Liam Byrne, MP for Hodge Hill, visited Marlborough Junior School in Small Heath in his constituency to see how City Year Birmingham is enabling young people to make a difference to pupils’ lives and their own. Part of youth social action charity City Year UK, City Year Birmingham launched in 2013 and began its partnership with Marlborough Junior School at the start of this academic year. The school benefits from a team of seven full-time City Year volunteers who are integral to the school day.

A Walsall College Media Make-up student showcased her skill and creativity in the live final of the Jane Iredale National Student Make-up Competition and secured third place last week. Level 3 student, Jodie Leah Griffiths, made it to the final after being selected from more than 200 entries received from beauty therapy and make-up students representing more than 100 colleges nationwide.

Walsall College Catering students received a masterclass in Indian cookery on Tuesday 28th June, when professional chefs from Five Rivers á La Carte restaurant in Walsall visited the college to show students how to prepare a range of authentic Indian dishes. Fine-dining north Indian restaurant, Five Rivers opened in Walsall in 2012 by a group of award-winning caterers, and in its first year won the West Midlands ‘Best Newcomer’ category at the national finals of the British Curry Awards.

The creative talents of adult learners in Wolverhampton will take pride of place at an exhibition opening shortly. The city’s “Outstanding”-rated Adult Education Service will display a variety of work by students who recently completed its Level 2 and 3 BTEC courses in Art and Design. The exhibition will feature paintings, ceramics, sculptures, video and installation by students Connor Baker, Jazz Farmer, Alex Fisher, Josepha Fontiveros, Charmaine Host, Adam Howells, Edward Kemshell, Alex Manderson, Tomos Price, Sharifa Vernon and Carole Ward.

The Festival, the brainchild of Chippenham MP Michelle Donelan, aims to inspire the next generation of local engineers and manufacturers, paving the way for a new skilled workforce for future business needs. “We will give young people the opportunity to participate, explore and interact with those already engaged in research and development, design and production in our area,” said Ms Donelan.