OCR Bursary

ocr bursary Brilliant bursary for Cambridge studies

An A Level student who attended Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group is among a dozen nationwide winners of this year’s OCR bursary, a pot of money reserved for students going to the University of Cambridge. 18 year old Jack Heath, from Stoke-onTrent, attended Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group for his A-Levels. He has now started his English studies this year at Churchill College, University of Cambridge and will receive a bursary of £3,000 from OCR for each year of his undergraduate course.

The bursaries help students to make the most of their time at university, and reduce worry about money. They can use the money towards living costs, tuition fees or a combination of both. Ever since 2004, OCR –which is part of Cambridge University – has supported students from the West Midlands going to Cambridge University due to historical links to the West Midlands Examinations Board.

Commenting on Jack Heath, Richard Simpson, Honours Programme Leader at Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group, said: “Jack was an exceptional student throughout his time with us. He has made an outstanding contribution to the college’s academic community, both as a role model in his classes and in his enthusiasm for a wide range of initiatives outside the classroom. We are immensely proud of Jack’s achievement and feel certain that he will be a great success in undergraduate study and will contribute much to university life.”

Jill Duffy, OCR’s Chief Executive commented: “This year has been tougher than most for young people, and it makes their achievements even greater. As well as clearly being academic high achievers, many have supported other students in their schools and carried out voluntary work in their local communities.“

Connecting Staffordshire’s business elite

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is looking to launch a new peer network programme to connect top business leaders from the county.

The network will address issues such as the current business challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, Brexit, environmental legislation, as well as ongoing issues ranging from growth strategies, HR, change management, innovation, succession and planning, with the aim of improving the region’s business landscape and driving economic prosperity.

Everyone completing the programme will be invited to an exclusive talk on ‘Teamship’ from England’s Rugby World Cup winning coach, Sir Clive Woodward (pictured) in March 2021.

Matt Hustwit from Staffordshire Chambers said: “Participants will be grouped into peer networks based on sector, area of expertise and businesses challenges faced within their respective business. The networks will meet to discuss strategic and operational challenges and work together to find practical solutions. The programme is fully funded with a minimum commitment of 21.5 hours.”

Participants will sign up to a series of five network meetings, each lasting three hours, which will take place every fortnight from early November and will be facilitated by an experienced business consultant.

Anyone interested in joining the scheme can register at: www.staffordhirechambers.co. uk/peer-network or for more information call Matt Hustwit on 01782 202222