WM College Connect: Jan 2026
27 January 2026
Dear Learners,
Happy New Year and welcome to the start of the Spring Term.
I am happy to say we now have a new cafe provider at the College. We said goodbye to Yunis and his family at the end of the year, who ran the cafe for us for over 10 years and were central to our offer. Please use the new cafe and let us know your views.
Please also look out for events around the College. We will have free webinars, training sessions, and fund-raising events. Your participation will not only make the events more successful, but the more you immerse yourself in College activities, the more you benefit from your time here.
We are soon going into planning the curriculum for the next academic year. Unfortunately, our government funding has further reduced this year, so we are again having to look carefully at our fee and concession structure.
The funding cuts not only have an impact on the fees and courses, but it is also impacting our ability to offer pay awards to our staff. The union has called for a three-day strike action. Whilst we try to keep disruption to a minimum with your classes, I apologise for any inconvenience caused or for sessions that are cancelled over the three strike days.
Finally, thank you for your patience, while the building works were being carried out at the College, I am sure you will agree that externally the building is looking very smart.
I look forward to seeing many of you as I walk around the building and pop into classes for an informal chat.
Dipa Ganguli OBE
Principal
Planned Works, Achievements & Important Dates
Introducing the new team and menu at the Ruskin Café
We are thrilled to welcome you to The College Café! Under new management, the Ruskin Café is excited to introduce a refreshed dining experience for all our guests.
Meet your new Café team
Allow us to introduce Semir, Murat, Cansu, and Sevinc, who will be serving you an array of delicious food and refreshments. The team is eager to meet you and looks forward to providing outstanding service with a smile every day.
Discover our new menu
Our new menu has been carefully crafted using locally-sourced ingredients, ensuring freshness and quality in every bite. You can look forward to:
- Freshly prepared sandwiches and toasties
- Seasonal salads
- Baked goods, including hot and cold options and a variety of sweet and savoury pastries
- Hot lunches
For coffee lovers, we are delighted to offer a new brand of bean-to-cup coffee – freshly brewed and simply delicious!
Coffee loyalty card scheme
Starting Monday, 19th January, we are launching a loyalty card scheme for coffee purchases. Don’t forget to collect your loyalty card with every coffee, a little thank you for your continued support.
Opening hours
| Day | Hours |
| Monday to Friday | 09:00 – 18:30 |
| Saturday | 09:00 – 14:00 |
Vending
For quick snacks and hot beverages outside café opening hours, vending machines are available for your convenience on Level 3, opposite Learner Services.
Share your feedback
The new team is genuinely keen to hear your thoughts and suggestions for the menu and overall café experience. You can share your feedback or menu ideas via the suggestion box located in Reception – your input will help us make the Ruskin Café the very best it can be!
Library and learning center opening hours
Please note that due to staff training, internal bookings, and events, the library will be closed or inaccessible on the following dates:
- Wednesday, 4 February 2026 – The library will close at 4:00 pm instead of 5:00 pm
- Wednesday, 11 February 2026 – The library will be closed for the day
- Thursday, 19 March 2026 – The library will be closed for the day
While we aim to provide advance notice of any closures, this may not always be possible due to time constraints or emergency situations. On occasion, the library may therefore be closed without prior notice due to unforeseen circumstances. We appreciate your patience and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Stay up to date on when our Library and Learning Centre is open throughout the week, during term time, by clicking here.
Learner Forum – Spring term
The next Learner Forum will take place on 21st February 2026 at 1 pm for 1 hour, focusing on inclusion & wellbeing, careers, employability, and the next steps. Click the button below if you are interested in attending.
Building improvements
You will be pleased to learn that there are no planned major works scheduled for this half term. Any improvements and significant repairs will be held until the February half-term.
Half-term reminder
Half-term runs from Monday 16 February to Friday 21 February 2026. Classes start again the week beginning Monday, 23 February 2026.
Policies and Reminders
Why punctuality matters: A key to your success
Showing up on time for class really makes a difference. When you’re there from the start, you catch everything, important info, discussions, and all the little things that help you learn better. Plus, being punctual shows you care about your own progress and respect others’ time. It’s a simple habit that pays off big, both in class and in life. Every minute you’re there is a step closer to your goals!
Staff Spotlight
Gareth Schweitzer – it has been a pleasure!
Curriculum Manager for Creative Crafts
Gareth is the Curriculum Manager for Creative Crafts, overseeing an exceptionally diverse and vibrant department that includes ceramics, jewellery, glass, sculpture, woodcarving, picture framing, printmaking and etching. As the College’s largest department, Creative Crafts accounts for around 25% of all enrolments, making Gareth’s role both wide-ranging and vital to College life.
Managing this provision calls for an impressive blend of skills. Gareth brings a deep understanding of what excellent teaching looks like and how best to support tutors in developing their practice. Alongside this, he works closely with technicians to maintain highly specialised studios and equipment, from kilns to printing presses, while also keeping a firm grip on the logistics of running over 50 classes every week. In addition to his leadership role, Gareth is also a teacher and has delivered a range of courses at WM College, most recently Imagination in Art.
Gareth is a practising artist with a background in painting, art history and literature, and he regularly exhibits his work. Recently, his focus has been on collage. Some learners and colleagues may have seen his exhibitions, and one particular piece – Bull – now hangs in my office (room 609), a slightly ethereal piece which continues in turns to fascinate and calm me – something about how the bull is simultaneously absent but feels to me so very present.
After nearly ten years at the College, Gareth will be leaving us at the start of February to take up a new role. He will be greatly missed by learners, tutors and colleagues alike, and we wish him every success for the future.
Of course, the work continues, and we are pleased to welcome the following updates:
- Simone Maier will be joining the College as Curriculum Manager for 3D Arts and Crafts, overseeing ceramics, jewellery, glass, sculpture, woodcarving and picture framing.
- Printmaking and Etching will move under the management of Steve Mepsted, alongside the Digital Arts provision he already leads.
Di Teesdale, Deputy Principal
Learner Spotlight
Rayan Osman
I started my journey at WM College four years ago, and looking back, I feel incredibly proud of how far I’ve come and deeply grateful for the support I’ve received along the way.
When I first joined WM College, I began studying ESOL at Entry Level. Step by step, with encouragement and hard work, I progressed through Level 1 and Level 2 before completing English Functional Skills Level 1 and Level 2. Last year, I achieved something I’m especially proud of: my Mathematics GCSE and I am currently continuing my learning journey by studying bookkeeping.
WM College has played a huge role in helping me build not only qualifications, but confidence. My studies have helped me develop strong numeracy, communication, and organisational skills, which I know will support me both in my career and in everyday life. The teachers here have been consistently supportive and professional, always taking the time to guide, encourage and believe in me, even when I doubt myself.
What I value most about WM College is the inclusive and welcoming learning environment. The college celebrates a truly diverse learner community, supporting people from multi-faith backgrounds, learners with different needs and disabilities, and those who require additional support or reasonable adjustments. No one is singled out or made to feel different. Instead, everyone feels part of the community, while still receiving the tailored support they need to succeed.
This balance of inclusion and individual support has made a real difference to my journey. I’ve always felt respected, understood, and motivated to keep going.
I am excited to continue developing my skills in bookkeeping and to take the next steps towards my career goals. WM College hasn’t just helped me gain qualifications; it has helped me believe in my potential, and for that, I am truly thankful.
New Staff Introduction
We are pleased to welcome the following new members of staff who have joined us over the past two months:
Zahra Syeda – Learning Assistant. Started on 12th January 2026.
Sally Horowitz – Sessional Piano Tutor. Started on 2nd December 2025.
Christopher White – Sessional Acting and Drama Tutor. Started on 16th January 2026.
Marcella Mameli-Badi – Sessional ALS Assistant. Starting soon.
Joseph Schneider – Sessional Art Tutor. Started on 15th January 2026.
Simone Maier – Curriculum Manager – 3D Arts and Craft. Started on 22nd January 2026.
Nancy Sealy – Sessional AI, Social Media and Content Creation Tutor. Started on 9th January 2026.
Karim Saber – Sessional Pop, Rock and Blues Guitar Tutor. Started on 14th January 2026.
Malik Fellah – Site Maintenance Officer. Started on 19th January2026.
Upcoming Events, Workshops and Campus Activities
Macmillan coffee morning – Wednesday, 4th February 2026 from 11:30 am
Do you have a sweet tooth? Love a coffee? Do you like to bake?
Join us at our Macmillan Coffee Morning on Wednesday 4th February 2026
To mark World Cancer Day 2026, WM College is hosting a Macmillan Coffee & Cake Fundraiser, and we’d love our learners to get involved and support this important cause.
- When: Wednesday 4 February 2026
- Time: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
- Where: Library
- Who: Open to all learners and staff
- Bonus: FREE hot coffee on the day
How you can take part
There are lots of easy ways to support:
- Bring in home-made cakes, bakes or sweet treats to sell
- Buy treats from a shop or bakery and help sell them on the day
- Come along, enjoy a coffee and cake, and make a donation
- Tell your friends and classmates so more people can join in
Why we’re fundraising
Macmillan Cancer Support helps people living with cancer and their families. Nearly all of their work (98%) is funded by donations. They support over 3.5 million people in the UK through:
- The Macmillan Support Line
- Financial and money advice
- Trusted cancer information and booklets
- Online community support
- Macmillan nurses and support workers
Can’t attend on the day?
You can still donate. Donations are open now via JustGiving.
It’s quick, safe, and your donation goes straight to Macmillan Cancer Support. Every donation, big or small, makes a real difference.
Thank you for supporting this cause, and we hope to see you there enjoying some delicious treats and helping us raise funds for Macmillan.
Breast Cancer Screening Information Session
Delivered by the London Borough of Camden
Maurice Hall | Wednesday 11 February 2026 | 12:30pm
This supportive session is designed especially for all our learners, using clear and accessible language, and will be held in a women-only space to help everyone feel comfortable asking questions and talking openly about breast health. The session will share important information about screening, early detection, and where to get support, with time for discussion in a respectful and welcoming environment.
Places are limited, so please register in advance, the registration link closes at 5pm on Friday 6 February 2026.
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.
Curriculum News
London learner survey – have your say
The London Learner Survey, commissioned by the Mayor of London, collects feedback from learners like you to help improve education and training across the city. Completing the survey takes just a few minutes, and you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win an iPad. Share your experience and contribute to shaping the future of learning in London.
English and sustainability and green skills courses – looking back and moving forward English
Term A (September to December) was a busy yet highly productive period for our English learners across Functional Skills English, Skill Boost, and GCSE English courses.
Learners on the Functional Skills English and Skill Boost programmes explored a range of texts, including The Chocolate Factory, The Curious Case of the Dog in the Night-Time (both the novel and stage adaptation), The Beekeeper of Aleppo, and Night at the Museum. Lessons were thoughtfully designed around the key themes raised in these books. As part of their December exam practice, learners completed a writing task in which they reviewed the book they read and shared advice on reading for pleasure, drawing on their own classroom experiences.
Our collaboration with the Adult Literacy Trust continued throughout the term. Ten learners were paired with reading coaches and met weekly in the library, where they read texts or books of their own choosing. This initiative continued to support confidence, engagement, and enjoyment of reading.
All courses completed two sets of exam practice assessments, one in October and another in December. Learners on the Preparation for Functional Skills English courses also completed half of their Speaking and Listening assessments, which took the form of group discussions. Discussion topics were inspired by the books read in their course.
From mid-November, three new initiatives were introduced to further support learners: a weekly grammar workshop, a Debate Club, and a weekly GCSE study workshop.
Sustainability and Green Courses
Learners in our Award in Environmental Sustainability Level 1 had fantastic results in their exams (100% pass). Many have progressed to the Award in Environmental Sustainability Level 2 course.
Learners were also enriched by two exceptional guest speakers. Dr Bradley Hiller, Lead Climate change Specialist at the Islamic Development Bank, former University of Cambridge academic, former colleague to tutor Rehab Jameel, delivered an insightful post-COP30 talk on the Rio Conventions, sparking lively discussion. Earlier, award-winning filmmaker Miss Malak Zain shared how sustainability informs her creative practice, inspiring learners through her reflections on cultural circularity and her Cannes experience. We extend our sincere appreciation to both speakers for their generous and impactful contributions.
Supported by Kathy Schicker (Curriculum Manager for Art and Design), our learners designed and made bags using recycled material.
As we start a new term, we welcome returning and new learners in our courses; this Term is a fresh start, full of opportunities for discovery, forging new friendships and learning and achievement.
Support, Wellness and Adjustments
LGBT+ History Month: Camden, Colour & Community
February is LGBT+ History Month, a chance to celebrate queer history, creativity and community, right here in Camden and beyond.
Camden has long been a hub for self-expression, activism and standing proudly outside the box. From legendary music venues and underground club nights, to marches, protests and Pride celebrations passing through our streets, this borough has always made space for people to be bold, different and unapologetically themselves.
Across the UK this month, you’ll find talks, film screenings, exhibitions, drag story times, workshops and community events celebrating LGBT+ people past and present. It’s about recognising trailblazers who changed the world, everyday people who challenged injustice, and the joy that comes from living authentically.
At WM College, we know our learners are wonderfully diverse, in age, background, identity and life experience. LGBT+ History Month is a reminder that whoever you are, whoever you love, however you identify, you belong here. First and foremost, you are a learner at WM, and we are proud to have you as part of our community.
So whether you’re out, questioning, an ally, or just curious, this month is for everyone. Celebrate difference, share stories, keep learning… and maybe enjoy a bit of Camden colour along the way.
World Cancer Day – 4th Feb 2026
World Cancer Day takes place on 4 February and is a global moment to raise awareness, challenge myths and show support for everyone affected by cancer.
Chances are many of us have been touched by cancer in some way, through our own experiences, or those of family, friends or colleagues. World Cancer Day reminds us that behind every statistic is a real person, with a story, hopes and strength.
At WM College, we believe community matters. Whether someone is living with cancer, supporting a loved one, or navigating life after treatment, kindness, understanding and flexibility can make a huge difference. Sometimes support is about practical help, and sometimes it’s simply listening or checking in.
This day is also about hope: celebrating advances in treatment, research and early diagnosis, and recognising the resilience of people facing cancer every day.
If you or someone you know needs support, remember you’re not alone. WM College is a place of learning, care and connection, and we look out for one another.
Time to talk day – 5th Feb 2026
Time to Talk Day is all about one simple (but powerful) idea: talking about mental health.
Life can be busy, stressful and unpredictable, especially when juggling learning, work, family and everything else that comes with adult life. Time to Talk Day encourages us to pause, check in with ourselves and others, and remember that it’s okay to talk about how we’re really feeling.
You don’t need the “perfect words” or a big speech. A chat over a cuppa, a message to a classmate, or asking “How are you, really?” can make a huge difference. Talking helps break down stigma and reminds us we’re not alone.
At WM College, we want all learners to feel supported, respected and heard. Whether you’re having a great day or a tough one, your wellbeing matters here.
So today (and every day), let’s keep the conversation going. Talking saves lives, and listening matters just as much.
Careers – Workshops, Events, Job Fairs, Jobs
Next steps event – 4 March 2026
Save the date: Wednesday, 4th March, for our second Next Steps event in Maurice Hall, taking place from 11 – 4 pm.
Employability workshops
Over Feb half term, we will be running two Employability workshops for ESOL learners (Entry 3 and above): Getting into Volunteering and Getting on to LinkedIn. Please talk to your tutors about enrolling in these and prepare your CVs in advance.
CV workshops
As always, we hold two CV workshops a month in the library for us to take a quick look at improving our CVs. Keep an eye on the Noticeboard by the drinks machine for more dates and of course, keep checking the Next Steps page on our website – new jobs and info each week.
What’s On in the Local Community (Camden)
Camden is full of life this February, with plenty happening just a short walk or bus ride from WM College. Here are five events worth knowing about this month:
LGBT+ History Month Events Across Camden
Various locations, throughout February
Camden is marking LGBT+ History Month with talks, creative workshops and community events celebrating queer history and activism. Highlights include discussions on local LGBT+ activism and arts-led community sessions happening mid-to-late February.
LGBTQ+ History Month Community Event – British Museum
Saturday 15th February 2026
A special community event celebrating LGBTQ+ history, storytelling and visibility. Open to all and part of the wider Camden & Islington LGBT+ History Month programme.
Queer Art Club: Life Drawing Session
Monday 20th February, Camden
A relaxed, inclusive art session celebrating queer creativity as part of LGBT+ History Month.
The Poetry Hour: W. H. Auden – British Library
Thursday 26th February, 7 pm
An evening celebrating one of Britain’s most influential poets at the British Library. Tickets are available, with concessions and online access options.
Live Music at the Roundhouse
Roundhouse, Camden. Throughout February
The Roundhouse continues to host live gigs all month, featuring both emerging and established artists. February dates include performances by Of Monsters and Men and other international acts.
Learner Testimonials, Feedback and Success Stories
Help us improve the WM College website
We’re reviewing the WM College website to make it easier to use and more accessible. This includes reviewing the checkout process and options such as Gift Aid and donations to support learner bursaries.
We’d really value your feedback, as well as feedback from learners, partners, and supporters you work with. To help with this, we’ve created a very short survey to identify any issues or barriers people experience on the website.
Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and share it with others.
Learner Gram
Haven’t been to the College yet? Have a look at your virtual campus tour.
