COLLEGE CONNECT SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE’S FUTURE SUCCESS
College Connect Issue 3
Bolton College - Part of the University of Bolton Group
Back Together! With the easing of lockdown, face-to-face learning has resumed at Bolton College. Our learners have reunited with their friends, teachers and classmates and the sound of students going about daily life has reverberated throughout College. Whilst some measures remain in place, such as mask wearing and of course social distancing, it’s been wonderful to return to some semblance of normality. After all, our students are what makes Bolton College great, and we’re continuing to work tremendously hard to ensure that they achieve their ambitions.
Issue #3
Part of the University of Bolton Group
CONTENTS 3...5 Young People’s Virtual Open Event
Over 40 videos give a taste of college life.
4...5. Our Support to achieve support helps learners fulfil their potential.
5... 6... 7...
Public Services Life outside the classroom. SkillBuild 2021 Plastering students prepare for the largest multi-trade competition in the UK.
College roofing apprentices inspire the next generation From apprentice to mentor.
8... TWe’re Levels Tea Party! preparing for the
College Connect Issue 3 June 2021
10... Adult Apprenticeships Why you’re never too old for a change of career!
11... Apprentices step up Praise for our apprentices over lockdown.
12... Hairdressing apprentice stands out from the competition
17... Mental Health Awareness Week 2021
How we marked this important week.
18... Contact details Ensure they’re up to date!
Apprentice reaches finals of Concept Hair Awards.
13... Transition from school to College Subject-specific bridging resources to help prepare for college.
14... Enrichment How enrichment activities help
learners take it to the next level.
16... Lucky students swap slates for sun cream
Roofing department secures amazing sponsorship with CUPA PIZARRAS.
launch of a new Gold-Standard qualification: T Levels!
Welcome from the Principal So your son or daughter is about to take that next important step, progressing from school to college. Next, College, and we’d love to welcome your young person in the autumn, where we’ll help and support them to excel as they work towards the next stage in their life – employment or university. In this issue, you’ll find a link to our bridging resources, which contain materials and activities to help prepare your son or daughter for college life. These are subject specific and highly recommended. We’re very proud of our students and their successes, so you’ll also find pages dedicated to recent achievements, whether that’s a hairdressing apprentice making the finals of a prestigious competition, or engineering students achieving triple Distinctions. T Levels launch in September, so there’s also a feature on this new Gold Standard qualification, which is the equivalent of three A Levels. What’s more, we’ll be adding additional T Levels to the curriculum from 2022! As always please ensure we have yours, and your son or daughter’s, up-to-date contact details; we use these to send important information and instructions about enrolment in August – please email admissions@boltoncc.ac.uk if you’d like to update these. In the meantime, enjoy the summer! Bill Webster Principal of Bolton College
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Watch and share Bolton College’s Young People’s Virtual Open Event!
16,000 visitors to date!
There are plenty of reasons why your son or daughter will benefit from checking out our Young People’s Virtual Open Event. Because the event is online, they can sit back, relax, and discover even more reasons to join us in September. We also recommend that parents/carers watch it too – it will give you a real feel for the College. The event contains over 40 videos, including a Whistle Stop Campus Tour; exciting careers and their earning potential; an in-depth look at all of our curriculum areas; information on our amazing enrichment programme, which enhances life outside the classroom; plus so much more!
To experience the event, simply visit:
www.boltoncollege.ac.uk/virtual-open College Connect page 3
Every student who joins us in September will benefit from a support network in College to help them achieve their ambitions, whatever they may be. Teachers, Careers Coaches and their very own designated Learning Development Mentor (LDM) will support them throughout their time here, ensuring they fulfil their potential. Our Engineering students are a prime example of how the right support in College helps our young people to get ahead; Kade, Lewis, James and Simbarashe (pictured left to right with their teacher Gibson, far left) all achieved triple Distinctions, thanks to sustained encouragement and solid work ethics. Each could have progressed to a university of their choice but instead, they decided to stay on and complete their Higher Education qualification with us, benefiting from the many advantages being part of the University of Bolton Group brings. If your son or daughter joins us in September, they’ll benefit from the same support too!
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s e c i v r e S c i l b u P Life outside the classroom Seeing the curriculum in action really brings learning to life, just ask our Public Services students. They enjoyed a visit to Bolton Central Fire Station, where they tested their fitness with a bleep test; rolled and unrolled a fire hose, which is a lot trickier than it seems; and saw Fire Fighters in action as they went to work on a car, using the jaws of life.
Exactly what it takes – first-hand experience on the job, learning from industry professionals!
Public Services students tend to stay with us for the long haul, with opportunities starting at Level 1, going all the way up to Higher Education! Before they left for pastures new – be that university or a role in the Police, Army, Fire Service or more – Public Services HND students delivered presentations on hard-hitting themes to experts from the University of Bolton Group, providing invaluable experience for when they face an interview panel for university or employment. College Connect page 5
SkillBuild 2021 SkillBuild is the largest multi-trade competition in the UK, bringing together construction trainees and apprentices from across the country to compete for a chance to make it to WorldSkills. We have a long history of success in the competition, with Bolton College even hosting the North West regional heats back in 2019. This year, the qualifiers are online and Level 1 Plastering students Bailey Hadfield and Josh Lowe will be competing in the heats. The nature of the competition reflects the real world, where working in pressurised situations to deadlines is part of the job, so Bailey and Josh be able to put their plastering skills to the test. They’ll also be able to add the competition to their CV, impressing future employers.
Josh Lowe
Bailey Hadfield College Connect page 6
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After acing their roofing Apprenticeships, two newly-qualified roofers are helping the next generation make their mark. Former Bolton College apprentices Brad Heffron and Liam Dooley have clearly made a big impression on their bosses; after earning the confidence of their employer with their work ethic, they’ve been chosen to mentor first-year roofing apprentices, passing on their skills to young roofing apprentices. Both young men have already shown their commitment to the trade – Brad was named Roofing Apprentice of the Year in a prestigious competition whilst both were chosen to compete in SkillBuild, the largest multi-trade competition in the UK for construction trainees and apprentices.
‘To be able to support these apprentices as they learn the trade is a real privilege; they’re already displaying a lot of talent.’ Brad Heffron
‘Roofing’s in my blood - as a third generation roofer in my family, I am honoured to be sharing my skills with our new apprentices.’ Liam Dooley
College Connect page 7
:TEA PARTY! T Levels launch this September and we couldn’t be more excited! Equivalent to THREE A Levels, these gold-standard technical qualifications have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses, ensuring that the content meets the needs of industry and prepares our young people for work. An Industry Placement is at the heart of a T Level and we want to provide meaningful placements for our students, so last month we invited key employers in Bolton to a virtual T Level Tea Party to discuss how we’ll work together to achieve this. We personally delivered a tea party box, prepared by our catering students, to employers; they enjoyed the treats whilst discussing how Industry Placements will be delivered to benefit both our learners and their businesses. Previously, work placements have led to full-time employment for our students, and we aim for this trend to continue.
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T Levels starting September 2021: • Construction Design, Surveying & Planning • Digital Production, Design & Development • Education & Childcare • Healthcare • Healthcare Science Learn more: www.boltoncollege.ac.uk/t-levels
It just keeps on getting better! From 2022 we’ll also be delivering even more T Level programmes. Read on to learn more…
Business & Administration Management & Administration T Level Choose from two specialisms: Business Improvement or Team Leadership/Management Following further study, your young person could become a Business Manager; a Performance Analyst; a Business Development Executive and more.
Engineering & Manufacturing Design & Development for Engineering & Manufacturing T Level Choose from two specialisms: Design & Development (Mechanical Engineering) or Design & Development (Electrical & Electronic Engineering). Following further study, your young person could become a Manufacturing Engineer; an Automation & Innovation Engineer; an Electrical & Electronic Engineer and more.
Maintenance, Installation & Repair for Engineering & Manufacturing T Level One specialism: Maintenance, Installation & Repair: Vehicles Following further study, your young person could become an Automotive Vehicle Technician; an Automotive Engineer and more. College Connect page 9
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The apprentices recently spent several weeks onsite, working on a vacant property producing UCAN Centre outstanding work that was a culmination of all the skills, techniques and Breightmet knowledge they’ve picked up. Call us on 01204 329541 or follow usso @Breightmet Chris Calderley said, ‘I wanted a change of career, a new trade and a new challenge the andWithinsUCANCentres Apprenticeship was just what I was looking for. I’m being paid to learn new skills – it’s been absolutely life changing.’ New Bury UCAN Centre You’re never too old for a change of career – learn more about being anonapprentice Call us 01204 329786 or by contacting our Apprenticeships Team on 01204 482 036 or emailing follow us @NewBury UCANCentre apprenticeships@boltoncc.ac.uk
College Connect page 10
s e c i t n e r App p u p e st Employers from the North West have praised Bolton College’s apprentices for their response to the coronavirus pandemic. The College’s Business Development Team, which delivers 40 Apprenticeship programmes across 12 industry areas, has received a deluge of positive feedback concerning its apprentices’ approach to the challenges of the past 15 months. Here are just a few: ‘Alex is very reliable, hardworking and always willing to turn his hand to any task that we set him; he is a great asset to the company.’
Vicky Regan, RRG Accident Repair Centre Bolton
‘Caitlin kept motivated and didn’t lose any enthusiasm or dedication to the College or the salon and it was the same when we returned to the salon and faced a much bigger workload.’
Abby Chapman, Mirror & Mane
‘I’ve been amazed and humbled by how determined our apprentices have been; they have coped and gone above and beyond in supporting our vulnerable young people in school. To start an Apprenticeship and be met with lockdown, yet to still rise to the challenge of supporting in school just shows the capability, resilience and value of our young people in the workforce.’
Rachel Hawkrigg, St Joseph’s RC High School College Connect page 11
Hairdressing apprentice stands out from the competition Bolton College hairdressing apprentice Ella Harper was shortlisted as a finalist in the Concept Hair Awards, run by Concept Hair Magazine. Ella wowed judges with a festival look, and from 1,000 entrants she was chosen to move on to the final, where she created a red carpet look on model Millie Lomax. The competition then narrowed down to 20, with talented Ella’s look getting her through to the final six – well done Ella! If your son or daughter joins us, there’ll be plenty of vocational competitions for them to enter too!
Red Carpet Look
Festival Look
College Connect page 12
Transition from school to College We’re very excited about working with your son or daughter to help them achieve their future ambitions. To support their progression from secondary to further education, we’ve created a selection of subject-specific bridging resources to help prepare them for September. These not only contain some of our recommended materials and activities, they’ll also give your son or daughter a taste of college life, with links to our amazing enrichment programme and so much more. Please encourage your son or daughter to visit these resources or check them out for yourself. Simply click here then find the relevant curriculum area: www.boltoncollege.ac.uk/bridging-resources
Bolton College - helping your son or daughter take that next important step. College Connect page 13
Our enrichment programme will give your son or daughter the edge! Applying for university; writing a personal statement; sitting a job interview - all of our enrichment activities can be included when your son or daughter applies for university or a job, giving them something exciting to talk about and helping them to stand out from the crowd. Here are just five things your son or daughter should look out for in College:
1.
3.
Quizzes, online or in College.
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Meeting other students for Colour & Chill sessions – colouring or drawing to relax and ease stress.
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Fitness sessions, football, dance and more.
2.
Volunteering and fundraising opportunities.
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Online First Aid; tasters for French, German, Italian, Spanish and Sign Language; and UK Parliament workshops.
We’ve recently rebranded our enrichment offer, so if your son or daughter joins us, tell them to keep an eye out for enrichment opportunities in College, on our website, and across our social media platforms.
College Connect page 15
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The College’s roofing department has secured a one-year sponsorship with CUPA PIZARRAS, a world leader in natural slate! www.cupapizarras.com
The company gave each of our first-year roofing apprentices (70 in total!) an amazing gift bag containing trade essentials, whilst the roofing department received two pallets of free slates, ensuring our apprentices learn using the best materials out there. In College, the apprentices will also benefit from an in-house professional development programme, whilst the best/most improved roofer will receive a personalised slate trophy, donated by the company. However, the jewel in the crown of the sponsorship is the chance for four apprentices and their tutor to fly out to Spain, all-expenses paid, where they’ll visit the company’s processing plant and witness the latest technology working hand in hand with traditional craftsmanship. College Connect page 16
Luke O’Gorman, roofing lecturer, said:
‘This sponsorship means a great deal to the College, improving the standard of training we can offer to our apprentices. We’re so grateful to CUPA PIZARRAS for their generosity.’
Mental Health Awareness Week 2021
For Mental Health Awareness Week, the College’s Learning & Development Mentors coordinated the creation of a display to raise awareness of mental health. Students and staff drew a green heart – the symbol for mental health awareness - to show that they care about their own, and others, mental health. We also had a photography competition on the theme of nature and our learners didn’t disappoint - we had some amazing entries, with prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place. The health and wellbeing of our students and staff is however incredibly important all year round; we actively encourage our students to seek out help or support when they need it. Our Learner Support staff can help with any issues students may have whilst our College Counsellor can help with personal issues or worries about studies – they will listen without making judgements.
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Are your contact details correct? Now, more than ever, it’s essential that your contact details are up to date. Important information regarding your son or daughter’s course and start date is communicated via email, post, and in some instances, by phone. If your details aren’t correct, then we have no way of reaching you, which means missing out on essential information regarding their College course and joining us in September. If your contact details, or your son or daughter’s, have changed since they applied, it’s really easy to let us know. Simply email: admissions@boltoncc.ac.uk
