25 young people from schools in West Berkshire are improving their "work ready" skills through an innovative series of activities at Newbury College.
The "School Activity Programme" brought together local schools, West Berkshire Training Consortium, West Berks Education Business Partnership, the Raising Participation Partnership, Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership and Newbury College to create a summer activity programme to support school students in Year 10 and Year 11.
The programme gives school students the opportunity to take part in a one week or three week programme to increase their knowledge of business and improve their self management, team working, problem solving, communication and IT skills.
Principal Dr Anne Murdoch OBE, said, "We are delighted to have been able to run these courses for years 10 and 11 pupils from local Schools to help them remain motivated to stay in education and training. All the pupils worked really hard to achieve their certificates and we are all very proud of them."
The programme was run in response to a need to help the pupils gain employability skills, and this was an opportunity for the college to give students a taste of what it has to offer. Current students of the college were able to lend their experience and help the pupils,
who said, "We found it very beneficial, it's been a great experience. It was fun and interesting, and showed us that there are many career options in addition to staying at school."
When they return to School, pupils will be able to demonstrate how they have gained from learning a range of practical skills for work or pleasure including plumbing and brickwork to hairdressing and media production.
Hilary Omissi OBE, Director or the Raising Participation Partnership said: "This programme is directly related to helping young people develop the skills that employers are looking for. It's exciting to see the work the students have done with support from Newbury College and partners"
Mrs Omissi also comments, "Everyone knows how competitive the jobs market is and this programme works with schools and young people to provide the skills that will employers want and young people need in whatever career they pursue. It's a really great example of a partnership between schools, college, training providers and employers to help today's young people."
Newbury College was treated to an impressive show last week from its Connect 4 Learners. The Foundation Learning department put on its own version of popular TV show, The X Factor, which gained a large audience of staff, students, family and friends. All Connect 4 learners were involved in the show, either by performing and singing or with the set up and organisation of the event and their staff...the 'celebrity judges!'
The event acknowledged the singing and performing skills and talents of all learners in Connect 4, some of whom had never performed in front of a large audience before. Lecturer, Cheryl Rumbold, who was the lead staff member in organising the event, was very keen to point out to everyone watching how much effort and progress the learners had put into their performances and how far they have progressed.
Curriculum Manger, Alan Cracknell said 'It was a great afternoon, bigger and better than last year. It was lovely to see them supporting one another, and the whole Connect 4 staff team getting together for the final song, Mamma Mia!'
Although all acts were outstanding, there always has to be a winner, and in this case there were three. Staff members from all departments attended and thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and after its success Foundation Factor looks like it'll be an annual event at the College.
Learners in Health and Social Care were awarded certificates for their hard work at this year's Celebration of Achievement earlier this month. The presentation was opened by Curriculum Manager, Alan Cracknell and certificates awarded by Deputy Principal, Fadia Clarke.
At the event, which took place on 6 July 2012, students received certificates for completing their courses which included awards for work experience and special awards for hard work and accomplishments.
Mr Cracknell was keen to congratulate students and staff. He said "The students have made good progress this year, improving their attitudes and attendance. This is no doubt down to the efforts of the staff that have worked equally hard this year and are a very good and talented team."
The celebrations were a great success and an opportunity for all learners to congratulate one another on their achievements. For some this marks the end of their time at the College, whereas others will be back to gain higher qualifications in Health and Social Care this September. Health and Social Care is an important area of study with numerous opportunities in the field and Fadia Clarke highlighted the wide prospects that lay ahead of the learners.
During the spring and summer term the English for Non Native Learners at Newbury College took part in a reading challenge, which aims to encourage reading books in English amongst learners for whom English is a second language.
Delivered by Newbury College Learning Recourses Centre and the English for Non Native Learners tutors, the reading challenge required participants to read six books, at an appropriate level for their English reading skills. They then completed a journal to describe the reading material and what they had gained from the experience.
A celebration event was attended by all the learners who took part in the challenge and certificates and prizes were presented by Dr Anne Murdoch OBE, Principal of Newbury College and Fiona Lees, LRC Manager for Newbury College.
Fiona Lees, Newbury College LRC Manager organised the event with her team and said, 'The award ceremony was an opportunity to celebrate the success of the learners who took part in the reading challenge. It was wonderful to read all of the learners' dairies and see how the reading had helped to improve their reading and writing in English'.
The reading challenge was a huge success amongst the learners and staff and provided real benefits to the learners.