I have been lucky enough to have been taught about different editing techniques by Andy Moore and as a result got really good at it. Other students as well have shown exceptional and much better examples of editing that could easily be mistaken for the work of a professional all thanks to Andy’s expert teaching.

Andy is also well known among students for his taste in music including the Pixies, the Smith’s and Bombay Bicycle Club. Which reminds me, Andy if you are reading this could you explain why my Indie Cindy CD is scratched? But I am traveling down a tangent. 

Regardless of this Andy is a great teacher that will make lessons much more enjoyable and can blend, sometimes questionable, jokes in seamlessly with his lesson but maintains respect from his students. A good example is when I was mocked for my enjoyment of a certain Travis song but told that I could create an effective music video. 

Andy would also like students reading this good luck in the future whether it is in further education or the workplace.

A calculated risk-taker with deep knowledge of Further Education, some explain Delta as the 'Magic Woman' who has come in and fixed us. After only a year of gracing us with her presence she is now the Assistant Academy Manager. Her key to success is having a positive attitude even at the hardest of times and gaining working relationships with the some of us difficult teenagers. She has a personal yet professional bond with everyone she works with and she fills her students with reassurance, drive and self-confidence.

When Delta was younger and in education, she didn’t get the help and support desired. This is a big part to the person she is today. Delta strives to make sure none of her students have the worry she had. Even students with the hardest of problems or furthest behind on work, she will take it as a challenge and make it all better.

Taking each day as it comes is the outlook Delta has, and if some days are especially stressful, her cat Molly and lovely family are all there at the end of the day. However when it comes to the department, Delta has big dreams, and knows she has it in her to help make it the department the best in the College and in the country in years to come. Delta is determined, loving, hilarious, welcoming and the perfect example of what a FE tutor should be.

Andy Darley is an eccentric, passionate and committed part time senior tutor at Harlow College. He mixes his passion for Journalism with a quick thinking mind to produce one of the easiest learning environments around. Andy is well known for his pure hatred of Comic Sans, even commenting that his gravestone should remind us all of this fact.

Andy comes with plenty of experience in the field of journalism, web design and general life. Andy has consistently urged us to do work outside the class room just like himself to help boost our profiles, and for those who have it certainly has. His outside work includes BritsOnPole, creating and maintaining websites for several of Britons up and coming racing drivers and managing a YouTube channel.

After leaving university Andy never had envisioned his life being stuck around computers, in fact he had purposely been trying to avoid them since his much younger days but fate would have it that a careers center computer told him to build a career from them and here we are.

It’s been a great privilege to learn under someone who is already passionate for the subject even Andy admits that working with our class is “difficult, stressful and at times intensely frustration but it’s a great rewarding experience. Talk to Andy at every opportunity you can because you’re likely to find out something new.

Harlow College’s successful and driven Principal, Karen Spencer is always smiling. The stress of leading one of the best College’s in the country doesn't ever seem to stop her from being happy and enjoying her job. 

Karen’s day begins by getting woke up by her three and a half year old twin boys, who needs an alarm clock? Her husband then brings her a cup of earl grey, a great way to start the day! The drive to work is accompanied by BBC Radio 4; the average age of the station is 55 and would no doubt be a lot higher if it wasn't for Karen bringing it down!

The Principal is extremely dedicated and loves to be around students. She gets involved whenever possible and truly goes the extra mile when it comes to meeting people, looking at students work and doing the best for the college and it’s students. The job itself very much suits her personality, everyday is different and Karen loves the fact she is influencing and making every persons future better, giving them the best chance in life.

Due to the interest of her two sons, Karen has suddenly found an interest in Peppa Pig, but aside from that loves travelling. She once went trekking in the Himalayas!

Karen encourages students to never doubt their abilities and to take every opportunity that comes their way. Wise words that we can remember throughout our lives. 

Kathryn originally studied at London College of Fashion, and after working in Africa for two years, Kathryn returned home having decided to pursue a career in teaching. After marrying and re-locating from Muswell Hill, Kathryn began teaching beauty therapy at North West Kent College.

When first joining Harlow College, Kathryn continued to teach before becoming Deputy Head. In 2007, Kathryn became Assistant Principal and manages a variety of different creative areas, including Rescued Learners – a program put in place to help absent students get back on track and achieve their goals. She also works closely with the principal and executive team, managing students and staff.

Kathryn played a huge part in achieving the college’s number one status. She began by setting targets and having daily team meetings to help track student progress and give them the support they need. After four years, Harlow College was named the number one college in England. However, Kathryn does not plan on stopping just yet. She hopes that the college can become number one throughout every curriculum at Ofsted within the next two years.

Although it isn’t all work no play with Kathryn. When she isn’t at college, she spends her spare time with family, walking or at the theatre. She loves the opera, almost as much as she loves to travel the world.

Kathryn is passionate about changing young peoples lives and is privileged to have such a position within the organisation. The hands on Assistant Principle has loved every minute of her 19 years (and counting) at Harlow College.

She has been described as a “loving person” “very helpful” and “a great tutor who can make work that’s boring, become fun.” With Lorraine steering her classes to success she mentioned “My main objective is not to feel successful but to enable others to be successful”

With Lorraine taking the approach of empathy to teaching it has allowed her to connect to students on a better level and assist them in ways that have helped people throughout the pas t two years. Although she has leant a helping hand, Lorrain believes that a lot of the work is down to people making their own paths in life and coming out at the end with what they aimed for.

With such a caring tutor here at Harlow College it has been made clear to anyone that Lorraine has met that she will see it all through to the end and be the one to congratulate you when you have achieved all you’ve ever wanted.

“Keep being creative, listen, but make your own pathway” – Lorraine Love

Hannah Bennett is the principal tutor here at Harlow College teaching students various units on the programme including Photography, TV Advertising and Page Layout.

Whilst studying art she was encouraged to take up photography and eventually got a degree in the subject at university. After graduating she worked as a studio assistant,  eventually building her own client list she has photographed weddings in both the UK and overseas including the Saudi royal families. Over the years her work as a freelance photographer has appeared in Sunday supplements saying "it's an achievement to have your name in print".

When asked what she likes about teaching she said "each day is quite different, I didn't consider teaching I thought it might be restricting but the variety of subjects keeps it interesting. It's satisfying being able to help students do well".

In her spare time she can be often be found outdoors whether that be gardening or out and about with family and friends. One of her favourite moments was when she did a skydive in Africa saying "it was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen".

Well what else is Hannah known for? Its definitely her addiction to chocolate. She admits to having a little stash somewhere around her desk"

Hannah wants all the year two students to know that "the team are proud that they've finished so well and just keep going, don't be put off by anybody or feel you can't achieve anything"

Many people question Brendan’s tan but they never question his ability with camera equipment. Brendan has Harlow College running through his veins as he once studied photography here as well, his experience and awareness of what goes on around the campus makes him extremely cherished, without Brendan, Harlow College would be like fish without chips, a cowboy without his horse, Ant without Dec. His fellow staff members and the pupils have nothing bad to say about him, he is a delightful, sometimes mysterious character that would not hurt a fly.

It has been a pleasure working with Brendan over these past two years as he could turn an amateur with equipment into a secure, advanced user and this is due to the fact that he cares for the students to achieve as much as he cares for the equipment. It has been an honour.

Always up for a laugh Chris makes you feel welcome no matter who you are, which is a reflection of his personality that I'm sure no one can disagree with.

Journalism and Media at Harlow College and now Director of Professional Development and Improvement, how’s that for a promotion?

Having studied here at Harlow College in her younger days, Kelly Edwards worked her way from fitness instructor to head of a media department how you ask? Well proving her management skills at a young age allowed her to join Harlow College in the sport department to develop the aerobics.

As time progressed Kelly was working two jobs until she was offered a full time position as a tutor/lecturer. Kelly was instrumental in setting up fitness and nutrition classes and units in the sports department before moving onto travel. It was here that she moved up to program area leader, before having her first child and then spending 8 hard years working her way all the way up to head of Media and Journalism

What has been a long road has motivated Kelly more to be passionate and caring about her students. The mix of leadership and people skills makes Kelly a perfect person to lead a department and guide the students on a path only laden with success. Her attitude of students first has brought teams together to drive and motivate the worst of students for success.

Her favorite moment of the past two years has been the graduation of the students from last year, and is excited by our graduation success. Having watched some students arrive with negative attitudes and then leave with positive ones, excited for the future gives Kelly the satisfaction for the job.

Helen has had lots of experience in Journalism which has helped her to teach her students as well as encouraging them. She has recommended that we should try and work in Journalism and to obtain experience in our desired sector throughout the educational period.

I personally am grateful that Helen helped me get the grades that I need for University as well as helping me in setting up a Journalism profile page on Linked in. This has proven beneficial and allowed me to start working and gaining experience as a Journalist.

Helen has taught our group about rules and regulations in the media sector as well as how to write copy for a client these are essential units if students want to become Journalists. Helen really pushes students to achieve highly and encourages people to keep improving their work through constructive criticism and keeps them motivated.

Helen wishes everyone leaving good luck and to keep going in order to achieve what they want.

Only starting in May, Achia is the brand new bright spark to the department. She has the biggest personality and her talkative and humorous ways engage and entertain anyone. She has the ability to make anyone smile, especially when she busts out her ‘Gotta get down on Friday’ dance first thing in the morning.

Achia grew up in East London and was witness to people around her having so much potential, but wasting it by taking the wrong path. Her upbringing has made her wise and understand more about the World, bad and good. Because of this she has the ability to talk to students on a level which most tutors cannot; she understands, she can relate and she gives great support and advice. When it came the time to go to College, Achia excelled and it is here she found independence, drive and inner-talent. She progressed and attended UAL, graduating with a BA honors combined degree in Public Relations with Media and Cultural Studies. Not stopping there, Achia gained a PGCE in Post 16+ and first taught at the young age of 22 – So anyone can imagine parents reactions when they met her.

Once working at the College of North East London, which is known to hold some troubling students, it is safe to say that how ever friendly and welcoming Achia is, she wont take any nonsense from students at all.  Working with young people, motivating learners and helping them achieve their goals is what Achia loves the most about her job, she believes the plus sides to the job outweigh the bad.