British Airways has launched a big new campaign to recruit experienced pilots for its regional operation.

The job opportunities have arisen with the growth of its London City schedule and increased regional flying from Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Stansted and Edinburgh airports this year.

BA CityFlyer, the wholly owned British Airways company with its home base at London City Airport, is on the look-out for all pilots to fly its fleet of 22 modern Embraer 170 and 190 jets.

The current entry requirements for captains has also been expanded. Applicants need to have completed a total of 3,000 flying hours on an aircraft greater than 10 tonnes including 1,000 hours as the pilot in command.

BA CityFlyer Head of Flight Crew Resourcing Strategy, Paul Nichols, said: “We are in the middle of tremendous growth at BA CityFlyer, 2018 is our busiest year so far with a 26 per cent increase in the number of customer seats available to many new destinations compared to last year and the introduction of two new Embraer 190s to the fleet.

“It’s a fantastic time to join this growing business and we are looking for experienced pilots who enjoy the challenge of flying from a steep approach airport like London City to some of the most beautiful airports in the UK and Europe.”

To help with its recruitment drive, British Airways has appointed a team of flying ambassadors, representing pilots from all levels of seniority. They will be attending roadshows and recruitment events around the country to showcase what they do and to assist with any questions.

They are:

First Officer Florence Nottage

First Officer Florence Nottage joined BA CityFlyer as a direct entry pilot three and a half years ago.

Born in France, Florence gained her private pilot’s licence in her home country after taking her first flying lesson at the tender age of 14. She completed a university degree as a career back-up before taking on her full flight training.

She says: “Apart from the flying what I really enjoy about my job is the people I work with. London City is such a friendly base, we all know each other and when we turn up for work we know we will be working with people we really like and respect.

“London City is a challenging airfield, I love flying in and out of there, but my favourite destination has to be Nice, it’s such a beautiful city to fly into.”

Florence is single and manages to easily fit her home and family life around her job.

Captain Neil Gillon

Captain Neil Gillon joined the company 17 months ago from City Jet. He began his flying career with self-funded training in the USA where he gained both his Private Pilot’s Licence and his Commercial Pilot’s Licence. After completing his flight training Neil stayed on in the USA as a flight instructor teaching commercial and private pilots for UK/JAA licences and ratings. On his return to the UK Neil got a job with Eastern Airways flying prop aircraft, where he gained his command.  He later worked for Monarch, Silverjet and City Jet as a captain on a mix of jet aircraft before joining BA CityFlyer.

He was already licensed to carry out steep approach landings at London City Airport, thanks to his experience at City Jet, but what appealed to him most was how quickly the British Airways operation was growing at the Docklands airport.

He said: “Being based at the airport I was in a great position to see the expansion first hand, exciting new destinations, a fleet of modern Embraer aircraft and the chance for career progression.

“Once I joined the company I knew I had made the right choice. The roster works really well for me, the training personnel and management are all really approachable and I really admire the safety and customer focus culture that we have.”

Captain Ed Styles

Captain Ed Styles joined BA CityFlyer as a First Officer in 2014 and has since got his command and become a Training Captain on the Embraer fleet.

He initially got his private pilot’s licence and built up his flying hours after buying a part share in a private aircraft. He did his ground school training in Bristol and his first commercial job was as a pilot with City Jet, based at London City Airport.

Since joining British Airways he has taken the opportunity to help other pilots gain vital flying experience and is now licensed to sit in both the left and right hand seats on the flight deck as a training captain, assessing both first officers and captains for their regulation checks.

With the expansion of the regional flying programme in the UK, Ed is delighted to be able to fly in and out of his home city of Birmingham.

He said: “My parents still live in Birmingham so it’s great that I can combine my working life with a trip home when I’m lucky enough to be rostered a Birmingham trip. We do have great flexibility within the company and we fly to some lovely destinations.

“I just love flying, it’s hard to pick a favourite airfield that we fly to, I’m torn between Chambery and Mykonos.”

First Officer Iain Robb

First Officer Iain Robb has wanted to be a pilot his whole life and last year his wish came true when he landed his dream job flying for BA CityFlyer.

Originally from Glasgow, Iain began his aviation career working on the ground at Glasgow Airport as a dispatcher. With his obvious love of flying when he heard BA CityFlyer were recruiting he signed up straight away.

He did his initial practical flight training in Spain last year and in January began ground school in the UK. By March at the age of 21, he was qualified as a first officer and flying his first commercial customers from London City Airport.

He says: “I just love my job and the people I work with, every day is different and challenging and the opportunity for career progression is fantastic.

“I would advise anyone who is thinking about flying as a career to at least try a job in aviation first, even if it’s on the ground.  It gives you a real feel for the industry as a whole and I think it’s good to understand how everyone works together to ensure a safe and efficient operation.”

People are being encouraged to have their say and help improve access to education for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The City of Wolverhampton Council is seeking comments from parents, carers, children and school staff about its draft Schools Accessibility Strategy.

The strategy aims to increase the extent to which pupils with disabilities can participate in the school curriculum, improve facilities and services so that they can gain the maximum benefit from their time in education and improve the provision of information to disabled pupils and their families.

Once approved, the strategy will be used by schools to inform their Disability Equality Scheme and Accessibility Plan which show how, over time, they will improve access to education for disabled children and young people.

Councillor Lynne Moran, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: "It's important that as many people as possible take part in this consultation to ensure that the final strategy meets the needs of children and young people across the city."

People can find out more about the strategy and have their say by completing an online survey available via www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/consultations. The consultation closes on Friday 20 July, 2018, and the finished School Accessibility Strategy is expected to be published in the autumn.

For more information, or to request a hard copy consultation response form, please contact Nicola Harris, SEND Support Officer, by calling 01902 554302 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Birmingham-based Encore Personnel has introduced its brand-new e-grads (Encore Graduates in Recruitment Are Destined for Success) scheme, in a bid to encourage graduates and fresh talent into the exciting and fast-paced world of recruitment.

An annual report by High Fliers Research has revealed that graduate employment was substantially lower than expected in 2017 and many private sector companies are cutting graduate recruitment by more than 10% in 2018. With a vast number of students set to enter the job market in June, Encore wants to change these statistics, highlighting recruitment as a rewarding and aspirational career opportunity.

Based on Lower Temple Street in Birmingham, Encore introduced the e-grads scheme earlier this month for new recruits. With a variety of job roles on offer, from sales to admin, the training scheme is designed to fit hand-in-hand with the graduate’s day-to-day role at Encore.

The scheme will include extensive internal training and a dedicated career development plan, which will foster the skills and knowledge needed to excel in a career in recruitment.

Cindy Gunn, HR Manager at Encore Personnel, said: “There is a strong pool of graduates with raw talent across the city, who will be finishing university this summer and deciding their next move. Many do not consider recruitment as a career choice but we want to show them that they have the talent to achieve a long and fulfilled career in the industry.

“It doesn’t matter if the applicant has no previous experience or even if their degree was not recruitment-related, our e-grads scheme is designed to encourage all graduates to apply. They just need to have the drive and ambition to succeed.

“Encore is dedicated to being a great place to work by ensuring its staff develop by promoting within and providing beneficial training opportunities. Last year alone, Encore invested £1m in staff training and growth opportunities and many graduates have gone on to have brilliant careers with the company. I started working at Encore 16 years ago with little work experience as an Administrator and I have now progressed through the ranks to HR Manager.”

Interested e-grads candidates will be able to attend an assessment day hosted by Encore, whereby they will undertake individual and group activities with around ten other applicants.

Cindy added: “We didn’t want to do the typical formal interview process for hiring graduates. These assessment days are much more interactive and allow the applicant to get a better understanding of Encore and recruitment in a more relaxed environment.

“We are also able to get a good idea of a candidate’s personality by seeing them at ease with others. From these sessions, we expect to uncover some shining stars with great potential in recruitment.”

Students at a Rowley Regis School have been carrying out acts of kindness across the community to brighten people's day.

St Michael's CofE High School on Curral Road launched #21AOK (Acts of Kindness) as part of their 21st Century Child project which is highlighting the world and dangers teenagers face today.

Children from the school's council are doing at least one act of kindness each day for 21 days during June and July. From making cups of tea for their parents to leaving thank you notes for teachers, students have been hoping their kindness will cause a ripple effect and make others kinder too.

Pupil Ellie has already carried out acts of kindness. She said: "It doesn't have to be a grand gesture or anything expensive. Being kind can be something as simple as asking your parents how their day has been or giving someone a compliment. We really hope our kindness spreads far and wide and cheers people up."

Councillor Simon Hackett, cabinet member for children's services visited the students at St Michael's. He was very impressed with the work they have been doing. He said: "The students at St Michael's are doing so much to have a positive effect on not just the school but in the wider community.

"I was blown away at how much the school's council are involved in more impressed that a lot of the work is in their own time - after school and in the holidays.

"Often the perception is that young people can be rude and unapproachable but that clearly isn't the case. I wish the students well with their pledges to spread kindness."

Smethwick assistant headteacher Bethany Barnsley has clinched a top award for her teaching – at the very school she went to as a child.

Bethany, who works at Devonshire Infant and Junior Academies, picked up a silver award in the 2018 Pearson Teaching Awards.

Selected from thousands of nominations, Bethany is one of just 65 winners who were celebrated on Friday 22 June – “Thank A Teacher Day”.

Bethany, who is also the school’s SENCO, attended the school as a pupil and she has worked at Devonshire Academies since qualifying as a teacher.

She was presented with her prestigious Silver Pearson Teaching Awards trophy at a special ceremony by Sharron Philpot, Executive Headteacher and Robert Craig, representing Pearson.

The Pearson Teaching Awards are an annual celebration of exceptional teachers, founded in 1998 by Lord Puttnam to recognise the life-changing impact an inspirational teacher can have on the lives of the young people they teach.

Bethany, who has worked at the school for ten years, said she felt lucky to work with her colleagues and pupils at Devonshire.

“I feel extremely honoured and privileged to have received a Silver Award for Excellence in Special Educational Needs Education,” she added.

“I am very lucky to work with such incredible children at Devonshire Academies. The award is a testament to the fantastic teams that work so hard and continually strive for the best for our young people.”

Sharron Philpot, Executive Headteacher at Devonshire Infant and Junior Academies, which is part of Victoria Academies Trust said: “This is such a well-deserved award.

“Bethany is a true inspiration to all who work with her. The impact she makes on the lives of children in our schools, and more widely within the trust is incredible. It is a proud moment for everyone who knows her.”

Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for children’s services Councillor Simon Hackett said: “I’d like to congratulate Bethany on this fantastic achievement. It’s heart-warming to think she went to this school as a child herself and now she’s delivering a fantastic education to her own pupils.”

Bethany will now join fellow Silver Award winners, along with three Scottish Education Award winners and three winners of the Professional Teaching Awards Cymru, at the 20th UK Ceremony of the Pearson Teaching Awards held in central London on 21 October.

There they will find out which of them has won one of just 12 Gold Plato Awards, the UK’s “Oscars for teachers”.

The October ceremony, titled “Britain’s Classroom Heroes”, will be filmed and broadcast by the BBC as a showcase of excellence in education.

Two local student pubs, the Bristol Pear and the Gosta Green, will be offering users of its MORE loyalty card double points on their bubbly bottles this July - in honour of its student patrons. The promotion will run throughout the month, allowing everyone to take advantage, as they wave goodbye to exams and hello to the summer break.

Customers who don’t already have a MORE Card can simply get one from the team at either the Bristol Pear or the Gosta Green to start earning double points* for every pound they spend on Prosecco and Champagne. The promotion comes at just the right time to celebrate the World Cup, which can be enjoyed at either venue on one of the bar's big TV screens.

Paul Jordan, Manager of the Bristol Pear, said: “It’s that time of year again where we must say goodbye to our amazing student customers, as they go home for the holiday. We have so many regulars, with many sports teams and clubs hosting their get togethers here, that we really miss them in the summer months.

“With this promotion, we hope we can show them how proud we are of their achievements, while they celebrate with their friends and family!”

Stefan Sroczynski, Manager of the Gosta Green, added: “We’re excited to offer this promotion to the hardworking students of Birmingham! Congratulations to everyone graduating this year”.

The MORE Card scheme was introduced to support Student customers in 2014. It is available as a mobile App or card and would normally offer 10 points for every £1 spent in the bar. Throughout July, every pound spent on fizz will earn 20 points, which can be redeemed for £2 for every 200 points earned.