Ciara-Leigh Filer-Hobbs has been named as Milton Keynes College Group’s overall Student of the Year at a moving and spectacular awards night at the Silverstone Circuit.  She was chosen from an inspirational group of award winners from every college department who were all honoured at the event.

The event included performances from the College’s Inclusive Learning Choir, other musical performances from students Ella Boateng and Evie Barnes and an aerial hoop performance by Myrren Harrison. Hosts for the evening, CEO and Group Principal Sally Alexander and Chair of Governors were also joined by a student co-host, Riley Barraclough.

Ciara is one of the first students to study for A Levels at the College and is taking Maths, Business and Computer Science, as well as being accepted onto the Scholars’ Programme.  She’s also working towards her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award which will entail a tough, four day expedition and, if successful, a trip to Buckingham Palace.  Ciara has opted to take the Extended Project Qualification; a voluntary piece of extra work for A Level students which will involve writing a 5000 word dissertation on her chosen subject, the effect of abuse in early life.

Ciara has had a very difficult start in life, including struggling at school, but her determination to succeed and positive attitude have allowed her to achieve great things academically, and she has even been accepted onto the Oxford Brookes University Mentoring Scheme.

Ciara says, “I’m so grateful and so shocked to be picked from such an amazing group of individual winners and I’m very proud.  I always had it rough in school and I was expelled at the end of year eight for behaving badly and had to attend an alternative provision leading up to GCSEs.  I was so scared that I would end up doing nothing with my life even though I’ve always loved education.  I was picturing myself in ten years just doing nothing.  I had a difficult home life but meeting my foster parents made all the difference.  With their support I started behaving again. Now I’m at College and I just love learning here.  Everyone is so supportive and I feel like I’m right back where I should be.”

Ciara has had a big impact on College life beyond her studies, grabbing every opportunity that comes her way with both hands.  She has spoken about her experience of A Levels at the College to a full governors’ meeting, and taken on the responsibility of Women’s Officer on the Student Council. 

Milton Keynes College CEO and Principal, Sally Alexander, says, “Ciara absolutely embodies the College ethos of delivering Fairer Futures for All, not just in what she’s achieving for herself but in her highly-developed social conscience and strong desire to support others.  She’s taking some tough courses but still finds the time and motivation to get involved at every opportunity.  We are immensely proud of her.  Students of the Year gives us the opportunity to celebrate excellence with all of our winners, their families and friends, employer partners and the wider community.  As always, thank you to everyone who made the evening so special.”

Ciara is aiming for university when she completes her A Levels, and, as if she didn’t already have enough to do, has applied for a summer internship with the National House Building Council (NHBC) to develop her employability skills.  Her focus is exemplified by the fact that she already knows very specifically what she wants to do for a career and at what company.  Her ambition is to become a Senior Enterprise and Technology Engineer for BP, and who would doubt that she’ll do exactly that?”

By Maria Bowness, Group Director for Curriculum and Pedagogy

I would like to wish all parents and carers a happy new year and a warm welcome back to the College! The start of a new year is the perfect time to reflect on your journey as a parent or carer supporting your young person in college, while also considering how you can assist them as they face new academic challenges. While your young person may seem increasingly independent and in control of their own learning, providing a supportive environment for their continued learning and development still makes a big difference.

As Group Director for Curriculum and Pedagogy, I spend a lot of time working with heads of schools to determine how to best support our students and what is most crucial to their learning. I have outlined a few key priorities where your support is especially important, along with ways you can help.

Attendance

Encourage your young person to maintain good attendance and punctuality. It is important to come to lessons and work together with peers and the teacher to understand each topic. When a student misses lessons, they miss out on important learning opportunities, putting them at risk of falling behind and not gaining the knowledge they need to succeed.

Here at MK College, teachers take attendance in class. If your young person is missing lessons, you should receive a text both first thing in the morning and afternoon. If you are not receiving any texts, this may be because we do not have the correct phone number, please contact us if you need to update your details. There is also a parent portal where you can access timetables, attendance record and deadline adherence.

If you are worried about your young person’s absences or have any uncertainty over attendance, we encourage you to reach out to us. A good first step is to contact the head of school for the subject, who can provide insight and help address any concerns. We are here to work with you in ensuring your young person stays on track.

Work experience

At MK College, work experience is one of our key focus areas. Our teaching approach emphasises hands-on learning to provide students with practical experience in their field during their studies. As a required component of nearly every student’s study programme, work experience is mandatory. For T Level students, this is fulfilled through an industry placement.

Work experience helps students transition more smoothly from studying to working. It can also facilitate progression to other courses or into the workplace, with many of our past students receiving their first “proper” job offer from their work experience employer.

You can support your young person by discussing their work experience plans, showing both interest and encouragement. If they are uncertain about their plans, you can encourage them to be proactive and to look for work experience. Don’t be afraid to encourage your student to reach out to the College if they are struggling with this, as our work experience team is here to assist with finding a suitable company or organisation, as well as providing support with interview techniques and possible applications.

Maths and English

Maths and English have been shown to be key subjects in improving access to opportunities and opening doors to higher-paying jobs. It is important to understand the importance of these skills and qualifications. GCSEs in maths and English are highly sought after by employers, and passing these subjects is increasingly important for demonstrating essential skills. They are also required for progression at the College: a student may not be able to move onto a higher level of study if they don’t pass maths and English.

The circumstances surrounding minimum qualifications have changed in recent years as students are no longer able to leave school at 15 or 16 years old – it is now necessary to remain in some form of education or training until you are 18 years old.

You can support your young person by encouraging them to attend lessons, revise at home, and take advantage of additional revision sessions offered by the College. If you are worried, encourage them to reach out to us for extra support. We are here to support their progress, and this includes helping them with maths and English.

Nothing demonstrates how hard work leads to results to be proud of more than our recent November resit results. We were delighted to receive excellent results and are incredibly proud of our students for their achievements. Our results have improved and we have doubled the number of students we have entered. While nationally the performance in English has gone down, our results have risen from previous years. Compared with 24.1% nationally, 32% of our students in Maths achieved the grade 4 or higher in the resits. Similarly, 48% of our students in English achieved the grade 4 or higher while the national average was 34.9%.

In summary, encouraging regular attendance and proactive involvement in seeking and completing work experience are key areas where you can help your young person succeed. Additionally, it is crucial to recognise the importance of qualifications like maths and English. These are essential building blocks that will help your young person succeed in both education and, later, in their career.

More qualifications now include exam-based evaluation than ever before. In each subject, we are working together with students to develop their revision skills and prepare them for exams. To help your young person at home, you can encourage them to integrate revision and exam preparation into their daily schedule.

We are here to support all of our learners. If your young person needs help with their studies, please encourage them to reach out to us, or feel free to contact us directly. Encourage them to be proactive, and to ask questions and seek help when needed. Students can reach out to teaching and support staff in person across our two campuses or online via Teams.

Thank you for taking the time to read through our suggestions for how you can support your young person. We wish you and your family a happy 2025 and look forward to celebrating our learners’ successes at the end of the year!

For more support for parents and carers, visit Parents & Carers – MK College

We spoke to Joanna Brown, Head of Careers at MK College, to find out how students can get ready for their next steps and how parents can help along the way.

Q: Can you explain how the College supports students in planning their next steps?

Starting in February, students will have one-to-one meetings with their course leader or progression mentor. These meetings provide an opportunity for students to discuss their plans whether that’s continuing to the next year of their course, changing courses, going to university, starting an apprenticeship, or entering the workforce.

Students can explore their options and make informed decisions during these sessions. For example, if they’re considering a course change, they’ll have time to research alternatives. They can also book a career appointment or use UniFrog to explore other interests. Progression to the next level of their course happens automatically if they meet certain requirements, such as achieving necessary grades in maths or English. If progression isn’t possible, we will work with students to create a new plan.

Q: What should students prepare ahead of these meetings to make the most of them?

Students should reflect on whether they’re ready for the next challenge, as courses become more demanding over time. They should also start researching what’s required for their next steps—whether that’s university, an apprenticeship, or further study—and consider what they need to accomplish by autumn to stay on track.

Q: How can parents support their child in preparing for their next steps?

Engaging in open conversations with their child is crucial. Parents can support the college’s efforts by encouraging improvements if the student hasn’t been meeting expectations. For students considering university, parents can help them research options early.

For Level 3 students, the summer between Year 1 and Year 2 is an excellent time for students to participate in activities like university summer schools, residential programmes, or subject taster days. Parents should also encourage their child to stay informed about opportunities shared via the Careers Teams channel.

Q: What progression pathways are available at MK College, such as apprenticeships or higher education?

MK College offers a range of progression pathways. Students can advance from Level 1 to Level 2, Level 2 to Level 3, and even to Level 4 or 5 in subjects like Engineering, Public Services, and IT. For students aged 19 or older, Access courses are available to help prepare for university.

Apprenticeships are another option and are available year-round, unlike university applications. Students interested in degree apprenticeships should begin their search now and aim to apply by Easter.

Q: How do you help students decide which pathway might be best for them?

We work closely with students to identify the right course and career path based on their interests and goals. For those already on the right course, we help them narrow their focus and specialise in areas they’re passionate about. For example, many students interested in nursing receive guidance on the most effective routes into the profession.

Q: What support does the college offer for students applying to university?

Before the summer, we encourage students to consider whether university is the right choice for them. Resources are shared via the Careers Teams channel, including suggestions for activities they can pursue over the summer.

In September, we assist students in setting up their university application accounts, followed by personal statement workshops in October and November. Our internal deadline is two months before the UCAS deadline, giving students ample time to finalise their applications.

Parents can play a vital role by ensuring their child stays aware of deadlines and tracks their progress to avoid missing any steps in the application process.

Q: What steps can students take now to get ahead in planning their next steps?

Students without work experience should consider getting a part-time job, as it can give them an edge in the job market. Volunteering is another excellent way to develop skills and gain experience. Additionally, students can use UniFrog to access free online courses and explore ways to enhance their skills.

Q: What advice would you give to parents who want to actively participate in their child’s progression planning?

Start early! Don’t wait until July or August to think about the next steps. By then, students should have their plans in place and be waiting for results. Starting the process earlier ensures that students have time to research, apply, and secure their desired opportunities without feeling rushed.

Can you tell us a bit about your career journey and what led you to become Head of Safeguarding?

I’ve been at the College for 15 years. I started as a Careers Advisor and then moved into managing Student Services. That’s when I got more involved with wellbeing, mental health, and safeguarding. I’ve always been passionate about safeguarding, so when I got the chance to become the Safeguarding Coordinator, I took it. Over the past four years, the role has grown, and I now manage a fantastic team of four: two Designated Safeguarding Officers (DSOs) and two Deputy Safeguarding Leads (DSLs).

Who makes up your safeguarding team, and what roles do they play in supporting students?

Natalie Charman and Carly Lancaster, our deputy campus leads, handle a lot of what comes through the safeguarding system. Caroline Underwood and Saff Butler joined less than a year ago and have already done amazing work. The team is incredible and has made such a difference in so many students’ lives. I’m so proud of them.  

I also work incredibly closely with Amy Langford (Group Director of inclusion), who is my Line Manager and Safeguarding Lead for the college. She is a fountain of knowledge and a huge support to myself and my team.

What qualifications or experiences have been most important in preparing you for this role?

We’re all trained in safeguarding, and I have advanced safeguarding qualifications. We’re always learning and staying updated with the latest laws and best practices. Right now, I’m taking a ‘train the trainer’ course so I can train others in safeguarding.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I’m very focused on students. I love solving problems and knowing I’ve helped someone. It’s a privilege to be trusted with confidential information and to make a real difference.

What does your role as Head of Safeguarding involve on a day-to-day basis?

I support the team with safeguarding cases and crises. We work closely with safeguarding agencies like the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), the police, and local GPs. We also collaborate with the college’s wellbeing team, counsellors, and external services like Arthur Ellis (youth counselling), CAMHS, and the Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Service. It’s a real team effort.

How does the safeguarding team ensure the safety and well-being of all students?

Staff can log any concerns into our safeguarding system. We assess the need and decide if we can handle it or need outside help. Amy and I also train staff regularly and remind everyone that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. We share information through posters, the website, and other resources to keep everyone informed.

What are some key safeguarding policies or procedures parents should be aware of?

Parents can find the College’s Safeguarding Policy on the website, which includes details of helplines for extra support. We also offer Togetherall, a 24-hour online counselling service for students and staff. It’s monitored, and any serious concerns are flagged to us. We use an IT system called Smoothwall to alert us to worrying online activity so we can check if students are safe.

What steps can parents take if they have concerns about their child’s well-being or safety?

If it’s urgent, parents should go straight to A&E or call the police. For extra support, the Samaritans helpline is a fantastic resource, and Kooth offers free online support for students. There’s also a mental health drop-in run at the local hospital from 5 – 11 pm. If parents are concerned about their young person walking to and from college, I recommend the Hollie Guard app. It can send an alert to someone if the user feels unsafe.

If you could give one piece of advice to parents about supporting their children through college, what would it be?

Keep talking to your child. Don’t feel like you have to manage everything on your own. We’re here to support both students and their families. If you need help, reach out – you’re not alone.

If you have a safeguarding concern about your child which is impacting their college journey, you can reach out to the safeguarding team via the web form on our website or call us on 01908 684444.