Q: What’s the main purpose of your role as Campus Manager?

Louise: I always say our role is about being a familiar face for students when they’re outside the classroom. If they need help or have any concerns, we’re there to assist them or direct them to the right person. We work closely with security and ensure that the College’s standards are upheld.

Jack: We’re the first point of contact for any issues, whether they’re inside or outside the classroom. We work with internal teams and handle situations related to student behaviour, making sure everyone follows the College’s code of conduct. This includes everything from wearing lanyards to how students communicate with staff. Our goal is to prepare students for the workplace and life after college.

Q: What does a typical day look like for you?

Louise: My day starts at the front barriers, greeting students with a smile and a “Good morning.” Then I walk around the campus, checking in with students and making sure they’re safe and where they need to be. I’m always in the main areas during breaktimes and lunch, so I’m easy to find if students need me.

Jack: We’re always around to support students. We greet them at the entrance and make sure they know we’re here for them. It’s all about being approachable and visible so we can quickly deal with any issues that come up.

Q: How are you finding the job so far?

Louise: I absolutely love it. A lot of students don’t always know about the different services, clubs, and societies we offer, so I see it as part of my role to make sure their experience at college is the best it can be. I want them to feel happy and safe here.

Jack: It’s a combination of the things I enjoyed about teaching and personal development, but with a broader focus on preparing students for life after college, helping them understand policies and procedures.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your role?

Jack: The most rewarding part has been seeing how much better students are responding to the College’s standards. For example, we’ve seen a big improvement in students wearing their lanyards, which was a challenge at first.

Louise: I’ve also noticed more students stepping up to represent their peers through student voice, which is fantastic. It’s great to see them taking ownership and giving us feedback. We’re here to support them, but we’re also preparing them for the real world by helping them develop skills that will benefit them in their future careers.

What are your main responsibilities?

I now oversee the services that build skills and resilience so students can have this amazing, transformative experience. Specifically, I have responsibility for the Positive Behaviour team, the Well-being team, Personal Development, Enrichment, and College Voice. I also oversee the Campus Managers and act as a Designated Safeguarding Lead.

What are your current priorities and plans?

Right now, we’re focused on reframing our student services under a trauma-informed approach and looking to share these practices and skills across the entire college. Now, post-pandemic and with ongoing challenges like the cost-of-living crisis, every student walking through our doors is likely to have experienced some form of associative trauma. The support landscape has evolved tremendously. There is more of a lens focus on mental health, wellbeing and how it relates to internalised and externalised behaviour in our students in a broader sense. This shift has allowed our support services to grow and become more nuanced, with direct approaches to behaviour that aligns our College Values and with the six core principles of trauma-informed care: Providing safety, trustworthiness and transparency, choice, collaboration, empowerment and cultural consideration.

What is your favourite thing about working at MK College?

It’s all about the students and the people. I’ve been blessed to work with some amazing teams. I am blown away by how committed, passionate and resilient they are, especially when you consider the constant challenges they face, the high volumes of referrals and the increasing complexity of need requiring our support. All of us share the responsibility, so it feels like a family. Inclusivity is a core value here, and everyone goes the extra mile. What I love most is that, while we might not have all the answers to the major societal challenges; we take them on together and work towards solutions. I’m incredibly proud of that.

Anything else you’d like to share?

From my early days as a youth worker to now, I’ve always been inspired by young people and their resilience. Hearing their voices, supporting them, and seeing them overcome extreme hurdles to achieve success is a privilege. It’s amazing to be part of that journey.

Behaviour Team Spotlight

Q: What is your role at MK College?

A: My role at MK College focuses on observing and managing student behaviour and working with curriculum teams to facilitate engagement. This includes monitoring how students act and interact in and outside of classes and developing positive relationships. We also keep a close eye on attendance and absences as these things can become barriers to learning. Dealing with any incidents that may arise is a big part of my job, involving meetings and creating contracts with students to make sure everyone is treated fairly and respectfully. My role is all about advocating for and helping students at MK College, making sure they meet the expected standards and feel supported in their education.

Q: How do you maintain a safe environment at the college?

A: Charlie and I move around the College, ensuring that students treat each other respectfully. Encouraging students to follow the rules is part of this, which means ensuring students wear ID badges, dress appropriately and demonstrate a positive attitude towards learning and each other. This helps keep the college running calmly and smoothly. Our main goal is to encourage a positive approach to learning, fostering an environment where students can thrive.

Q: Can you elaborate on the behaviour strategies you use?

A: Absolutely. We use different methods like creating Behaviour Contracts that break down the College’s expectations and enable students to understand how this applies to them. We follow a structured disciplinary process and intervene promptly and consistently as and when appropriate. Mediation is crucial for resolving conflicts, setting boundaries, and promoting positive interactions among students. These efforts offer valuable chances for students to understand and show respect, aligning with the College’s core values. Outside organisations are also really important to what we do. They give talks and hold workshops about behaviour, offering insights on how attitudes can change for the better. Working together like this helps us make a real difference in students’ behaviour and increases self-esteem and a sense of belonging.

Q: How do you contribute to student well-being?

A: Being mindful of the challenges students face is at the heart of what we do. Besides managing behaviour, we concentrate on looking after students’ well-being, both mentally and physically. Our aim is to understand their learning and social needs, so they feel supported and motivated. It’s not just about enforcing rules; it’s about creating an environment where students can flourish and develop as individuals and as an active part of wider society.

Q: How do you communicate with parents and carers?

A: Staying connected with parents and carers is important and we regularly update them on their young person’s progress. We carefully record all incidents and share this information as appropriate with the intent of supporting and encouraging positive communication. This helps the college and parents/carers to work together to support the student’s development.

Q: What’s the best part about your role?

A: Without a doubt the most enjoyable aspect of my work at MK College is the students and the amazing people I get to work with. In our department, the Student Support and Development team, we manage areas like Safeguarding, Wellbeing, Behaviour, Student Support, and Personal Development. Each team member plays a crucial role, and we work together to make sure that every student receives the support they need. The camaraderie and our shared dedication to our mission keeps us going, especially during our busiest times.