Page 22 - ELG2309 Sep Issue 486

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE .

Q: Legend has it that when Steve
Bannister arrived in the UK from South
Africa, he started off working in London’s
famous Camden Market. The Director
of International at Chichester College
Group (CCG) puts the record straight.
SB: In fact, my first job was working as a
manager in a rather seedy wine bar in Mayfair.
I used my earnings to buy fairtrade products
from Africa, which I sold at Camden Market.
That turned into twelve years of importing
artisanal products from the developing world.

Q: How did he end up in FE?
SB: The thing that connects all my working
life has been a passion for empowering people
and communities. There is one thing that
entrepreneurship and education have in common;
they are concerned with helping people to achieve
their dreams.
Q: Chichester College has gone
storming up the Gazette’s EFL language
centre rankings and recently scored
‘outstanding’ on their Ofsted inspection;
the only FE college to achieve that.
What is their secret?
SB: It’s the people. We have a fantastic team.
Iain Tebb, our Director of Studies, has been at
CCG for over twenty years. To say that he and his Putting quality
team are passionate is an understatement, and
that passion runs through the accommodation,
welfare and business support teams. It’s
humbling to work with people who care deeply
about our students. And I’m not just saying
that! It’s a real privilege. over profit
Of course, one likes to think that leadership
plays a role, but it’s really about our front-line
staff. It’s all about putting the customer first.

Q: Chichester is the only college in the Steve Bannister reveals how his FE college
UK to own an international EFL exam
suite as well as a year-round language climbed to the top in EFL and Education.
school.
SB: We can offer a comprehensive service. We also need to cater to our global audience’s be immersive. After all, we are preparing these
Owning an exam board gives us sight of our diverse academic needs. Our students have young people for the working world.
students’ end goals: to achieve qualifications. differing aspirations, so a broad range of Couple that with the fact that local businesses
It also gives us a certain rigour and discipline. choices is crucial. It’s also a competitive labour are struggling to recruit staff, and it seems like
We are not a massive player in the testing market. Providing educational solutions rather a no-brainer for government to invest and to
market, so it also means that we must innovate than pushing “educational products” seems a allow shorter-term students the opportunity to
and think on our feet. prudent strategy. earn, pay taxes, and truly integrate into society
As for the Language school, we are lucky while they are with us. These young students
that we are not owned by shareholders and can Q: How does the town contribute to the aren’t economic migrants; they are tomorrow’s
benefit from the quality systems, group services success? innovators and leaders. We should tap into that
and wonderful resources that Chichester SB: I must relate my own experience here; talent while they are with us
College Group offers. All that translates into I moved to Chichester during the pandemic
our leadership team seeking quality over profit because I wanted a better quality of life. Good Q: What three wishes do you have for
rather than vice versa. community, clean air, and all within easy reach the future?
of the bright lights of Brighton and London. SB: Ooh, that’s a tough one... First: government
Q: The college offers an increasing We’re close to the sea, surrounded by nature, funding starts to recognise the vital contribution
range of international education a good theatre, and the city is welcoming, of FE colleges to the economy so that we can
products. Does the future of EFL lie in safe, historic and charming. Our international provide improved services for a fast-changing
a package with education? students and those from the university bring world. Second: that CCG recent successes don’t
SB: In a word: yes. Learning English needs to something very special too: diversity. What’s make us complacent. Third: that we continue
be contextualised. Teaching English in isolation not to like? to serve students proudly and with outstanding
has limited value. That’s why we emphasise educational outcomes.
our students getting out and connecting with Q: What is the best way the government If I were allowed a fourth, it would be to
the local community. Through enrichment could help? improve our connections with students after
activities and engaging social programmes, we SB: The learning experience of our students they leave us; I am convinced that many go on
develop the whole student. needs to be as authentic as possible. It needs to to achieve wonderful things!
22 September 2023