The Rocket May 2015
Coalville Campus Thornborough Road Coalville Leicestershire LE67 3TN Tel: 01530 836136
Nottingham Campus Oak House 8 Easter Park Lenton Lane, Notts Tel: 0115 955 7670
Lee Stafford Academy 16-18 Maid Marian Way Nottingham NG1 6HS Tel: 0115 955 7673
An ‘Ofsted’ Graded Good College “All staff support learners well and they provide an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere. Learners enjoy their time in college.” Ofsted 2013
Principal’s update I would like to begin this update by reminding everyone of the three requests I made in my last update. These requests were firstly; to ensure that you are aware of arrangements for the English GCSE examination and I would like to thank everyone for the efforts made to attend this examination and for the work undertaken to prepare for this event on the 5th May. My second request was to ask that vocational courses were completed during the week commencing 15th June and we have a particular focus on ensuring that our Level 3 16-18 year old students complete their courses. Finally, that all “passports to progression” were completed during this week. I reminded everyone of the need to comply with these requests during my presentation at our training day on 1st May and a copy of which can be found here Principal's Presentation 1st May 2015 and I am pleased to say how students and staff across our college have embraced these requests. Now we have to move on to our arrangements for the GCSE Maths examinations on 4th, 8th and 11th June. All parents have received a letter containing: · Exam dates (click for information) · A mandatory revision schedule (click for information) · Student predicted grades The revision schedule ensures all students have specific
detailed revision carefully timed to prepare for each unit exam; this means students will be released from their vocational programme at nominated times during the weeks commencing 1st June 2015 and 8th June 2015. Should any students, parents or college staff have any concerns or queries regarding preparation for the maths examinations please contact the maths team on 01530 836136 extension 150. Together we are determined to make this year a huge success. During recent weeks our plans for next year have progressed and we have appointed two colleagues to assist us. Catherine Duro will join our Senior Management Team and act as Clerk to the Corporation. Many of you will know Catherine and I would like to welcome her back to our college. One of Catherine’s line management responsibilities will be that of Marketing and we have appointed Helen Keast to the Role of Marketing and Communications Manager. I would like to wish them both every success in their new roles.
held within our college and will consider how their value may be recognised. Further information regarding the work of this group will be provided in future updates. As many of you are aware our 14-16 year old provision experienced a monitoring visit from Ofsted on 12th May and I am pleased to inform everyone that this visit was very encouraging. The Inspectors commented on the positive experience of the young people attending this provision at our college and I would like to thank everyone for supporting our students and those staff directly involved in this visit from Ofsted.
Finally, I would like to offer our best wishes to Stephenson College students who will compete in the Footsteps to the Future Skills Competitions on 21st May. These competitions are an excellent way for our students to demonstrate their skills and I am sure that Charlieanne Walker, Keeley Thornley (Hairdressing), James Smith, Brandon King, Elliott King (Carousel Group), Kenneth Riley, Reece Pym, James Greenwood (Motor Vehicle), Elle Toon, Jack Veasey, Chloe Humphries We have recently established (Health & Social Care) and an Employee Engagement Group, comprising of staff from their tutors will enjoy a positive Marketing, Estates, IT, Quality, experience. Good luck to everyone involved! CIS Student Support, Kind regards Personnel, Engineering, Construction, who are joined in Nigel Leigh the group by our Chair of Principal/Chief Executive Governors. This group will consider how we engage our employees in ways that reflect the esteem in which they are
Stephenson College welcomed Rt. Hon. David Blunkett to Coalville campus…
…alongside North West Leicestershire Labour Candidate Jamie McMahon as the pair prepared for the 2015 general election. They visited the College in order to highlight the importance of young people engaging in politics and to show them that their vote really did matter in the run up to what was initially expected to be one of the tightest elections for a generation. Students from courses across the college grilled the former Home Secretary and McMahon with questions on apprenticeships, the national minimum wage, first-time home buyers and university tuition fees, leading to hot debate amongst the crowd and the politicians. Mr Blunkett commented during the session that Stephenson College’s students were asking what he considered to be some of the sharpest set of questions he had ever received in the run up to a general election, Jamie McMahon added that despite the challenging nature of the questions posed he was delighted to see so many students passionately getting their thoughts and opinions across in what was shaping out to be a fantastic debate.
Stephenson Studio School student Georgia White, who had been shadowing Labour candidate Jamie McMahon on the election campaign throughout April spoke of how the Studio School and her recent experience with the general election have inspired her to pursue politics in the future. She said: “Before I came to Stephenson Studio School I wouldn’t have even given Politics a second thought but since we started learning about it I’ve taken a real interest. “Thanks to the Studio School helping give me the opportunity to work alongside Jamie I’ve found that I have an ambition to work in politics upon the completion of my education.” Nigel Leigh, Principal and Chief Executive Officer of Stephenson College said following the visit: “At Stephenson College we encourage our students to take an interest in our political processes and where they are able, to vote in General Elections. “Mr Blunkett’s visit provided an excellent opportunity for students to pose their questions to an experienced politician and they enjoyed an engaging debate.”
Students at Coalville Fire Station
Students at HMP Dovegate
Uniformed Services students get first-hand experience
Stephenson College’s second year Uniformed Public Services students have been out and about over the last few months getting a feel for what could very well be their future careers. The students first trip, organised by Uniformed Service tutor Claire Lowe saw them visit HMP Dovegate, a category B male prison which houses male offenders serving sentences of four years to life behind bars. During their visit students were given a tour of the prison facility where they were able to see first-hand the different job roles that are available to them within the criminal justice system. Stephenson College students also visited Coalville Fire Station as part of their major incident unit where they were put to the test with a high-pressure tasks and team building activities around the fire station. One activity saw the group take charge of a tactical exercise which simulated a house fire in a block of flats. The students made high pressure decisions to bring the incident to a safe conclusion.
Later on in the day they were tasked with carrying out a search and rescue mission in a smoke filled training house at the rear of the fire station. Uniformed Public Services Tutor Claire Lowe said: “Both trips were extremely beneficial to the students and as a result of the visit to the prison several learners have expressed a desire to consider careers as prison officers or working within forensic psychology. “This visit to the fire station was all about the students gaining first-hand experience on dealing with major incidents. The students thoroughly enjoyed the visit and we would like to thank Coalville Fire Station in facilitating it for us.”
Stephenson College welcomes new staff Christine Coyle Lecturer Distance Learning Started 7th April 2015
Robert Forster Lecturer Motor Vehicle Started 20th April 2015
Thomas Hodgkinson Lecturer Building Services Started 13th April 2015
Sharon Hall Kitchen Assistant Started 20th April 2015
Job Momoh Lecturer Construction Started 13th April 2015
John Kirkland Workshop Supervisor Started 21st April 2015
Callum Coleman at Ibstock Coop
Tyler Bailey B & M Coalville
Daniel Bailey North West Leicestershire District Council
Scott Smalley at Hermitage FM
Student Interns on extended work experience
Once again our fantastic team of Student Interns have been out on an extended period of work experience in a variety of companies around Coalville. We have had 12 students this year who have all shone in their individual placements. The students all underwent a period of preparation in college, which included helping them with interview skills, constructing a CV and learning how to deal with issues that they may face in the workplace. They went on industrial visits and to Job Fairs. After an interview for their placement with the prospective employer they then went out to work with the support of a dedicated Job Coach, coming back to college every Wednesday to continue their studies. We have been supported by a lot of local companies both large and small including, Poundland, B and M retail, Tesco Stores, The Hermitage Park Hotel, Superdrug, UK Surplus Supplies, Co-op Ibstock, Asda Stores, Dunelm, The Hermitage Café and North West Leicestershire District Council and the students have worked in various capacities within them. We would like to thank these companies for their continuing support of the students.
In the final stages of the programme the students are offered a Job Club each week and have had visiting speakers from, The Princes Trust, Get Set Project, Traineeships, Apprenticeships, NCS, Worth it Programme, Voluntary Action, Employment Disability Service and the Job Centre and Job Club Coalville so that they get a clear view of the opportunities that exist. We have received testimonials from employers stating such things as the student has’ become a valued member of the team’ and’ blossomed into a reliable helpful and confident young lady’. All our Interns have been excellent representatives of Stephenson College and deserve every success in the future.
From Left - Kylan Land, Liam Taylor, Cat Spence and tutor Rob Brandrick
Stephenson students refurbishment work scores highly with village cricket club Newtown Linford Cricket Club now has the facilities it will need if it is to play in the Premier League, thanks to the skills and hard work of Stephenson College students. The Division One club is competing for a place in Leicestershire & Rutland Cricket League’s top flight, but league rules state that Premier League clubs must have a changing room for umpires which is a minimum of 3sqm with access to private washing. To satisfy this requirement Stephenson College fielded teams of full-time carpentry and multi-trade construction students to work on site at the picturesque Main Street ground.
And fellow student Cat Spence, who is 34 and also from Coalville, agrees that this work experience will look good on her CV. She added: “It’s been great learning on the job on site. This is real work which will be seen and admired by people who come to the club. Whenever I drive past the cricket ground I will think ‘that’s my window’.” Robert Brandrick, carpentry and joinery lecturer said the college was keen to continue its relationship with the local cricket league.
He added: “We have found it very rewarding. It’s an initiative which carpentry, multi-trades construction and painting and decorating are all pleased to They built the changing room almost from be involved in. As well as providing scratch in a project which included making valuable work experience for our students it allows Stephenson College to make a doors and window frames and fitting a useful contribution to the wider pre-fabricated roof. Before Stephenson community.” College got involved, the changing area was little more than a modified garden Newtown Linford Cricket Club chairman shed and did not meet the league’s Class Jon Dale said the club was grateful to the A criteria. students and their tutors for all their hard The college’s involvement came about through an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) initiative which brings together education and grass roots cricket to benefit local communities. Participating clubs are also able to keep materials costs down thanks to support from the NatWest and national builders’ merchant Jewson.
work.
He said: “They’ve made an excellent job of the new changing facility. We’ve gone from having what was little more than a modified shed with no electricity or running water to facilities which have been finished to an exceptionally high spec. We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from umpires this season already. Students from several courses, including “What we need next is a separate scorers’ painting and decorating, have also helped area with one more sight screen so I’m refurbish Narborough and Hinckley cricket hoping that the college might be able help us out with that too.” pavilions. Liam Taylor who is 18 and from Coalville said: “I helped construct the main window. It was a challenge but through doing it I’ve discovered I’ve got a gift for planing. “I’m in my second year now and would love to get a joinery apprenticeship. Completing a project like this is bound to improve my chances.”
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