The first green shoots are already emerging at John Willmott School as the popular secondary’s fresh start is planted in praise from Birmingham Education Partnership (BEP). During a visit on 22 September by BEP – an organisation of serving headteachers tasked by the local authority to oversee school improvement across the city – John Willmott was commended for making “huge improvements” and “rapid progress.”  

The university year has officially started again. As the freshers settle into their new university life and returning students are forced to wake from their summer break, they shake off the heat and get back to studying. With Leeds being voted the Britain’s best city for quality of life there’s no wonder the city has become such a popular choice of study for UK and international students.

A student from Wolverhampton who was left partially paralysed as a result of an industrial accident has scooped a prestigious award for her outstanding achievement in adult learning. Sarah Allington, 26, won the Central England Learning for Work award at this year’s Festival of Learning. Organised by the Learning & Work Institute, the Festival showcases and celebrates the impact that learning can have on individuals, families, communities and employers.

Children’s charity Barnardo’s has received national recognition of its work to provide a positive future for young people. Barnardo’s Employment, Training and Skills (ETS) has been awarded a ‘Gold Standard’ from the Fair Train organisation for the quality of its work experience placements. It recognises the charity’s commitment to providing high-quality opportunities which benefit both the young person and the employer.

Walsall College has launched its brand new V6 Full-Time Course Guide for the 2017/18 academic year. Current students at the college, which received a record number of applications this year, recently volunteered to strike a pose and become the cover stars of the college’s latest guide. They had the chance to see their efforts in print as the brochure was revealed this week.

City of Wolverhampton Council is celebrating after picking up a prestigious award at the fifth annual Federation of Small Businesses ‘Small Business Friendly Local Authority and Local Enterprise Awards’. The Skills for Growth – Careers into Care programme has won the Best All Round Small Business Friendliness honour. The The council has identified the care sector as a priority focus for the city and, through the programme, employers are being offered a tailored support service to help with recruitment, up skilling and retention of their new and existing workforce.