BAEC at Launch your Career Recruitment Fair
BAEC Curriculum Development Managers participated in the LBB Launch your career recruitment fair held at LSEC on Bromley common, alongside providers of education , apprenticeships and work placements.
BAEC entry level courses in ESOL, English and maths, Digital Skills and employability can help set people up on the ladder to success.
Vocational courses will nurture talent towards mastery of creative art, sewing, upholstery, cookery or stained glass.
BAEC staff met the Mayor of Bromley at the event
Welcoming Ukrainians to the UK - Вітаємо українців в Сполученому Королівстві Великої Британії
All Ukrainian adults and their family members over the age of 19, supported through the Ukraine Family Scheme and Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, are immediately eligible for ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses at both the Kentwood and Poverest Centres. These courses are likely to be free but your individual circumstances will be assessed on application.
A new partnership agreement has been launched to enable more English language learning support for people from Ukraine.
Bromley Adult Education College and London South East Colleges have come together to enhance provision and capacity in support of people from Ukraine. This means that additional courses will be put on to meet the demand for English language support in Bromley.
Adults from Ukraine have enrolled on English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses, with a variety of language practice learning opportunities underway, including with volunteers. From April to June, over 350 Ukrainian speakers have been invited for an initial language assessment prior to enrolling on local courses.
Ukrainians living in the Borough are being contacted about the new provision, with an initial short online application available to prospective students to enable the most appropriate learning option to be found.
Councillor Kate Lymer, Deputy Leader and Executive Councillor for Children, Education and Families said, “Learning in all its forms is important and we have successfully placed over 200 children in schools across the Borough and thank you to schools for supporting this. Adults and children from Ukraine have been learning English for some time now but in recognition of the importance of this and to expand capacity, I am pleased we are working with London South East Colleges and Bromley Adult Education College, which will help expand our provision with understanding and speaking English crucial for all ages.”
Neil Coates, College Principal, Enterprise and Employment at London South East Colleges said: “We are delighted to be involved in such an important initiative to support Ukrainians in the Borough with learning English.
“Our aim is to make high quality education accessible to all; ultimately helping to support people of all ages and from all backgrounds to live fulfilling lives and achieve their career ambitions.
“Learning English is a vital first step for many and by working with the London Borough of Bromley, we are ensuring that more people can access this important provision.”
New partnership work underway to improve English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) in support of Ukraine with thanks to
https://bromley.gov.uk/news/article/381/new-partnership-to-improve-esol-in-support-of-ukraine
Direct enquiries to BAEC
Register your interest for BAEC ESOL courses by completing this form. You will then be contacted and booked in for an assessment to assess your level of English so we can place you in a suitable class.
You can also call us on 020 8659 7976 or visit in person - the Kentwood Centre, SE20 7PR or the Poverest Centre, BR5 2DG.
We aim to contact you within two weeks of your registering your interest and we will place you in the first available class, so you can start learning as soon as possible.
Please bring your official permission letter from the Home Office and your passport with the 6-month entry stamp when you come to the college.
PLEASE NOTE - THERE IS NO NEED FOR YOU TO REGISTER SEPARATELY WITH BAEC IF YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE FORM WITH LONDON BOROUGH OF BROMLEY
Other useful links:
Register your interest in becoming a host family/sponsor under the Homes for Ukraine scheme
Apply for a visa under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine) - Guidance for Ukrainian nationals and their family members to come to the UK under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.
Apply for a Ukraine Family Scheme visa - Guidance for family members of British nationals, UK settled persons and certain others to come to or stay in the UK under the Ukraine Family Scheme.
London Borough of Bromley - your local council where you will find more information about living and working in Bromley, including schooling and health care.
Вітаємо українців в Сполученому Королівстві Великої Британії
Всі українці дорослого віку та члени їхніх родин, що перебувають в країні згідно Ukrainian Family Scheme та Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme одночасно мають право скористатися ESOL (англійська для іноземців) курсами в обох Kentwood та Poverest центрах коледжу .Ці курси безперечно будуть безкоштовні для Вас ,але ваші особисті обставини будуть враховані після перевірки вашої заяви.
Зареєструватися для ESOL курсів шляхом заповнення заяви.
Register your interest for ESOL
Надалі ми з Вами зможемо зв’язатися та узгодити час для співбесіди, щоб оцінити рівень вашої англійської, саме так ми зможемо зарахувати вас до відповідної групи .
Ви також можете зв’язатися за номером 02086597976 або особисто відвідати центри коледжу - Kentwood Centre,SE20 7PR
або Poverest Centre, BR5 2DG
Із собою необхідно принести офіційній лист-дозвіл з Home office та паспорт із печаткою про в’їзд.
Інші корисні посилання:
Register your interest in becoming a host family\sponsor under the Homes for Ukraine scheme
Apply for a visa under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme(Homes for Ukraine)
Довідник для українців та членів їхніх родин по в’їзду до Сполученого Королівства по українській спонсорській візі
Apply for a Ukraine Family Scheme visa
Довідник для членів сімей родини громадян Сполученого Королівства, осіб з тимчасовим та постійним дозволом на проживання та інших, по в’їзду або проживанню у Сполученому Королівстві по українській сімейній візі
Ваша районна адміністрація ,тут ви знайдете більше інформації про перебування та роботу в Бромлі, враховуючи школярство та охорону здоров ‘я
Our team at BAEC
Members of our management and administrative team have been interviewed as part of International Women's Day. You can see below a display board with some of their stories and comments.
8th March 2022 - International Women's Day
BAEC celebrates women's achievements on International Women's Day, 8th March 2022.
Our ESOL students have written about famous women in their countries of origin. Women like Raina Kabaivanska, Bulgarian opera singer; Edna Adan Ismail, Somaliland's first female Foreign Minister; Qing Ling Song, Vice President of the People's Republic of China; Ghada Shouaa, Gold medal winner for Syria (heptathlon) at the Atlanta Olympic Games of 1996; Sofia Ionescu Ogrezeanu, Romanian national and the world's first female neurosurgeon; Jolanta Brzeska, who campaigned against tenants' evictions in Poland; and Larysa Petrivna Kosach-Kvitka, known as Leysa Ukrainka, Ukrainian poet and activist.
Many other women are honoured in displays at the Kentwood and Poverest centres this week, and you can photos of the display boards in our gallery page (English and ESOL).
The IWD them for this year is 'Break the Bias', striving for increased visibility, and gender equality in a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive. https://www.internationalwomensday.com/
24th February 2022 - end of Covid-19 domestic restrictions in England
From today, the government is removing the last requirements to self-isolate or test if you have Covid-19 or are a close contact of a person with Covid-19.
BAEC will continue to involve students in decisions regarding suitable hygiene and security measures. We want everybody to feel comfortable on our premises, so we encourage every group to re-visit ground rules regularly and agree procedures regarding appropriate use of face masks, social distancing etc. in their classroom. As an institution, we will continue to be vigilant and keep up our enhanced cleaning and ventilation routine. Until the end of this term, there will be reduced numbers of students in a classroom; but groups may agree on a different furniture layout if it is felt that it would be more conducive to learning. Lateral Flow test kits are available at reception as previously (limit of one box of 7 tests per person).
The government has published Guidance - Covid-19 Response: Living with Covid-19 that sets out how the Government has and will continue to protect and support citizens.
Digital Champions at BAEC
Over the past two years, our team of Digital Champions has worked hard to make sure that all our staff and learners can access and use technology to support learning.
Curriculum Leader, tutor and Digital Drop In facilitator Lou Smith has guided learners and DDI participants in acquiring digital skills, from helping beginners start with basic digital literacy to guiding staff in using specialist software packages.
Tutor and Digital Champion Sam Matthews has hosted weekly workshops and one to one support sessions, and has produced guidance materials available in Guidance for Online Learning
Curriculum Leader and tutor Izabela Bialas-Lecybyl became a qualified Google Educator in January 2022. Izabela has worked with tutors and learners to upskill them in using Google Apps, including Google Classroom, to enhance their learning and make it easier to access materials.
Tutor Jill Collier has created a series of podcasts Back to Work with Confidence and hosted DDI sessions and workshops.
Digital Champions are always happy to help. If you have a computing question or you are not sure how to do something, please email enquiries@baec.ac.uk and we will put you in touch with one of the team.
Friday 18th February 2022 - Storm Eunice Warning
In light of the Red weather warning of extreme weather, the Kentwood and Poverest centre will be closed today. Any class due to take place will be rescheduled and learners will be contacted by text or phone.
You can contact us by emailing enquiries@baec.ac.uk. Your email will be forwarded to the relevant person.
Updated guidance 20th January 2021.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced that all Plan B measures will be removed in England, with a full return to Plan A by Thursday 27 January.
Course delivery
BAEC follows the operational guidance of the DfE. COVID-19 continues to be a virus that we learn to live with. The priority is for face-to-face delivery, high-quality education to all students. The evidence is clear that being out of education causes significant harm to educational attainment, life chances, mental and physical health.
Face coverings
From today, face coverings are no longer recommended in classrooms and teaching spaces for staff and students.
From Thursday 27th January, they are also no longer recommended in communal areas for staff and students.
At BAEC, we recognise that staff and student have agreed ground rules for their groups and that some people may wish to continue wearing face coverings. We promote an inclusive environment and we want to reassure all staff and learners that we respect their decision and will continue to support individuals if they have concerns. If you have any question, please contact a member of the management team.
Control measures
The following control measures are in place:
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Good hygiene for everyone. Soap and water or gel sanitisers available.
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Appropriate cleaning regimes. Regular cleaning of areas and equipment is carried out, with a particular focus on frequently touched surfaces.
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Keeping occupied spaces well ventilated. Please continue to keep windows open as much as possible. Opening external windows can improve natural ventilation, and in addition, opening internal doors can also assist with creating a throughput of air.
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Following public health advice on testing, self-isolation and managing confirmed cases of COVID-19.
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Test yourselves regularly. You can pick up a box of 7 tests from the Kentwood or Poverest receptions. Students and staff are encouraged to test themselves before leaving their home on the morning of their class.
When an individual develops COVID-19 symptoms or has a positive test
Students, staff and other adults should follow public health advice on when to self isolate.
They should not come into the college if they have symptoms.
Confirmatory PCR tests following a positive lateral flow test result are to be temporarily suspended from Tuesday 11 January. This will mean that anyone who receives a positive LFT result will be required to self-isolate immediately and will not be required to take a confirmatory PCR test.
9th December 2021 - New Government Guidance on Coronavirus protection
From 10th December 2021, England will move to Plan B in response to the risk of the Omicron variant.
BAEC already requests staff and learners to wear face coverings in communal areas and we have kept our hygiene measures up to date throughout the academic year.
Classes will continue as planned until the end of the autumn term and both the Kentwood and Poverest centres remain open. Learners should attend as usual. This includes make-up classes planned for week beginning 13th December.
If the class is online, learners should attend as usual.
The reception offices will be open as per advertised opening times. Please note that the centres are closed in the evenings outside term times.
Two BAEC learners receive Royal Photographic Society Distinction
Congratulations to Martin Sharrock and Clive Williams on achieving the Royal Photographic Society LRPS distinction. Martin completed Level 2 and Level 3 NCFE Certificates in Photography previously, and Clive completed NCFE Level 2 in 2018/19; both under the tuition of Pupak Navabpour at BAEC. Well done Martin and Clive, what a great achievement!
Martin's work can be viewed on
https://martinsharrock.myportfolio.com/
Clive's work can be found on
https://www.instagram.com/cedubya46/?hl=en
Tutor Amanda Webster 'SAA Artists of the Year' Award
More congratulations to tutor Amanda Webster, whose entry 'My Transgender Child' won the Supporting All Artists award in the SAA Artists of the Year competition. A fitting award, as Amanda always brings out the best in all her students.
News 2020-21
End of Year NCFE Photography Exhibition at Kentwood 21st June to 16th July 2021
Learners attending the online NCFE Level 2 and Level 3 Certificate in Photography are showcasing their marvellous work at the Kentwood centre this month. Displays of photographs are doted around the café area and along the adjoining corridors.
At Level 2, learners explore photographic techniques, materials and resources to develop and adapt their ideas creatively, and produce images in areas of landscape, portrait, still life, architecture, social documentary, close up or wildlife.
At Level 3, learners refine their technique and knowledge in two mandatory units and one personal choice unit. Their portfolio of work include Documentary, Location, Portrait and Studio Photography. The qualification is endorsed by the Royal Photography Society.
External verifiers from the NCFE awarding body have praised the work of BAEC students, pointing out that the quality of everybody's work is well above the expected level!
If you are interested in photography and want to find out more, why not join Introduction To Level 2 Photography - an online course that introduces you to the basics of photography, in preparation for the NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Photography course starting in September 2021.
Celebrating BAEC Volunteers
The first week in June 2021 is National Volunteers' Week. BAEC is celebrating its volunteers and recognises their valuable support.
Our maths tutor Ade Omoyeni has been volunteering for Age UK for over 10 years.
Wendy Twitchett is a student and a familiar face to those attending Digital Drop In sessions. She has been helping people improve their digital and employability skills at BAEC for several years.
'I really enjoy being a volunteer because Kentwood is such a welcoming and friendly college and volunteering gives me the opportunity to meet so many different and interesting people. I volunteer in the Digital Drop In and it is a pleasure to watch someone learn to use a computer, acquire new skills and develop confidence. I enjoy getting to know the people who come in and helping them in their search for work . Often they will share particular thoughts about finding a job and I can listen for as long as they need to talk.
At the same time, I learn a great deal about the world of employment , how to produce the most powerful CVs and the best methods of searching for a job. I am very happy to give my time to Kentwood. Being able to give time and individual attention to someone is so important in a demanding world.'
Lizzy Atkinson, a member of our Kentwood administration office, says
' I volunteered for ten years at a stables for Riding for the Disabled until Covid made the classes stop. It gave me a lot of satisfaction and made me very happy to see the progress of the riders over the years. It makes me feel the same way through working at BAEC to see the students achieve what they have come to learn.'
In April 2021, a group of volunteers from Living Well charity in Penge enjoyed specialist literacy training with our tutor Saliha Graine. Read about their experience below
'Living Well Bromley is a charity based at Holy Trinity Church, Penge which provides various services free of charge, including a foodbank, a community lunch and café, mental health support, debt advice and help with homelessness and addiction. It is staffed mostly by volunteers. https://www.livingwell.life
A while ago it was decided to offer our guests support with literacy and numeracy, and a handful of volunteers offered to be part of a support group called “Words and Numbers”. We felt that some training was needed, as well as direction to suitable resources. BAEC offered to run a short course for our volunteers to meet these needs. This was due to start in March 2020, but the Pandemic and Lockdown changed that.
However, with recent easing of restrictions, BAEC returned to face to face teaching, and our course was on again. Seven of our volunteers have attended this training, finding it both inspirational and informative. We have been introduced to many useful resources and had discussions on the best approaches with our “students”. We know that some of our guests at Living Well will simply need help with form-filling and online applications. However, we also have a small list of guests who are seeking support to improve their reading/writing skills, and thanks to the generosity of BAEC we feel better able to offer that support.'
Steve Taylor, a student at our Poverest centre and a keen member of his local community, volunteered as Father Christmas at the launch of the new bus route in Edenbridge. Local press celebrated the day with this photo
Three BAEC tutors recently volunteered to assist Covid Surge testing in some Bromley schools, along with their teaching commitments. Anne Burger, Bibi Holmes and Elizabeth Coates, thank you for helping keeping us all safe!
Interested in volunteering or finding out more? https://volunteersweek.org/
EU Settlement Scheme
If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you and your family can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021. The deadline is approaching and we remind our students and family members that they should apply as soon as possible.
You can find more information on the Government website https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
The university of Liverpool has produced this helpful leaflet EU,Settlement,Scheme,-,Information,for,EU,or,EEA,citizen,children
Virtual Exhibition 2021
View the wonderful work of our students in our Gallery page.
Census 2021
BAEC is operate as a Census Support Service to members of the public. You can get help completing your Census form with one of our friendly advisors. Information about the service can be found here.
Summer Programme
We will be extending our academic year to help our students achieve their learning goals during this very disrupted year. Look out for new summer courses and additional workshops in June and July 2021.
We are recruiting
Help BAEC retrain, upskill and inspire local adults in these difficult times and expand your own practice in 2021.
We have vacancies for sessional tutors in several subjects to start in spring term 2021 - see our BAEC job vacancies page for details
Successful Matrix Accreditation November 2020
BAEC Career, Information, Advice and Guidance procedures were externally reviewed in the last week of November. BAEC achieved the Matrix Standard and the assessor was pleased to write 'In summary, this accreditation review confirmed that BAEC continues to deliver a high quality, content rich, IAG offer that is making a real difference to learners.'
In total, the Matrix assessor interviewed 30 different staff and partners, and a sample of 23 learners.
- Leadership approaches have successfully enhanced the positioning of BAEC as an integral component of wider council approaches such as ‘Transforming Bromley’.
- The matrix Standard is embraced as a business improvement tool providing a “push and boost” approach to striving for IAG excellence.
- Innovative approaches to the whole learner journey have been essential to keep learners engaged and enjoying learning throughout the pandemic.
- The IAG offer has developed significantly since the last assessment, with staff embracing a broadened role in response to increased demand for health and well-being support.
New Laser Cutter for the Etching room
Etching students will soon benefit from access to a laser cutter donated by our Etching tutor Kirsten Baskett. BAEC is one of the few institutions with this equipment, which enables students to produce accurate and precise pieces, and learn new skills.
DevicesDotNow
Digital Adult Community Education (ACE) guidance materials
Link to Digital Adult Community Education (ACE) developed materials:
New Smartboards
Smartboards in most classrooms at the Kentwood and Poverest centres were upgraded to up to date models during summer 2020.
BAEC was successful in securing funding from the Greater London Agency and the Borough of Bromley to carry out the works.
The new Smartboards are user-friendly, offer greatly enhanced visibility and sound, and can share materials/audio/videos with Android, IOS and Windows devices wirelessly.
Classroom computers have also been upgraded so they respond faster and you have the opportunity to work with the latest apps.
The new facilities will improve the quality of teaching and learning for all learners, and make your experience at BAEC more enjoyable.