News

10 October 2016

Newbury College HNC students, George Collins and Christopher Prozzo, have both been awarded the Institute of Engineering Designers (IED) annual student award for their final year projects.

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14 September 2016

The Newbury College Lake Conservation Group has won a Dorothy Morley Conservation Award and a £500 grant.

Julia Hawkins, the Lake Conservation Group project leader and lecturer at Newbury College, said: The award recognises the hard work of two groups of students with learning difficulties who have, over the course of two years, transformed the lakeside environment. The Health Walk' is used by students, staff and members of the public as somewhere beautiful to walk and enjoy the wildlife. 

The students worked with the Wildlife Trust on Crookham Common, learning how to use tools such as loppers and saws to clear scrub and allow species such as heather to thrive.  The students also learnt about the wildlife that would benefit from their work. 

Our students then applied these skills to work at the lakeside, clearing overgrown trees and shrubs and allowing light to penetrate. A pond dipping survey carried out together with BBOWT in May, revealed that the lake was teeming with species including smooth newts, dragonfly nymph and water stick insects.

This year's First Skills group will continue the work as part of their Project in Sustainability. The prize means we can now buy more tools and perhaps join forces with our multi trades department to build benches and nesting boxes.

Dan Akam, Community Wildlife Officer for Berkshire with the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust praised the Newbury College group. The Newbury College Lake Conservation Group showed us they are carrying out important conservation work for wildlife with great enthusiasm and ambition. The lake is a welcome area of tranquillity and bird life, and is a focal point on the College campus for a health walk, encouraging students and local residents to enjoy being close to their local wildlife.

The Award judges were impressed with how the volunteers have learned new skills and practical conservation techniques, and put them to good use on the Lake Conservation project.

The Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust runs the Dorothy Morley Conservation Awards scheme, which highlights all the superb work done by volunteers in Berkshire for the benefit of their local community and wildlife.

The bi-annual Dorothy Morley Conservation Award scheme is a tribute to the memory of dedicated conservationist Dorothy Morley who lived near Newbury. It was set up in 2000 and continues to support local groups and their projects thanks to the outstanding generosity of the Morley family.

13 September 2016

Despite some fantastic opportunities available, Newbury College is currently experiencing a shortage of suitable candidates applying for apprenticeship positions this September, especially in the catering, motor vehicle, engineering and hair industry areas.

The Government's apprenticeship programme gives people the opportunity to experience practical on-the-job training whilst simultaneously studying for a nationally recognised qualification. Apprenticeships were designed to help bridge the skills gap in certain industry areas such as catering, hospitality, engineering and construction.

After a UK-wide marketing campaign to promote the take up of apprenticeships, the number of people starting apprenticeships in 2014/2015 rose to 499,900 (up 14% on the previous year). Despite this increase, the College is still concerned that not enough school leavers are considering apprenticeships as a route to a career.  

We have a wide range of local employers waiting to offer candidates fantastic opportunities to earn a salary and gain industry-specific training at the same time, explains Anne Murdoch, Principal and Chief Executive, at Newbury College. When school leavers come to us they often haven't even considered apprenticeships as an option. What they don't realise is that many apprenticeships offer training up to Level 5 and above, which is the equivalent to a degree.

Whilst it is often possible to start an apprenticeship at any time of the year, a few of the opportunities we have available at the College will come to an end this month due to the requirement to attend a day release programme, continues Murdoch. So we urge potential candidates who haven't yet decided whether to stay in education or enter the workplace, to consider apprenticeships as an option.

Newbury College is offering candidates the chance to find out more about the benefits of apprenticeships and obtain help with applying for one of 22 current vacancies, by attending an Apprenticeship Information Session on Wednesday 21 September between 16:30-17:30pm. Click here to register for the event.

For an informal discussion, contact the College's Advice, Information and Guidance or Apprenticeship team on 01635 845000.

31 August 2016

Consumer group Which? has published survey results which suggest that further guidance is needed for students when deciding on what subjects to study after GCSEs.

The poll of 1,020 UK teenagers revealed that 30% felt inadequately informed about how their subject options would affect their university and degree courses, with 29% agreeing they would have appreciated more advice.

The survey also revealed that over half of the students polled picked their sixth form or college subjects without considering their future prospects.

This, coupled with the news reported recently by The Guardian that one in four UK graduates remain low earners ten years after leaving university, makes it even more important for young people to consider what they want to do in the future and seek advice from a range of different sources prior to choosing what subjects to study after GCSEs, commented Dr Anne Murdoch, Principal at Newbury College.

Which? also advises students to consider vocational qualifications as a route to university.

The traditional route to university isn't one-size-fits all', continued Murdoch. BTEC diplomas (HNCs and HNDs) and apprenticeships offer an alternative to higher education, and include practical experience relevant to the subject choice.

Newbury College student, Bryony Petersen, recently completed BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Uniformed Public Services, and has a place at University of Northampton to study paramedic science in September. The BTEC course taught me the self-discipline to develop leadership and teamwork skills, expedition training, command, control and much more. My results have earnt me a place at university in a subject that will ultimately lead to me to my dream career as a paramedic, said Bryony.

Newbury College is holding an open enrolment event on Saturday 3 September between 10am to 1pm. Curriculum subject leaders will be on hand to discuss the various options available to students, who can also seek advice from members of the College's Information, Advice and Guidance team.