www.darlington.ac.uk
Darlington College Newsletter An introduction to the college for parents and guardians
It’s official we are ‘outstanding’ In our recent Ofsted inspection in May 2009, the college was awarded „outstanding‟ (grade 1) status in all areas. This means the college is one of the top performing further education colleges in the country.
Holiday dates for 2009/10 26 Oct 09 - 1 week 21 Dec 09 - 1 week 28 Dec 09 - 1 week 15 Feb 10 - 1 week 2 Apr 10 - 1 day 5 Apr 10 - 1 week 12 Apr 10 - 1 week 3 May 10 - 1 day 31 May 10 - 1 week
We are delighted to offer you an outstanding college on your doorstep. You will find teaching and learning outstanding and success rates are proven to be high… helping students achieve „outstanding success‟.
Enrolment event hailed a success HUNDREDS of students have put their first foot on the further education ladder after enrolling at Darlington College considered one of the best in the country. People arrived at the college in their droves at the College Starts Here event on 27 and 28 August 2009, many clutching GCSE results in their hands aiming to continue their full time learning.
Open Events If you have children in Year 11 who are leaving school in 2010 and want to know more about our full time courses and apprenticeships, come along to one of our open events. You and your child can speak to students and tutors and receive an insight into student life.
Thursday 26 November 2009 5.30pm – 7.30pm Saturday 23 January 2010 10am – 12pm Tuesday 16 March 2010 5.30pm – 7pm www.darlington.ac.uk
Beat the Bodg Galaxy Radio presenter DJ Bodg laid down the gauntlet to winners of the station‟s „Beat the Bodg‟ competition in a series of skills challenges laid on by the college as part of the enrolment marketing campaign. The college wanted to promote the wide range of courses that are on offer. Bodg took part in bricklaying, hairdressing, beauty therapy and catering challenges. The challenge was later played out on Galaxy Radio.
HIP! Apprentice Plumber of the Year 2009 PLUMBING apprentice Adam Bainbridge has a promising career in the pipeline after being named the country‟s best young apprentice in his chosen trade. Adam beat off fierce competition to secure the coveted title of HIP! Apprentice Plumber of the Year 2009.
College encourages alternative travel Students are being encouraged to get on their bikes in greater numbers after college and council bosses unveiled a new cycle-friendly investment. The college has been equipped with 30 cycle bins, allowing learners to store their bikes safely at the Haughton Road campus. The college already had cycle hoops for students wanting to lock their bikes up outside the building, near the car park which is patrolled by security staff. And the latest development, completed with the aid of a grant from Darlington Borough Council, means more students can now choose the healthy option of cycling to and from college. New CCTV security cameras have also been installed to monitor the entire cycle parking area – giving students peace of mind as they go into lessons.
Sporting opportunities Here at the college we have a comprehensive sport and enrichment timetable that caters for every student. Traditional sports such as football, rugby, basketball and netball run alongside various exercise sessions that include; boxercise, pilates, swimming and fitness training. We also offer more adventurous activities which include; snowboarding, skiing, archery, gorge walking and kayaking.
15% discount on bike security for students at Brian and Sons Locksmiths Thanks to a great deal with a local locksmiths Brian and Sons in Bondgate, Darlington, all students can receive up to 15% discount on all bike security items, such as locks and chains. To receive the 15% discount students must produce a current student ID Card.
Regional finals for Beauty Therapy student
Best of Darlington
Art and Design student Heather Smales‟ (left) Best of Darlington poster was chosen by new Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr Jim Ruck and his wife Margaret, to publicise the annual Mayor‟s Ball one of the highlights in the town‟s social calendar.
Beauty Therapy student Louise Foley competed against students from across the country to take second place in the nail art category, at the Beauty and Holistic WorldSkills UK regional finals, using twin sister Leah as a model. Congratulations to Louise on a fantastic achievement.
Darlington College Newsletter
Out of Africa A CARING student who plans to work with children in an African Orphanage has received a cash boost. Stacey Most, 18, of Newton Aycliffe, who will be helping to care for babies and children in an orphanage in Ghana for three months, has raised more than £2,000 for her trip by taking part in a number of sponsored events.
All work and no play
Current developments
Six graduates from Darlington College have become among the first in the country to be presented with a CACHE Level 2 certificate in playwork after completing a seven day intensive childcare course.
Opening in Autumn 2009 is the new student “chill out” area, which will encompass a range of social seating and a formal seating area for all students to use. There will be workstations available for students to use their laptops, with the extra benefit of using the wireless college network connection. There will be a flat screen TV which will give information to students and a vending area which will provide snacks and drinks.
The qualification, delivered in partnership with Darlington College and Darlington Borough Council, provides extra skills to meet Government directives on supervised out-of-school childcare.
There is access to an external seating area and a covered walk way to blocks A and D.
Tailored training for businesses Here at the college we have a specialist department who can advise on training, qualifications and funding for businesses who want to maximise their competitive advantage by making lifelong investments in the workplace. To find out more on tailored training for businesses
An artist impression of the new block A and D.
Want to know more?
Call: 01325 503282
For course and general information about the college.
Visit: www.dcbusinessfirst.co.uk
Call: 01325 503030 Visit: www.darlington.ac.uk Email: enquire@darlington.ac.uk
www.darlington.ac.uk
New for 2009 Some of the training kitchens at Darlington College have recently undergone an extensive refurbishment and redesign during the summer break thanks to funding from One North East. The kitchens will provide a first class training facility for the Further and Higher Education learners. To celebrate this, a series of demonstrations, expert and master classes have been planned to take place in the kitchens over the coming year. The new kitchen equipment includes; Bespoke 900 series Chavet cooking suite Bespoke granite top presentation Podium Combi steamer Induction wok Pasta cooker Rise and fall grill Network monitors Cooktek Incogneeto buffet system Bespoke L shaped wall bench Bespoke service chamber Heat lamps If you would like to view the new facilities please contact Lisa Voss on 01325 503134.
Let us know If your son/daughter is absent from college, then you must report it before their class is due to start. There are three ways of letting us know: Call: 01325 503050 Email: absence@darlington.ac.uk
We can offer FREE short training courses in a number of vocational areas for those in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance or who have recently been made redundant.
Text*: 88020 and start the text with the word „absenceâ€&#x; - followed by name of the student, student number or date of birth, tutor name and the reason for absence.
This scheme has been developed with a view to help people retrain, equipping them with the skills needed to re-enter the workplace. We offer training in many areas. To find out if you qualify for free* training call our Business First Team on 01325 503282 or visit www.darlington.ac.uk *other eligibility criteria may apply
*standard text rate applies
For more information on full time, part time and higher education courses and general course information, please call: 01325 503030 or visit: www.darlington.ac.uk Any information can be produced in other formats on request. Please contact the Marketing Department on: 01325 503046. This newsletter was produced by the Marketing Team at Darlington College.