May 2023 Newsletter - Blue Lion Training Academy

Pathways Highlights

Who’s Joined the Academy

What’s New

Awards & Successes

Tips & Tricks

Welfare Topics

To celebrate King’s Charles III coronation, the Government has announced that there will be an extra bank holiday.

King Charles III appeared on The Repair Shop in a special episode to celebrate the BBC’s centenary on 26 October 2022, viewers were overjoyed to see The King’s appreciation for apprenticeships and crafts.

Filmed between autumn 2021 and March 2022, before His Majesty’s accession to the throne, the episode sees the now monarch select two items for repair. This includes a piece of pottery made for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee and an 18th century bracket clock.

The Repair Shop presenter Jay Blades, MBE, said: “You’ve got someone from a council estate and someone from a royal estate that have the same interests about apprenticeships and heritage crafts and it is unbelievable to see that two people from so far apart, from different ends of the spectrum, actually have the same interests.

Although Blue Lion Training Academy don’t provide Craft apprenticeships they do provide Media apprenticeship alongside the already established Management and Marketing ones.

Pathways Highlights

Hello from Blue Lion Training Academy! And welcome to our first newsletter of 2023. As a Bank Holiday Special to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty The King, which will take place on Saturday 6th May, 2023.

Here at Blue Lion Training Academy, we provide apprenticeships in 3 different pathways: Management, Marketing, and Media. Discover what courses are available on our pathways web page.

With the apprenticeships within these occupations, there is the possibility of progressing through the increasing levels of qualifications, starting on a ‘Technical Occupation’ working your way to a ‘Professional Occupation’. By doing so, you can get a great amount of knowledge, skills, and behaviours that will contribute one’s personal and professional development, helping you rise in the ranks.

Our Media pathway apprenticeships are designed to support you in becoming a skilled professional in your subject area, with our tutors bringing industry experience and application for your tasks and topics. Our programmes will allow you to directly implement your learning into your job role, preparing you for your EPA and future higher qualifications.

Who’s joined the academy?

If you are interested in employing an apprentice, email us at info@bluelionta.com or call us on01332 738625.

What’s New

Meet our Governor Jackie Leeson

I’m Jackie and I have been in education for over 30 years. I have been lucky enough to have experienced education in a wide variety of settings and in many places around the world. I am passionate about education in all its forms. Far too often I have seen children, and young people, ‘put off’ education and once that happens it can be a spiral downwards. From the very outset I have striven to encourage everyone that I have taught to enjoy their development and feel it is vital that we should foster and develop this when we teach.

I began my teaching career in the late 1980’s when things were beginning to change rapidly in the education system in the UK. My first school was just outside Birmingham and ‘huge’. I then moved to the Potteries and enjoyed 14 years working there in both the state and private sector. I then took my first venture into teaching aboard and headed to the Middle East. From there I went to Spain and opened a new school.

I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to complete my leadership courses during 5 years of working in Oxford before returning to Spain and then heading off to become a Headteacher in Kenya. Finally I returned to Spain and, with another Headteacher, opened an International School which we both felt would help and support some of the many students who had become dis-engaged with the mainstream education system for whatever reason.

I now enjoy teaching and tutoring online with students both in the UK and around the world. After many years as a Headteacher it is lovely to be back at the ‘chalkface’ working with people to help them to achieve their full potential. This is especially enjoyable with Blue Lion seeing not just young people, but also more mature adults achieve success with things they thought they never would. Now in my role as a Governor for Blue Lion I am able to share my experiences both as a Head and also as an Inspector and hopefully help Blue Lion to become the leading training academy that they deserve to have.

Contact Details: Jackie@bluelionta.com

GOVERNORS WILL TAKE STEPS TO ENSURE

That the organisation is robust and meets the needs of its stakeholders.
Each governor brings to the board a mix of knowledge, skills and abilities, which are unique and complement those of other governors, to provide a broad range of expertise.
Personal Conduct and Qualities Governors are required to demonstrate the highest level of professionalism, integrity and behaviour, as outlined in the Blue Lion Training Academy Code of Conduct, which includes: – Demonstrating a strong personal commitment to the values and aims.
Acting fairly and impartially in the interests of Blue Lion Training Academy and its stakeholders, using independent judgement, and maintaining confidentiality as appropriate
Committing to make themselves available for meetings and relevant committees, relevant induction, training, and events organised by Blue Lion Training Academy, and other reasonable time requirements of the role.
Demonstrating a high degree of personal integrity
Demonstrating the ability to be decisive, to lead and guide others in decision making processes, and to challenge and engage others in debate.
Recognising the distinction between governance and management and acting accordingly.
Where a Governor is appointed for a particular skill or area of expertise, they are expected to apply their professional knowledge and insight to matters arising at Blue Lion Training Academy

We are currently looking for governors to join our team, if you are interested; email info@bluelionta.com

Welcome to Sophie Davis

Please welcome Sophie, who has joined Blue Lion Training Academy as our compliance administrator and someone who can support you with any bud issues during your apprenticeship. Bringing performance and usability, the Bud app allows you to have flexible study patterns and helps you keep on top of tasks & submissions.

Sophie can be contacted via the office on 01332 738615 or via email on bud@bluelionta.com

You can learn more about using Bud as a learner with their dedicated guides which outline all the features you may come across. Whether it be your submissions, or simply how to access your Progress Review history, the Bud guide has it all. Login to your bud account and then visit the learner section to find out how you can optimise your use of the platform.

bud tips & tricks

Bud is an online learning platform that our learners use to progress through their apprenticeships. With that comes a lot of features that some users may not be aware of, so this section of the Newsletter should give you a few tips on how to utilise the software at it’s true capability.

Can’t find your due tasks? No problem. In the top right corner of the screen, next to your profile, you may see a ‘Lightning Bolt’ icon. This icon will redirect you to your priority task (e.g., an overdue task, a sign-off required etc.). So now you don’t need to worry about scanning through all those tasks.
Did you know there is a Knowledge Base in Bud? That’s right. Once again, in the top right corner of the screen you will see a Bud logo – this is the Knowledge Base. The Bud Knowledge Base is an integrated Tips & Tricks service for Bud. It could be you want to know how to upload a task: Type in a keyword, like ‘upload’, and you’ll find a full debrief, with screenshots, of the process. Simply search for a keyword, and you’ll find instructions dedicated to helping you complete your task. The Knowledge Base is available to all Learners and Employers, so why not give it a go next time you’re on Bud.

We recommend you always ensure your personal details, such as your home address are up to date in Bud. So, if any circumstances have changed since your onboarding and registration, we advise you contact us immediately. If your details are not accurate, contact bud@bluelionta.com

Did you know you can view your personal details in Bud by clicking on ‘Application Summary’ found under the ‘Documents’ drop down.

To update your Mobile Phone Number, you can simply update this in your account by clicking on the ‘Edit’ button.

Keeping your details up to date ensures we can contact you regularly and that your certificates are sent to the correct address.

awards & successes

Congratulations to all our Learners!

who have successfully passed their End Point Assessment (EPA) during end of 2022 and start of 2023

Wayne Read, Raymond Brown Minerals and Recycling Ltd
Alan Rudd, Raymond Brown Minerals and Recycling Ltd
Kimora Davis – MIQ
Saleh Saleh – Laidback Ltd
Edward Carrington – Containers Direct
Georgia Cowdry, Cartwright Communication
Finley Millican – JCB
Harjan Dhanjal – Laidback Ltd

Are you coming to the end of your apprenticeship?

Are you coming to the end of your apprenticeship and preparing for your end point assessment download our EPA guidance to learn more you can also book some time with your tutor who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

welfare topics

Anti Bullying and Harassment

Bullying is any deliberate behaviour that is done to hurt or upset someone over an ongoing period. As such, it can happen anywhere that there are people, such as Learning environments, places of work, at home or in the community. Bullying can be done by an individual or a group of people in many ways.

This includes Verbal bullying, whereby someone is hurt through vicious words, name-calling, or statements.

Physical bullying occurs when perpetrators physically cause harm to another person. Bullies can exercise control over another and gain a sense of power. This type of bullying can vary from pushing and shoving to kicking, slapping, and punching. This makes it the easiest form of bullying to identify and confront.

In contrast, Cyber Bullying is one of the most challenging forms to see and prevent. When occurring through the Internet, smartphones and social media, perpetrators can remain anonymous, whilst victims could suffer in silence. Cyber-bullying has no fixed location but instead could occur anywhere, from the workplace, learning environment and even at home. In a world where social media and the use of smartphones is ever-increasing, cyberbullying deems particular importance for the protection and wellbeing of children, young adults, and vulnerable adults.

Harassment and bullying remain significant workplace issues despite increasing awareness of the problem. Typical harassment and bullying behaviours range from unwelcome remarks and persistent unwarranted criticism to unwanted physical contact and shouting. Recipients of these inappropriate behaviours are more likely to experience anxiety, stress, and a loss of confidence.

The ACAS website provides advice and guidance on harassment and bullying at work, and outlines employers’ and employees’ responsibilities in addressing the problem. It also gives advice on dealing with complaints.

If you would like to find out more or have any concerns, you can contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead geeta.dhanjal@bluelionta.com

Mental Health and Nature

It’s age-old but often neglected advice – getting fresh air and moving your body daily can really do wonders for your wellbeing. Studies show that even 20 minutes per day spent in nature can lower stress hormone levels, boost self-esteem, and improve mood.

As temperatures warm up and daffodils bloom this Spring, we hope you’ll join us in getting some fresh air in every day.

A note from Geeta our Designated Safeguarding Lead “Me personally I find that sitting in my garden surrounding myself in the sights and sounds of nature is incredibly therapeutic especially with a hot cup of tea!”

What are some of your favourite ways to connect with nature? Email geeta.dhanjal@bluelionta.com

Find our more here about how nature can help mental health

Got an idea or topic you want mentioned? Email us at info@bluelionta.com and you may just see it in next month’s letter.

INVOLVE, IMPROVE & INSPIRE IN MANAGEMENT, MARKETING & MEDIA

Our mission is to Involve, Improve & Inspire adult learners to unlock their true potential in a way that benefits their organisation and helps bridge the gap between left and right brain thinking through learning pathways in Management, Marketing, and Media as an alternative to university & corporate training. Click the button to learn more.

Learn More