Many of us are guilty of allowing our fears around adult learning to overshadow the rewards we’d get from it inside and outside of work. But every day I meet people who share their success stories of embracing learning as an adult.

Almost all of them have busy lives full of family and work commitments – but still they find the time to up-skill, learn and gain new qualification.

Just this month I’ve been helping a single mother take her first steps back into the work place. After the birth of her baby girl she was forced to quit her job, but since her daughter started primary school she begun volunteering as a classroom assistant.

A few weeks later she was offered paid employment from her volunteering work, and I’ve helped her enrol onto a training programme to become a teaching assistant. Now she has the best of both – spending time with her daughter whilst also working towards a recognised qualification to a future career.

The rewards of adult learning can be truly life changing. Psychologically you get a huge sense of personal and professional achievement, but there is also the social reward of meeting new people through the course.

Room for improvement

Lincoln has a population of about 100,000 people, but only 10% of adults are engaged in learning that is not through a university or a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programme at work. This means there is a huge amount of potential out there for more people to build their confidence, up-skill, pursue a job promotion or even that career change they have been thinking about for years.

Nationally the statistics are not much better. The Higher Education Funding Council confirms there has been a 40% reduction in part-time learners since 2010 in the higher education sector.

This national statistic is worrying. Could it be because some universities and colleges are not delivering what part-time adult learners need? Or does the hike in tuition fees now mean that for many adult learners education is simply out of reach?

The bottom line

Adult learning can also boost the bottom line of a business. It is proven to improve a person’s productivity and engagement; and as a rule of thumb it’s more cost-effective to train someone internally, than it is to recruit a new member of staff with the right skills, but no experience of your company or sector.

Fear factor

The most common fear when someone starts a new learning programme is the fear of failure, closely followed by the fear that it will take hours out of their personal time. Neither of which are true. A typical adult learning programme will take just over an hour a week of your own time, and the rest is done in work. This balance, inside and outside of the office, can sometimes be less of a commitment then signing up to completing a qualification through night school.

How much does it cost?

Another worry can be the cost, and having to pay for tuition fees that are associated with your course. In these tough economic times I’ve seen training budgets being cut, which has left talented employees with no opportunity for further study.

But new funding loans are available to help with this. The government’s current loan is called 24+ Advanced Learning Loans. It helps you pay your tuition fees, and you only start making the repayments once you have completed the course, and when your income is over £21,000 a year.  

Take up for this loan across the UK has been slow. Either people aren’t aware of it or they are fearful of taking on debt when times are tough. But either way, the terms are very favourable, and whilst you earn under £21,000 a year you’ll never have to pay it back. 

Picking the right course

Adult learning, for people over 24 years old, generally takes three different forms. The first is full-time through a Masters or Post Graduate course. The second is around work based learning programmes such as NVQs, and the third is through advanced apprenticeships. The most popular ones in Lincoln are work based learning programmes and advanced apprenticeships, because they allow learning to be focused within an occupation or career.

In many cases, people know a lot more about their work place than they give themselves credit for, and a recognised training course can help people convert this knowledge into a qualification.

Thinking about Adult Learning?

I work with people who worry that they are not academic enough to return to learning. But that stigma soon goes away when they start to reap the rewards of enjoying their job more, and the financial benefits of learning new things.

Lincolnshire needs to be a county of highly skilled professionals, and we need a workforce that is evolving to meet the demands of employers.

Adult Learners’ Week (May 18-24) celebrates and rewards those learners who have taken the plunge back into education at a later stage in their life.

Children from a South Lincoln primary school will walk and cycle to school this week as part of “Walk to School Week”.

Kids from Ling Moor Primary School will find ways of sustainably getting to school, as part of the Access LN6 project.

On the Monday, the school held a Big Bike Day to encourage cycling, scooting or walking.

Charity Sustrans was on hand to provide breakfast for children who walked or biked to school and show them how to keep their bikes in working order.

Pupils will also take part in the “Playground Pedal”.

Ling Moor Primary received £5,000 via the Access LN6 programme, and purchased a shelter so parents can wait for their children. It’s hoped this will encourage sustainable travel to and from school.

Sustrans Schools Officer Vincent Gibson said: “We want children to enjoy active travel so we’re working closely with schools in LN6 to raise awareness of walking and cycling, teaching children about safety and encouraging them to walk, scoot or cycle regularly.

“Walking, scooting and cycling to school has great health benefits, it’s more sustainable to the local environment and it’s a great way for children to gain independence.”

Headteacher at Ling Moor Primary School Mrs Jill Marston said: “Ling Moor Primary School has been promoting sustainable travel for almost 10 years.

Encouraging walking, cycling and scooting fits into our school ethos and reinforces the positive messages of sustainable travel to our students.

“The funding we received for our Parent Waiting Shelter means that whatever the weather, parents have an allocated space to wait for their children – either shaded in the summer, or sheltered from the winter.

“We’re confident that promoting sustainable travel will encourage parents, teachers and our pupils to think about the way they travel.”

Find out more about Access LN6 and how it can help staff at a local business or school by calling 01522 554 545 or visiting the Access LN6 website.

Children at a Lincoln nursery are learning all about caring for animals with the arrival of 15 newly-hatched chicks.

Of the 15 eggs at Old Station Nursery at Lincoln Marina, 12 chicks hatched on May 16, with the other three expected to come out of their shells any day.

The chicks come from the Happy Chick Company, which aims to teach others about the ethical treatment of its chicks, dropped off incubators at the nursery and left details on how to care for the eggs and chicks.

When the chicks hatch, they move into a brooder box to keep them warm and dry.

The children are allowed to hold and stroke them for small periods of time, and take turns feeding and watering them.

Senior nursery worker Rebecca Craigen, said: “The children have been so excited about having the chicks here.

“We are always trying to think of new and interesting ways to help the children learn, and this seemed like an ideal way to teach them about nature, being responsible and being kind to animals.

“Now they are hatched and dry and fluffy, the children have enjoyed watching their antics as they move about the box.”

Owner Madeline McRanor, said: “This is a wonderful way for children to experience how much joy new chicks can bring.

“I’m just so glad that we are able to bring such happiness to children. We give our chicks away to a variety of smallholders we know are looking to take on more chickens, so they go on to a happy life once they’ve brought joy to the nursery.

“Hopefully we enlighten people as to how much fun they can have bringing up chickens, and raise awareness of the better welfare standards for keeping chickens.”

The chicks will remain with the nursery until May 24, then be taken to the Wragby Road nursery for a further week.

After that, the Happy Chick Company will take them back and look for homes for the chicks.

Bishop Grosseteste University has been put up for two national awards, thanks to its new prospectus design.

The prospectus, made in-house by BGU’s marketing team, is up for Best Undergraduate Prospectus and Best Prospectus from a Specialist Institution at the HEIST Awards.

The HEIST Awards celebrate innovation and excellence in education marketing.

The design is based of student feedback to give the book a more personal feel, and was completely re-written, researched and designed.

It also includes stories and quotes from students about the different courses plus the elements of living, studying and socialising in Lincoln

The BGU team has included quotes and stories from current students about the courses, activities and social aspects of studying and living in Lincoln.

Ben Rook, Marketing Manager at BGU, said: “BGU is a unique university and has such a strong community spirit.

“We worked very hard to make sure that the prospectus captured as much of this spirit as possible to show potential students what a great place it really is.”

“We’re aware that prospective students want to see a university’s credentials not only from the perspective of the institution itself, but also from the students who attend it.

“I’m delighted with the outcome and the national recognition we’ve received.”

The university will be up against the University of Nottingham, the University of Cambridge and the University of Leicester.

A team of academics for the University of Lincoln are using the social network Twitter to grow and manage their garden at the 100th RHS Chelsea Flower Show between May 21-25.

The garden, called Digital Capabilities, responds to live Twitter activity, so the public can influence how the garden looks at any time.

The Lincoln team, made up of the University of Lincoln’s School of Computer Science, School of Psychology and School of Architecture, are working alongside designers Harfleet & Harfleet to build the garden.

The structure was constructed by a team of staff and students from the School of Architecture led by Senior Lecturer Richard Wright

It will be divided diagonally by an autonomous-panelled screen, that will separate two planting zones.

Those visiting the garden will see a range of common plants in one zone, with a variety of more exotic plants partially hidden from view behind the screen in the other.

The more excitement there is on Twitter about the Flower Show though, the screen will reveal more of the inner depth of the garden.

Morning peeps, tunes on the radio, measuring for the last panel! #RHSChelsea #design #workshop twitter.com/DigCapabilitie…

— Digital Capabilities (@DigCapabilities) April 21, 2013

Last of the panels made, final finishes, then done for the day! #rhs #RHSChelsea #flowershow #design#digital twitter.com/DigCapabilitie…

— Digital Capabilities (@DigCapabilities) April 19, 2013

Shaun Lawson, Professor of Social Computing at the University’s School of Computer Science, said: “One of the things we’re trying to do through our research is to understand how digital media can be made to meaningfully intersect with the physical world.

“The garden is an opportunity to explore aspects of how we can interweave social media data with real space, as well as how it is possible to make sense of this data by creating thought-provoking visualisations.

“The planting inside represents the exotic or unknown immaterial world of the internet, moderated and revealed by our desire for knowledge and interaction.”

Head of Psychology at the University of Lincoln Professor Harriet Gross added: “I am interested in why gardens can be so important to our psychological well-being.

“Gardens often provide a space where people can think about things away from their day-to-day routines. They can also be places for public celebration and to share with friends and family.

“To reflect the variety of roles gardens can play in emotional and psychological well-being, our exhibit will contrast two distinct types of garden: one is familiar, available and safe. The other is hidden and exotic.

“Most importantly, the experience of the garden will be determined by people’s responses to it.”

To learn more about the project, visit the Digital Capabilities website, or follow the garden on Twitter. Tweet about the garden show to see the Lincoln garden react and use the hashtag, #rhschelsea.

Guys hard at work on the next batch of panels – first coat up! #rhs #chelsea #design #build twitter.com/DigCapabilitie…

— Digital Capabilities (@DigCapabilities) April 18, 2013

Just some of our team, proudly posing in front of @digcapabilities – Doing a stirling job! #RHSChelsea twitter.com/DigCapabilitie…

— Digital Capabilities (@DigCapabilities) April 18, 2013

A Lincoln forensic anthropologist has helped in a report into identifying Afghanistan’s dead, who were victims of the country’s conflict.

Gillian Fowler, who works at the School of Life Sciences at the University of Lincoln, is involved in the Afghan Forensic Science Organisation (AFSO), part of the Physicians for Human Rights’ (PHR) project Securing Afghanistan’s Past.

Fowler provides training in human osteology — the study of bones.

She said: “The aims of the PHR/Afghan project were human identification and determining what is needed to build forensic capacity in order to investigate the atrocities that have taken place throughout the various conflicts.”

The Securing Afghanistan’s Past report was presented last month at the Truth Seeking and the Role of Forensic Science conference in Kabul.

Its aim is to help Afghanistan’s government institutions, organisations and international donors get information about the technical and scientific capabilities the country needs to identify people and document past problems.

In the past, PHR helped the country develop a way locally of documenting and securing mass graves whilst stopping evidence get destroyed.

Before Afghanistan, Gillian Fowler worked for the Forensic Anthropology Foundation of Guatemala for six years, and was involved in the exhumation of innocent victims’ graves who were caught up in the 1980s uprising against military dictators.

Muriel Robinson, the first Vice Chancellor of Bishop Grosseteste since it was upgraded to university status, retired from the role on Friday, April 26.

Professor Robinson joined BG in 2003 as Principal of Bishop Grosseteste College, but became Vice Chancellor of Bishop Grosseteste University in January 2013.

While at the top of the institution, both the number of students attending the university and the range of courses available grew.

It gained the authority to award its own degrees in 2006, then last year managed to get university status.

Professor Robinson said: “So far I have been at school, at college, a teacher, a lecturer and finally a vice chancellor. At last the bell for playtime is ringing!

“I’m very much looking forward to the next phase of my life and I have so much more I want to do, from the trivial daily satisfaction of sending people birthday cards on time to the bigger plans around finding some enriching voluntary roles and finally having time to get to know this great county of Lincolnshire properly.

“Of course I shall miss so many of the people I have worked with, and in particular the stimulation of our student body, but I know that both for me and for BGU this is the right time to step down.

“We are on the brink of the next phase of our life as a university and it is appropriate for someone with new energies and new ideas to take BGU on that journey.

“I wish BGU every success in the years ahead and I’m really proud to have been associated with it.

“Being first Principal and then Vice Chancellor of Bishop Grosseteste University has been the best last job anyone could want!”

Reverend Professor Peter Neil will take over her role as Vice Chancellor on May 1.

A group of local insurance professionals have sponsored a bench in Lincoln to reflect the group and a celebration of up and coming young professionals.

The Lincoln branch of Chartered Insurance Institute held a special memorial event on the University of Lincoln campus on St George’s Day, where the bench was positioned.

The Committee of the institute wanted to mark the Centenary of the Chartered Insurance Institute with a “seat of learning” on the campus.

The insurance group celebrated 100 years since gaining in charter last year. At present, there are 400 members making up the Lincoln branch.

The oak material and position of the seat were chosen to reflect both the vision of the people who laid the first stone of Lincoln Cathedral, plus the strength and longevity that education brings to society.

Lincoln Insurance Institute President, Terence O’Halloran, said: “I dedicate this seat to the future of learning and those who are to be taught.

“The greatest principle of learning has to be the ability to make that learning produce something useful for Society. Learning for learning’s sake achieves little.

“We are extremely proud to recognise the Institute’s Centenary in this way. It is entirely appropriate to site the bench here to reflect upon 800 years of Cathedral history; the ‘Scorer’ designed modern architecture and the Roman port that is now the Brayford pool.”

Lincoln branch Secretary Jane Burgess said: “We decided to buy an Oak Memorial Bench, which was made for us by Knight’s of Langworth and installed by Lee Overton (L & J Construction) on its hardstanding.

“The oak bench is inscribed “For the next generation of talent”.

“There is a relevance here for not only the students attending the University of Lincoln, but the students who study with the Chartered Insurance Institute in building a better; stronger, more knowledgeable Society, whilst reflecting upon the history of what previous generations have brought to us.”

University of Lincoln Head of Commercial Facilities Richard Merryweather also attended the ceremony, and offered the institute a chance to bury a time capsule on campus.

He said: “When the capsule is ready we hope it will go into the ground near the new Art & Design building.”

Proposed designs for the first Lincoln University Technical College (UTC) behind the Greestones Centre on Lindum Road have been unveiled.

The £7.5 million investment will see the construction of a bespoke building at the rear of the Grade II listed Greestone Centre, and the Watkins Building on site will be reconditioned as well.

The site development is fully funded by the Government’s Education Funding Agency, while the college will be developed and supported by Lincoln College, the University of Lincoln and Siemens Lincoln.

The University of Lincoln currently uses the site as part of their art school but are scheduled to vacate the property from June 2013.

Simon Plummer, Director of Projects and Partnerships at Lincoln College, said: “Having looked at a considerable number of alternative sites, Lincoln UTC has always considered the Greestone Centre to be an ideal location due to its close proximity to its sponsors as well as arterial transport links.

“We are therefore delighted that the acquisition of the site continues to positively progress and that the Lincoln UTC Trust has the backing of the Education Funding Agency to finalise this design and seek formal planning consent,” he added.

Subject to approval, construction would start from August 2013 and take some 50 weeks prior to formal handover to the Lincoln UTC Trust in August 2014.

Lincoln UTC will be open to students from September 2014 when it will greet some 260 students in years 10 and 12.

The students population should then incrementally increase until it operates at a full capacity of 640 students from September 2017.

Lincoln UTC will aim to provide an additional educational choice to the young people in the area, with a curriculum influenced by the employers and businesses of the region.

Paul Birt, HR Director at Siemens in Lincoln, said: “The Lincoln UTC will help us develop the next generation of engineers for businesses across the county as well as further afield. UTCs will compliment existing provision and offer students a new vocational path and meet the requirements of employers.”

Parents are worried over care arrangements after a care club in Nettleham near Lincoln is set to close in June.

The Timeout Club at Nettleham Infant School has run on the premises for 10 years, and currently caters for 98 registered children, both nursery and also for the nearby junior school.

The club rents a unit from the school to host before and after school activities. However, the club received a notice to vacate the premises by June 6, 2013.

According to a letter to parents from school governors, this is due to a licensing dispute that led to “irreconcilable differences”.

Jo O’Neill, who operates the Timeout Club, said this could mean the loss of up to eight jobs and three work experience placements.

Parents said they are concerned over the closure, and feel it could disrupt the children before the end of the school year. Many are worried the closure could impact their jobs or further education.

There is only one other childcare facility in the village, Stepping Stones, but this does not cater for the junior school children that use Timeout.

Licensing issues

Timeout club operator Jo O’Neill said: “I was initially given a rolling three-year license agreement to operate within a purpose-built unit at the Infant School. I obtained £20,000 of New Opportunities Funding from Lincolnshire County Council to add a disabled toilet, kitchen and storage facility.

“My license included the ability to take children onto the playground to the rear of the school, and this has never changed. In July 2012, my license was up for renewal. I paid for a new license agreement, and the main change was that only a one year license was granted. This coincided with the school becoming an Academy.

“In October, I received a letter completely out of the blue which terminated this license to work from the Infant School, with no explanation given as to the reason for this. To date I have been given no reason for this and neither have the parents who have also tried to establish what has been the reason for the decision.”

The school is an academy, so Lincolnshire County Council has no remit to intervene further into this issue.

Parents concerned

Parent Victoria Spooner (23) has a son at the infant school. She said: “Instead of just relaxing and enjoying his reception year, year 1 and 2, it’s made me want to hurry him up to the junior school.

“Without this provision I’d probably have to go part-time at university rather than disrupt his school, which means it takes me six years to do a degree that should take three.

“At first I was shocked, because I didn’t expect it to happen, and after I got the letter, I went to speak to Ms Driffill at the school. I came away disappointed, because she said the decision had been made in October.

“They should hold a meeting for them to explain. They said there was a lot of consideration and debate that went into this decision, and it was never their wish to see Timeout close. If this is going to close, I want to have a good reason why, and at the minute they’re just backing away from making any explanation at all.”

Parent Donna Fogg (37) added: “I find it quite worrying really. I know there is Stepping Stones but it’s a very last resort. We’ve tried a childminder but it didn’t work out, and we found that Timeout is really helpful; [my daughter] settled in really nicely, she’s really comfortable and she loves the people here.

“We’ve got somewhere else, which is more expensive and she’s got to walk quite a while away from the school. Here is convenient because it’s within the facility of the school so she doesn’t have to walk elsewhere.

“I’m angry with the school – they promote the Timeout Club being an asset to the school, yet they want to take it away. If they have issues with Timeout, then they should address them rather than take it away. They haven’t got any plans to put anything else in place.

“I’d like the school to put something else in place, which at the minute there are no plans for. I don’t know what they expect us to do, give up work?”

Lack of alternatives

Laura Brown (32) has a child in the junior school using the facility. She said: “I have no alternative childcare. I’m a single parent, the rest of my family work, and although my job is flexible and I’ve managed to sort mornings, I can’t change my hours.

“I’m worried it’s going to add disruption because all the students who use it do so because they enjoy it and the parents need it. The fact they will be separated into other childcare providers will have a detrimental effect on the children.

“The school is usually really good and when I first started using the facility, it was being promoted by the school, so to find they have not really engaged with the club is disappointing. I’d just like the reasoning into why they’ve made the decision and an explanation to where they think the alternative childcare is going to come from.”

Sufficient local provision

Nicola Driffill, Head Teacher at Nettleham Infant School, explained in a statement on behalf of the school’s Governing Body: “Governors tried very hard to accommodate the changes that the proprietor required after she took the decision to close the Mulsanne Park site, which had provided after school care for junior age children, and amalgamate both age groups in the Early Years Unit within the school.

“This building was constructed specifically to accommodate children from the ages of 2 -5 years. It does not have the space and facilities required for junior age children.

“The decision to terminate the Licence agreement was made by governors as they felt that the school could not accommodate the additional requests that had been made by the proprietor beyond the terms of the licence without impacting on the day-to-day running of the whole school.

“The Local Authority met with governors after notice had been given and it was agreed to extend the notice period by a further six months to allow them to undertake a childcare sufficiency audit and to support the proprietor of Timeout to explore alternative options within the community.

“The Local Authority undertook an updated childcare sufficiency assessment which indicates that there are sufficient out of school childcare places in Nettleham.

“The decision to terminate the licence was made after much consideration and debate and certainly not taken lightly. It has never been the wish of the Governing Body to see Timeout close as we know that after school clubs are a necessity for many people, only that Timeout find more suitable premises for their altered needs than the Early Years Unit can provide.”

Later update: Meredith Teasdale, Assistant Director of Children’s Services, said: “As the school is an academy, the decision to serve notice on Timeout is a governing body decision which we can’t control.

“However, after we held discussions with the governing body they did agree to extend the group’s lease so that they could look at other options in the community. Unfortunately they couldn’t identify alternative facilities.

“We have checked on childcare provision available in Nettleham and there are sufficient out of school places from childminders and another local provider.”

Over 90% of schoolchildren in Lincolnshire received their first choice primary school this week, despite an increased demand on schools.

Lincolnshire is receiving higher numbers of primary-aged children starting school in September, meaning popular schools are seeing increased demand.

This year, 7,325 children needed a school place this year and 92% (6,762) got their first choice of school.

Another 4.9% (361) managed to get into their second choice of school, and 1.0% (70) got their third choice instead.

Only 132 children were offered a school that was not on their list of preferences, compared to 169 last year.

Parents can see their offer using the online system — which 98% used — from Tuesday, April 16.

Those wanting to lodge an appeal can do so up until May 17, so the appeal can be heard before the start of term. Appeals submitted after the date will be considered too, but may not be heard before the start of term.

Lincolnshire County Council also stress that due to appeals and movements of the reserve list, parents my find they secure their first preference before the beginning of term.

Debbie Barnes, Director of Children’s Services, said: “I am delighted to see so many children getting their first school of preference and this should be even better by September.

“It is always our intention to support as many parents as possible with their preferences. There are many stories about how stressful the admissions process can be but every year the overwhelming majority of parents are successful in gaining admission to the school of their choice.”

Lincoln Blue Tits have helped researchers discover that the size of birds’ nests, created in response to weather patterns may be partly to blame for recent reproductive failures.

The research, written by senior lecturer at the University of Lincoln Dr Charles Deeming, appeared in the April edition of The Biologist, the Society of Biology’s magazine.

He explains that birds produce different sized nests depending on the weather, and that nests do more than just hold offspring.

He said: “Over the past few years scientific interest in nests has increased, with studies ranging from nest composition, construction behaviour and thermal properties to the use of nests as potential signals to mates.

“We’ve realised that the factors affecting nest construction are far more complex than we had previously understood.”

Dr Deeming studied Great Tits and Blue Tits and their breeding habits in nest boxes at the University’s Riseholme campus just outside Lincoln.

He found that nests differed year on year. For instance, if the weather was cold while the bird added lining, it meant they built a heavier nest.

This is most likely to keep the bird warm while it sits on the eggs.

This is why climate change can affect reproduction in the way birds construct nests — recently, warmer weather early on was shortly followed by much cooler weather.

Additionally, birds use a variety of materials to make their nests, but changes in weather could affect the plants growing in the area, affecting nesting material.

Dr Mark Downs, chief executive of the Society of Biology, said: “Climate change will have a large effect on our ecosystems and our food production, and Dr Deeming’s is one of many studies demonstrating that the effects will be complex and difficult to predict.

“It is essential that we continue to study how organisms adapt to climate change and how we can best mitigate its effects.”

The City of Lincoln Council planners on Wednesday approved the University of Lincoln’s outline plans to expand the Brayford campus.

The university aims to undertake major redevelopment around its main campus, mainly in the south of its premises.

The masterplan will benefit both the university and the city, extending access between the open campus and High Street for residents.

New units, which will be developed over the next 10 years, will cover a variety of uses, from student accommodation and academic buildings to offices (both university and commercial), restaurants and retail buildings, plus car parking and the potential for a hotel.

Some of the current buildings could also benefit from extensions.

The plans mainly aim to expand the university’s provision of STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects, but also tie into the City of Lincoln Local Plan.

The plans have potential to accommodate up to an estimated 4,500 more students.

In addition to the buildings, roads through the university campus will also be improved to make it more accessible.

Plus, a walkway between Brayford Wharf East and High Street will be added for pedestrians and cyclists, linking the two areas more directly.

Even Brayford Pool will see benefits, including landscaping around the pool, improved jetties, and an additional pedestrian bridge to link the campus with Brayford Wharf North.

The masterplan was produced by a design team led by the architects Allies & Morrison, and closely developed with planning officers from the City Council.

University of Lincoln spokesman Ian Richards said: “We’re delighted that the outline planning application for our Masterplan has been approved by the City of Lincoln Council.

“The Masterplan sets out a vision for the development of the Brayford Campus over the next decade, so this is a significant milestone for the University.”

Expansion work is already underway on the campus, with the new art building being prepared by Lindum Construction for September, and the opening of the Lincoln School of Engineering in 2011.

Bishop Grosseteste University will become one of Lincoln City Football Club’s main sponsors from next season.

Under the terms of the new three-year agreement, BGU will become a leading partner of the Imps, and the university’s new lions logo will appear on Lincoln City’s home and replica shirts from the start of next season.

The club and BGU will work closely together on a number of initiatives, including Football in the Community work, placement opportunities for BGU students and partnerships between the football club and BGU’s sports courses.

BGU will also work with Lincoln City Sport and Education Trust to support its work with children and young people in the local area.

Rob Jones, Director of Enterprise at Bishop Grosseteste University, said: “Supporting our local football club is just one of the ways in which we can achieve this.

“The agreement is a win-win for both parties: Lincoln City get the financial backing of a local sponsor while this deal will help to raise the profile of what we offer in the area.

“It’s no secret that the Imps have had a difficult few years, and we think it’s important to stand up and be counted when the going gets tough. The club needs the support of everyone in the city as the season draws to a close and we urge fans to follow our lead and get behind the Imps.”

Russell Moore, Lincoln City FC Commercial Manager, added: “This agreement is magnificent news, not only for the club but also for the city of Lincoln, with both of us having a proud history and a vision for success.

“Not only will BGU be the Club’s new front of home shirt sponsor but the partnership will open up a number of opportunities for both parties to build for the future,” he added.

Hairdressing students from Lincoln College achieved multiple successes at the Association of Hair Therapists competitions regionally and nationally.

The group of students secured their place in the national competition by coming second in the Cut and Blow Dry, and third in Body art, Avant Garde and total team presentation in the regional heats.

Last week, the team refreshed their themes ready for the finals in Blackpool and secured first place in the Ladies Cut and Blow Dry (undertaken by 19-year-old Chloe MacDavid), and the total team presentation.

Lincoln College’s Claire MacDavid, who overlooked the entered team, explained: “This involves six students all enrolled on a Hair and Beauty courses at Lincoln.

“They had one hour 15 minutes to transform hair, make up, body art, costumes and then to perform a two min dance to show off the chosen theme. Our theme was Bollywood.

“The team created a stunning look that was admired by everyone.”

The winning team comprised of Tanya Hurst, Chloe Macdavid, Michael Duckenfield, Emma Smales, Rosie Fairweather and Mary-Ann McCormack (pictured).

All the students were awarded with an AHT Badge, certificate and £100.

MacDavid added: “I am very proud of every one of the students involved. They have shown commitment, great team working skills and talent.

“It’s been so rewarding to encourage their creativity and passion for Hair and Beauty. These National 1st places are a massive achievement for each student and Lincoln College.

“It gives them a great start to their careers and a memory they will never forget.”

Two significant planning proposals submitted to City of Lincoln Council will see wide scale development around the Brayford Pool.

The University of Lincoln’s masterplan and Network Rail’s Brayford level crossing footbridge designs will go before the council’s Planning Committee on March 27.

Network Rail and Globe Consultants’ proposal relates to the erection of the pedestrian footbridge over the level crossing on Brayford Wharf East — which also leads to further development of the street.

According to the document, the bridge would be built on the west side of the road, and will include lifts of either side.

In order to accommodate the large bridge, the proposal includes making the road one-way, widening the pedestrian pavement and adding a cycle lane.

The plans also include a “curved decked area” to south-east corner of the Brayford Pool. This decking would widen the entrance bridge to the university, and also stop swans lingering on the walkway.

However, swans will be encouraged to use a new swan habitat added on to the existing island in Brayford Pool.

Also, the unused East Holmes signal box will be moved from its current site and placed onto another new decking area along the Brayford Pool’s south bank.

It can then be extended and for office, retail or cafe use.

It is hoped that the addition of the bridge, which had two designs, will deter pedestrians from running through or climbing over the crossing barriers after the signals begin.

Revamped campus

Meanwhile, the University of Lincoln submitted an outline proposal for redevelopment of its main campus.

The masterplan details a variety of new buildings across the campus and the extension of existing buildings.

The new units will range from student accommodation and academic buildings to offices (both university and commercial), restaurants and retail buildings, plus car parking and the potential for a hotel.

Roads through the university campus will also be improved to make it more accessible.

The majority of the work will take place on land south of the train tracks, however there will be some development to buildings on the Brayford side.

The plans mainly aim to expand the university’s provision of STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects over the next 10 years.

Additionally, the masterplan fits into the City of Lincoln Local Plan, which aims to connect more people directly with the city centre by improving accessibility.

If the plans remain in their current parameters, the university would have potential to accommodate up to an extra (estimated) 4,500 students.

The Brayford will also benefit from the masterplan, with landscaping around the pool and improved jetties, and an additional curved pedestrian bridge across the pool, linking the campus with Brayford Wharf North.

As previously reported, a walkway between Brayford Wharf East and High Street will be added for pedestrians and cyclists, linking the two areas more directly.

There will also be an additional bridge added on Brayford Head for pedestrians to make it easier to get between Brayford Wharf East and North.

On the Brayford Way bridge, a new crossing will be added to the junction, making it easier for pedestrians to cross between parts of the campus.

It’s also been proposed that more pedestrian crossings are added to Mint Street and Newland Street at the Wigford Way junction, and another along Rope Walk.

Despite the proposed buildings being tall and modern, each will reflect the historic buildings surrounding the site.

The building do no exceed seven storeys in height (the majority being around 5-6 storeys), and gaps between building are generous or purposely added to allow for view of Lincoln Cathedral, from all directions travelling into the city.

Professor Ieuan Owen, Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Lincoln, said: “The University has undergone extraordinary growth over the last decade, both in our facilities and in our standing among UK institutions of higher education.

“We’re now recognised as one of the most vibrant and innovative universities in the country, and this masterplan document is an important component in our strategy to continue this upward trajectory.”

John Plumridge, the University’s Director of Estates, said: “With new academic buildings, we can continue to advance our teaching and research, and additional office space will enable us to house spin-out businesses and enhance our collaboration with existing companies.

“New accommodation, shops, cafes and restaurants would all add to the great experience we already offer our students. They would also complement the mix of amenities which residents and tourists can choose from in the Brayford Pool area.”

The council officers’ recommendation for both applications is to approve conditionally. The committee meeting will start at 5.30pm at City Hall on March 27.

Primary schools in Lincolnshire are set to receive an extra £2,390,500 government funds to improve sport provision for pupils.

The funding comes from a £150 million Olympic Legacy Fund, which aims to inspire potential athletes of the future and improve to quality of P.E provisions in schools.

For an average-sized primary school, the funding would amount to around £9,250 per year, over the next two years.

The money could be used to pay for extra coaching sessions, and additional or better equipment.

Lincoln’s Member of Parliament, Karl McCartney MP said: “Young people in primary schools across Lincolnshire will benefit from this announcement.

“This money will help to secure the Olympic legacy and support our gold medal winners of the future.”

Prime Minister, David Cameron said: “The Olympic and Paralympic Games marked an incredible year for this country and I will always be proud that we showed the world what Britain can do.

“I want to ensure the Games count for the future too and that means capitalising on the inspiration young people took from what they saw during those summer months.

“This investment will benefit a whole generation of children for many years to come.”

Work has begun on an extension of the University of Lincoln’s library, which aims to improve facilities for staff and students.

The University Library is getting an extension as part of the University’s Estates Masterplan, so it can provide more space for computers, laptops and bookable rooms.

Called University Library 1.5, the plans by Stem Architects see the glass frontage extended on the west side of the building in the same style, spanning two floors.

The work will be undertaken by Kier Construction, starting March 18, and should be completed by August.

University Librarian Ian Snowley said: “This is an important first step in developing the Library to meet increasing demand from students.

“We know that more group study space, increased PC access and the lap-top area will be very popular.

“We’re already looking forward to seeing the new spaces in use at the end of the summer.”

The library will remain open during the building work.

Too see the plans and get updates on the building work throughout the process, visit the Learning Landscapes blog.

Four schools in Lincoln have been awarded a total of £15,000 to encourage pupils and staff to reduce their carbon footprint.

Sir Robert Pattinson Academy, Priory Witham Academy, St. Hugh’s Catholic Primary School and Manor Leas Infant School have been awarded grants to increase their cycle and scooter storage.

The funding from Lincolnshire County Council has been awarded through Access LN6, a £6.5 million programme to improve sustainable transport in the LN6 area.

Pupils and staff at Sir Robert Pattinson Academy in Hykeham will get a £5,000 grant to extend their existing cycle storage which will have space for 20 more bikes and storage for safety helmets, and Priory Witham Academy in the Boultham area will receive a grant of £1,500 to purchase scooter storage.

Manor Leas Infant School in Hykeham will get both cycle and scooter storage units. The school will receive £3,000 which will be put towards a larger £12,000 project to provide additional lighting and a new school pedestrian gate.

St. Hugh’s Catholic Primary School in Doddington Park, which currently doesn’t have any cycle storage, will be able to purchase new equipment with a grant of £5,000.

Anna Piperissa, Teacher and School Travel Plan co-coordinator at St. Hugh’s Catholic Primary School, said: “This has been an ongoing request by the school council for some time, but we now have the opportunity to make this happen and provide the children with a safe and secure facility in school as well as promoting a healthier lifestyle.”

William Webb, Executive Councillor for Highways and Transportation at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “We anticipate that more children, parents and staff will walk, cycle and scoot to school as a result.”

— Note: an earlier version of this story quoted the total grant sum at £20,000. The actual grant total is £15,000, due to amendments to the grants received by individual schools. The changes have been reflected throughout the article.

Students from a Lincoln academy have been selected to take part in the second year of a national project set up in memory of Red Arrows pilot Jon Egging.

The Blue Skies programme, established by the Jon Egging Trust, took off in Lincolnshire last year with pupils from The Priory Witham Academy leading the way.

Now Dr Emma Egging, the wife of Flight-Lieutenant Egging, is expanding the Blue Skies scheme for schools in other areas of the country as well as a second-tier qualification.

Seven of the Witham students who completed last year’s teamwork syllabus are now stepping up to complete the first-ever level 2 leadership qualification.

They will take part in sessions at RAF Waddington, RAF Coningsby and RAF Cranwell before they join their level 1 counterparts for a “graduation” ceremony at the academy in June.

The Level 2 youngsters will also be offered the chance of a flying trip from Coningsby in the summer.

A further 12 Witham pupils, aged between 12 and 14, are signed up for the 2013 level 1 programme and have already experienced a behind-the-scenes day with the Red Arrows at their temporary Cranwell home.

As part of their Teamwork qualification, they will also take part in sessions at Cranwell, Waddington and Coningsby, working with airbase personnel and meeting crew from the Typhoon and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Emma Egging said: “The programme connects young people with inspirational individuals and environments connected to aviation. Through this partnership they gain a unique opportunity to build confidence, self-esteem and achieve accredited training in work and life skills.”

“With fund-raising support and based on the success of the Lincoln model, we can continue to expand and we aim to create a nationwide network of Blue Skies that reaches as many young people as possible.”

Academy Assistant Head John Wiles said: “The impact of Blue Skies has been huge. The staff have seen a real, tangible improvement in behaviour and motivation to succeed which has borne fruit in the students’ overall academic outcomes.

The success of the pilot project at Witham has led to more schools being involved this year – the Glenmoor & Winton Federated Trust in Bournemouth and Downham Market High School in Norfolk.

The Years 8 and 9 Witham students who met Arrows pilots at Cranwell also watched a low-level aerobatics display, tried out flying gear for size and toured the Reds’ hangar, meeting the backroom teams who help put the famous planes on display every summer.

Student Cait Thornhill said: “This has been a fantastic experience. I’ve been collecting autographs from everyone I meet and they’ve all been really kind. It’s been so interesting to see all the people involved behind the scenes. I’m really looking forward to all our other visits, too.”