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BG Futures Provide Carrington Communications with the “Perfect Stepping Stone” to Success
In January 2018 digital PR agency Carrington Communications began their journey as a tenant of the BG Futures Business and Enterprise Centre. After a highly successful year, and with expansion and new premises on the horizon, Carrington’s Founder, Rob Tomkinson, shares his start-up story and explains how the support of the BG Futures team has helped the company reach its goals. Since graduating from university Rob has always worked in PR. After moving to Lincolnshire he observed a gap in the market for an energised digital PR agency, thus sparking the inspiration for launching Carrington Communications: “No one in Lincolnshire was doing digital PR, even though the city, and region, was growing fast and there was a big need for it. I decided to build an agency that would be known for the quality of its work and the impact it had on its customers, above anything else.” Although Rob’s PR expertise had been refined over the years, owning his own business proved challenging in its own way, he used the examples of others’ success to try to determine his own: “I looked at other business owners around me who I respected - what sets them apart, in my view, is being brave enough to take the bold decisions - that’s what I’ve tried, and keep trying, to do; if the figures stack up, then we can make it work.” However, Rob is not one to become too comfortable in terms of measuring success: “I hope I never think I’ve become a successful ‘entrepreneur’ - there’s a danger and complacency in that which I want to avoid at all costs!” When asked about top tips for aspiring entrepreneurs, Rob placed significant importance on getting the “‘boring’ backroom bits right from the start”, building new relationships with other business people who share your values, and finally: “Delegate! That’s a lesson I had to learn the hard way a couple of times. I thought I was holding on to my early clients out of loyalty to give them the best service, but in reality they got a better service once I brought in the team here in to work alongside me.” Alongside these lessons, finding the right environment to thrive in has also been key for Carrington and in BG Futures they feel they found the perfect place for any start-up: “It’s been so good for us. Even though it was exciting when we took on our first office, it was pretty daunting too. The team at BG Futures gave us everything we needed. It’s a perfect stepping stone for new businesses looking for their first office. The location’s great, the offices are peaceful, the internet’s good and the on-site coffee shops are perfect for client or team meetings. Working around other start-ups has been really beneficial, as have the workshops that they run here - we even hosted our own for other tenants on doing PR on a budget. We’re pleased to be growing but sad to be leaving too - I’d recommend BG Futures to anyone.” Becky Goodman, Enterprise Development Manager at BG Futures, expressed her team’s pride at being a part of Carrington’s growth: “It is great to see how Rob has developed Carrington from a one person business in a small unit, to one with a team expanding to one of our largest units within just 18 months, and although we will miss the team being with us within BG Futures, it is great that we have been able to give them the initial support and foundations upon which they will continue to build their business. And as with any of the businesses that start their journey with us in BG Futures, they never really leave us, just relocate” If you have got a vision for your own business but aren’t sure where to begin then the BG Futures team are the perfect place to start. With facilities and expert support available in their incubation centre, they’ll be able to get you on the road to success. Visit our website or contact them today to see how you can start your own adventure. -
Students help local children to discover the exciting possibilities of maths
Students involved in education and mathematics at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) welcomed local school children onto campus to help them explore the fun and entertaining possibilities of maths as part of the first Maths Week England. Maths Week England is designed to raise the profile of maths and promote different ways to engage with the subject in a positive way. At BGU students from a range of courses including BA Primary Education with QTS, Education Studies and Mathematics and Education Studies and Mathematics with a Foundation Year ran activities based around reasoning, problem solving and exploration designed to encourage collaboration between pupils and their teachers. Dr Ashley Compton, Senior Lecturer in Primary at BGU, was one of the event’s organisers and discussed what it, and the wider national initiative, could offer to learners and educators: “Maths Week England is designed to challenge the stereotypes around the subject, take away the anxiety that both children and educators feel towards maths and turn engaging with it into a positive experience. It is an especially key experience for our students as they can now take these lessons into their future classrooms.” And Dr Elizabeth Kimber, Programme Leader for Mathematics at BGU, who organised the event alongside Ashley, explained how the being involved in the activities could also offer academic and social benefits to the BGU students: “By bringing together learners from a range of courses these events allow our students to find a community of fellow mathematicians on campus.” For Sophie Evans, Education Studies and Mathematics student at BGU, who is seeking to move into teaching after her studies the highlight of the event was the opportunity to share the positive side of maths: “Today has been amazing practice for my future. Seeing how different pupils interact with maths and whether they enjoy it or struggle with it. Engaging with mathematics is so often seen as a negative experience but there are real opportunities for fun within it and these pupils will now be able to take those activities and memories back with them.” Eloise Biggin, Education Studies and Maths with a Foundation Year student, echoed Sophie’s feedback: “It’s great that I’m being given the opportunity to experience teaching maths so early into the course. I’m keen to go into teaching when I graduate so being immersed in these activities already is fantastic.” To find out more about BGU’s undergraduate and postgraduate mathematics courses visit our website, speak to a member of our Enquiries Team or join us on one of our Open Days. -
BGU graduate helps current students travel to the rainforest in immersive teacher training session
Students in the current PGCE cohort at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) were transported deep into the rainforest in a special session on inspiring children’s writing through sensory learning. The session was planned in conjunction with former BGU graduate Justyn Huntley. Justyn graduated from the PGCE School Direct programme and now works at Bardney Primary School. Together with BGU lecturers, he ran a series of sessions designed to show the trainee teachers how to develop their pupils’ writing by exploring settings in children’s fiction. The session was split into two parts, beginning with listening to an extract from a text. The trainee teachers then entered into an environment aimed at engaging all five senses. Students were able to taste unique foods, listen to unusual wildlife and touch fascinating plants amongst a selection of exciting activities. They were then encouraged to think about how they could build their experiences of the day into their future teaching of children’s writing. Speaking after the session Justyn explained his rationale behind the sessions and what he hoped the budding educators could accomplish with the idea: “The goal is to give pupils who may never have left their home county the opportunity to explore and experience something completely new. By splitting the session into two parts teachers can lay the foundations and fire up their pupils’ imaginations before immersing them in a fully interactive environment. The best part is this can be used for a range of different environments and ages. Rainforests, deserts, oceans, even the moon, you can take pupils anywhere”He also took the opportunity to share his experiences of studying through the School Direct programme: “Carrying out my PGCE through the School Direct programme was challenging at times but I really enjoyed it. Being able to experience an entire school year that early on in my training was great and allowed me to really understand how pupils learn and change across an academic year. Even though I was only in BGU one day a week I still had a great connection with my lecturers. They really encouraged me and provided time and support whenever I needed it.” You can find more information on the wide range of innovative PGCE courses offered by BGU on our website. Alternatively you can contact our Enquiries Team or join us on one our Open Days to find out how to begin your journey into teaching. -
Graduation
Graduation is one of the highlights of the academic year here at BGU. -
What's next?
Please click on the links below for more information about what happens next. Please note the below information is applicable for applications received for the academic year 2022/23. -
University Council
The members of the University Council meet in formal session at least 4 times each year and their work is supported by a range of Sub-Committees. -
BGU Foundation Fund
The BGU Foundation Fund supports a range of projects that clearly demonstrate enrichment during a students’ time at the University. -
About BGU
Bishop Grosseteste University is located on a beautifully green and pleasant campus just a few minutes’ walk from Lincoln Cathedral, Castle and the old Roman city. -
Business
The BA (Hons) Business programme introduces you to a range of business subjects including Marketing, Finance, Management, Equality Diversity and Inclusion and Leadership. You will have the opportunity to work with a wide variety of organisations through our links with industry and the opportunity to develop projects and expertise in areas that you are interested in. If you don’t have, or don’t think you will attain the normal tariff points for studying at BGU, click here to view the Foundation Year version of this course. -
EdD (Doctorate of Education)
The Doctorate of Education (EdD) is the premier academic qualification for experienced professionals working in the education sector. The EdD is ideally suited to those who benefit from studying in a structured, collegiate environment with the first two years comprising taught modules. These modules enable the development of research skills and the intellectual rigour demanded of professionals at doctoral level. They also provide the foundation for the subsequent period of study, the thesis stage, during which a thesis is written focused on an area of professional interest. BGU's continuing success in research, as demonstrated in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework exercise, gives us a significant presence within an increasingly competitive, research-intensive sector. BGU offers a single entry system every Autumn, in October.
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