WM College Connect: Dec 2025
10 December 2025
Dear Learners,
As we approach the end of the autumn term, I hope you are enjoying your time at the College. engaging with your lessons, building friendships, and making the most of the opportunities available to you.
I understand that the reduced opening hours of the Library and Learning Centre have presented challenges for some of you. Please be assured that your feedback is valued, and we are actively exploring ways to address these concerns. Similarly, the temporary closure of the café has caused some disruption, but we are committed to reopening with a refreshed and improved space for you to enjoy.
I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all learners and staff who attended the lobby for adult education at Westminster on 19 November. Although I was away at a conference and unable to join you, I am proud of the confidence and passion you demonstrated in advocating for adult learning.
Nationally, participation in adult education has declined by 10% over the past year, largely due to funding cuts and the need for colleges to increase fees to remain sustainable. Your continued efforts to lobby local MPs and raise awareness on social media are vital in securing greater investment in adult education.
I hope you have had the chance to view the beautiful quilts displayed in the café area. These quilts celebrate the diversity of our College community and reflect our commitment to being an anti-racist organisation, where differences in nationality, culture, thought, and perspective make us stronger and more inclusive. Upholding these values is especially important in today’s climate of polarised views, both nationally and globally.
Finally, I hope the festive decorations have brought some cheer to the College. Wishing you a restful break and a joyful festive season.
Season’s Greetings from all of us at the College to you and your loved ones.
Dipa Ganguli OBE
Principal
Planned Works, Achievements & Important Dates
Campus improvements – What’s happening this term
This month, we will conclude the extensive upgrade of the building’s exterior facade, including the windows. There will be some outstanding smaller-scale works to a couple of fire exits, but overall, there will be far less disruption to college life in the new term.
Last month, Yunus and his team concluded their cafe service. When we return in January, the Ruskin Cafe will be under new management. We are thrilled to welcome Semih Ozbay and his team, who will be serving a variety of fresh, tasty, and nutritious dishes throughout the day. Expect a new and delicious range of hot beverages, reasonably priced, freshly made sandwiches, toasties, and delightful salads.
A word of caution: their delicious pastries are absolutely irresistible!
Please stop by, say hello, and show your support to the new team.
Policies and Reminders
Next learner forum
The next Learner Forum will take place on 19th February 2026, focusing on careers, employability, and the next steps. If you are interested in attending this, you can submit a request to attend by clicking here.
Forgot or lost your ID card?
We’re introducing a small but important change to help keep our college community safe and ensure everyone has their ID with them while on campus.
From next term, if a learner forgets or misplaces their permanent ID card, a temporary Visitor Pass can be issued. This pass will now come with a nominal, non-refundable fee. We hope this will encourage everyone to take care of their permanent ID cards and help us maintain clear expectations regarding responsibility and accountability.
Information about replacement ID cards is already included in the updated Terms & Conditions shared with all current learners for 2025/26.
Your curriculum managers will be informed about these changes, and full procedures will be in place for the start of next term.s, especially when the café is closed. Both cash and card payments are currently available. However, if cash causes issues, we may switch to card-only. Clear instructions and signage will be put up shortly.
Staff Spotlight
Employee of the month: Amanda Blinkhorn
Tutor
I never imagined myself becoming a teacher. All I ever wanted to do, from the age of about seven, was to be a reporter. I wanted to be Mary Richards in The Mary Tyler-Moore Show, Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City, or Frank Sinatra in High Society, all sharp suits, city smarts and wise-cracking sidekicks.
Getting a job writing for a living wasn’t easy, my local newspaper in my sleepy Suffolk town turned my request for work experience down flat- my careers teacher brightly informed me that no-one from my school had ever become a journalist so I’d better try for an office job and even after I was fully trained, the man at the Kilburn Times said I didn’t look tough enough to knock on strangers’ doors. Not that I bear a grudge.
I got there in the end, working on the Enfield Gazette, The Ham & High and eventually freelancing for the Sunday Times. As reporters go, I was more Bridget Jones than Emma Barnett, but if the editor needed someone to cover the opening of a phone box or spend the day undercover as a traffic warden (I still have the hat), I was their girl.
Times change and twenty years and four kids later, it was time to find something new. I was spending two mornings a week at Gospel Oak Primary School as a reading volunteer and realised, pretty quickly, that being able to read is not the same as being able to teach someone to read.
I needed help, so I enrolled in a ten-week part-time teaching course at the college down the road. That was how I found WM College and WM College found me.
Afterwards, our ALS manager took me under her wing and offered me a job as an additional learning assistant after I did my PGCE. I loved it and began picking up sessional hours teaching childcare, ESOL and English.
I am now working full-time as an English teacher and still learning far more from my learners than I can ever teach them.
My learners have taught me practical, tangible things, and they’ve shared their stories, their banter, and even their food with me. In return, all I can say is this: keep learning, say yes to everything (within reason!), and always take the second, third, and fourth chances this college so generously offers.
Learner Spotlight
Nuno Brito
ESOL Level 2 Learner
When I arrived in the UK in June 2024, everything felt unfamiliar. Back home, I’d spent seven years building a successful IT company with a team of six people, but here I suddenly found myself struggling with simple conversations. Even with my partner beside me, everyday life was challenging because I could barely speak English.
I knew that if I wanted to settle in, meet people, and grow my business in the UK, I needed to focus on learning the language. I searched online for somewhere close by and found WM College. I didn’t realise then just how important that decision would become.
I started at ESOL Entry Level 3, feeling nervous but hopeful. From the first week, I felt encouraged and supported. I worked hard, and with the help of my teachers and classmates, I began improving quickly. I moved up to Level 1 in under six months, and now I’m studying ESOL Level 2. Every step has helped me feel more confident in myself and more at home in this country.
At the same time, I’m still running my IT company remotely, which isn’t always easy. But learning English has already made a real difference, and my long-term goal is to expand my company here in the UK. That dream feels much more achievable now.
I’d also love to get involved in voluntary work, so I can give something back to the community. And once things settle a bit, I’m hoping to try a photography course, something I’ve always been curious about.
What I appreciate most about WM College is the welcoming atmosphere. It feels like a place where people are given genuine opportunities. You’re given the space to explore what you want to do and the encouragement to take the next step.
Looking back, I’m proud of how far I’ve come in such a short time. I’m grateful for the support I’ve had, and I’m excited about what’s next. Thank you to everyone at WM College for helping me build this new chapter.
New Staff Introduction
We are pleased to welcome the following new members of staff who have joined us over the past two months:
Claire Bissell – Sessional Communication Support Worker (ALS Team)
Joined us in November, Claire brings valuable experience in communication support and will be a great addition to the ALS team.
Sally Horowitz – Sessional Piano Tutor
Starting in December, Sally joins our music department and will be supporting learners as part of our instrumental tuition team.
Upcoming Events, Workshops and Campus Activities
Know someone who might be interested? Don’t forget to let them know about our upcoming Open Day.
To register, visit: https://bit.ly/WMCollege_OpenDay_8thJan26
Catch up on the Latest News and Blogs
Stay connected with what’s happening across the college by exploring our latest stories and blogs. Visit our News & Blogs page to discover updates, features, and inspiring moments from our community.
Support, Wellness and Adjustments
Good mental and physical health this festive season!
We wish all our learners a warm, peaceful, and happy festive season. Thank you for your hard work, positive energy, and commitment this year. We are proud of everything you have achieved.
Just remember to stay safe, warm and you can reach out to one of the following services below during the festive season in case you need someone to talk to.
| Name | Contact | Description | |
| NHS England | NHS 111 option 2 | 24/7 mental health crisis line for urgent support | |
| Samaritans | 116 123 (24/7) | A confidential 24/7 listening service for anyone feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or struggling to cope | |
| Mind | Infoline: 0300 123 3393 Support Line: 0300 102 1234 | Offers guidance, information, and emotional support on mental health, wellbeing, and where to get help | |
| Shout UK | Text-85258 | A free, confidential text service providing immediate support in moments of crisis or distress | |
| Cruse Bereavement Support | 08088081677 | Provides emotional support, guidance, and advice for anyone coping with grief or loss | |
| SANE | 0300 304 7000 (SANEline) | Offers emotional support, guidance, and information for people affected by mental illness, including carers. | |
| PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide | 0800 068 4141 (HOPELINEUK) Text HOPE to 88247 Email-pat@papyrus-uk.org Webchat | A suicide prevention service offering confidential support, advice, and safety planning for young people and anyone concerned about them | |
| Rethink Mental Illness | 0300 5000 927 | Provides advice and support for people living with mental illness, helping with practical issues and understanding symptoms | |
| Calm – Campaign Against Living Miserably | 0800 58 58 58 | A helpline for anyone feeling down, struggling, or in crisis, offering support to prevent suicide | |
| Anxiety UK | 03444775 774 | Offers advice, information, and support for people experiencing anxiety, stress, or anxiety-related conditions | |
| Refuge – Domestic abuse Helpline | 0808 2000 247 Live chat also available | A confidential service offering support, guidance, and safety advice for anyone experiencing domestic abuse, with phone and live chat options | |
| YoungMinds | Parents Helpline: 0808 802 5544 | Provides advice and guidance to parents and carers worried about a child or young person’s mental health. |
Top 5 tips for the festive break
1. Take time to rest – Enjoy some quiet days. Relax, sleep well, and give yourself a break.
2. Stay connected – Call or meet friends and family. If you feel lonely, join a community event or go for a walk in a busy place.
3. Keep learning a little – Even 10 minutes a day helps. Read a short article, watch an English video, or practice vocabulary.
4. Go outside – Fresh air and movement are good for your mind. Try a short daily walk if you can.
5. Do something you enjoy – Listen to music, cook a favourite meal, watch a film, or try a new hobby. This is your time to recharge.
ALS & Supported Learning
In ALS, we’re well on the way with our new Normal Way of Working (NWW) process, moving away from a paper request to an online version on EBS Ontrack. The process is used by teachers to make requests for exam concessions for their learners, for several reasons, the most common of which are for Dyslexia or Autism Spectrum conditions and may include rest breaks or extra time; all of which require evidence.
Our Supported Learning learners ended their term 1 with a festive, sustainability-themed Pop-Up-Shop and celebration in the Maurice Hall. Their twice-yearly Pop-Up-Shop is an enterprise activity which supports their teamwork, project management and preparation for employment skills. Thank you to everyone who shopped and purchased high-quality handmade Christmas gifts, cards, and decorations. Our learners were visibly proud.
Their celebration was well attended and four of our external partners joined us to share information about how learners with learning difficulties and disabilities are supported into work. Their enthusiasm and positive feedback lifted everyone’s spirits.
Our Disability Officer is here to assist learners to physically access learning, so for learners with a physically disability hoping to re-enrol for Jan or just require support to move about the college, it would be beneficial to pop into the ALS office on the first floor for a talk with Ali Hussain who may offer orientation of our facilities to ensure learners feel safe and able to access the spaces they need to.
Careers – Workshops, Events, Job Fairs, Jobs
Planning your next steps? We are here to help!
If you’re thinking about further study or getting into work, make sure to explore our Extra Help page. On iLearn – it’s packed with guidance and resources to support your journey.
Alongside our 1-to-1 careers sessions with Samiha Mabrouk – Employability Coach & Adviser, we also run CV-checking drop-ins twice a month in the library. You can find upcoming dates on our iLearn page or on the noticeboard by the snacks machine.
Save the date:
Next steps Event – 4th March 2026
This is one you won’t want to miss! More details will be shared soon.
Become a mentor
We are still looking for mentors to support learners across the college. Training is provided, and it’s a brilliant way to build confidence and leadership skills. Find out more HERE
What’s On in the Local Community (Camden)
Christmas party: Opera-Blues-Jazz
at The Camden Club
Saturday 20 December 2025, 18:30–23:00
Whether you love singing, just enjoy listening, or want to try something new. The wonderful opera-soprano Charlotte Akenhead will lead a “Christmas Song Open Night,” and you’re welcome to join the singers on stage, or just sit back and enjoy. It’s a warm, friendly, musical night: a great way to meet people, practise English, and feel the Christmas spirit.
Exhibition: Voices of Resistance: Slavery and Post in the Caribbean
at The Postal Museum
Until 9 January 2026 (Tue–Sun, 10:00–17:00)
This powerful exhibition uncovers an often-overlooked part of history. “Voices of Resistance” tells the stories of enslaved people whose labour helped fuel 19th-century postal ships between the UK and the Caribbean, especially on the island of St. Thomas. Through letters, postcards, paintings, clothing, and archival documents, the exhibition shows how these people resisted oppression and preserved hope across generations. It also includes a film made with a Caribbean community group to honour their legacy.
Visiting this exhibition can help learners explore important history and culture, practise English in a museum setting, and reflect on themes of freedom, resistance, and resilience.
Artist showcase Night at The Camden
at The Camden
Thursday 29 January 2026, 19:00 onwards
Start the New Year with live music and a fun social evening! The “Artist Showcase” at The Camden offers a lively night out with performances by talented artists. It’s a relaxed, friendly environment — perfect for learners who enjoy music, want to practise English socially, and meet new people from different backgrounds. The night will likely feature a mix of styles and performances, giving a taste of London’s live-music culture.
Learner Testimonials, Feedback and Success Stories
Brand & learner feedback update: What you told us and what’s next
Following the update we shared in the September edition, we wanted to take a moment to remind you about the work we’re doing to review and refresh the WM College brand.
Quick reminder
Over the summer, we asked our community to share their views on WM College through a Brand Feedback Survey and Brand Audit. Thank you to all the learners, staff, governors and partners who took part.
What you told us:
- You’re proud of WM College – our welcoming atmosphere, inclusive values and teaching quality were highly praised.
- Our history matters – many of you described WM as historic, trustworthy and community-focused.
- We could look more modern – while our heritage is valued, you told us our look and language should better reflect the vibrant, diverse college we are today, and be more inclusive and accessible.
What the audit found
Our strengths:
- 170 years of heritage and trust
- Strong community roots and social purpose
- A wide and inclusive curriculum
What we need to improve:
- A more modern, inclusive and accessible visual identity
- A better website experience, including the checkout process
- Clearer and more consistent use of the brand
As we move into 2026…
Based on your feedback, we are currently:
- Exploring a brand refresh that respects our history while looking modern and inclusive
- Developing a new tagline that clearly shows what WM stands for – a welcoming and inclusive college for all
- Reviewing improvements to the website and accessibility, including the checkout journey
- Reviewing timelines to launch changes in 2026/27 (to be confirmed)
Your voice helps shape WM College. Thank you again for sharing your views – we’ll keep you updated as plans develop.
WM College Brand Review Working Group
