The United Colleges Group has celebrated the start of Pride month 2021 by painting the staircases at both its colleges with the rainbow flag colours.
The flag, a prominent symbol of the LGBTQIA+ community’s pride and accomplishments, has been chosen to reflect the commitment to equality and the stance against bigotry embraced by both colleges.
Both College of North West London and City of Westminster College are proud of their diverse student communities and are proud to stand alongside their LGBTQIA+ communities during pride month.
Pride month is celebrated in June each year and offers the chance for members of sexual and gender minorities to come together and celebrate their achievements in liberation, community, and civil rights.
The celebration can be traced back as far as the Stonewall Riots, after which the first pride march was established, and has since grown to become a worldwide celebration of freedom, diversity, and inclusion.
The attractive new staircase decorations form part of the college group’s acknowledgement and support of pride month, with other events planned for later in June.
The United College Group wishes all members of the LGBTQIA+ community, both on its campuses and further afield, a happy, rewarding, and nourishing pride month and looks forward to continuing to celebrate with them throughout June.
Stephen Davis, Group Principal of the United Colleges Group, said:
“Our LGBTQIA+ staff and students are a vital part of our community and we are proud to stand with them throughout pride month.
“Pride is not simply a celebration but an opportunity to pause, reflect, and assess how we can better support and stand alongside those who continue to face discrimination based on who they are.
“On behalf of both City of Westminster College and the College of North West London, I would like to send a message to our LGBTQIA+ community; you are valued, important, and accepted here and please enjoy Pride 2021, however you are celebrating it.”
“My experience at College of Northwest London, has been exciting, it has been thrilling and it has been full of opportunities, and we have the tutors that help us whenever we’re in need. We go on educational trips to get a feel for what university life is like. We have the careers advisors that help us on our path, our university path.”
“The facilities here are brilliant. You have range of courses you can study. My teachers in the Performing Arts department have got history in the industry, which is very useful. You get to ask them for advice and actual knowledge from the industry, and take that into your own work within the college also afterwards. ”
“At City of Westminster College, my experience has been the best of all the other colleges I’ve attended. The reason I like CWC is because the teachers make my journey easier with assessment and exams. I’m a Level Two Science student and I enjoy my lessons because most of them are practical, which are helpful for me. I love studying at CWC because you meet people from other countries – all over the world and from all different communities.”
“My favourite thing about studying here has definitely got to be the teachers. They’re really helpful, kind and in the industry, so it’s good.”
“The technical knowledge and hands-on experience gained during my apprenticeship at College of North West London have been invaluable, particularly in understanding site processes, health and safety requirements and the understanding of electrical systems.”
“My experience studying at City of Westminster College has been amazing. It’s been so welcoming; I enjoy it very much because of the staff members we have here. They’re very approachable and I could come to them with any question, and it will be answered straight away. And if I come early for a class, I can use the Learning Resources Centre, I can use the computers, the books, just to continue all my studies outside the classroom time.”
“The training process was seamless. I had good instructors who were very flexible, supporting people of all learning levels. On the last day after our exams, a security company came and did a presentation. We had the opportunity to have an interview afterwards. I told them about my experiences, and they said I would be a good fit. I formally applied for a role and started with the company soon after. Getting into security has opened doors for me. I hope I will continue to take steps up the career ladder.”
“Coming to study at the City of Westminster College was the best decision that I had ever made. The teachers are very accommodating – they help you learn things in a way that might be easier for you to learn. They are very supportive and I think that’s one of the best things about learning here.”
“I was so grateful to have won Apprentice of the Year at the West London Business Awards 2026, I could not have done it without the support my company Size Group and the College of North West London.”
