Modern Times

This week, Creative Industries employees spent a day off-site visiting two cultural landmarks on London's Southbank. At Tate Modern, our employees experienced some challenging and unconventional work...

On Otobong Nkanga's 'Wetin You Go Do?' (2015), Dean commented: 'I think the spheres are good because it shows how the tribe connect together and sing and talk as a team.' Leon agreed, suggesting that it was about 'getting people together as one'. Tiannon had a very different impression, associating the piece with 'anxiety and being trapped'.

On Kader Attia's 'Untitled (Ghardaia)' (2009), Dean described 'a good structure with buildings made out of cous cous.' Calvin saw a deeper message in Attia's work: 'I think it relates to where he's from and what they eat there'. Calvin had some interesting ideas about the food he would use to build a model celebrating his own heritage.


The employees also took the opportunity to put their photography skills into practice...




In the afternoon, they visited BFI Southbank to further their understanding of filmmaking. 




They were given an exclusive tour of the facilities, including a visit to a projection booth, and to the green room in which some of the world's leading filmmakers have been welcomed. 



We look forward to keeping you updated on their own filmmaking exploits soon!

Spring Forward

This term, we’ve celebrated a wealth of good news at Passport to Employability. Year 11 employees Keon and Precious have been awarded their Bronze Arts Award certificates.

Year 11 employee Christiana achieved a Level 2 Pass in her January Creative Digital Media Production exam, and Year 11 Jordan has passed Level 2 Functional Skills Mathematics.

Our NCFE Photography learners have now completed their Level 1 qualification. Below you can see Dean and Leon working together on their creations for Unit 2: Digital Image Manipulation.

Learners #sharing skills in today's image editing workshop @ncfe @pltupdates #photography pic.twitter.com/V6SsT9Rbph

— Passport Programme (@Pp2eProgramme) March 2, 2017

They’ve now embarked on skills acquisition exercises for their next qualification: NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Moving Image Production. Last week, they studied the work of the earliest filmmakers; the Lumière Brothers. They then produced a montage of scenic shots that they captured in Myatt’s Field Park. They experimented with music and transitions to bring their videos to life.

‘I put my video into black and white as a tribute to the Lumière Brothers. I chose a piano piece for my music as this is what people would have heard in cinemas a hundred years ago.’ -Dean



This week, the learners built on their knowledge and understanding by filming a sequence that told a short story, based on the stimulus ‘lost and found’. To begin with, they drafted a story plan in pairs. Then, they scouted for locations in the local area.

Later in the morning, they devised shot lists and storyboards for their sequences.

In the afternoon, each pair helped the other shoot their respective sequences. After the Easter break, they’ll edit and evaluate their finished films. 



We look forward to sharing their finished work with you, and to charting their ongoing progress as they 'spring forward' into Year 11. 

Up Close and Personal

Our NCFE Photography learners began using controlled lighting setups this week. They learned how to:

·         Complete a risk assessment

·         Work safely with studio equipment

·         Use different lighting setups creatively

·         Experiment with different shutter speeds

You can enjoy some of the results below.

Before half term, they'll begin experimenting with image manipulation. Check back soon for more of their fantastic work!

In Focus

As we begin the new year, we welcome a new cohort of Year 10 employees who have already begun studying for an NCFE Level 1 Award in Photography. Enjoy a few photos of our learners in action below…

…And a sample of their early photography work, demonstrating their understanding of how to use the Rule of Thirds, Leading Lines and Depth of Field.

We look forward to bringing you more of their work next week when they embark on studio portrait photography.

Season's Greetings

Our employees have been sitting mock GCSE exams in preparation for their formal exams next year, but we’ve still found time to indulge in some festive fun. Below you can see a few more creations from our BTEC Art and Design students.

In more good news, Year 11 employee Precious has been reflecting on her work experience placement at BFI Southbank in October. Here’s what she thought of the opportunity…

‘My work experience placement was at the British Film Institute. My responsibilities were…

· Supporting children's animation workshops

· Preparing and assembling equipment

· Printing pictures for the children to use

· Keeping the children on schedule

I had to work from 9 until 2 each day, with an optional film screening at the end of each day.’

When asked if the placement was relevant to her line of learning at Passport and/or her career aspirations…

‘Both. Camerawork and art practices that I’ve learned at Passport meant that I was familiar with the equipment at the BFI. Working with children was good for my current career plan (youth work) as I’d like to work with the same age group in future.

I learned the necessary communication techniques needed for working with young people. I also learned about the animation process and workflow.

I enjoyed meeting staff there and gaining contacts inside and outside the BFI. It was also nice to interact with young people. I enjoyed learning about animation as it was new to me and I’m going to be studying it at Passport next year, so I already have a head start. I didn’t like waking up earlier than usual and travelling further than I normally need to!’

From all of the staff at Passport to Employability, we hope you have a restful Christmas break, and we look forward to a productive new year.

Branching Out

We’ve had a very busy few weeks at Passport to Employability. The first highlight we’d like to share is the result that Year 11 Jordan achieved for his mock Maths exam paper…

Congratulations to Year 11 employee and #mathmagician Jordan who's already scoring highly in his Maths mock exams. pic.twitter.com/cr0oWFvhxP

— Passport Programme (@Pp2eProgramme) October 20, 2016

…Jordan is now working hard to ensure that he achieves an even higher result in the Summer.

On November 8^th, Year 11 employees following the Creative Industries line of learning visited a commercial carpentry workshop, where they constructed the Christmas trees they have been designing in their BTEC Art and Design classes. Below you can enjoy a few photos from their visit... 

...As well as a video documenting their creative journey.

Work Skills

Year 11 employee Precious, who is currently following the Creative Industries line of learning, has secured a work experience placement at BFI Southbank. She interviewed for the post last week and her feedback was very positive…

‘It was lovely to meet Precious today. She’s very enthusiastic which is about the most important quality that I’m looking for!  She’s also very sweet and will fit in well.’ –BFI Film Tutor/ Family Learning Programmer

The rest of our employees are busy preparing for mock exams next week in advance of their impending GCSE examinations. However, they’ve still found time to create some more interesting 3D designs for Level 2 BTEC Art and Design…

We look forward to bringing you a moving image record of their work after half term. In the meantime, you can admire some of the work produced by Passport alumna Lilly, who is currently studying Floristry at Lewisham Southwark College.

Former employee Lilly has sent us some great photos from her Floristry course @LS_College #alumni pic.twitter.com/1wBhnMVUr9

— Passport Programme (@Pp2eProgramme) October 3, 2016