New City College’s Havering Sixth Form campus welcomed Steve Kethero, team leader for student support at the Department for Education, and Eddie Playfair, senior policy manager at the Association of Colleges, who visited to learn more about the college’s tutorial and enrichment programme.
The visitors met with principal Janet Smith, deputy principal Phil Hall, and Emma Wood, group director for tutorial and enrichment, who outlined the college’s approach to student development across all its sites.
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In Havering, these include Ardleigh Green, Rainham Construction and Engineering Centre, and Havering Sixth Form in Wingletye Lane, Hornchurch.
Ms Wood said: “The feedback we get from students about their tutorial sessions and particularly after we have held events such as the Staying Safe Week, shows the power of what we are doing and also the importance of this work.”
The programme includes weekly tutorials led by specialist pastoral tutors covering topics such as healthy relationships, consent, online safety, and resilience.
The college also hosts group-wide Staying Safe events featuring guest speakers and advice from external agencies, and runs campaigns focused on issues like misogyny, sexual harassment, and the elimination of violence against women and girls.
Mr Kethero told the college: “Thank you all for your contributions to a valuable discussion.
“It was great to hear about your matrix approach to consistency and quality, and the breadth and depth of your enrichment programme.
“You’ve given me a lot to think about.”
Mr Playfair also praised the college’s efforts.
He said: “I found the visit extremely interesting and I am impressed by the work you are doing.
“Congratulations on all your achievements in this area.”
The visitors said they would share what they had learned with their teams and managers, as well as others in the further education sector.
