Barnfield College

We're excited to announce the official opening of our new £38m Construction & Engineering Centre in Luton. Thursday 6 February 2025 was the date of the official unveiling, and we marked the occasion by celebrating with stakeholders from across Luton and Bedfordshire. This state-of-the-art, four-storey building is designed to empower our students with cutting-edge training spaces, high-spec workshops, modern classrooms, and collaborative breakout areas - all while championing sustainable design and innovative construction practices. By consolidating our Enterprise Way campus into the new building, we've created one dynamic site that can deliver the training that local people need. Not only will the campus enhance the learning environment, but it also supports the Luton 2040 vision of a sustainable, innovative, and thriving community. A huge thank you to everyone who celebrated with us, and all those who have played an important part in delivering this new hub for skills. Teaching commences Monday 24 February, we can't wait to welcome our Construction and Engineering students to their new home. #SkillsDevelopment #Innovation #Construction #Engineering #Sustainability #Luton2040

Hairdressing student wins big at Concept Hair awards Level 3 Hairdressing student Rhianna Burford, won the Textured Hair category at the prestigious Concept Hair Learner of the Year competition. Rhianna, who is currently studying for her Level 3 Diploma in Hairdressing, competed against peers from across the country, with over 2,800 entries from aspiring hairdressers. She was one of just 56 finalists chosen by a panel of industry experts to compete at the finals. The competition took place on March 20, 2025, at Telford College, where Rhianna competed for the top spot in her category. Reflecting on the experience, Rhianna said: “I was so shocked when I found out I made it to the final. It felt amazing to get this far. My final look was inspired by the 1920s Hollywood glamour, which was a fun and exciting theme to work with.” Competing in front of a panel of top judges was a nerve-wracking experience for Rhianna, but she was able to stay focused. She admitted: “It was a little scary standing in front of the judges, but once you get in your zone, it’s easier to focus on what you’re doing and you’re really in your own bubble.” Rhianna credits her success to the support and guidance she received from her tutors: “The tutors at Barnfield College really helped me build my confidence in the lessons,” she said. “Their feedback and constructive criticism when practicing this look made a big difference in helping me get to where I am today.” When asked what advice she would give to future competitors, Rhianna had this to say: “My biggest piece of advice is to be confident in yourself and trust yourself!" The Concept Hair Learner of the Year Final celebrated the next generation of talent in the hairdressing and barbering industries. The event also gave Rhianna and other finalists the chance to connect with industry professionals and learn from some of the top brands in the field. Nadine Beck, Head of Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy at Barnfield College said: “Everyone at Barnfield College is incredibly proud of Rhianna’s achievement and excited to see where her talent and hard work take her next. This win is a true reflection of the dedication and skill that Rhianna consistently demonstrates throughout her studies Concept Hair Magazine

Gerard J McCleave from Luton Borough Council discusses the opening of our new Construction and Engineering Building at Barnfield College. Aligned with the Luton 2040 vision, this centre will provide valuable employment opportunities, especially for younger residents of Luton. It will be fundamental in connecting the community to careers in construction and engineering.

It's Colleges' National Green Week!♻️ We’re proud to say we’re a CO2e Assessed Organisation! An assessment of the College’s carbon emissions undertaken by Carbon Footprint Ltd has been subject to extensive validation exercises to ensure it complies with regulatory standards and that calculations undertaken are sufficiently reliable. To confirm the validity of the College’s carbon footprint information and to demonstrate its commitment to climate change, the College has been awarded a certificate and a quality standard logo. Click here to read our Environment & Sustainability Policy, https://lnkd.in/e5CeAjNJ, to find out more about the commitment we're making to reduce our carbon footprint. Association of Colleges #CNGW2025

It's Colleges' National Green Week! ♻️ Check out the key achievements we’ve made so far to reduce our carbon footprint 👣 - Achieved a reduction of 1,200 metric tonnes of carbon emissions from 2020 to 2023, through direct efforts and increased reliance on renewable energy sources - Increased waste recycling to 69.27%, with substantial efforts in composting and reducing landfill - All buildings now use modern heating and cooling systems - Rearranged College operations to reduce energy use - Introduced centrally controlled heating and cooling systems allow for effective energy use - Streamlined overnight cleaning schedules to reduce energy consumption - Increased use of recyclable materials across sites Click here to read about our Environment & Sustainability Policy, https://lnkd.in/e5CeAjNJ, to find out more about the commitment we're making to reduce our carbon footprint. Association of Colleges #CNGW2025

It's Colleges' National Green Week! ♻️ We are committed to sustainability and actively working towards reducing our carbon footprint. Our strategic initiatives focus on lowering energy consumption, increasing waste recycling, and aligning with national and global sustainability standards. Click here to read our Environment & Sustainability Policy, https://lnkd.in/e5CeAjNJ, to find out more about the commitment we're making to reduce our carbon footprint. Association of Colleges #CNGW2025

A massive thank you to Catherine Jackson (Nelson) and Aneel Attrik from the NHS for attending and spending time with our business learners on Friday. We are excited to announce that we will be holding an NHS careers event at Barnfield College on Wednesday, 2nd April 2025. Our learners have been busy designing the exhibitors' brochure and posters, and the media learners have been preparing content for the day as well. Throughout the process, our learners gained valuable skills as they presented their brochures and completed an elevator pitch to help them sign up as ambassadors for the event. Catherine and Aneel provided fantastic feedback, guiding them on how to plan a successful event. We can’t wait to welcome Catherine and Aneel back and ensure the event is a huge success in April!Thank you to all involved. West Herts College Maryam Ahmed Barnfield College

Great day today with the business studies students at Barnfield College with Aneel Attrik talking to them about our career paths, non clinical roles in the NHS, event planning and most importantly, hearing their elevator pitches to be event ambassadors at our forthcoming careers event at the college. High levels of engagement and interest and some amazing skills on show already! Can’t wait for the event on 2nd April. Thank you Kerry, Maryam & Annette for the invitation and giving us such a warm welcome. Maryam Ahmed Amanda Washbrook Martha Roberts, Chartered Fellow, CIPD Marie Lambeth-Williams Debbie Poole-Hunt

To wrap up #CollegesWeek2025, we’re focusing on how colleges help drive the economy by preparing students for work. This week was also #NationalCareersWeek, and to support it we held a Careers Fair at Barnfield College, giving students the chance to meet local employers and explore different career paths. Companies like University of Bedfordshire, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, University of Hertfordshire, Connect2Luton, Carnival Arts, Sunset Building Company Ltd, Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and more came in to offer advice, talk about opportunities, and share their industry experience. Engagement with employers is incredibly important as a means of connecting students with employers, helping them to better understand what skills are in-demand, and highlight the types of jobs that are available to them after they finish their studies. At Barnfield College, we’re committed to making sure our students are ready for their next steps whether that’s work, an apprenticeship, or university. Association of Colleges