Shout out to Ashley!
Central Beds College student Ashley Nomarfo has been a star of local radio after being invited on the 3 Counties Radio.
Ashley who is studying Business, was joined on the teatime show on Monday March 6th by Student Services Manager Chris Allan.
Because of his interest in supporting Culture Day on March 7th, Ashley became a student ambassador. He stepped up to help the idea of highlighting diversity at the Dunstable campus.
Ashley from Ghana, also flagged up Ghana Independence Day on March 6th on the live radio broadcast.
Chris said: “Culture Day is an event designed by students. We have 95 different nationalities in harmony at our college.”
“Student Ambassadors are key to our organisation, we share their ideas and feedback back to staff or management. We give students training and encouragement.”
Added Ashley: “We are starting with a foundation of this at Central Beds College but we hope it will inspire the whole community.”
BBC Radio 3 Counties visited the college campus on March 7th and recorded a show which was due to be broadcast on Sunday March 12th.
Concerned about the costs of college? Here's the support you can access
If you're hoping or planning to start a college course but are concerned about the potential costs involved, please read on for a handy guide written by our Welfare team.
STUDENT FINANCE
At Central Bedfordshire College we want to ensure finance isn’t a barrier to your studies. The College has access to government funding that could help you with some of the costs of studying a Further Education course. This support could be in the form of travel costs, course equipment, uniform and childcare funding if you need it.
All funding from the "Discretionary Learner Support Fund” (DLS Fund) is dependent on your circumstances.
To access the "Discretionary Learner Support Fund" (DLS Fund) to help with the cost of coming to college you will need to provide evidence of your circumstances. Eligibility for help will depend on your age, your household income and your immigration status.
FREE COLLEGE MEALS
If you are aged between 16-18 on 31st August you may be eligible to receive free college meals, if you or your parents are in receipt of qualifying state benefits,
CHILDCARE
If you are aged under 20 at the start of your course and need help with the costs of childcare while you are studying, you may be eligible to apply to the government "Care to Learn" scheme. You could get up to £160 a week per child.
To find out more information and to apply please click here.
If you are aged 20+ at the start of your Further Education course, the college may be able to support you with childcare costs through the DLS Fund while you are studying. After applying you will need to complete a 20+ Childcare Application Form. Please read through this carefully and fill in all sections, once completed please collect an additional form that is required to be completed by your chosen childcare provider.
GRANT
If you are a young carer living in Bedfordshire, you may be able to apply for a carers' grant to pay for a break, activity, service or training, that could help to improve your health or wellbeing.
For more information and to apply, please click here.
You can also apply for a Carers' Card which can offer you discounts at some shops and leisure/sports venues; please click here.
If I am struggling with the costs of coming to College - what can I do?
Speak to a member of the Student Services Welfare Team who will be able to advise you on any financial assistance available to you through the Discretionary Learner Support Fund (DLSF). Take a look at the Student Services page on our website for information on all Student Funding options.
Can I get help with the costs of any kit or equipment that I require for my course?
Essential equipment is provided by each Learning Area to enable you to achieve on your course. If you are eligible to apply for financial support through the College’s Discretionary Learner Support Fund then you may be able to receive support for your uniform.
Can I get help with childcare costs whilst at College?
If you are aged under 20 at the start of your course you can apply for support with childcare costs by completing the Funding Application Form which can be found here. If you are aged under 20 at the start of your course, the government scheme “Care to Learn” can help pay for your childcare costs while you're studying. Please click here to apply.
Houghton Hub Open Evening
The Houghton Learning Hub supports young people with EHCPs, those disaffected with education, those that are NEET, with a disability/learning difficulty or with mental health challenges.
At Houghton Learning Hub we provide post 16 students the opportunity to continue their learning and development journey. We offer person-centred learning through full time study programmes tailored to their areas of interest. Learning takes place in small groups with high levels of support, and aims to develop confidence and skills for learning. We provide an environment for students to re-engage with education and be successful in their studies. All students follow a core vocational curriculum focusing on essential knowledge and skills including maths and English, personal and social development, employability and life skills.
We'll be holding an Open Evening at the Houghton Hub on Monday 23rd January, 4-6pm. This will be an information session and a chance to meet the team who manage and support at the Hub.
To book your place, please email Jo Fawkes, Head of Centre, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
MERGER LATEST: Draft resolution to dissolve
FOR PUBLICATION - DRAFT RESOLUTION TO DISSOLVE CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COLLEGE FURTHER EDUCATION CORPORATION ON 1 FEBRUARY 2023
NOTICE is hereby given that the Governing Body of Central Bedfordshire College Further Education Corporation intends to pass a resolution at a meeting of the Corporation to take place before 1 February 2023 to dissolve the Corporation of the College following a transfer of its rights, assets and liabilities at 00:01 on 1 February 2023* to Bedford College Further Education Corporation.
Proposed Resolution to be passed at a meeting of the Corporation to be held prior to 1 February 2023
IT WAS RESOLVED that following:
- the publication of the results of a statutory consultation exercise undertaken by Central Bedfordshire College Further Education Corporation (as required under The Further Education Corporations (Publication of Proposals) (England) Regulations 2012) and Bedford College Further Education Corporation;
- the carrying out of legal and financial due diligence exercises by both Corporations in order to establish that such action is in the best interests of their respective Corporations and subject to the Corporations agreeing suitable and appropriate terms and entering into a legally binding transfer agreement to give effect to the said transfer.
Central Bedfordshire College Further Education Corporation hereby RESOLVES to merge by transfer of its assets, liabilities and undertaking to Bedford College Further Education Corporation with effect from 00.01 on 1 February 2023*, pursuant to s 27B Higher and Further Education Act 1992, with Central Bedfordshire College Further Education Corporation immediately thereafter dissolving.
* The notice is passed on the basis that it is the intention for Central Bedfordshire College Further Education Corporation and Bedford College Further Education Corporation to merge on 1 February 2023, but there is a possibility that this may be subject to change to a later date.
For further information please contact: Katy George on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published: December 2022
MERGER LATEST: Consultation Results
Proposed Merger between Central Bedfordshire College and The Bedford College Group
Central Bedfordshire College (CBC) is proposing to merge with The Bedford College Group (TBCG), one of the largest college groups in the country, from 1st February 2023.
Earlier this year, in preparation for this exciting proposed development CBC and TBCG held a public consultation from 15th June 2022 for six weeks and invited responses from the local community and other stakeholders.
CBC serves communities across southern Central Bedfordshire and Luton local authorities, with campuses in Dunstable, Houghton Regis, Leighton Buzzard and Luton, whilst TBCG already serves parts of Central Bedfordshire through its Shuttleworth College campus.
CBC has chosen to merge with the Group because it will enable the communities of Central Bedfordshire and Luton to access an even broader choice of educational opportunities. Learners will be able to stay and progress with CBC right up to degree-level, whilst businesses will be able to access the technical and vocational training needed for their workforce to meet future skills needs.
To find out more about the responses and analysis of the consultation please download our consultation results brochure.
CLOSURE ON MON 19TH SEPTEMBER
Central Bedfordshire College will be closed on Monday 19th September 2022 to staff and students for the funeral of Her Majesty the Queen.
College will resume as usual on Tuesday 20th September 2022.
It's Not Too Late to Join Central Bedfordshire College!
The next step to your future without limits.
We have a limited number of places across a number of our course areas so it's not too late to enrol with us.
Whether you've recently received your GCSE results, are still unsure of your next step or are looking for a change in your career, then our team is on hand to help.
We're able to accommodate walk ins all this week, so please come along to our Dunstable Kingsway campus where our friendly Student Services team will be happy to help you. You'll have the opportunity to chat to our Careers team if you're not sure which course you'd like to do, or to our curriculum tutors if you've got a particular subject in mind. You can then apply, enrol and get your ID badge right there and then - so no more stressing about what you're going to do this September! And don't worry about starting term late - we're still running induction sessions, so you haven't missed a thing.
Your options
If you know what course you'd like to study, then simply apply online and our team will be in touch to arrange your enrolment session where you'll be able to get everything sorted including your ID badge and start date (just remember to bring your qualifications). Alternatively, come along to our Dunstable Kingsway campus at a time that suits you.
If you're unsure of your next steps, then our staff are here to help. Our Careers team can provide professional and independent advice to help with your next steps and our teaching staff will be on hand to answer any specific questions. Just pop down to our main Dunstable Kingsway campus today.
Here's a video on how to apply online!
MERGER LATEST: FAQs
Will a bigger college mean reduced quality?
The Bedford College Group, even with the addition of Central Bedfordshire College, will not be a monopoly but it will be even more resilient and stronger than before. The Group’s track record shows that quality has not been sacrificed as it has expanded, always remaining at least Grade 2 (Good) in Ofsted inspections. Central Bedfordshire College is extremely healthy financially and The Bedford College Group’s previous mergers have demonstrated that quality is consistently maintained during and after the transition process in each case.
Partnership with Mindful Education
We are working in partnership with Mindful Education to deliver award-winning, blended learning AAT courses in accounting.
The Online and On Campus courses offer a flexible solution for people with busy lives who wish to study for a professional qualification.
Learners can choose how, when and where they want to study, accessing high-quality video lectures using any device and at a time to suit them. Students also enjoy the benefits of being part of a class that meets regularly with a college tutor, when their learning is supported through group exercises and classroom-based learning.
Funding is available for the Level 2 AAT course and the Level 3 AAT course is fully funded (i.e. free of charge) to eligible learners.
Mindful Education’s courses have won multiple awards. They are specialists in blended learning, and work in partnership with colleges across the UK to deliver courses and apprenticeships in accounting, law, management and human resources.
For more information out more about our partnership with Mindful Education and the funding available, please click here.
MERGER LATEST: Read about our merger in Luton's Community Magazine
Our exciting merger proposal with The Bedford College Group has been covered in Luton's Community Magazine - read it here on pages 4 and 5.
For all the latest news about the merger in one place, please visit our dedicated Merger Updates page.
More...
MERGER LATEST: Give us your views here - Formal Consultation
The survey is now closed. The outcome of the consultation will be shared on our website by 27th September 2022.
Central Bedfordshire College (CBC) is proposing to merge with The Bedford College Group (TBCG), one of the largest college groups in the country, from 1st February 2023.
In preparation for this exciting proposed development CBC and TBCG are launching a public consultation from 15th June 2022 and are inviting comments and responses on their plans from the local community and other stakeholders. The deadline for responses to the consultation is 27th July 2022.
Your exams preparation guide
Exams are an unavoidable part of life. At different stages of our life, we all have to take some form of exams. Exam preparation techniques vary among individuals. In this article on exam preparation, we have put together universally accepted, practiced, and proven tips on preparing for your exams.
MERGER LATEST: Continuity
We’ll still be here. But bigger
Everyone thinking of studying with us can be assured that there’s no need to change their plans as we work towards our proposed merger with The Bedford College Group.
MERGER LATEST: We’re planning for growth
The College’s income has grown by more than 55% in the last eight years, with significant increases in the number of students aged 16 to 18.
