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WELCOME
Thanks so much for taking the time to find out a bit more about the fantastic opportunities we have here at Stockton Riverside College Group. With campuses including Stockton Riverside College, NETA Training, Bede Sixth Form and The Skills Academy, we are sure to have the right choice for you. And did you know Redcar & Cleveland College is also now part of our College Group? We hope you will take a moment to read about some of our latest news and events. We love sharing our students’ success and who knows, you could be next! Don’t forget, you can keep up to date with all of our latest news and events at: www.stockton.ac.uk/news
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STOCKTON RIVERSIDE COLLEGE
THE VOICE SCOUTS FOR TEESSIDE TALENT This was a fantastic opportunity and it could be life-changing for somebody. Above: Musical Theatre student Harry Below: Musical Theatre instructor Sara Durkin
Stockton Riverside College was host to TV talent scouts from The Voice this spring. The team are looking for performers to face those infamous red chairs on next year’s show. Musical Theatre instructor Sara Durkin said: “This was a fantastic opportunity and it could be lifechanging for somebody.” Among those to step forward for the auditions was Musical Theatre student Harry, 18. He said: “I saw the auditions were coming to Stockton Riverside College and thought it was a great chance to give it a go. “I auditioned for the show last year and got through the first few rounds so I am hoping to go even further this time. To get through to The Voice you have to show you have talent to even get through to the red chairs, so each round you get through is an achievement and gives you confidence.” Teesside and the College have already proven themselves hotbeds for up and coming talent. The last time The Voice visited the College for auditions in 2017 they discovered then higher education performing arts student Carter. The rock singer from Billingham went on to make it all the way through to live shows with celebrity mentor Gavin Rossdale. The same year musical theatre students Grace and Ali danced their way into the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent.
NEWS SHOUT
Summer 2019
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Lessons in deaf awareness are proving an eye opener for Health and Social Care students at Stockton Riverside College. The team of young learners are getting to grips with the best way to communicate with those with any form of hearing loss. Sharing top tips along with the very basics of sign language, the College’s Lead Communication Support Worker, Gillian McGee said: “Having just a grasp of a few words can make all the difference.” And, she said, learn the alphabet and it opens a whole world of communication. For the students, the short sessions are offering a way to help better understand how to work and study alongside someone who is deaf. Health and Social Care student Alexandra, 19, said: “It is helpful to be aware of other people’s needs.” Having carried out work experience in a hospital environment, she knows how important communication is, particularly in an emergency setting. Plus, she said: “Knowing more than one language or knowing how to sign basic greetings makes you more aware of the people surrounding you and it makes you a better person.” The sessions are part of an awareness initiative across the College, introducing the basics of sign language to students and staff but also focusing on understanding the day-today issues encountered by those with hearing loss. David Gardner, the College’s Programme Area Leader for
Health and Social Care, said: “This is a great opportunity for our second year students to not only develop new skills but to also improve their communication skills. As our students want a career in care this provides the students with additional skills which may set them apart from the rest when moving on to higher education and employment.” To find out more about the Health and Social Care courses at Stockton Riverside College visit: www.stockton.ac.uk/courses/health-social-care/
It was celebrations all round in our Games Design department where all 15 students from our Level 3 Games Design course have been accepted to study at Teesside University in September. Students have accepted places for degree programmes including Games Art, Games Design, Animation, Games Programming and Music Technology. Looking forward to her new adventure, Chloe said: “I’ve wanted to be a creative director of gaming since Year 6 so it feels really good to get into uni.” Throughout their two year course, students have learned how to create and develop games, 3D images and virtual realities using industry-standard equipment such as 3ds max and UnrealEngine 4 to create their work.
“Some of the things we will learn on the first year of the course I already know because we use the same equipment here at Stockton Riverside College because Paul teaches us at a university level,” said Chloe. When asked about how he feels having all 15 students progress to university, Games Design teacher Paul Abley said: “I’m extremely proud of them all but I can’t take the credit, they’ve all worked so hard in class and outside of the classroom. It just goes to show that when you’ve got a passion for something and you’re willing to work hard, you’ll get there.” Take a look at our Games Design courses at: www.stockton.ac.uk/games-development/
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BEDE SIXTH FORM
For any budding young footballer there must be no greater feeling than being called up to play for your country. That is the reality for Billingham teenager Eleanor. After years of impressing on the playing fields of Teesside, the 17-year-old was called up to make her England Women’s Under-17 debut in January this year. Called back to training camp in London, playing the USA and going on to compete in Hungary, it looks like there is plenty more to come. “It is an amazing feeling,” said Eleanor who has been honing her skills on the football pitch for as long as she can remember. Clearly destined for great things, she has worked her way from Billingham Town to Boro Rangers, the Teesside Centre of Excellence and her current team is Middlesbrough Women’s first team. Even with all those years of practice, she describes playing for England as one of the most nerve wracking things she has ever done. But it is also a dream come true. “I have never been so scared for anything,” she said, looking back on her debut against France, closely followed by a Germany match.
But she said: “It is hard to explain, they give us these England team jackets and when you put them on, there are no words to describe it.” Hoping to eventually go on to play for the England women’s first team, training and playing takes time and dedication but she still manages to study A level Law, Psychology and Sport at Bede in Billingham and has a part-time job as well. Eleanor said: “It has been really hard and it is full on, I don’t get a lot of free time, but it is worth it.”
A dual career accredited college by the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS), Bede is well positioned to support Eleanor as she pursues her sporting ambition. The College has also formed a partnership with Durham Women FC to enable up and coming young players the chance to shine. Eleanor said: “There aren’t that many opportunities in this area for women’s football so it is fantastic that these options are available for up and coming young players.”
NETA TRAINING GROUP
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Engineering apprentices got the chance to take a break from the workshop as part of a unique event to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week. A team from NETA headed over to Redcar & Cleveland Leisure and Community Heart where they met apprentices from Redcar & Cleveland College, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council and Beyond Housing, to go head-tohead in a day of sports and games. Taking part in fivea-side, dodgeball and archery challenges, the idea was to build their communication, teamwork and networking skills. NETA Training’s mechanical engineering apprentice David, 17, said, when it comes to finding work: “You definitely need social skills because you are never going to get anywhere if you can’t speak to people. There is a lot of that in today’s event, as well as teambuilding and working in a group.” Choosing to look for an apprenticeship because he felt ready to start work, David signed up to a full-time engineering course at NETA and was quickly snapped up by PD Ports. He said: “I wasn’t expecting to get an apprenticeship so soon, so I was buzzing when I found out I had got the job.” To find out more about courses and apprenticeship training at NETA visit: www.neta.co.uk Opposite: NETA Apprentice David Below: Michael at PD Ports
We’re delighted to welcome Michael to the company permanently Another NETA engineering student celebrating job success is Michael. He has been given a permanent job at PD Ports after completing his Warehouse Operative apprenticeship with distinction. The former NETA student first impressed bosses at PD Ports during an internship set up as part of the Career Ready Logistics Academy programme – an enrichment scheme offering young people the chance to learn more about careers in logistics. Chris Leonard, Contracts Manager at PD Ports said: “I was impressed with Michael’s enthusiasm and conscientiousness during his internship, so much so, the company offered him an apprenticeship.” Frans Calje, CEO at PD Ports said: “We’re delighted to welcome Michael to the company permanently. “Michael is one of many apprentices that have joined us on a full-time basis and we look forward to seeing him progress.”
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THE SKILLS ACADEMY There is nothing like a spot of pampering to brighten up your day. That is exactly what residents at Hadrian Park Care Home got when they welcomed hair and beauty students from The Skills Academy. The learners were there to deliver nail treatments, hone newfound skills and practise some customer care. Lecturer Sarah Little said: “This was a great opportunity for the students to get realistic work experience, while also getting out into the community.” Taking the students out of their comfort zone, she added: “It also offers the students the chance to interact with a different generation with one of the residents they have been working with today being 101.” The Billingham-based care home offers residential, dementia and respite care for older people. Lifestyle co-ordinator Laura Griffiths said: “The residents love it when the students come in. It is a nice pamper treatment for them and they get to talk to someone new. It is really good for them.” Skills student Poppy, 15, said: “It is really good practice for us. The residents have visited The Skills Academy, so we have had the chance to meet them before.” Savanna, 16, added: “I have learnt a lot from visiting the care home. You learn that it isn’t only young people who like to get their nails done. “It is good for us to work with different clients and nice to have conversations with them.” The Skills Academy offers an alternate education option for those aged 14 to 18. Introductory courses include construction, hair and beauty, art, IT and employability. To find out more about the opportunities available visit www.stockton.ac.uk/courses/the-skills-academy/ or call 01642 607464.
Students get realistic work experience, while also getting out into the community
REDCAR & CLEVELAND COLLEGE
When it comes to working life on a building site there’s nothing quite like seeing a project through to completion. From looking at the plans on paper to standing beside a job well done – that’s got to feel good, right? Well that’s the reality of working life for former Redcar & Cleveland College bricklaying apprentices Brandon and Jordan. And now, after securing full-time contracts, they are working on their biggest project to date. Appointed site supervisors, they are helping oversee the transformation of one of Redcar’s former favourite nightclubs. After years standing empty and derelict, the former Manhattan’s and Reds bar, also known as The Coatham, is being brought back to life with a major overhaul. Brandon and Jordan can be found in the thick of it, sleeves rolled up and putting
plans into action for the development of luxury flats, a café, shops, conference facilities and a gym. “To see something change from being really run down to something that looks really good, gives you a great sense of pride,” said Brandon, 19. Both taken on as apprentices with SG Property Renovations, the lads built up the skills to be able to do just that. Jordan, 22, of Redcar, said: “I have learnt far more than I thought.” Along with the brickwork, his skills include joinery, plaster boarding and plastering. He is also now a fully qualified fibre glass roofer. Visit www.cleveland.ac.uk to find out more about apprenticeship and full-time course opportunities at Redcar & Cleveland College.
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STOCKTON RIVERSIDE COLLEGE GROUP
It isn’t that long since Stockton teenager Toni had never heard of logistics. For her it was an industry she took for granted and didn’t realise it was happening all around her. But all that was set to change after the Stockton Riverside College Business student signed up to take part in the Career Ready Logistics Academy, a drive to help raise awareness of career opportunities in the logistics industry. And this spring she was named runner up for the national Logistics Student of the Year at the Career Ready 2019 Awards in London. The Career Ready programme at Stockton Riverside College Group gives participating students the chance to take part in masterclasses, site visits, work with a mentor and carry out a work placement. Toni admitted that putting herself forward to take part in the scheme was outside of her comfort zone, but she said: “It has really helped me. I am more confident and I have a much better idea of the business choices out there.” Stunned to be nominated and then shortlisted for the national title, she said: “I felt a bit numb when I first found out, then I felt excited and nervous.” Hoping to go on to a future career in logistics, Toni said working with a mentor gave her a boost. She said: “Now I know that I would like to work in the sector. And, having worked with a mentor I would like to be able to do the same for someone else one day.”
It’s given me motivation to get up on a morning. Our Prince’s Trust Darlington Team has been hard at work at Darlington Cricket Club. The young people dedicated their time to help transform a space for families, as part of their community project. Turning their hand to a spot of gardening and painting, one team member Josh, who also carried out a work placement at the cricket club, summed it up by saying: “It’s been tiring but a great experience. It’s
really good to get a bit of fresh air. It’s given me motivation to get up on a morning.” The Prince’s Trust Team programme is a free 12-week selfdevelopment course that offers young unemployed people, aged 16 to 25, the chance to brush up on skills while having some fun along the way. Taking part in a variety of activities and tasks, the community project is a key element of the programme, offering students the chance to give something back to their local community. Opening the brand new picnic area, Chairman of Darlington Cricket Club, Gloria Howells, praised the work of students. She said: “The area has been made into a picnic area to encourage families and children to come along and watch the cricket. They have done a great job at making it a family friendly area.” Visit www.stockton.ac.uk/princes-trust/ to find out how you can get involved in our Prince’s Trust courses.
NEWS SHOUT
Summer 2019
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Okay... we understand you may not be a fan of maths and English. But we really want to help you achieve in these core subjects. If you are aged 16 to 18 and have missed out on a grade 4 or above at GCSE, you will continue to work towards these qualifications alongside your college course or apprenticeship. Need some inspiration? Here’s why maths and English really do matter: • Get a step ahead when it comes to finding work. English and maths are always at the top of an employers’ checklist. • Splitting the bill with friends is no sweat when you have the skills that count. • A good grasp of English means you can check the fine print, so avoid nasty surprises on your mobile phone contract. • And steer clear of those embarrassing spelling and grammatical errors on your social media and blog posts. • Take advantage of the sales in your favourite shops! Not sure how much 20% off is? An understanding of percentages will help you to manage your money.
Here at Stockton Riverside College Group we are celebrating Ofsted success following our first inspection since merger. In a glowing report the College Group has been praised for the positive impact it is having on students and surrounding residents, raising aspirations and delivering the skills needed to achieve their ambitions and help them find work.
During a monitoring visit of the newly merged college inspectors found staff are, “passionately committed to ensuring all learners receive the best possible teaching”. They also recognised the close partnership work between the College Group, local authorities and employers. Highlighting the rapid progress of the merger, Ofsted inspectors said that, “the positive impact on learners and apprentices is clear”.
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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Watch out on our website and social media feeds for our upcoming open events at Stockton Riverside College, Bede Sixth Form, NETA Training and Redcar & Cleveland College. Dates coming soon!
This summer come along to our fun and interactive welcome sessions where you can meet your tutors and fellow students, have a go at your course and see what college life is really like. Preview Day – Bede Sixth Form Thursday 4th – Friday 5th July, 2019 Welcome Day – Stockton Riverside College Monday 15th July, 2019 Summer Sizzler - NETA Training Group Saturday 20th July, 2019 Welcome Day – Redcar & Cleveland College Friday 28th June, 2019 Why not beat the queues and come along to one of our BKSB drop-in assessment sessions? This is a computer-based assessment of your maths and English skills. July 15th-19th July 29th-31st August 1st-2nd August 12th-16th Anytime between 9am-3pm at Stockton Riverside College.
News Shout is printed on recycled paper and covered with a recyclable poly wrap! Recycle your copy or pass on to family and friends. Bede Sixth Form College Marsh House Avenue, Billingham, TS23 3HB Tel: 01642 373250 Email: bede.enquiries@stockton.ac.uk www.bede.ac.uk Stockton Riverside College Harvard Avenue, Stockton-On-Tees, TS17 6FB Tel: 01642 865566 Email: info@stockton.ac.uk www.stockton.ac.uk
NETA Training Group Pennine Avenue, Portrack Lane, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 2RJ Tel: 01642 616936 Email: info@neta.co.uk www.neta.co.uk
Redcar & Cleveland College Corporation Road, Redcar, TS10 1EZ Tel: 01642 473132 Email: info@cleveland.ac.uk www.cleveland.ac.uk
The Skills Academy Marsh House Ave, Stockton-on-Tees, Billingham, TS23 3ET Tel: 01642 607464 Email: info@stockton.ac.uk www.stockton.ac.uk/skillsacademy/