tottenham Centre is equipped with the latest Microsoft technology, including Surface Pro two-in-one laptop/tablet computers and Surface Hub digital displays to deliver hi-tech presentations to support teaching and project work.

The Apprenticeship scheme gives apprentices the chance to develop their IT skills and gain industry recognised Microsoft accredited qualifications while working for high quality employers like King’s College. The apprenticeships also develop transferable skills to improve career prospects and the opportunity continue studies to graduate level with a Degree Apprenticeship where there are no fees or loans and the degree is free

Jenn Culbert, Training Provider Manager at risual Education, said: “risual Education was formed in partnership with Microsoft to address a growing shortage of digital skills and bridge the gap from education to employment.

“We are delighted to be working with CONEL to provide students and apprentices with the skills, experience and qualifications to give them the expertise they need for long and successful careers in this exciting industry.”

The first apprenticeships arranged through the partnership have started ahead of the Academy’s official launch following huge interest in the scheme from prospective employees and employers. Further Apprenticeships will be offered to companies across London along with guidance on the Apprenticeship Levy over the coming year.

Tutors at the CONEL are being trained as Microsoft Certified Educators and undertaking industry recognised Microsoft Office Specialist qualifications, to enable them to give all students the most up-to-date digital skills required for the modern workplace.

Robin Hindley, Curriculum Director for Service and Creative Industries at CONEL, said: “CONEL and risual are committed to working with London employers to provide exciting, challenging and rewarding courses and apprenticeships. Our students can be highly skilled with a degree in IT, debt free and earning a big salary by age 25. This is exactly what young Londoner’s need to kick-start their careers.”

“This partnership will ensure the College continues to be at the forefront of computer technology, offer superb vocational training and great career prospects."

Jordan Thomas in karate action at our Sports Centre in Enfield.

A karate coach at The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL)’s Martial arts Academy has become Britain’s first world champion in 12 years.

Jordan Thomas defeated Hungarian world number two Yves Martial Tadissi in the final in the kumite – meaning ‘grappling hands’ – under 67kg division to take gold in Linz, Austria.

The  24-year-old fighter, ranked 11th in the world before the event, is the son of Will Thomas, himself a former world champion in 1992, national team coach and head coach at the College’s Enfield Centre.

“He [dad Will] led the way," said Jordan, won the European crown in 2014. "He could not be a better role model for me and I have to dedicate it to the hard work he and I did to get this medal.

"I know my history and I know where I come from, but it is a new generation - English and British karate are on the rise."

It was announced in August that karate would be included in the Olympics for the first time at the 2020 Tokyo Games.

Proud dad Will said: "Jordan has been working towards his dream of being world champion for as long as he can remember. I am so proud of his achievement."

The last Britons to claim world karate titles were Rory Daniels and Paul Newby who took gold while representing England in 2004. Natalie Williams was the last Briton to win a world honour when she took bronze at the 2010 championships in Belgrade.

The Martial Arts Academy, run in partnership with the English Karate Federation, was launched in June and is open to students aged 16 to 18 who are studying a vocational skills course at the College.

At the time, Will said: ““This development for karate is very exciting, and means that the sport will grow immensely in popularity as well as funding and sponsorship opportunities.”

Click on this link to find out more about our Martial Arts Academy.