Testimonials

Rod Andrews is an inspirational teacher with a long and colourful track record in the journalism business. Learning with Rod is all the more effective for being a personable, sociable and, above all, an enjoyable experience.


Jerry Slater
Former Head of Media Studies, currently Senior Examiner in Media and Communication Studies for AQA, Open University Associate Lecturer, and co-author of the new national A Level syllabus in Communication and Culture. Co-author of A2 Media Studies: The Essential Introduction (Routledge 2005 with Peter Bennett and Peter Wall) and Communication and Culture: The Essential Introduction (Routledge 2008 with Peter Bennett)

           
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The road to getting my book published -“The Rock and Roll Times Guide To The Music Industry”- really started when I did an educational course with Rod Andrews.  The City and Guilds Journalism Course was a lifesaver for me.  Writing was something I thought only other people could do.  I had a major interest in music but I realised as a performer that the odds were stacked against me ever succeeding, and even if this became a reality, it would be short-lived.  Writing however was something that could last a lifetime.

Rod Andrews as a teacher became an inspiration. His passion and dedication to journalism and teaching was evident from the very first lesson. In what may be an overly dramatic description, this passion was like a beacon of light in the educational darkness I had known during my school years.

Anybody who tries to break into a creative industry not only faces challenges from that industry, they also face the challenges of life.  You see, we chase dreams.  Be it in journalism or creative writing, people face the ‘ordinariness’ of life.  And it’s down to those seekers to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.  Through doing the 779 City and Guilds Journalism Course Rod Andrews and his style of teaching certainly gave me what remains an undiminished sense of belief not only in my writing, but essential skills of research, investigation and the delivery of copy.

To me, a good teacher is some one to whom you want to aspire and I always got the feeling that Rod wanted the best for his students, which made his students want to give their best.  I can now call myself a published author, which makes me smile, and I have to say I owe that To Rod Andrews.


Will Beattie
Author: “The Rock And Roll Times Guide To The Music Industry

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I have known Rod Andrews since 1995 when I first became the Parliamentary Candidate for Braintree and Witham, in Essex.

Rod has a keen eye for human interest features. At the same time he is able to stimulate interest in important local issues by way of presenting the subject in an attractive and appealing form. He has excellent communication skills both in writing and orally and he can inspire others as a consequence.

Rod has a wide range of general and local knowledge. He was very helpful to me in the press campaign he ran on my behalf prior to my election to Parliament in 1997

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Former Member of Parliament and member of the Government’s  Committee for Agriculture.
Alan Hurst.

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I have known Rod Andrews on a professional basis for over 15 years,

In 2000 the Council chose him, through a competitive tender process, to write and launch The Voice ( A local authority magazine). 

Part of the reason for his choice as the Council’s journalist contractor was his experience, not just in producing copy but also in his understanding of the legal constraints in which a public sector organisation has to work.  His teaching of Journalism and the Law at one of Essex’s Colleges of Further Education gave the Council confidence that the editorial copy would be both legally and politically acceptable.

Retaining the confidence and support of elected members and officials through two tender renewals demonstrated both professionalism and a high level of people skills

I would recommend him as a consummate professional without hesitation.

Phil Barlow – Local Councillor for Witham
Former Mayor and Leader Witham Town Council, Former Cabinet Member Braintree District Council and Former Essex County Councillor
Governing Board Chairman – Rickstones School and Arts College
Chairman Witham Community Partnership

 

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                                                         Stella Andrews

I have known Stella Andrews for seventeen years, twelve of these as a colleague in a professional capacity. During this time she was Press Liaison Officer demonstrating successful communication with local newspaper teams in the submission of regular press releases on behalf of our organisation. In addition she was responsible for the publication of a monthly in-house magazine to celebrate key events and bring them to the notice of the local community.

As part of her role she was involved in coaching a young editorial team, promoting media awareness and an understanding of its power and impact in modern society. Her communication skills are excellent and she is adept at using drama and role play techniques as a vehicle for communicating ideas.

Mrs. Irene Becket
Assistant Head Teacher
Hadleigh High School


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I have known Stella Andrews both professionally and socially for 30 years during which time we have participated in a number of courses together where Stella has demonstrated competency and communications effectively.

The Essex Advisory Service praised Stella for the media-based units she developed over a series of years.

She has worked successfully with students using a wide range of media focussed activities which have enhanced students’ understanding enabling them to have a critical awareness of the role of media in society.

Lin Beech
Former Head of English

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Stella Andrews is a first rate communicator and is extremely skilled in both delivering and leading training sessions.  Stella has a wealth of experience in communication both to adults and younger students as well. Her presentations/training sessions are well prepared, informative and interesting, holding peoples attention thus enabling them to not only learn but also to enjoy learning.

Stella recognises the importance of the learner and has very good people skills which lend themselves to a very confident and skilled teaching/training sessions.These qualities and skills  make her an asset to any learning environment.

Reverend Eric Blowes
Pastor Stanway Evangelical Church.


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I have known Stella Andrews in a professional capacity for ten years. She is an excellent communicator and team leader. I have worked in conjunction with her on many occasions on a variety of projects, including adult training courses working in teams of between 4 and 15 people. She can adapt to different audiences and is a confident presenter.

Her written communication skills are outstanding and for several years she produced an interesting and informative school newspaper, in addition to acting as Press Liaison Officer for the school.

Rebecca Reilly,
Head of House
Stanway School, Essex.