SGS College | Be Outstanding

Covid Update

On Tuesday 29 March, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, set out the next steps for living with COVID-19 in England from Friday 1 April.

Updated guidance advises:

  • Adults with the symptoms of a respiratory infection, and who have a high temperature or feel unwell, should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until they feel well enough to resume normal activities and no longer have a high temperature.
  • Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people. They can return to college when they no longer have a high temperature, and are well enough to attend.
  • Adults with a positive COVID-19 test result should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days, which is when they are most infectious. For children and young people aged 18 and under, the advice is 3 days.

For education and childcare settings from Friday 1 April:

  • Regular asymptomatic testing is no longer recommended in any education or childcare setting, including in SEND, alternative provision and children’s social care settings. Therefore, we will no longer be able to order test kits .

Alumni

Join the SGS
Alumni Network
For Support and Discounts
to Help in Your Future Career

Register as an SGS Alumni member
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Further Your Studies

Grow with SGS and benefit from our exclusive discounts and Alumni Bursary

Download our latest full and part-time prospectuses here, along with our application forms. Annual discounts are available on selected programmes of study. Check back here and look out for emails detailing our latest offers.

SGS Alumni Benefits

Discover the benefits and support available when you join the SGS Alumni Network.

SGS volunteering opportunities

Can we help you with work placements? Advice and guidance are available from our Work Placement Team. Why not volunteer in an ambassador-based role? Gain experience and knowledge, make new friends and give back to your college.

Discounted salon treatments

Treat yourself all year round with beauty and hair discounts available across all SGS salons. Enjoy 20% off treatments and 10% off products. Call Envy at SGS Filton on 0117 909 2319 or Envy at SGS Stroud on 01453 761265, or feel free to pop in and speak to a member of staff.

Discounted Olympus Theatre performance tickets

Alumni can benefit from discounted performances throughout the year in our very own Olympus Theatre. Please check the website and look out for emails detailing the latest performances.

Access to the JobShop

12 months' access post-graduation to this handy website, which will list various local vacancies and include any positions available across SGS College.

Learner Services careers advice for a further 12 months (limited to one interview per Alumni member)

Alumni can take advantage of professional advice from our dedicated Careers Team.

Annual discounts available on selected programmes of study

Special discounts are offered throughout the year to Alumni members on selected courses.

Access to the LRC for a further 12 months

Benefit from on-site facilities and resources across our campuses.

Access to the learner email system for a further 90 days

Stay linked in even when your studies have finished at SGS.

Alumni FAQs

How can I get an academic reference?

Please contact your personal tutor in the first instance. Email the relevant department directly to request the reference (it is good practice to include some details of your time at SGS to remind them who you are). If you're unsure who to contact, please get in touch with the Alumni Team, who will be happy to help.

What is an alumnus?

An alumnus is a male graduate or former student, and an alumna is a female graduate or former student. 'Alumni' is the plural, referring to graduates of both sexes. You automatically become a member of the SGS Alumni Network when you complete a course or programme with us.

How can I access careers advice?

SGS Alumni members benefit from Learner Services careers advice for a further 12 months, available across our SGS Filton and Stroud campuses.

How do I contact the Alumni Team?

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact us via [email protected].

Life After SGS

Our Alumni profiles show the many paths that some of our former SGS learners have taken

If you have an interesting story to tell us, please get in touch. We would love to hear about your life after SGS!

Kelly Gillett

Vada
Finniear

View bio

Vada Finniear

While studying at SGS, A-level student Vada was – and still is – a member of Team GB's gymnastics squad. Vada has achieved huge success in gymnastics, including competing at the Pat Wade Tournament in November 2014, the European Championships in Germany in October 2015 and the World Championships in China in March 2016.

Speaking about his sport/study balance, Vada said, 'It was a challenge to juggle gymnastics and college work, but my teachers at SGS were very accommodating and supportive. If there were competitions abroad, I would have to miss college and catch up when I got back, but then if I had exams coming up, I would have to miss training so that I had time to revise. I feel very fortunate to have had teachers who were really helpful and kept me on track with my studying. I couldn't have done it without them.'

Patrick McLeod

Will
Bayley

View bio

Will Bayley

Former SGS and Bristol Academy of Sport star Will Bayley was born with a rare congenital disorder called arthrogryposis, which affected all four of his limbs from the age of three months old. At the age of seven he was also diagnosed with cancer. This is when Will began playing table tennis, after his grandmother bought him his first table as a welcome distraction during his recovery.

Will joined SGS in 2007 to study on one of the College's higher education sport routes. He also joined the Table Tennis Academy, competing in class 6. Not only did the training enhance Will's skill set, it also helped improve his mobility, and he was reclassified to compete in class 7.

Since leaving college, Will has achieved what many would have considered near impossible – he has won a variety of prestigious accolades and competitions, including a gold medal at the 2016 Paralympics and a number one world ranking.

Liam Evans

Sabina
Savage

View bio

Sabina Savage

Former SGS Bristol School of Art student Sabina Savage is living her childhood dream and fulfilling her career ambitions as a fashion designer with her own label.

Sabina began her studies at Bristol School of Art, Queens Road in 2007 to study the Foundation Diploma and Pathway in Fashion.

After completing her studies at the age of 18, and despite speaking no French, Sabina took the bold step of moving to Paris to pursue her dream of studying couture design and techniques at a prestigious fashion school. After graduating in 2011 at the top of her year and winning the coveted Nouvelle Couture Award, she moved back to England to work for several top fashion houses, including Gareth Pugh, Paul Smith and Alexander McQueen.

Sabina's sincere love of fashion, drawing and hand-laboured artwork has led to the creation of her very own self-titled scarf line. Her work places huge emphasis on hand finishing, exquisite fabrics and high-quality production, alongside her elaborate hand-drawn prints.

Sabina's scarfs can be found in stores across the globe, in America, Japan, Denmark, Hong Kong, France, Australia, Taiwan, South Korea, Egypt, Germany, Ireland, Russia and the UK.

Speaking of her success, Sabina said, 'I sincerely valued my time at SGS. My tutors were wonderfully inspiring and really gave me the confidence to aim high. Next stop, world domination!'

Gavin Murray

Cameron
Parker

View bio

Cameron Parker

Cameron Parker is now the UK's number one schools' motivational speaker, inspiring tens of thousands of individuals across the country.

While at SGS, studying business and training with the College's American Football Academy, Cameron was selected to join the Great Britain American Football squad, an achievement that developed his mental fortitude and thirst for success. Even though Cameron has dyslexia and ADHD, he went on to obtain top marks in his studies at SGS and just recently completed a business degree at the University of the West of England.

Cameron now works with schools, colleges, sports teams and on individual cases, bringing motivational speaking to where it is needed.

Debbie Stanley-Jones

Debbie
Stanley-Jones

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Debbie Stanley-Jones

In January 2009, Debbie was made redundant from her job. Determined to make the best of a bad situation, she used the opportunity to embark on a new career.

Keen to try something new, Debbie enrolled on a six-week plumbing taster course, which to her delight, she loved. After successfully completing the taster course, she progressed onto the Level 2 plumbing course, qualifying in September 2009.

After perfecting her skills in the classroom, Debbie decided to set up her own business, Plumbher, in January 2010.

Since then, Debbie has qualified in the NVQ Level 2 in Plumbing and, more recently, Gas Safe. Debbie has also supported six students in achieving their NVQ Level 2 in Plumbing, two of whom are running their own plumbing businesses, and three of whom are now employed plumbers.

Today, Plumbher is a highly successful business with a very positive reputation and hundreds of happy customers.

Tara Maule

Tara
Maule

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Tara Maule

Tara Maule joined SGS in September 2013 having never previously studied engineering. She had, however, always relished the challenge of solving problems using both her mind and her hands, so it was no surprise when a visit to the College inspired her to sign up to study engineering.

Tara embarked on a two-year course in electrical and electronic engineering and was undeterred at finding herself the only female in her group. Her work was of such a high standard that she completed the course with straight distinction stars. Indeed, such was the distance that Tara travelled in her studies and her attitude to learning that she was awarded the Principal's Award for Top Learner in July 2015. Presenting the award, Kevin Hamblin, Principal of SGS, praised her drive, determination and commitment to succeed.

When the time came to move on, it was Tara's attitude to work that impressed prospective employers, including GE Aviation, who selected her for their higher apprenticeship scheme.

When the time came to move on, it was Tara's attitude to work that impressed prospective employers, including GE Aviation, who selected her for their higher apprenticeship scheme.

Tara appreciates the solid grounding that she gained during her two years at SGS. The close fit between the content of her college course and the degree allowed her to transition smoothly into the world of work, so that she found herself well prepared for the exciting challenges presented by the higher apprenticeship and the degree course.

Geoff Dibb

Geoff
Dibb

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Geoff Dibb

Geoff Dibb is fulfilling his career ambitions in the world of games design.

After years of hard work and dedication, 22-year-old Geoff secured a position as junior games designer for industry behemoth Rockstar Games.

Geoff studied the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Computer Games Design and Production at SGS six years ago and now works in the company's Lincoln office.

Speaking about his journey from SGS student to Rockstar employee, Geoff said, 'It has taken a massive amount of hard work, time and effort to get here. From my beginnings as a games design student six years ago, I have met many fantastic friends and colleagues along the way whose support has made this possible.'

Patrick McLeod

Joe
Sims

View bio

Joe Sims

Today, Joe Sims is primarily known for his incredible performance in ITV's drama Broadchurch, but back in 1999 he was an SGS student studying a BTEC in Performing Arts.

In addition to his appearances on TV, in the theatre and in films, Joe has more than 100 radio credits to his name, including a run on the popular radio drama The Archers. He also was a judge for the prestigious Carleton Hobbs Award in 2016.

Joe won Best Actor at the Studio Salford Theatre Awards in 2011 and the People's Favourite Male Performance Award at the 2012 OffWestEnd.com Theatre Awards. He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 2017 BBC Audio Drama Awards for his portrayal of a suicidal boxer in Al Smith's award-winning drama Lifelines.

Bilal Kardar

Bilal
Kardar

View bio

Bilal Kardar

Bilal came to the Preparation for Work and Life department (PWL) with no qualifications and unable to enrol onto a mainstream vocational course within college. Bilal lacked confidence and qualifications, but he was polite, respectful and highly motivated. He had the insight to invest a year of his education into building the foundations for a better future and he attained the Outstanding Achievers Award towards the completion of the course.

A year in the PWL department furnished Bilal with opportunities to build his confidence, as well as providing him with some outstanding work experience at Rolls Royce. Bilal progressed onto GCSEs and then onto Business Studies Level 3, and he is now graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business [Team Entrepreneurship] from UWE. His successful journey continues as he has also gained a conditional offer to study the MA programme in International Business from Regent's University London as a postgraduate student.

Bilal has now completed his MA International Business from Regents University London successfully.

Gavin Murray

Hetty
Upton

View bio

Hetty Upton

Hetty has had a great interest in wildlife and the natural world ever since she was a child. After school, she went to SGS to undertake a course in animal management and spent a few years working at Bristol Zoo with the animal-keeping and presentations teams. Hetty then moved to Devon to complete a degree in conservation biology at university.

Speaking about her experience at SGS, Hetty said, 'If not for SGS, I might not be where I am now. The animal care staff are a very good team, always enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the topics, making every lecture interesting and informative. It was the first time I had ever enjoyed doing my coursework! I hope other students are as inspired by this course as I was.'

Stuart Evans

Taulupe
'Toby' Faletau

View bio

Taulupe 'Toby' Faletau

In January 2009, Debbie was made redundant from her job. Determined to make the best of a bad situation, she used the opportunity to embark on a new career.

Keen to try something new, Debbie enrolled on a six-week plumbing taster course, which to her delight, she loved. After successfully completing the taster course, she progressed onto the Level 2 plumbing course, qualifying in September 2009.

After perfecting her skills in the classroom, Debbie decided to set up her own business, Plumbher, in January 2010.

Since then, Debbie has qualified in the NVQ Level 2 in Plumbing and, more recently, Gas Safe. Debbie has also supported six students in achieving their NVQ Level 2 in Plumbing, two of whom are running their own plumbing businesses, and three of whom are now employed plumbers.

Today, Plumbher is a highly successful business with a very positive reputation and hundreds of happy customers.

Molly Curtis

Molly
Curtis

View bio

Molly Curtis

Nineteen-year-old Molly Curtis always wanted to turn her lifelong passion for travel into a career, so she enrolled at SGS to study Travel Tourism Level 2, before progressing onto the Air Industry course.

Immediately after completing the Air Industry course, Molly applied for and successfully secured a position with British Airways' (BA) mixed fleet cabin crew.

Speaking of her journey, Molly said, 'I always dreamed of working for BA, so I felt a little anxious before the training, but it covered the same aspects that I had already learned at SGS, so I found it very easy and was able to demonstrate my abilities straight away. I must have impressed – I got the job!

'Were it not for my training at SGS, it would have been an entirely different experience. I recommend anyone interested in this industry to study at SGS.'

Kelly Gillett

Jenny
Jones

View bio

Jenny Jones

Jenny has come a long way since she was a student at SGS College (formerly Filton College). Nobody would have guessed that a trip to Churchill's dry slope for a free snowboarding lesson would be the start of an incredible career. Just a couple of years later, in 1999, she launched her professional snowboarding career at the British Freeski and Snowboard Championships and has gone on to win numerous events across the globe, most recently winning slopestyle bronze at the Sochi 2014 Olympics – Great Britain's first medal on snow in the history of the Winter Games.

Patrick McLeod

Sajid
Javid

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Sajid Javid

Former SGS College student Sajid Javid was appointed to run the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Mr Javid took over the post of Business Secretary in David Cameron's new majority Conservative government, moving from his old post at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Mr Javid was born in Rochdale, Lancashire, but moved to Bristol with his family at an early age, where he was educated at a comprehensive school near the city and at SGS College (formerly Filton Technical College). Vice Principal and Deputy Chief Sara-Jane Watkins said, 'I would like to congratulate and welcome former student Sajid Javid into his new role as Business Secretary. I hope to invite Sajid to visit us in the near future so he can see the developments within further education and its value within the education sector.'

Liam Evans

Mitch
Hewer

View bio

Mitch Hewer

Born in Bristol, Mitch trained at the South West Academy of Dramatic Arts, and has appeared in the music video 'The Club' by Lisa Morgan.

In 2007, Mitch was cast as Maxxie Oliver, a gay character, in the teen drama Skins. He appeared on the covers of the March and October 2007 issues of gay lifestyle magazine Attitude, when the magazine did a 'Gays on TV' feature that included stars from Skins, Hollyoaks, Coronation Street and Shameless. Hewer starred in the music drama Britannia High, in the role of Danny Miller. He also appeared on the popular ITV and ITV2 shows The Xtra Factor, This Morning and Richard and Judy's New Position, and on the BBC comedy show Never Mind the Buzzcocks.

Gavin Murray

Stephen
Gill

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Stephen Gill

Stephen Gill's father, a keen photographer, taught him to develop and print his own pictures in the darkroom in their attic. In 1985, while still at school, Stephen went to work for a local, Bristol-based photography company, copying and restoring old photographs and helping to take family portraits. In 1992, he enrolled in the photography foundation course at Filton College in Bristol. Two years later, he went on to work at the Magnum Photos agency in London, first as an intern and then full time. In 1997, he left Magnum to become a freelance photographer, working on commissions to shoot portraits for newspaper supplements and editorial, whilst continuing to make a variety of personal photographic series.

Events

Organising a reunion? Ask the Alumni Team to help, whether you have plans to get together with a group of friends or the whole of your cohort. We can help with the venue, catering and entertainment, as well as locating former lecturers and members of staff.

Check back here regularly to view the events noticeboard, where all departmental and whole college events will be listed.

Get Involved at SGS

As a member of the Alumni Network, there are many opportunities in which you can get involved and support the College. If you are interested in any of the options below, please get in touch with the Alumni Team at [email protected].

Career mentoring

Spare some time to share your professional experience and expertise with a learner.

Careers and employability events

Host a stand at a careers fair, volunteer as a speaker or sit on a judging panel at one of our shows.

Running skills workshops

Help learners become work ready, including teaching interview techniques and CV writing.

Work experience/placements

From short placements to longer-term experiences, if you can help our learners, please get in touch.

Hosting field trips/visits

Enable learners to gain specialist knowledge linked to your organisation and apply this to their programme of study.

Providing case studies on your organisation

Give learners real-life industry examples and material to learn from.

Guest speaking/lecturing

Support learners' understanding of a particular topic and enhance learning.

Support Us

Donate to SGS today and help transform learners tomorrow

Your support and donations will help us to enhance the facilities and experiences that help the next generation achieve their potential. Funding will help individuals where it is most needed and open up doors to education and further learning. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact the Alumni Team on 0117 915 2420 or email [email protected].

Register as an Alumni Member


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