GFTU BGCM 2019 Minutes

the opportunities that that can bring. Helping social mobility by working with

the low skilled and again a lot of students that we get are really low skilled and

low employment. That includes trade unionists as well. They have those raw

skills and talents, but are not necessarily recognised by their managers, by

their employers and we are able to give those qualifications through

accreditation that improves their confidence and chances. Life changing

educational opportunities as well. I will not go into it now, but much like Ruskin

we run a level 3 qualification where students get access to university at the

end.

We are very fortunate that we are surrounded by 800 acres of land that

belongs to us. Does every college have a castle at the end of the driveway? They probably do, but again that is open to students, as is the 18 th century orangery. I am going to be passing the begging bowl round later! I am not doing myself any favours here, am I? There is an 18 th century orangery which

again is fabulous for students on the Friday if you are going to do some

reflection with trade unionists, “have you enjoyed this week?” and it is just a

nice little half hour to spend and reflect and think about the time that they have

spent with us. There is a little picture there. We have got a deer farm and on

Thursday night we use the grounds again from a mental health point of view. It

is great just to get out and get in touch with nature. The farmer was out with

the deer and asked the students if they wanted to spend some time feeding

them, so we all just grabbed a big chunk of food and they all came over and,

again, when students are reflecting about the week that they have had, that

crops up, specifically on a Thursday when you can be at the end of a course

and it can be difficult leaving. That leaves people with really positive thoughts.

We have an award winning library. The AoC awards to libraries every other

year and we have won in 2014 and 2016 and, again, if you have never been

there, it is Europe’s largest freestanding roof, a fabulous library. The staff there

literally are the best in the country. They have won awards twice, the only

college to do that. Ofsted. Paul, I am really sorry about this. Ofsted do judge

us as being outstanding, which was very nice of them to say, and again grade

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