WRITTLE COLLEGE Further Education PROSPECTUS 2016/17 FURTHER EDUCATION Prospectus 2016/17
Contents Welcome...4 Information Events...6 Hello from the Students Union...7 Student life...8 Something to shout about...10 Success rates...12 How to use this guide...13 Qualifications explained...14 English and Maths...16 Raising the participation age and study programmes...17 Courses...18 Sources of information...80 Information for schools and colleges...81 Learner Services...82 Information and Library Services...84 Careers guidance...85 Accommodation...86 The cost of your course...87 How to find us...88 Transport...89 How to apply...90 Application form...90 Index...91 Disclaimer...91 2
Courses Apprenticeships 18-19 Equine Agriculture, Countryside and Environment 20-27 Sport Animal Studies including Dog Grooming and Veterinary Nursing 28-39 Floristry 40-49 Photography 62-63 Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma 78 50-55 Horticulture: Gardening and Landscaping 64-71 Short Course Training 79 56-61 Art and Design 72-77 Need help to decide? Contact Admissions on 01245 424200 or admissions@writtle.ac.uk #MyWrittleHelper 3
Welcome Dr Stephen Waite, Principal Ten reasons why you Writtle College is a specialist institution of both Further and Higher Education. The College provides a wide range of facilities for the courses here, including the Titchmarsh Centre for Animal Studies, design studios, a farm, an Equine Training and Development Centre, an equine stud, and a sports performance laboratory. There are also computer suites, an extensive Library and a recreational centre that is at the heart of student social life, hosting social events and featuring a gym. Set in 220 hectares, including beautiful landscaped gardens, Writtle College is an inspiring place to study. All our courses are focused on giving you the skills you need to succeed in a competitive job market. As we offer degrees here too, you have the opportunity to continue your studies at Writtle. The College has a small campus community within walking distance of the pretty Writtle village but is only a short bus ride from Chelmsford, the only city in Essex, and around 40 minutes away from London by train. Watch our video! WrittleCollege 1 Our students achieve great results! 5 Courses designed to prepare you for the world of work 9 4 Supportive and approachable staff
should choose to study at Writtle College: 2 3 4 Inspiring portfolio of vocational courses Ideal blend of theory and practical learning The opportunity to improve your English and Maths 6 7 8 Opportunities to progress to university-level courses 10 Beautiful campus Friendly environment for learning and socialising Great range of sport and social activities available Enjoy finding out more about the College in this prospectus and we hope to welcome you here soon! 5
Information Events Information Events are held throughout the year and offer a great opportunity to speak to our teaching staff about our specialist Collegelevel courses. These events also give you the chance to talk to staff from Admissions, Finance, Learner Services, and much more besides. Dates of the forthcoming Information Events are available online at www.writtle.ac.uk/infoevent #FEPresentationDay Pre-registration You can pre-register for all College Information Events online. To book a place, please complete the online booking form at www.writtle.ac.uk/info-evening-application. If you are unable to book online please contact Admissions who will make the booking for you. Once you have registered, you will receive online confirmation of your booking. If you have any questions which you would like answered before the event, or cannot attend on one of the dates and would like to make alternative arrangements, please contact: Admissions Tel: 01245 424200 Email: admissions@writtle.ac.uk 6
Hello from the Students Union! As Students Union (SU) President, and on behalf of the whole SU body, I would like to welcome you to Writtle College. The College is set within a 220 hectare estate in the heart of the Essex countryside. The campus is a small and close community, with friendly staff and students, aiming to make your life here at Writtle as enjoyable and as successful as possible. The Students Union holds various events throughout the year, including themed nights, the Freshers Ball, Christmas Ball, and our Summer Ball at the end of the academic year. The SU s RAG (Raise and Give) officers also organise various events throughout the year, such as quizzes, to raise money for our chosen charities of the year. The SU encourages and supports students to set up and run social societies these range from the Agricultural Society to the Christian Union. We also help run successful sports teams at College including rugby, football, futsal, netball, hockey, equestrian and shooting. Students across all walks of College life are encouraged to take part. If you can t find a team or social society that interests you, then we will support you in starting one! The SU also campaigns, raises issues and works with the College to improve resources and facilities. We provide services and support for students: academic support and representation as well as welfare support if you are having issues with any part of College life. We have two officers dedicated solely to Further Education students our Recreational Officer and Academic Officer. Our office is a working office and there is always an officer here we have a welcoming, open door policy to all students. Your time at College is often said to be the best years of your life. Studying at Writtle College will stand you in good stead for your future life, providing fond memories, close friends and an academic qualification from a well-respected and known education provider. Studying here will push you towards a good career, or even progress you to a higher level degree course. I hope this gives you a brief insight into College life here at Writtle, but if you have any questions, feel free to contact anyone on the SU team. As your SU, we are all here to support, engage and entertain you through your time at College, offering you a fantastic student experience. I very much look forward to meeting you in the near future and wish you the very best of luck in your application to Writtle College. Joe Howe Students Union President June 2015 May 2016 Writtle College Students Union: Winner of the Small and Specialist SU of the Year in the National Union of Students Awards 2013 7
#WrittleSelfie Student life On campus Social life Weekly social events at the Baa Three formal Balls a year, which usually feature fairground rides and live music RAG (Raise and Give) events including Moulshams 11 a social night in Chelmsford a quiz and themed nights The Students Union is sponsored by Chelmsford nightclub Evoke and regularly organises nights out Sport Gym, Functional Fitness Room, squash court, sports hall for indoor football, badminton, volleyball, basketball, netball, trampolining and fitness classes as well as outdoor sports surfaces Sports teams regularly fulfilling fixtures in rugby, football, hockey, netball, equine, Futsal, athletics and volleyball Societies Including the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender), Animal, Equine and Agricultural societies as well as the Christian Union #FEArtExhibition Multi-faith room Multi-faith room, available for quiet contemplation by students of any faith or none Food Hot and cold meals, snacks and drinks are served at the restaurant on campus, the Garden Room, which has an outside seating area overlooking the beautiful gardens Thyme Out offers hot and cold food, cakes and a full Costa drinks menu. This is our late night catering venue so it is sometimes open longer to support events The Watering Hole at the Equine Training and Development Centre offers snacks The Lordship Tea Room and Shop, owned by the world-famous jam makers Wilkin & Sons Ltd, is on the Lordships Science campus Children s day nursery Subsidised childcare facilities on campus at the Kiddi Caru Day Nursery, catering for children aged 0 to five years. The nursery has achieved an outstanding Ofsted grade. Kiddi Caru Day Nursery Tel: 01245 421341 Email: writtlecollege@kiddicaru.com www.kiddicaru.com #WrittleSelfie Hockey match tomorrow! 8
#WrittleSelfie #WrittleSelfie Remember to book tickets for the Summer Ball! #WrittleSelfie Nearby #WrittleSelfie Writtle is only a few minutes walk away and boasts a pretty village green, restaurants and traditional-style pubs, gift shops and a supermarket Hylands Park on the outskirts of Writtle is nationally famous for hosting the V Festival, which has brought the likes of Beyoncé and Kings of Leon to the area Chelmsford the only city in Essex is ten minutes drive or bus ride away, with a busy shopping centre, cinema, restaurants, bars, clubs, ice skating rink, swimming pool, parks, gardens and a 15th Century cathedral Essex offers a range of outdoor activities including cycling, horse riding, fishing and sailing, an extensive coastline taking in seaside attractions and popular marinas, wildlife habitats and surviving ancient forests London is only 40 minutes away by train from Chelmsford #WrittleSelfie Writtle College Students Union: Winner of the Small and Specialist SU of the Year in the National Union of Students Awards 2013 9
Something to shout about! Horticulture students are Young Gardeners of the Year 2015! Writtle College won Best in Show in the Young Gardeners of the Year competition at the Ideal Home Show! Celebrity horticulturist Alan Titchmarsh, one of the judges, said he was proud to be Writtle College patron while competition organiser and TV gardener David Domoney described the garden as beautiful and said the accolade was well-deserved. The College s team of nine students eight of whom were studying FE courses had to design and build a show-stopping sustainable garden in a 5.5m x 4m plot in the heart of London Olympia. FE Lecturers in Horticulture Ben Wincott and Simon Watkins, who have created numerous RHS Chelsea Flower Show gardens, provided guidance. Simon said: I am absolutely over the moon for the students! They have put in so much effort. All the hard work has paid off! This is so good for their CVs. Ben added: The quality of this year s garden is exceptional - it is really great to hear the feedback from the judges. This has got to be one of the highlights of my career and to see the team on stage celebrating was a personal high! One of the students Francesca Le Maistre Banham added: I am speechless! When I started the course at Writtle College I could only hope that we would be sitting here at the Ideal Home Show with a gold medal and Best in Show with these grins on our faces! It s the highlight of my College experience so far! 10
Ofsted inspectors rate the College as good and credit the achievement of students in our last inspection. FE student Sophie Jones wins floristry competition on Alan Titchmarsh Show Floristry team win silver gilt at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show! Dog grooming business Paw-fect, including Writtle College apprentices, highly commended in national Apprenticeship awards - twice! Five Boreray lambs - officially classed as critically endangered by the Rare Breeds Trust - born at the Titchmarsh Centre for Animal Studies Top equipment on loan to College Cross country marshalling Animal Studies students diving in Egypt Sam Moore wins regional final of Young Horticulturist of the Year 2015 and is a finalist in the national Grand Final Floristry lecturer Helen Sheard visits Japan and South Korea Royal Academy Drawing Workshop Not your usual Induction Week! Animal Studies students in Africa Devizes to Westminster canoe race 11
Success rates Don t just take our word for it! According to Landex, which represents land-based Colleges, Writtle College has an: 86.6% success rate for all ages of students at all levels, compared to a Landex average of 82.6% - placing us at 6th out of 33 institutions. 85.2% success rate for 16 to 18-year-olds, compared to a Landex average of 80.1% - again ranking us at 6th. 89% success rate at 3, against an average of 84.9% - putting us in 4th place! 82.4% success rate at 2, against an average of 78.2%. 83.6% success rate at 1, against an average of 77.7%. Source: Landex s analysis of publicly available Skills Funding Agency national success rates tables showing three year trend data for 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14. Presentation Day The annual awards ceremony marks the success of students completing full-time Further Education courses at the College. The ceremony also features a number of additional awards for individual students who have been recognised for showing particular talent, dedication or skill. Our apprentices and successful learners work in a wide variety of organisations. Here are some of their employers: n Lee Valley Park Farms n Essex County Council n Thorndon Country Park n Marsh Farm Country Park n Hockley Woods n Marks Hall n RHS Garden Hyde Hall n Masons Tree Surgery Ltd n Wilderness Foundation n Hylands Park n Laura Renwick international showjumper n West Ham United Football Club n Stock Brook Manor Golf Club n Arsenal Football Club n Essex County Cricket Club n Colchester United Football Club n Leyton Orient Football Club n Felsted School n RHS Garden Wisley n Wylie Veterinary Centre, Upminster n Companion Care n Vets4Pets n Your Vets n PDSA of our FE 3 students progress to further education or employment* * Writtle Destination Survey Find out more about careers on the course pages and our Careers Advisory Service on page 85. 12
How to use this guide 1 Choose the subject areas you re interested in #WrittleSelfie 2 Attend an information event. Book online at www.writtle.ac.uk/infoevent 3 Complete and submit an application form (a form can be found at the back of this prospectus or on our website) 4 Attend an assessment or interview 5 If you have any learning support needs, discuss them with a member of the Learner Services team 6 7 8 We will assess your suitability for the course and level before deciding whether to offer you a place Receive your conditional or unconditional offer and accept your offer of a place Meet the conditions of the offer Alan Titchmarsh MBE - College Patron Writtle College has equipped generations of students with the expertise and skills needed to make a major contribution to the sustainable development of both rural and urban environments. 9 10 Enrol on your course Start at Writtle College! In my capacity as Patron, I have a long-standing association with Writtle and take great delight in seeing how students grow and flourish during their time at the College. 13
Qualifications explained Writtle College offers a range of vocational qualifications; the most common are described below. 14 1/2/3 Work-based qualifications These are practical qualifications which are competence-based. This means you learn from practical, work-related tasks designed to help you develop the skills and knowledge to do a job effectively. 1 Award/Certificate/ Diploma These are generally one-year courses, providing a practical introduction to a subject area. 2 Award/Certificate/ Diploma These 2 courses are generally one year and combine the theoretical and practical aspects of the subject area. 3 Subsidiary Diploma/ Diploma/ Extended Diploma These 3 qualifications focus on a vocational area or occupation, making them an excellent alternative to AS or A s. They are designed to provide you with the theoretical and technical skills required to work in a particular industry. These qualifications could enable progression to a Higher Education (degree) level of study. English and Maths Courses at Writtle College give you the chance to develop your Maths and English skills through a range of methods including qualifications such as Functional Skills and GCSEs. If you are aged 16 to 18 and have not yet achieved a GCSE grade A* to C in English and/or Maths, you will need to study these during your time at Writtle College, either through Functional Skills or GCSE. Full details can be found in the College s English and Maths Policy. Please see page 16 for more details on English and Maths. Part-time study In many cases, it is possible to study full-time courses on a part-time basis. For further information please contact: Admissions Tel: 01245 424200 Email: admissions@writtle.ac.uk More information about the different types of qualifications can be found on the gov.uk website: www.gov.uk/browse/education/ find-course
Qualifications Opportunities Many programmes can be studied on a full-time or part-time basis Generally, you can move from one qualification type to another e.g. 1 Certificate to 2 Apprenticeship You can usually move from one subject area to another e.g. Horticulture to Agriculture or Animal Studies to Equine #FE PresentationDay 4-8 Certificates of Higher Education Diploma of Higher Education/ Foundation Degree Honours Degree Higher Apprenticeship Postgraduate e.g. Masters/PhD 3 GCE A s e.g. Science, Maths, English 3 Award/Certificate/ Diploma Advanced Apprenticeship 3 Award/Certificate/ Diploma in Work-based Employment with training e.g. First Aid, Tractor Driving, Manual Handling, Photography 2 GCSEs grades A*-C, including Maths, English, Science 2 Award/Certificate/ Diploma Intermediate Apprenticeship 2 Award/Certificate/ Diploma in Work-based 1 GCSEs grades D-G, including Maths, English, Science 1 Award/Certificate/ Diploma Experiential Learning e.g. work experience, family business etc. 1 Award/Certificate/ Diploma in Work-based 15
English and Maths Good English and Maths skills will be a huge help to you when looking for jobs. Employers are always looking for these attributes and often use English and Maths qualifications to pick people for interview when selecting new staff. With a good level of English and Maths, you are more likely to find employment, earn more and progress in education and at work. Remember, you are not alone if you do not gain GCSEs at A* - C in English and Maths. Around four out of 10 teenagers face the same situation and often a fresh start at College helps. If you are 16 to 19-years-old and in this position, you will re-take your English and Maths qualifications through Functional Skills or GCSEs with us, alongside your new College course. If you are over 19 years of age, you will be encouraged to do the same. If you already have a grade C or above in GCSE English and Maths, you will continue to develop your skills during your classroom sessions and assessments. 16 Asa Peach 3 Sport Being able to re-take my GCSEs at Writtle College meant that I was able to go on to Higher Education, which improves the job opportunities open to me. Kara Hensher-Wombwell 2 Animal Care Being able to re-take my 2 English and Maths at Writtle means that I am able to go on to study Veterinary Nursing, which has always been my dream. Paul Downer Managing Director, Oak View Landscapes Good English and Maths grades are fundamental to young people s employment prospects as these are skills that are extremely important to businesses. Therefore, ensuring that all young people leave education with good GCSEs in English and Maths is a high priority for employers. Julia Smith College Governor College is a second chance to gain decent GCSE grades in Maths and English. You will earn, on average, 5,000 per year more with a C grade Maths than without it - learn it then earn it.
Raising the participation age and study programmes From summer 2015, 16-yearolds in education are required to participate in education or training until their 18th birthday. You will need to be in one of the following: Full-time education (school, college or independent provider) for at least 540 hours per year in a study programme An Apprenticeship Full-time work involving at least 280 hours of education A Traineeship Home education What are study programmes? Study programmes are for all 16 to 19-year-old learners who are studying fulltime. Study programmes must: Apply to all 16 to 19-year-olds. Consist of an academic programme or a substantial vocational qualification recognised by employers. This means they must help you secure skilled work or a university place. Allow (where appropriate) you to take part in work experience. Enable you, if you, at 16, do not have GCSEs grade C in English and Maths, to continue to study these subjects. Enable you, if you are not able to study a substantial qualification, to take a programme of work experience and to continue to develop your numeracy and literacy skills. Study programmes will give you: High quality, valuable vocational qualifications related to the job you want to do. The skills so you can progress to a higher level of study or to skilled employment. The opportunity to progress towards Maths and English GCSE. Functional Skills. Experience of the workplace. If you are aged 16 to 19 and studying fulltime at Writtle College, you will undertake a study programme. We will discuss the full details with you during the recruitment process. 17
Apprenticeships Apprenticeships Like the idea of earning while you learn? If the answer is yes, an Apprenticeship could be for you! 18 Skills, experience and qualifications can all make you stand out to potential employers as you progress your career, so why not consider the best of both worlds with an Apprenticeship? The scheme provides a mix of on and off-the-job training, at the same time as gaining a nationally-recognised qualification. Apprenticeships are open to all those aged over 16; whether you are just leaving school, are already in work or you want to start a new career. What is an Apprenticeship? Apprenticeships are an excellent way of gaining qualifications and workplace experience. As an employee you can earn as you learn, gaining practical skills from the workplace, with support and training from Writtle College. The Apprenticeship Framework is designed to allow you to develop the skills you need in your chosen industry. It combines knowledge and vocational skills, with transferable skills such as English, Maths and Employment Rights & Responsibilities importantly each area is accredited by a nationally-recognised qualification. You will: Work in your chosen industry for a minimum of 30 hours per week. Get paid a minimum of the Apprenticeship Wage ( 3.30 per hour from October 2015). Study in a flexible way depending on the subject, students can attend College on a part-time basis or study predominantly in the workplace. Complete Functional Skills in English and Maths. Complete work-related tasks and assessments. Receive mentoring visits in your workplace from your Writtle College Training Officer, who will provide support, assess and review your progress. Develop your personal, learning and thinking skills. Apprenticeships at Writtle College We can offer you the opportunity to complete an Apprenticeship in any of the following areas: Agriculture: Livestock, Arable & Mixed Farming Animal: Care and Welfare, Dog Grooming Environmental Conservation: Park Ranger, Estate Worker, Conservation Officer Equine Studies Floristry Horticulture: Landscaping, Greenkeeping, Groundsmanship, Parks, Gardens and Green Spaces Veterinary Nursing and Nursing Assistant in a veterinary environment Writtle College offers two levels of Apprenticeship Intermediate Apprenticeships at 2 (equivalent to 5 x grade A* to C GCSE passes) Advanced Apprenticeships at 3 (equivalent to 2 x A level passes) On average, our Intermediate Apprenticeships take around 12-20 months and the 3 Advanced Apprenticeships around 24-30 months to complete. However, the timescale of an Apprenticeship is flexible and will depend on the Apprentice s prior experience.
Apprenticeships Intermediate Apprenticeship ( 2) Framework Advanced Apprenticeship ( 3) Framework Work-based Diploma subject specific 2 Work-based Diploma subject specific 3 Technical Certificate or knowledge-based units to gain underpinning knowledge 2 Technical Certificate or knowledge-based units to gain underpinning knowledge 3 Functional Skills: English Maths 1 or 2 1 or 2 Functional Skills: English Maths 2 2 PLUS personal learning and thinking skills Team working Self-management Creative thinking Effective participation Independent enquiry Reflective learning Employee Rights and Responsibilities Workbook Emergency First Aid at Work We have more than 100 employers who take our Apprentices. Many are micro companies or small to medium-sized enterprises but some are high profile organisations, including Lee Valley Park Farms, Laura Renwick international showjumper, Stock Brook Manor Golf Club, Arsenal Football Club, Essex County Cricket Club and Companion Care Vets. Find out more on page 12. What could you do next? After completing an Apprenticeship at 2, the natural progression route would be on to the Advanced Apprenticeship; after which there is the option to continue studying by progressing on to Higher Education or, alternatively, take-up full-time employment within the industry. For further information, please contact: Work-based Learning Department Tel: 01245 424200 Ext: 26060 Email: workbased@writtle.ac.uk Student profile Kirsty Leeder 2 Apprentice in Animal Care (Dog Grooming) Undertaking a 3 Advanced Apprenticeship while working at Paw-fect professional dog groomers in Ilford My Apprenticeship at Writtle College has really helped with my career because it s helped me get a 2 qualification and the experience I have always needed and has helped me with my confidence inside and outside of work. Watch our Apprenticeships video! While working for Paw-fect as an Apprentice, the business was highly commended in the National Apprenticeships Awards and highly commended in the Apprenticeship 4 England Employer Awards - it was fantastic to be part of this and go to the award ceremonies in London. WrittleCollege 19
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Agriculture, Countryside and Environment We have more than 250 farm animals on-site that you could work with on your course! It s a fact! Agriculture Agriculture provides a wide range of exciting job opportunities because it is such a diverse industry. The focus on farming is mainly on food production. The main farm types are dairy, beef, pigs, sheep, poultry, vegetables, cereals, root crops and other cash crops. The industry is also involved in non-food production for industrial development such as flax, hemp and biofuels. The Agriculture courses will give you the opportunity to pursue an interest in livestock, crop production or mechanisation. You can focus on general farm management as a career choice, but there are usually opportunities for unit managers and hands-on workers such as tractor drivers, dairymen, shepherds and sprayer operators. Other related careers include sales and marketing, agricultural consultants, agricultural researchers, journalists and teachers/lecturers. Around 135 hectares of the College estate are devoted to farming and production. The presence of these commercial enterprises makes a vital contribution to the teaching of production or mechanisation. Countryside and Environment The UK countryside is full of fascinating wildlife and on the Countryside Management courses you will learn how to plan and undertake surveys of rivers, coastal shingle, woodland and farmland. You will undertake practical management to enhance habitats for target species and learn about the laws that protect them. These practical tasks will be backed up through classroom theory. Many wildlife sites use livestock and machinery to manage them and, depending on your course selection, you will learn how to handle cattle or how to drive a tractor. Many rural sites are important for game management and the 2 Diploma in Game and Wildlife provides an introduction to this countryside activity. The estate offers hedgerows, grassland, rivers, woodland and farmland habitats for you to explore; these host such species as kingfishers, sparrowhawks, badgers, bullfinches, smooth newts, emperor dragonflies and water shrews. Additional qualifications During the course you will continue to develop your Maths and English skills through a range of methods such as Functional Skills and GCSEs. Additional qualifications specifically related to a subject area might also be included within a course. Alternatively, you may consider additional training from our range of short courses, please see page 79 for further details. 21
Agriculture, Countryside and Environment Agriculture 2 Diploma in Agriculture About the course This course is designed specifically for the more practical minded, as there is an emphasis on learning by doing. You will gain an understanding of the basis of agricultural practices and be qualified in general farm duties. Course length One year full-time 2 You will need Four GCSEs at grades A* D with at least one grade C in English, Maths or Science, or a relevant 1 qualification. A keen interest in agriculture is crucial. You must also be able to demonstrate suitable levels of numeracy and literacy. Areas of study Estate maintenance, introduction to crop establishment, farm animal production, land-based machinery operation and land-based workshop practice. The programme offers many varied day trips to farms and industry-related businesses while speakers from the industry are invited throughout the year. English and Maths skills will be developed throughout your course, which will help to improve your employability. Work placement In addition to the course units above, you will also undertake an industry experience unit. This will entail spending at least two days a week at a work placement with an agricultural organisation. Assessment for this will be by a portfolio of evidence showing your achievements in the work placement. Methods of assessment Each unit studied comprises four learning outcomes with pass, merit and distinction for each outcome. These are assessed using a wide variety of methods including practical observation, orals, multiple choice questions, written assessments, open book exams and formal written assessments. Additional learning goals 2 Tractor Driving College certificate, leading on to an NPTC Certificate of Competence in Tractor Driving and Related Operations for more advanced/skilled learners. First Aid at Work After completion of your course You can progress to a higher level qualification, such as the Subsidiary Diploma in Agriculture or an Apprenticeship programme. Students who wish to progress onto a higher course at Writtle College will need to achieve a minimum of a Merit average on the 2 Diploma course and complete Maths and/or English qualifications. You will also be suitable for employment as a farm assistant, a tractor driver and other similar positions. For more information on the 1 Diploma in Land-based Studies, please turn to page 66. Watch our FE Agriculture video! WrittleCollege 22