Against the odds, our second years have completed a physical and online end of year exhibition. First years and evening class students have showcased their Creative Independent projects and first years have made a video showing their animal conservation project in the Cube Gallery. Despite the impact of lockdown, we have managed to finally finish our Indian Cookbook, working together with Mahatma Gandhi International School and our catering students. 

This year we have still managed to safely collaborate with fashion and textiles, performing arts, production arts and music, including photographing a major Halloween event at the Black Country Living Museum. Four of our students won special upgrade awards and I was delighted to achieve the accolade of National Lecturer of the Year. Our students have again represented the college in the Lessons from Auschwitz programme and James is now an official ambassador for the Holocaust Education Trust.  

In addition, this year we engaged with weekly visiting speakers, including Denise Maxwell, Vanley Burke and Anand Chhabra, as well as Blast festival talks and a special event with the world renowned Martin Parr. We have had online talks from the University of Wolverhampton, Staffordshire University and Hereford College of Arts (who have kindly awarded special ‘One to Watch’ awards to students) Many have had work published, entered competitions and submitted work for exhibition in galleries. Our success in the Flexus Vision competition has resulted in our images being interpreted by dancers at a live event in Wolverhampton in July.   

During lockdown, photography students were tasked with a ‘Daily Photo Challenge’ which was set and developed by PGCE trainee teacher Bailey Nock and coined as ‘Bailey’s Daily’. The best of these are also featured here. Finally, our photography students have raised in excess of a thousand pounds collectively this year, for Birmingham’s Children’s Hospital, WWF, Children in Need, Student Minds and Haven Shelter. 

We hope you enjoy our online exhibition. It’s testimony not only to our students’ determination and resilience during testing times but also the support we receive from our brilliant technicians! Well done and thanks to all!

We are delighted once again this year to have had Hereford College of Art support our learners’ progression into HE via their ‘One To Watch’ initiative. Tutors from their Fine Art, Graphics, Photography and Fashion/Textiles areas have judged entries from our corresponding courses and awarded those learners whose work shows potential for excellence beyond FE. Look out for the banners next to the recipients’ work who will also receive a book for their efforts. This recognition undoubtedly motivates learners to aspire to greater things. 

Phil Brooks, course leader, photography

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