This document provides a summary of the Autumn 2011 edition of the HE Bulletin from Bridgwater College. It includes information about partnerships and programmes offered by the college with various universities, using student feedback to make improvements, becoming a student representative, blended and distance learning options, graduation details and achievements of students, and new sports internship opportunities.

1. HE Bulletin
Autumn edition 2011
Contents
Partnerships and programmes..........2
You said we did!................................3
Student representatives....................4
Become an ambassador for
higher education...............................4
Blended and distance learning.........5
Graduation........................................6
Sports internships..............................8
Sports student invited to
House of Commons..........................8
Landscape Design
students win silver gilt.......................9
Nuclear Decommissioning
students graduate.............................9
Motorsport race team claims
two podium finshes.........................10
Art & Design student
opens her own shop........................10
Important contacts..........................11
A-Z of HE: This term T – W.............12
Welcome to those of you
who have enrolled on a
higher education course with
Bridgwater College for the first
time! And welcome back to all
of our second and third year
students also. We hope that
2011/12 will be an enjoyable
and successful year for you all.

2. Partnerships and Programmes
You may not be aware of how many universities
Bridgwater College are in partnership with. Below you
can discover the exciting and diverse range of higher
education qualifications we offer:
Bournemouth University:
Began partnership with what was Cannington College
in 1998, which merged with Bridgwater College in
September 2004. The programmes currently offer are:
• FdSc/BSc Hons (Top Up) Landscape Design
• FdSc/BSc Hons (Top Up) Countryside
Management
• FdSc/BSc Hons (Top Up) Applied Animal
Management
• FdSc Creative Audio Technology
• FdA Media Practice
• BA Hons (Top up) Early Years Care and
Education
• BSc Hons (Top up) Applied Computing
Oxford Brookes University:
We currently offer one Degree programme with this
partner which is delivered at the College.
• FdSc Motorsport Engineering
University of Plymouth:
We have been in partnership with the University of
Plymouth since the year 2000 and offer the following
programmes:
• CHE Food Technology
• CHE/FdSc Agricultural Management
• FdSc Public Services with Outdoor Education
• FdA Early Years – Sector Endorsed
University of Central Lancashire - UCLAN:
Partnership with UCLAN is relatively new, beginning
in 2009. The build of the Energy Skills Centre at
Bridgwater College has provided the perfect resource
to offer the following qualifications:
• FdSc Nuclear Descommissioning
• FdSc Nuclear Engineering
University of Bath:
This is our most recent partnership and 2011 will see
its first year of delivery for the degree on offer:
• FdSc Engineering Systems
As well as our university partnerships we also
provide a range of other higher education and
professional qualifications:
• HNC/D Business Studies
• HNC/D Sports Science
• HNC/D Computing - delivered both at the
College and via distance learning
• HNC Electrical/Electronic and
Control Engineering
• HNC Computer Aided Manufacture and
Automation
• Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media
• HNC Vehicle Operations Management
• Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT)
• Human Resource Management
• Management and Leadership
• Strategic Management and Leadership
• Counselling Practice
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3. You said We Did!
Your feedback is vital to us improving how we work
with you, ensuring we provide the best experience
possible.
We collate student feedback in a variety of ways
including termly HE student forums. During these
forums you have the opportunity to reflect on items
you feel are going well and highlight any areas that
may need further improvement.
We always take our students feedback into
consideration when making enhancements and make
every effort to ensure suggestions made are followed
through where possible and within the current
academic year.
Student feedback has shown:
Students felt the HE Induction enrolment evening
at the Bridgwater site last year was too long in
length, especially after many of them attended
after a full day’s work.
Enrolment in September 2011 was co-ordinated with
your feedback in mind. The length of the enrolment
process was shorter and workshops were reduced.
Students were given a designated time to arrive and
enrol with the College and/or University.
Students were unhappy with the scheduling of
exams. In some cases students were required to sit
two exams in one day.
Where possible, Bridgwater College does, and will
continue to, schedule examinations evenly and to
avoid students sitting two examinations in one day.
However, due to room availability and the volume of
exams this is not always possible. When studying at
a university it is standard practice that more than one
examination may be sat in the same day. We always
try to give plenty of notice of your exam schedule so
you can plan.
Some students felt there were not enough computers
available for students to use around the College.
Throughout the College there are over 1,000
computers available for student use. During the
summer the Learning Resource Centre received a
major refurbishment. Thanks to your comments we
have included even more computers for our students
to use and also introduced Mac computers.
You felt that communication regarding changes
to taught sessions could be expressed more
effectively to students.
This year programme teams are working to identify
more effective ways in which students can be notified
of any changes to lessons in advance where possible.
Ideas being explored include using Blackboard more
extensively to communicate updates and network
systems such as facebook to cascade messages.
It is important to note that the main method of
communication is through College email and all
students should be checking this on a regular basis.
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4. Student Representatives
Thank you to all those who represented their course as
a Student Representative last year. Your contribution
was invaluable and played a vital role in ensuring our
students received the best experience possible.
For new students, during the first few weeks of term,
you will be asked if you would like to represent
your cohort. This is a great opportunity, one that is
recognised by staff throughout the College and also a
great addition to your CV.
AStudentRepresentativeprovidesqualitativefeedback
to staff throughout the year. Feedback helps ensure
we are providing the best possible HE experience to
our students and the course programmes are meeting
the needs of those studying them.
What does a ‘Student Representative’ do?
Meetings - Student representatives are required
to attend all relevant programme team meetings.
You will discuss your report with staff who teach on
the programmes advising them of any causes for
concern.
Reports - Student representatives are often asked
to submit a feedback report for each meeting. The
report is based on the feedback gathered from your
fellow students and will reflect their views as well as
your own.
Feedback - After attending meetings, you will
feedback to your fellow students advising of what
happened and if any developments occured
Liaise - Student representatives will liaise with
members of staff within their programme team on an
informal basis as and when required.
Student Reps are also intended to act as a focus for
feedback from students to the universities and where
applicable the Students’ Union on issues related to
academic provision.
If you are interested in becoming a Student
Representative please discuss the opportunity with
your Programme Manager.
Become an Ambassador FOR
HIGHER EDUCATION
We believe our students have a strong influence on
young people’s futures. We are looking for students
studying higher education to become role models to
these individuals. As an Ambassador you could:
• Work with young people
• Support events such as Open and
Taster Events
• Enhance your CV
• Develop your employability skills
• Raise the College profile
• Receive on-going training
• Enjoy yourself!
For more information or to request an application
form, contact Fiona Henman on 01278 441220, or
email henmanf@bridgwater.ac.uk or pop into the
Admissions Office.
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5. Blended and Distance Learning
Two of the higher education programmes offered at
Bridgwater College are delivered in a full distance
learning mode, meaning the entire qualification is
conveyed to students who are not physically present
in a class room.
Content of the qualification is delivered to students
via webinars, podcasts, listed reading materials and
tasks. Students still have regular contact with their
tutors and/or programme managers but this would
normally be via email or in an online forum to discuss
their individual progress or queries regarding the
programme.
Another form of study you will experience is known as
‘blended learning’: this is a term that most if not all HE
students are likely to come across as it is incorporated
into the majority of all the HE programmes delivered
at the College.
So what is Blended Learning?
Blended Learning is defined as a mixing of different
learning environments. It uses classroom teaching
combined with technology based learning. Taking a
blended learning approach to study, allows flexibility
of learning and generally results in one of two
outcomes:
• More independent learning supported by
timetabled classroom activity and greater
emphasis on online working
• Heavier emphasis of online learning in the
classroom. Learning activities will be structured
around using online materials or working with
your peers.
With the HE environment changing we can offer the
following advantages:
• Work collaboratively in learning communities
online - the College’s virtual learning
environment called Blackboard facilitates this
within some programmes
• Teaching staff can provide up to date
curriculum content that is not always readily
available outside of the internet
• Varied learning methods within a programme
can increase student learning; not all students
benefit from the same method of teaching
• Most blended learning approaches offer the
chance to study when the student chooses to
do so. If a student is absent, podcasts give
the opportunity for them to view the content
missed.
Blended or distance learning offers you the learner
flexibility over what, how and when you can study. If
you have any queries about what blended learning
approaches or materials are available to you, for
example e-books, within the College and through
your university partner you can discuss this with your
programme manager or the LRC staff.
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6. Graduation
Over 300 students completed their university level
or professional courses at Bridgwater College this
year and their extraordinary achievements included
a record-breaking 13 Firsts among the 29 Honours
Degree students, plus a further 19 Distinctions at HND
and Foundation Degree level, in subjects as diverse as
Early Years, Strategic Management and Leadership,
Accounting and Landscape Design.
More than 170 of this year’s cohort donned mortar
boards and gowns to attend the annual graduation
ceremony at St. Mary’s Church in Bridgwater, and the
presence of family, friends, tutors and other invited
guests meant that over 600 people attended the event.
The 13 Firsts at Honours Degree level were not the
only firsts of the night! Other ‘firsts’ included the first
group of students to complete the Foundation Degree
in Agricultural Management, as well as the first group
to complete the new Foundation Degree in Nuclear
Decommissioning.
One of the tutors celebrating with his students was
Greg Chamberlain (pictured above surrounded by
graduates), who teaches the HND in Computing and
the BSc (Hons) in Applied Computing and who helped
ensure that over half of his students achieved the top
award — the Certificate of Commendation. One of
Greg’s HND students, Michael Englefield aged 20 and
from Bridgwater said,
“Greg has been an excellent tutor and the best lecturer
— nearly all of us are going to stay on at Bridgwater
College to top up to the full Honours Degree. So
hopefully we will be back at graduation with Greg next
year to celebrate that achievement!”
The College Principal, Fiona McMillan, was warm in her
praise for all of the students and said she was incredibly
proud to have seen enormous growth in the College’s
higher education provision during her 18 years in office,
and believed that this had a key role to play in opening
up opportunities for local people, particularly in times
of economic restraint.
The guest speaker at the ceremony, Professor Kevin
Edge, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Bath,
applauded the close relationship between the College
and the University. Addressing the students he said,
“You will be helped by the excellent reputation
Bridgwater College has, both regionally and nationally.
The College’s examination and course results
consistently place it among the best of all education
and training providers in the South West. This reputation
is why the University of Bath is so pleased to work in
partnership with the College in the delivery of high-
quality higher education.”
He went on to say: “The national and political focus may
have been on universities over the last year or so, but I
think that it is clear that the Government recognises the
importance of further and higher education colleges
and envisages a bigger role for them in the future.
Bridgwater College is an excellent example of what
these colleges can do, and of the beneficial impact they
can have on their local communities, and on the nation
as a whole. I feel certain that Bridgwater College is well-
positioned to take advantage of the new environment.”
Other highlights of the event included a special
performance from the College Choir and Show Choir,
who pulled out all the stops to make the Graduation
event a special and memorable occasion for everyone
involved.
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7. 7

8. NEW! HE SPORTS INTERNSHIPS
AVAILABLE FOR 2011/12
• Do you enjoy sport?
• Would you like to work within the Sports
Academy or Sports Enrichment programme?
• Would you like to mentor and lead young
people?
• Is gaining coaching qualifications something
that interests you?
If so, then talk to us!
From September 2011 we’re looking to recruit several
HE interns to support our football, rugby, racquet
sports and enrichment sport provision. We also have
opportunities to work within our Health and Fitness
Suite and to help co-ordinate our college sports
leadership, volunteering and officiating programmes.
You don’t have to be studying a sports course at the
College, but you do need to have a keen interest in
sport and in helping young people.
Your responsibilities could include assisting Sports
Academy Directors, supervising activities, officiating,
mentoring, coaching and leading students. This HE
Internship will provide you with transferable skills and
excellent work experience for your CV. You’ll also
have the opportunity to gain professional coaching
qualifications, work alongside experienced staff and
have a valuable opportunity to work in a vibrant and
fast paced Sports section.
If you would like to discuss this further, please
call Jason Gunningham, Section Leader for
Sports and Services on 01278 441853 or email
gunninghamj@bridgwater.ac.uk
Sports student invited to
House of Commons
A student who completed over seven years of study
at Bridgwater College has delighted his former tutors
by achieving his Degree in Applied Sport Science
from the University of Gloucestershire.
James Jarad, aged 24 and from Sidcot, began his
studies at Bridgwater College in 2003 on a Level 1
sports programme. He advanced through Levels 2
and 3, and then progressed onto the College’s Higher
National Diploma in Sport & Exercise Science, which
enabled him to complete his studies in one year at
the University of Gloucestershire. He is now working
part-time as a teaching assistant and works for the
Somerset FA as a referee at Somerset senior level.
In recognition of his achievements, James attended
a special reception at the House of Commons with
college staff, in order to discuss the benefits of further
education.
Jason Gunningham, Section Leader for Sport and
Services said, “We are all extremely proud of James
as he is proof that you can achieve your academic
aspirations if you really want to. During his time at
Bridgwater College, Jared developed into a confident
and conscientious student, as well as an important
member of our Student Football Leadership and
Officiating Committee. In addition to his studies, he
took his football refereeing qualifications and is now
a Level 5 referee. He is a real inspiration to all of our
students and shows that with hard work and dedication
to your studies you will achieve your dreams.”
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9. Landscape design students
win Silver gilt
Students studying the Foundation Degree in
Landscape Design were proud winners of the Silver
Gilt award in the ‘Designer Garden’ category of the
Show Garden competition at this year’s Taunton
Flower Show in Vivary Park and similarly won Silver
at the National Garden Show at the Bath and West
Showground, Shepton Mallet with the same design.
Theseawardsuccessesfollowabronzemedalachieved
at the BBC Gardeners’ World Live competition at the
NEC, Birmingham earlier this year.
The show garden ‘Back to Nurture’ was designed by
second year Foundation Degree in Landscape Design
student Gavin English. Gavin’s aim was provide a
relaxing family space, as part of a larger garden
designed for children’s play. The objective of the
garden was to stimulate a child’s interest in gardening
and nature by surrounding them with a variety of
influences and providing opportunities for them to
observe and participate in gardening. Into the design
the designers incorporated a climbing wall, play
castle, sand pit and a grass covered tunnel, whilst
being attractive and functional for use by adults too.
The landscape materials and selection of plants used
for the show garden were provided by The Walled
Gardens of Cannington.
Programme Manager for Landscape Design at
Bridgwater College Iain Truman said, “We have had
a very successful season of shows with many great
results, and to achieve this second place at our final
show of the season was a credit to all of the efforts of
the staff and students involved.”
Nuclear Decommissioning
Students Graduate
The first cohort of students to study the FdSc in Nuclear
Decommissioning are celebrating after completing their
studies.
The group of five who work at Hinkley ‘A’ in Somerset
have achieved excellent grades in what is an extremely
demanding programme of study.
The course, which is validated by the University of Central
Lancashire (UCLAN), is designed to address the training
needs of the nuclear industry. Many of the older facilities
are approaching the end of their active life and cannot
simply be switched off; they need to be made safe, and
skilled decommissioning engineers are likely to be in
demand for many years to come.
Shaun Cridland, a site engineer with Magnox at Hinkley
‘A’, received sponsorship from his employer to complete
the Foundation Degree, and over the two year course
studied subjects ranging from waste management and
site remediation to robotics, nuclear processes and
decommissioning techniques. Shaun said, “When I was at
school I wasn’t interested in formal qualifications, but now
I’m older I can really see the benefit. Since embarking on
the course I’ve been promoted from team leader to site
engineer and although no one gets a job for life these
days, the need for qualified decommissioning engineers
is set to grow. I hope, in time, to complete a further year’s
study in order to achieve a full Honours Degree.”
The Programme Manager for the course, Dr Bob
Mudd said “This is a challenging subject that requires
commitment and sheer hard work. The grades achieved
by our students are among the best in the country, and
we are immensely proud of their achievements.”
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10. Motorsport race team claims
two podium finishes
The Bridgwater College Motorsport Race Team took on
tough competition in their final two races of the season
at Castle Combe Circuit, driving away with two podium
places they should be proud of.
The nine students, who all follow either the Foundation
Degree or the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Motorsport
course, regularly attend the competition circuit near
Chippenham in Wiltshire, in order to put their road and
race car technology learning into practice and be part of
fully operational vehicle race team.
The students have spent most of their first term rebuilding
and developing a Radical PR6 race car for this season, and
their duties on event days have included working as the
pit crew (complete with student team leader) and carrying
out a full pre- and post-event inspection of the car.
Programme Manager for Motorsport, Simon Burt,
explained, “The excellent set up of the car allowed our
driver to safely and confidently qualify third on the grid
in Race 1 and first in Race 2. In Race 1, Josh used his
fantastic corner speed to chase down the cars in front of
him to finish in second place. Race 2 saw the team start
in pole position but unfortunately the more powerful
challengers used their advantage to pass the college car
in the first lap. Another determined and confident drive
saw the College team regain the lost places moving up to
second place and a commanding eight second gap over
the nearest chasing car.”
The students were delighted with the result, which Simon
described as “a fitting tribute to the students’ dedication
and professionalism demonstrated during this busy race
season.”
Art and Design Student
opens her own shop
A former Art and Design student has successfully
opened her own alteration shop in Bridgwater.
HelenThompson,fromBridgwater,recentlycompleted
the Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media,
which requires the study of a variety of disciplines
including fine art, graphic design, photography,
animation and textiles. Since successfully completing
her course, she has opened her own shop in the
Cornhill Market in Bridgwater, specialising in retailing
bespoke garments, accessories and soft furnishings
as well as alterations.
Helen explained, “A research visit to textile businesses
as part of the course inspired me to open a shop of my
very own. I would not have taken this step without the
boost I received from fellow classmates and college
staff. Whilst others have gone on to study a degree,
the course has given me the confidence to pursue my
own career.”
Helen’s former lecturer at the College, Mark Bunce,
said “It’s very pleasing to see a former student
achieve such success on completion of her studies.
We are delighted she is doing so well at a time when
many other similar retailers are struggling, and this is
very much a reflection of her drive and determination.
I would encourage others looking to follow in her
footsteps to take this course, which really does set
you up to progress in the industry.”
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11. IMportant Contacts
Generally your first point of contact regarding your
study is your Programme Manager, however listed
below are various contacts which you may find useful
whilst studying with us:
HE Quality Systems Improvement Co-ordinator
Name: Helen Wells
E-mail: wellsh@bridgwater.ac.uk
T. number: 01278 441339
HE & Quality Administrator
Name: Natalie Fursland
E-mail: furslandn@bridgwater.ac.uk
T. number: 01278 441339
HE, Adult & International Marketing Coordinator
Name: Kelly Radford
E-mail: radfordk@bridgwater.ac.uk
T. number: 01278 441215
Senior Finance Assistant
Name: Mary Newman
E-mail: newmanm@bridgwater.ac.uk
T. number: 01278 441287
Admissions Manager
Name: Fiona Henman
E-mail: henmanf@bridgwater.ac.uk
T. number: 01278 441416
Admissions Assistant
Name: Rachel Broadhurst
E-mail: broadhurstr@bridgwater.ac.uk
T. number: 01278 441881
Learning Resources Manager
Name: Virginia Havergal
E-mail: havergalv@bridgwater.ac.uk
T. number: 01278 441244
Bridgwater Centre Main Reception
T. number 01278 455464
Cannington Centre Main Reception
T. number 01278 655105
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12. A-Z of HE: This Term T - W
Teaching Methods
When studying at HE level students will find unit
lecturers will use a range of teaching methods to
assist with the delivery of their classes. All methods
are designed to help engage students with their
learning and help develop their way of thinking.
Applying different teaching methods within a subject
allows creativity and increases student participation.
Listed below are examples of teaching methods used
and the types of learning they encourage:
Lecture/seminar
An effective teaching method when delivering
information to large cohorts of students:
• Specialist knowledge is delivered to students
by academic or industry experts
• Students learn through listening and write
their own notes for reference to help with
assignments and exam revision
• Students have the opportunity to discuss
points with the academic specialist
Group Discussion
Learning comes by participating in discussions with
peers and listening to other people’s views:
• Encourages creativity
• Enhances knowledge
• Writing notes collectively
Presentations
Help to develop the research skills of students:
• Allows in-depth knowledge and learning of a
subject
• Builds confidence amongst peers
Workshops
Provides practical application of a subject, allowing
students to learn hands-on:
• Informal discussion of a topic between peers
and academics
• Experience within a subject
Assignments
Encourages own learning and can compare a student’s
view or opinion to that of an authors:
• Develops research skills
• Encourages in-depth and reflective learning
• Reinforces learning and understanding
Undergraduate
All higher education programmes studied at
Bridgwater College are known as undergraduate
programmes. The most common being:
• Bachelor’s Degree which generally amounts to
three years of full-time study
• Foundation Degree programmes are two years
in length when studied full-time. The ‘Top-Up’
option is available for students to complete at
another Institute to obtain their full ‘Bachelor’s
Degree’
• Qualifications offered after this level are known
as Post Graduate Degrees an example of which
is a ‘Masters’
Virtual Learning Environment
Both Bridgwater College and our university partners
operate their own virtual learning environments
(VLE) to aid student study. Whilst VLE’s can help in
the learning process and research elements of your
course, it also assists in the organisation of you study
as there are an extensive range of facilities available
for you to use. A VLE usually includes the following
functions:
• Programme
handbook
• Timetables
• Course information
• Administrative
information
• Teaching materials
• Reading materials
• Links to resources
on the Internet
• Self-assessment
tests or mock exam
papers
• Formal assessment
procedures
• Discussion forum
• Plagiarism
information and/
or plagiarism
detection software
Work Based Learning
All our HE programmes either include a specific work
based learning (WBL) module or will have work based
learning elements embedded across subject units.
WBL is knowledge and experience that can only
be gained by working in the industry, it is called
this because of the nature of its intended learning
outcomes.
WBL allows a student to put theory into practice.
Knowledge gained through WBL can be implemented
throughout most, if not all units of your programme.
Students can take advantage of the vast and current
knowledge of industry experts and gain insight into
the opportunities available to them on completion of
their programmes. Most students will agree that the
experience and knowledge gained through industry is
invaluable and is a great help when completing their
assignments and presentations.
WBL can help to make you more employable in the
future, a potential employers like their staff to have
industry experience.
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