Staffordshire Partnership Activ8 Project

Pupils from seven local High Schools enjoyed a visit to Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) to sample College life.

On Tuesday 28 February, 38 pupils participated in three exciting taster sessions in Engineering, Public Services and Ceramics at NULC.  Pupils came from schools including:

• Ormiston Horizon Academy
• Newcastle Community Science College
• Sandon Business & Enterprise College
• Clough Hall Technology School
• Thistley Hough Media & Visual Arts College
• Middlehurst Special School

The students got the opportunity to spend an hour in each area before having a guided tour of the colleges £60 million campus and its state-of-the-art facilities.

The sessions included building a colossal structure out of paper, constructing a vehicle capable of transporting a water carrier and designing their own ceramic artwork.

For many this was the first time the students had done anything like this and they were thrilled to have the opportunity.

Emily Rorbach is in Year 11 and from the Ormiston Horizon Academy, she was asked what did you enjoy about the day?

“All of it, it was really fun to do different stuff than what we would of done at school”

Josh Coulson, Year 11 Thistley Hough Media & Visual Arts College said: “I enjoyed Public Services because it was a hard challenge and I enjoyed it.”

If you’re still at school and would like to find out more about studying at NULC contact Gareth and Lucy in School Liaison on 01782 254347 or schools@nulc.ac.uk.

Trentham High School treated to NULC's version of Alice in Wonderland

On Monday 12 March a group of Year 9 and Year 10 potential stars of the stage from Trentham High School took part in a Performing Arts taster session at Newcastle-under-Lyme College.

33 students participated in the workshop with a brave few asked to perform a scene from Lewis Carols timeless classic Alice in Wonderland to NULC A Level Media Studies lecturer Natalie Weatherer and current A Level Theatre Studies students.

As part of the workshop Trentham High School pupils were able to work alongside the college students and ask questions about their course before having a guided tour of the college.

The aim of the visit was to give the pupils the opportunity to work with the current college students as they prepare for their own college production of Alice in Wonderland.

The visit was a great success with an encore request for the college students to visit the school and run more workshops!

Mrs Watkins, Drama Teacher at Trentham High School said: “The visit allowed the students to work alongside the college students and seeing them perform.”

Jude Martin, Year 10 student from Trentham High School said: “I enjoyed watching the performance about Alice in Wonderland and then getting the opportunity to perform it ourselves.”

To find out more about studying A Levels in Dance and Media Studies at NULC click here or contact Gareth and Lucy in School Liaison on 01782 254347 or schools@nulc.ac.uk.

Wolstanton pupils get a taste of sporting life at NULC

Pupils from Wolstanton High School were invited to take part in a Sport Taster Session at NULC.

On Friday 20 January 2012 a group of Year 10 and Year 11 aspiring sports students  participated in a Boxing style taster at the College’s Gordon Banks Sports Centre.

Former NULC student and professional featherweight boxer Nathan Russo hosted the session, where students took part in a range of exercises designed to get them boxing fit.

As part of the action packed day, students also enjoyed Sport Psychology lecture from Academy of Sport Manager Trevor Humphreys and had the opportunity to speak to current NULC Academy of Sport students.

The aim of the visit was to give the prospective students a practical taster of what it is like to study sport at NULC and be part of the award winning Academy of Sport.

Tom Timmis from Wolstanton High School said: “I enjoyed the fitness session because it gave me an idea of what I can expect at college.”

Chloe from Wolstanton High School said: “I enjoyed listening to the students talk about what their course was like and learning about sport psychology.”

If you’re currently at school and would like to find out more about studying Sport at NULC click here or contact Lucy and Gareth in the School Liaison Team on schools@nulc.ac.uk or 01782 25437.