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www.blc.ac.uk
Your FREE newspaper from Buxton & Leek College
Issue 5 MAY 2015
THE BLC
INSIDE
Messenger
this issue
CAMPUS
RE-DEVELOPMENT
UPDATE
Read the latest
Page 2
LATEST APPRENTICESHIP
VACANCIES
Apply today!
Page 5
I LOVE BLC
Find out what
our students love
about Buxton &
Leek College
NEW
COURSES
Page 6
ENRICHMENT
all about
@ BLC It’sthenot
course!
Page 14
Young learners about to leave school after their GCSEs, people looking to re-train
or start a new career, or employers looking to up-skill their staff can all benefit
from the new courses on offer at Buxton & Leek College from September 2015.
Programmes include a suite of hands-on and practical
Level 1 subjects at our specialist training centre in
Harpur Hill, aimed at school leavers looking to learn
trade skills. Courses include Plumbing Studies,
Carpentry & Joinery and Welding. Additionally
the College is now able to offer Apprenticeships in
Painting & Decorating and Logistics, Warehousing
& Storage for learners age 16 and above.
Extending our offer in Motor Vehicle Studies, the
College is now running a Level 2 in Motorsport
Vehicle Maintenance & Repair which has been
designed for learners looking for a future
in Motorsport.
In the next few months the College will see the
completion of an £8.5million campus development
in Leek. Facilities include brand new Engineering
workshops equipped with the latest Computer
Numerically Controlled (CNC) equipment,
machine tools and scientific testing
equipment. Subsequently the College will be
increasing its portfolio by offering the Level
2 and 3 Apprenticeships in Engineering
where students will learn in employment for
four days and attend College for one day a
week. These Apprenticeships are designed for
learners aged 16-19.
2015
NEWS
FROM AROUND
THE COLLEGE
A round up of what’s been
happening on Campus.
ON COU
RSE
GUIDE
See our
pull out
section
starting
on page
9
Continued on page 2
For more information call 0800 074 0099 or visit www.blc.ac.uk
Page 18
2
THE BLC MESSENGER
ck
ot che
Why n e new
out th Blog at
ipal’s
Princ .blc.ac.uk
www
Message from the Principal
Welcome to our latest edition
of the BLC Messenger.
Our £8.5m construction project in Leek is now nearing
completion and we expect to move into our new
buildings over the coming weeks. Our current students,
who have had to endure almost a year of study next
to a building site, will get to experience the benefits of
the new facilities for at least a short period before they
complete their qualifications. Of course, those students
who are progressing onto the next year or level of their
chosen learning pathway will, after the summer, see the
benefit of the fully completed Campus development.
Watch out for information on our ‘grand opening’,
which is being planned for the autumn term.
Some of our readers may be aware of the issues
highlighted in the press and on the radio recently about
the cuts in government funding for fee subsidies for
adults. Cuts in public spending have hit many services
over the last five years but when funding for schools
and universities has been protected, it is Colleges
like ours that have had to carry the full weight of the
funding reductions. We will be working hard over
the summer to ensure that the impact of this latest
cut is minimised and adults in our local communities
are still able to access a full range of education and
training of the highest quality. On a more positive note,
opportunities for students to undertake advanced or
higher skills programmes have improved significantly.
If you are aged 24 and over, you can apply for financial
support from the government, which means that you
may not have to pay up-front for your course tuition
fees. When your course is complete and your annual
earnings exceed £21,000, you will then pay the funding
back gradually through a change to your tax code.
A simple online application is all that is required and
we have staff on hand to help you with this.
If you are an employer yourself and are considering the
possibility of taking on a higher level Apprentice, I have
some great news for you too. We are currently able to
offer a 50% discount on the teaching and assessment
fees. Higher Apprenticeships typically have a HND or a
Foundation Degree included as the day-release study
option and are a fantastic alternative to a full or part
time university programme.
Continued from page 1
New Courses
For school leavers we’re also pleased to be able to offer the new
Level 1 Diploma in an Introduction to Health & Social Care
& Children’s & Young People’s Settings where learners will
develop knowledge and awareness of the types of provision in
these sectors and the roles played by these workers.
If you’re already in employment the College is offering two
new courses to aid professional development and enhance
work place skills. Our part time Food Allergen Awareness
course is designed for food handlers in catering and food retail
to provide the latest knowledge of food allergies and provide
reliable information to customers and colleagues. Following
legislation that was introduced in December 2014, this is
now a required qualification for many working in the food
and catering industries.
For those who currently work in the childcare industry and are
looking to progress their career, the College is now offering a
part time Level 3 Award, Certificate or Diploma in Playwork
– ideal for those wanting to develop their skills and knowledge,
at varying levels in play work through work place assessments.
And for learners looking for affordable full time university
level courses, delivered close to home, we’re now offering a
Foundation Degree in Computing at our Buxton Campus
and a part time course in Children’s & Young People’s
Services for Health & Social Care Practitioners at both
our Buxton & Leek Campuses.
Learners who would like more information on any of these
new courses are invited to attend one of our next Advice Days
on Wednesday 3 June at the Leek Campus or Thursday
4 June at our Buxton Campus. Both events run from 5pm8pm. Book online at www.blc.ac.uk or call 0800 074 0099.
We are continuing
to accept applications
throughout the summer
and into September for
the next academic year. If you are taking
your GCSEs this year, look out for our specialist advice
and guidance events on and around GCSE results day.
If you think you might like to further your education
or skills development with us, please come along to
one of our advice evenings where you will be able to
experience our facilities and try your hand at a one of
our ‘have a go’ activities. All of this advice is completely
free and there is no obligation to apply or enrol.
If you happen to be in Leek during one of the Totally
Locally Sunday Supplement markets, come along to
talk to us on our stall. Thank you for taking the
time to read our newspaper and
I look forward to welcoming
you in person.
Len Tildsley
Principal Buxton
& Leek College
CAMPUS RE-DEVELOPMENT
Despite the unfavourable
weather in January, activity
on site is now intense
with the focus to complete
during the beginning of the
Summer Term. Progress on the
external public realm areas
to the Sugden Building, the
new School of Art and the
Engineering extension to the
Pinnacle Building is going well.
The first phase of the external areas was
opened to the College in January allowing
students and staff access through from the
Tovell Building where the main reception is
located and The Sugden Building. The reclaimed stone arch from the now demolished
Carr Gymnasium has been erected and when
complete will be a feature of a student seating
area. The completion of the arch included
the re-housing of the time capsule which
was discovered during the demolition
of the Carr Gymnasium.
School of Art and the start of the installation of
the glazed curtain walling which will be such
a prominent feature of this building. The zinc
roof with its clerestory windows is also nearing
completion making the building watertight
allowing the programme of internal fit-out to
begin. February saw the building ‘go-live’ and
with the assistance of Severn Trent, Transco,
Western Power and EON, the mains water, gas
and electric supplies were connected.
Building works to the extension of the
Pinnacle Building, which will be home to our
Engineering workshops, is the most progressed
with the external envelope watertight and
internal fit-out progressing which was
completed at the end of March.
Keep a look out on our College website and
social media for photos showing the building
work progressing. As the completion edges
nearer, we are excited for our students to
experience the industry standard facilities that
will be available to them to help learn their
trades and industry skills!
The planting of shrubs and trees is also complete
in this area and when the remainder of these
external areas are complete, will progress down
to the new School Of Art which is situated
behind where the former Carr Gymnasium
stood. The end of January saw the
external brickwork completed on the
GETTING HERE
LEEK CAMPUS
Stockwell Street, Leek,
Staffordshire. ST13 6DP
BUXTON CAMPUS
1 Devonshire Road, Buxton,
Derbyshire. SK17 6RY
DERBY CAMPUS
Kedleston Road,
Derby, DE22 1GB
For more information about getting to our Campuses by bus, train or
car email transport@blc.ac.uk or visit www.blc.ac.uk/transport.
For more information call 0800 074 0099 or visit www.blc.ac.uk
THE BLC MESSENGER
Apply
now for a
Sept 2015
start!
Learners and employers
alike attended an event held
by Buxton & Leek College
in March as part of National
Apprenticeship Week.
At an Advice Day you can come onto Campus and discover why our College
could be right for you. You’ll be able to meet our friendly tutors to discuss
your options and hear from current students about College life and how they
plan to succeed at College.
We have over 220 courses to choose from so you can find out which
one will be right for you. There will also be the chance to view our
outstanding industry standard facilities to see the real
world learning environments you will learn in.
Learners of all ages spoke to staff and students about the benefits of
Apprenticeships, found out how they can earn a wage whilst learning and had the
chance to speak to businesses that recruit Apprentices. Subject specific workshops
in Engineering and Hair & Beauty in the College’s industry standard facilities also
gave learners a taste of what to expect from an Apprenticeship.
Employers were given the chance to promote
their business to prospective Apprentices at a
marketplace style event and the Skillsbase team
were also on hand to discuss the benefits an
Apprentice can bring to their business and
how the College can fully support employers
through an Apprenticeship programme.
If you’re a learner or
an employer and you’d
like more information
on the Apprenticeship
opportunities available at
Buxton & Leek College
please call 0800 074 0099
or visit www.blc.ac.uk/
apprenticeships
WIN A BUXTON &
LEEK COLLEGE MUG!
Simply answer the following questions – the answers
are in this newspaper somewhere! The first letter of
each of the answers will make a word. When you have
the word email it to marketing@blc.ac.uk along with
your name and contact telephone number.
2. Find the missing word - Buxton
& Leek College can offer you
affordable and convenient
___________level courses on
your doorstep
3. What course proved to be the
‘icing on the cake’ for learner
Sam Lindop?
4. W
hat type of club are learners at
Buxton & Leek College running
to help fight loneliness among
elderly residents of Buxton?
5. What word did College Tutor Allan
Shaw use to describe Outdoor
Sport student Hannah Matchett?
6. What type of taster day are we
holding in June specifically for
Year 10 and 11 girls?
7. What type of medical condition
made student Abigail Rolfe realise
her ambition to become
a nurse?
Good luck!
What’s new at Buxton & Leek College?
WIN an iPad! Register for and attend
an Advice Day and you’ll be entered into
a free prize draw to win an iPad.
0U3N
J
Wed 3 June
Leek Campus,
5pm-8pm
04
JUN
Thu 4 June
Buxton Campus,
5pm-8pm
Find out about our further education
courses for school leavers and university
level courses for learners aged 18+.
TASTER &
EXPERIENCE DAYS
Experience Day
for Applicants
06
JULY
If you’ve already applied and been
offered a place at Buxton & Leek
College, look out for your invite in
the post! All applicants are invited
to this event where you’ll get to
meet other new students, take part
in a taster session and ask any last
minute questions.
The closing date is Friday 31 July. All correct answers
will be entered into a draw to win a mug. We’ll
contact the winner by email by Friday 7 August.
1. What is the employment and
training division of Buxton &
Leek College called?
It’s not too late to...
Buxton & Leek College
at an Advice Day
11 students from Biddulph High School
alongside employers AM Bromley, an IT
firm and EM Engineering who specialise in
heating and water hygiene joined staff and
students from the College and Skillsbase,
the employment training division of the
College, for lunch and a chance to find out
information about Apprenticeships.
A student from Biddulph High School
said: “I have learned a lot about
Apprenticeships and enjoyed looking
at the Engineering equipment.”
3
Like us
Girls into Engineering
Taster Day
Leek Campus
TUESDAY J 23
UNE
Get excited and be inspired by
the world of engineering and the
careers it can lead to at this interactive taster event
exclusively for girls in Year 10 and 11 at school.
If you’re a teacher, you can book a group of students onto this
event or individuals in Year 10 or 11 can also book a place. Call Louise
Fletcher on 01298 330 548 or email l.fletcher@derby.ac.uk.
Follow us
Connect with us
Capture us
4
THE BLC MESSENGER TRAINEESHIPS & APPRENTICESHIPS
– THE FACTS
For Learners
12+
Choose
from over 12
different subject areas
You can start an
Apprenticeship at
any time throughout
the year!
1.5 million
people
started an
Apprenticeship
since 2010
In employment?
Up-skill in your
At any one time
current role
there are 15,000
and move up
jobs available for
the career
Apprentices
ladder
+
Apprenticeships
are suitable for
anyone over the age of 16
with the right qualifications
Training is paid for by
the Government and
employers
89% of employers
said they would do
an Apprenticeship
On average
Apprentices will earn
£100,000 more throughout
their lifetime than other employees
if they were starting
their careers now
3 out of 10
senior management positions
are filled by former Apprentices
For Employers
Apprentices can keep your business
up-to-date with the latest
techniques and technology,
increasing your future
productivity
of
80% nies
pa
com of fer s
who ticeship se
ren
r ea
A p p a n in c e e
oy
or t
rep empl n
in
n t io
r ete
77% believe
employing Apprentices
makes them more competitive
As an employer
you’ll be fully
supported
by the College
“Apprentices are
crucial to the survival
of the nation’s SMEs”
YouGov poll 2014
because of the new ideas Apprentices bring to their business
– THE FACTS
Traineeships are suitable for
young people aged from
16 to 24 years old
Valuable work
placement
6 weeks - 6 months
Funded by the
Government
English
and Maths
support
Gain skills with
a real employer
Prepares you for an Apprenticeship or a job
We offer
Traineeships
and Apprenticeships in:
• Accounting
• Business Administration
• Business Skills
• Beauty Therapy & Spa
• Carpentry & Joinery
• Childcare & Education
• Computing & ICT
• Customer Services
• Engineering
• Hairdressing & Barbering
• Health & Social Care
• Hospitality & Catering
• Logistics, Warehousing & Storage
• Management
• Medical Administration
• Motor Vehicle
• Painting & Decorating
• Sport
• Social Media for Business
• Team Leading
• Welding.
Apprentice
Andrew
chose the
kitchen over
a classroom
As a GCSE student, Andrew Lynam took
leave from high school, one day a week to
study catering at Buxton & Leek College. Now
aged 17, Andrew is in the job of his dreams
– working full time in the kitchen of an awardwinning country inn and continues to study his
Apprenticeship at College one day a week.
His Apprenticeship led him to ‘a hidden gem in the middle of
nowhere’ after boss, chef James Duckett at the Samuel Fox Inn at
Bradwell, Hope Valley, contacted the College offering a placement
for an Apprentice.
Andrew said: “I’d never heard of Bradwell and would never have
found this job without the help of the College. It’s a really great
place to work and was recently named newcomer of the year in
the Derbyshire Food and Drink Awards. I left school to do a Level 1
Professional Catering course at Buxton & Leek College because after
some research I found that the College was one of the best in the
country to study catering.
“I’m now doing my Level 2 course and getting paid to learn. I like
the hands-on style of learning and live in on the job with a room
over the inn. I couldn’t have found a better place to learn because
James, the head chef, has worked with top chefs like Gordon
Ramsay and has experience in France, Holland and Australia.
“Everything we serve at the Samuel Fox, right down to the bread, is
made from scratch so I’m getting some great experience – as well
as a share of the tips from diners! I hope to eventually specialise
in pastry as I enjoy working on the desserts. Then one day, I might
even own my own patisserie.”
Employer James Duckett said: “I think Apprenticeships are a
great idea as, when students are studying in College, there
can be a reality gap between the College environment and
what actually happens in a working kitchen.”
For more information call 0800 074 0099 or visit www.blc.ac.uk
TRAINEESHIPS & APPRENTICESHIPS THE BLC MESSENGER
Apprenticeship Vacancy Board
• Apprentice Chef at Alton Bridge
We work with over 400
• Apprentice Chef at Harewood
employers around Staffordshire
Park Rehabilitation Unit
and Derbyshire and regularly advertise
• Childcare Apprentice at
new vacancies on our website.
Zipadee Day Nursery
Here are the latest listed here...
• Customer Service Apprentice
at APEX Travel
For more information and to apply
call us on 0800 074 0099 or visit
• Hairdressing Apprentice at
www.blc.ac.uk/apprenticeships
The Werrington Salon
• Apprentice Supervisor at Hanson UK
• Apprentice Chef at The Boat Inn
• Hairdressing Apprentice at Salon One
• Trainee Commis Chef at The Royal Oak
• IT and Technical Support Apprentice
at Churnet View Middle School
5
If you’re a learner
or an employer and you’d
like more information on the
Apprenticeship opportunities
available at Buxton & Leek
College please call
0800 074 0099 or visit
www.blc.ac.uk/
apprenticeships
• Apprentice Baker at Bloomers
of Bakewell
• Web and Social Media
Apprentice at Steel4U
FREE training puts
unemployed back
in the driving seat
Skillsbase is the employment
and training division of Buxton
& Leek College and we have
worked with employers to shape the facilities and
training programmes to provide the right training to
meet not just local but national demand.
Our dedicated Skillsbase Assessors work with employers to provide high quality
training for learners including Apprenticeships, Traineeships, NVQs and work
related training. Our specialist training centre in Harpur Hill in Buxton is home to
a mixture of learners from 16 year old school leavers to adult Apprentices and
learners wanting to develop themselves professionally with a work based course.
Work related
training for business
We offer courses to help you up-skill in your current
work role and keep up-to-date with industry
standards, keeping you safe and effective and your
business compliant. Courses include:
• First Aid at Work
Ar
emplo e you an
• Level 2 Food Safety
train yer looking
• First Aid Refresher
to
We’ve your work
f
• Level 3 Food Safety
o
p
r
r
o
c
e?
vided
trainin
wor
g
• Emergency First Aid
Centr for JCB, La k based
eP
nd Ro
• Paediatric First Aid
ver,
Mark arks, Ford
o
,
vit
NH
• Driver CPC Training
today z Builders. S and
ab
En
• Initial JAUPT Driver Training
workf out training quire
orce w
• RTITB Fork Lift Truck Training
your
it
Leek C h Buxton &
(various levels)
ollege
.
• Healthier Foods and Special Diets
• IOSH Working Safety
• IOSH Managing Safety
• Asbestos Awareness
• Asbestos Duty to Manage
• Asbestos Non-License
• CCNSG Safety Passport
Some of these
• Manual Handling Awareness
courses can even be
• NEBOSH National General Certificate
delivered at your place
• NEBOSH National Certificate in Construction
of work. Call us now for
• Site Safety Plus: Health and Safety Awareness
more information on
• Site Management Safety Training Scheme
0800 074 0099.
• Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme.
Find our more about
Successful learners were celebrating more
than just their certificates when they
attended a presentation night at Buxton &
Leek College’s Harpur Hill training centre –
some were also celebrating new jobs.
Courses in Forklift Truck Driving,
Warehousing and Storage and
Construction Industry Health and
Safety have helped dozens of unemployed
people get back into work. Not only has
the training cost them nothing as most are
signposted to the training base by local job
centres but, thanks to good links with local
employment agencies, they are leaving with
new jobs as well as qualifications.
Among the awards presented were forklift
truck licences for those who completed
the Road Transport Industry Training
Board (RTITB) course and green cards
for those who have completed the
Construction Skills Certification
Scheme (CSCS).
Steve Goodwin, aged 53, from
Hayfield, was among those picking
up qualifications. Steve is now
employed as a forklift driver at Buxton
Water after his first ever period of
unemployment last December. He said:
“I have worked all my life as a drystone
waller but I was forced to sign on for
unemployment benefit due to a shortage
of work. I became depressed so I asked
the job centre if I could do any training
to find a fresh job. I was sent here and,
after completing the training, found work
straight away.”
Star student Gary Lewis, 34, from Buxton
was presented with a voucher,
donated by the footwear store
Brantano, to enable him to
purchase a pair of work
boots after scoring
We’re
100% in his CSCS
an official
test and Health
RITIB Partn
er
& Safety Award.
Up-skilling your workforce
is a key to success
Care home Rocklee, based in Stafford
offers a personal care approach to many
specialist conditions related to mental health
and Manager Jacqui Martin believes that
training and development is the key to the
success of her business.
When Buxton & Leek College approached
Jacqui with training opportunities focusing
on catering, Jacqui seized this opportunity
as a chance to enrich her team’s existing
knowledge and skills.
After receiving advice from our experienced
Assessors, Jacqui took the decision to
enroll five members of staff on to a Level
2 Diploma in Professional Cookery.
Throughout the process staff were
required to demonstrate their competency
in meeting required standards and were
able to work through the course without
having to attend College, which provided
the flexibility they needed.
Jacqui commented: “The course has
supported the team to regain basic skills
and build on new skills, which has provided
us with evidence to comply and practice to
essential standards. The two Assessors who
supported the learners encouraged and
supported them to exceed their goals.”
To date, three staff members have already
completed the qualification and Jacqui is
already planning to build on what has been
achieved by attending a one day course on
Healthier Foods and Special Diets.
and our courses by visiting www.blc.ac.uk or call 0800 074 0099
What’s new at Buxton & Leek College?
Like us
Follow us
Connect with us
Capture us
6
THE BLC MESSENGER
Like us
Follow us
Connect with us
Capture us
APPRENTICES MAKE
GREAT BUSINESSES
We have Apprentices waiting for employers like you!
Find out how hiring an Apprentice can make your business more competitive,
increase employee retention and keep you up-to-date with the latest
techniques and technology; increasing your productivity.
want “If my son
e
foots d to follow
teps
and b in my
chef,
ecom
I
w
recom
o
mend uld defini e a
te
the A
t
ppren hat he go ly
dow
t
i
c
e
James
s
Ducke hip route n
.”
tt
The S
amue , Chef at
l
Fox
and A
ppren Inn,
Emplo tice
yer.
For more information about the how our Apprentices can make your business great
Visit www.blc.ac.uk/apprenticeships or call 0800 074 0099
I Love BLC
Jack studies Level 3 BTEC
in ICT at our Buxton Campus
“The atmosphere at College is great.
I love the facilities – especially the
computer labs and software.
At College you have lots of freedom –
you can leave the Campus at lunch time
and go into town or the nearby park.
IT students Sam Horton and Jack Williams
and Business student Georgia Burn tell us
why they love Buxton & Leek College.
Georgia studies the
Level 3 BTEC in
Business at our
Buxton Campus
“The knowledgeable staff are
always there for support. If you are
unsure about anything to do with
your subject you can email tutors or
arrange a time to meet with them to
discuss your course.
The College environment is so
relaxed and makes learning fun
and practical. We’re given a lot more
flexibility and independence to complete
our work ourselves, outside of the
classrooms. It’s possible to go
Buxton Town has lots of great shops just
walking distance from the Campus.
The extra opportunities for students are great
like the enrichment clubs.”
sit in the Dome and take laptops out of
the library in order to do work.
As part of my Business course we have
had the opportunity to attend several
trips. These have included Chatsworth
House, Cadbury World and Coca
Cola where we learned about the
companies’ history and how they have
developed such strong brands.
There are plenty of opportunities to
undertake work placements with an
employer either internally or externally.
This means students can acquire the
first hand experience of working
within a business and as part
of a team.”
eal World
out the R to all
b
a
re
o
m
Find out
bedded in
that’s em
g
in
c.uk
n
r
a
Le
ww.blc.a
w
t
a
s
e
our cours
Sam studies Level 3 BTEC in ICT at our Leek Campus
“The College has good facilities
and opportunities for extra
curricular activities.
T he tutors are really passionate
about what they do and keep
you engaged with your work.
Everyone is friendly.
IT is a really broad subject area with
plenty of job opportunities.
We’re treated like adults,
which is nothing like school!
We’re given the independence
to get on with our own work.
The course has had some great
student success stories.”
We offer ICT courses at both our Campuses for school leavers, adult learners including university
level courses and those wanting to brush up on their IT skills for leisure. We also offer work based
ICT courses and Apprenticeships. Find out more at www.blc.ac.uk or call 0800 074 0099.
For more information call 0800 074 0099 or visit www.blc.ac.uk
THE BLC MESSENGER
7
FOUNDATION LEARNING
About to leave
school but not
sure which path
to take next?
If you’re just about to finish your GCSEs but can’t
decide what you’d like to do next, or maybe your
exams haven’t gone as well as planned, our Pathways
to Progression course might be right for you.
Spark Enterprise is a chance for our
Foundation Learning students to develop
their business and enterprise skills.
At the Buxton Campus the Spark Cart
is a mobile craft stall, open three days a
week. Students manage the stall as well
as create handmade gifts to sell. Items
include wooden and canvas wall art,
ceramics, gift cards and home decorations.
This course will help you develop the skills you’ll need
to move into a job or further study in a specific area,
such as Catering, Childcare, Sport, Public Services
or Art. If you have no idea what you’d like to do or
what career you’d want to go into we offer tasters of the
subjects to ensure you’ve chosen the right pathway to suit you.
You’ll also improve your Maths, English and study skills
as well as learning about business enterprise through
different initiatives, interview techniques and CV writing.
Some of the money made through the sale of these items helps towards
buying new materials to produce more hand made gifts and the rest of
the profits are donated to local charities.
Tasty treats help develop
money management skills
Learners from Buxton & Leek College took part in the
Lloyd’s Banking Group, Money For Life Challenge which
aims to help young people, through innovative projects gain
financial experience and develop money management skills.
The College team, Tuck Shop Temptation,
has been created by a group of ten students
with a range of learning disabilities, who
attend College for the Learning for Living
and Work programme.
The Honeycomb Enterprises is a
not-for-profit project at the Leek
Campus that helps students with
behavior and learning difficulties to
achieve independence.
The team also created a real-life, fully
functioning tuck shop where students can
practise counting money and calculating
change first hand. This allowed students to
practise handling money, being responsible
for their own spending and gain experience
using electronic cash till.
The group entered their tuck shop into the
national Lloyd’s Banking Group Money for Life
competition and were highly commended for
their efforts, one of only five groups in the
country to received this accolade.
Their aim was to help fellow learners, who
experience similar difficulties to improve
their understanding of money and develop
money related counting skills. By creating
a range of fun games that are specifically
tailored to educate students were able to
practise coin and note recognition. Games
included money bingo, a life sized money
Monopoly and money worksheets.
Our Learning for Living & Work courses
are available for learners with leaning
difficulties and disabilities, giving them an
opportunity to gain independent living and
employability skills. Students are involved
in a variety of community projects and
enterprise ventures.
Students make garden furniture,
planters and nesting boxes and
gain qualifications along side this work.
The project is part of the Foundation Level within the
College. The learners ages range from 14-19 year olds for the school
link courses, 16-21 year olds from our College courses and 21-50+
year olds from care in the community organisations. The students
also take part in Horticulture. They help to grow and plant our
planters, wheel barrows and other seasonal gifts.
With your support and by buying our goods, the students then
have to produce more stock to fulfil orders and future events. These
repeated sales and classes help the students to gain their woodwork
skills, boost confidence levels, and help them to become more
independent in life.
You can browse and buy the learners’ work at our
site at Unit 8/9, Station Street Industrial Estate
in Leek by appointment, or at the Buxton Pavilion
Gardens Saturday Bazaars. Contact the Honeycomb
Team on honeycomb@blc.ac.uk or call
01538 386311/01538 322121.
For more information about our Foundation Learning
courses visit www.blc.ac.uk or call 0800 074 0099
What’s new at Buxton & Leek College?
Like us
Follow us
Connect with us
Capture us
8
THE BLC MESSENGER
TREAT
YOURSELF
Real World
Learning
At Buxton & Leek College
we understand the importance
of preparing our learners for
employment and career development
as well as giving them the practical
skills and knowledge
to be successful in
their future.
Our outstanding industry
standard facilities allow our
learners to develop their skills in
exactly the same setting as they
will find in their future careers.
Our facilities include:
CUTS from £8
COLOURING from £9.50
NAILS from £3.50
Hair & Beauty
at the Devonshire Dome & Leek
With fantastic prices and special offers throughout
2015 there’s never been a better time to treat yourself
and book in for a visit. All of our trainee Level 2 and
advanced Level 3 stylists are trained using only the finest
product lines under the watchful eye of their tutors.
View the full price list and opening times at www.blc.ac.uk/about/visit-salons
and to book an appointment call:
BUXTON - 01298 330334 Devonshire Dome, 1 Devonshire Rd, Buxton. SK17 6RY
LEEK - 01538 322123 Hair & Beauty at Leek, Stockwell St, Leek. ST13 6DP
DOME
RESTAURANT
We also make sure that as part
of your course, you’ll undertake work
experience or volunteering with local employers; some
of them may have even helped design your course. Plus, our tutors
have worked in the industry and have expert knowledge which they can
pass onto you. If you’re already in employment, for some of our courses, you
may not event need to take time off work to attend College.
Our learners also undertake a varied programme of
enrichment activities and events that help them to develop
communication, team working and time management skills –
elements that are vital in the real working world.
A UNIQUE DINING EXPERIENCE
AT T H E I C O N I C D E V O N S H I R E D O M E
Set against the breath-taking backdrop of one of the grandest 18th century buildings
in the UK, the Dome Restaurant is a unique dining experience offering delicious,
contemporary dishes prepared by our talented Hospitality & Catering students.
Visit www.blc.ac.uk/about/visitourrestaurant or call
01298 330345 for menus, opening times and more information.
Check out our Flickr page for photos of our industry
standard facilities www.flickr.com/buxtonleek.
For more information call 0800 074 0099 or visit www.blc.ac.uk
ON COURSE GUIDE
THE BLC MESSENGER
9
Th
som ere’s
e
ever thing fo
r
yone
.
F
in
out
mor d
insid e
e!
ON COURSE
GUIDE
from over 220 courses
at a College graded ‘GOOD’ by Ofsted
real world learning
and our outstanding facilities
at the
best performing College
in the region
Whether you’re a young person about
to leave school, looking to re-train or
start a new career, an employer looking
to up-skill your staff or just looking to
learn a new skill, Buxton & Leek College
can cater for your needs. Your learning
journey starts here.
University Level courses
With some of the lowest priced university
Level courses in the region, Buxton &
Leek College can offer you affordable and
convenient university Level courses on your
doorstep. We offer a range of full and part time
Foundation Degrees, HNDs and HNCs as
well as the Certificate and Post Graduate
Certificate of Education. All of our degrees
are accredited by the University of Derby.
A course can help you develop valuable work
skills as well as helping you achieve a higher
earning potential. Our courses are designed to
deliver the latest industry relevant knowledge,
which immediately transfer to the workplace.
A flexible approach to learning makes it easy
to study whilst working full time, plus our
experienced tutors offer support at every stage.
HIGHER EDUCATION COURSES
Our HNC/D in Business is now
accredited by the Chartered
Management Institute.
Duration
3yrs pt
Foundation Degree in CYPS* (Early Childhood Studies)
3yrs pt
Foundation Degree in CYPS* (Teaching Assistants)
3yrs pt
Foundation Degree in CYPS* (Health & Social Care)
3yrs pt
HND Business & Management
3yrs pt
HNC Business & Management
18-24 months pt
HNC Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering
1yr pt
2yrs ft
Foundation Degree in Public Safety, Disaster Management & Resilience
FdA in Creative Art & Design Practice
Certificate in Education
Postgraduate Certificate in Education
Foundation Degree in Computing
Foundation Degree in Computing
2yrs pt
2yrs pt
3yrs pt
2yrs ft
Campus
Fees
L
B or L
L
L
L
B
B or L
B or L
Fees for 2015
entry are to be
confirmed.
Please visit
www.blc.ac.uk
or call
0800 074 0099
for the latest
information.
Like us
ACCESS TO HE COURSES
Follow us
Duration Campus
L or D
1 year
1 year B, L or D
B or L
Access to Higher Education: Health Professions
1 year
B
Access to Higher Education: Business & Computing 1 year
L
Access to Higher Education: Teaching
1 year
L
Access to Higher Education: Social Science
1 year
L
Pre Access Programme
1 year
B
Foundation Programme Joint Honours
4 years
Preparation for Study
10 wks B or L
Access to Higher Education: Science
Order your new
prospectus at
L
B
*CYPS (Children & Young Peoples Services) has a common core followed by different pathways. Campus Key: B = Buxton L = Leek D = Derby
What’s new at Buxton & Leek College?
If you’re thinking about university but don’t have the
qualifications we also offer Access to Higher Education and
Foundation Programmes that will prepare you for a university
level course the courses will support you with study skills and
functional skills in Maths and English. Students also choose
their specific subject pathway.
Access to Higher Education: Humanities
B or L
B or L
Access to Higher
Education courses
www.blc.ac.uk
Connect with us
Capture us
10
ON COURSE GUIDE
Further Education
& Training Courses
If you’re considering your Post-16 education or training you now have more
choice about where and how to study. You don’t have to stay at school!
Studying at a Further Education College, like Buxton & Leek,
allows you to choose from a wide variety of qualifications
including BTECs, NVQs, Traineeships and Apprenticeships.
t too
It’s no
So, whether you prefer hands-on learning,
join us
late to 015
developing your skills and knowledge in
2
in Sep day
the workplace or learning in a traditional
to
y
l
p
Ap
classroom environment, there’s
something for everyone.
2 Intermediate
Apprenticeship
in Engineering NEW FOR 2015
3 Advanced Apprenticeship in
Engineering NEW FOR 2015
Key
FOUNDATION LEARNING
Learning for Living and Work
E1 Skills for Learning
E2 Skills for Independence
E3 Skills for Living and Employment
ACCOUNTING
Pathway to Progression
2 Accounting Apprenticeship
HAIRDRESSING
or Barbering Apprenticeship
3 NVQ Diploma Hairdressing
or Barbering Apprenticeship
2 AAT Certificate in Accounting
3 AAT Diploma in Accounting
4 AAT
Diploma in Accounting
ART & DESIGN
2 BTEC Extended Certificate in Art & Design
3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Art & Design
3 / 4 BTEC Foundation Diploma
in Art & Design
BEAUTY, SPA & MEDIA
MAKE UP
1 NVQ Beauty Therapy
2 NVQ Diploma Beauty Therapy
3 NVQ Diploma Spa Therapy
3 NVQ
Beauty Therapy (Massage Pathway)
3 Advanced
Apprenticeship in Beauty & Spa Therapy
3 NVQ Diploma in Nail Services
3 Diploma
in Theatrical, Special Effects,
Hair & Media Make-Up
BUSINESS
Administration Intermediate
2 Business
Apprenticeship
2 Customer
Service Intermediate Apprenticeship
2 NVQs (QCF) Business Administration
2 NVQs (QCF) Customer Service
2 Certificate in Medical Administration
3 Customer
Service Advanced Apprenticeship
3 NVQs (QCF) Business Administration
3 NVQs (QCF) Customer Service
3 BTEC
Subsidiary / Extended Diploma in Business
3 Diploma in Social Media for Business
1 - 4 NVQs
(QCF) Business Skills Award /
Certificate / Diploma
3 NVQ Hairdressing
1 Carpentry & Joinery Apprenticeship
NEW FOR 2015
2 Carpentry & Joinery Apprenticeship
CHILDCARE & EDUCATION
1 CACHE
Award, Certificate Diploma in Caring
for Children
2 Supporting
Teaching & Learning Apprenticeship
2 CACHE Certificate in an Introduction to Early
Years Education and Care (QCF)
3 CACHE
Diploma in Early Years Education and
Care (Early Years Educator) (VRQ)
3 CACHE Diploma for the Early Years Workforce
(Early Years Educator) (QCF)
3 CACHE Diploma in Specialist Support for
Teaching and Learning in Schools (QCF)
COMPUTING & ICT
2 BTEC Extended Certificate in Information
& Creative Technology
2 ICT
(IT User) Apprenticeship
2 IT,
Software, Web and Telecoms Professional
Apprenticeship
3 BTEC
Subsidiary/ Diploma/ Extended Diploma
in Information Technology
3 IT, Software, Web and Telecoms Professionals
Advanced Apprenticeship
3 ICT (IT User) Advanced Apprenticeship
4 IT,
Software, Web and Telecoms
Professional Higher Apprenticeship
ENGINEERING
2 City & Guilds Diploma in Engineering with Level
2 NVQ Performing Engineering Operations
3 City
& Guilds Diploma in Engineering with Level
2 NVQ Performing Engineering Operations
3 Maths
& Science Bridging Unit 331 and
2 IMI
Awards Diploma in Vehicle Maintenance
& Repair (Light Vehicles)
2 IMI Awards Intermediate Apprenticeship
in Light or Heavy Vehicles
2 IMI Awards Extended Diploma in
Motorsport Vehicle Maintenance & Repair
NEW FOR 2015
3 IMI
Awards Diploma in Vehicle Maintenance
& Repair (Light Vehicles)
E3 / L1 Certificate/Diploma in Vocational Studies
2 NVQ
Barbering
2
NVQ
Diploma Hairdressing
CARPENTRY & JOINERY
(Light Vehicles)
2 IMI Awards Diploma in Vehicle Inspection
1 Skills
for the Workplace
2 NVQ Hairdressing
1 = Level of course
1 ABC Vehicle Maintenance & Repair
Principles (Light Vehicles)
1 NVQ Hairdressing
Full TIME
COURSES
MOTOR VEHICLE STUDIES
HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE
1 Diploma
in an Introduction to Health &
Social Care & Children & Young People’s
Settings NEW FOR 2015
2 BTEC Certificate/Diploma in Health
and Social Care
2 Apprenticeship
in Health & Social Care
3 BTEC
Subsidiary/90
Credit/Extended
Diploma in Health & Social Care
3 Advanced
Apprenticeship in Health
3 IMI
Awards Advanced Apprenticeship
in Light or Heavy Vehicles
PAINTING & DECORATING
1 Award/Certificate
in Painting & Decorating
2 Diploma in Painting & Decorating
2 Painting & Decorating Apprenticeship
Plumbing
1 Diploma
in Plumbing Studies NEW FOR 2015
Performing Arts
3 BTEC
Extended Diploma in
Performing Arts
S
START
SEP
2016!
PUBLIC SERVICES
2 Diploma in Public Services
3 BTEC Extended Diploma in
Uniformed Public Services
3 BTEC
Extended Diploma in
Non-Uniformed Public Services
a& Social Care
HOSPITALITY & CATERING
Full Time Courses
2 Professional Cookery Certificate
2 Professional
Cookery Diploma
3 Advanced
Professional
Cookery (Kitchen/Larder)
3 Food
& Beverage Service
3 Extended Diploma in Hospitality (Events)
Apprenticeships
2 Diploma
in Proficiency in Baking Industry Skills
2 Intermediate
Apprenticeship in Hospitality Services
2 Intermediate
Apprenticeships in Professional Cookery
3 Diploma
in
Proficiency
in Baking Industry Skills
3 Advanced
Apprenticeship in Hospitality
Supervision & Leadership
SPORT & OUTDOOR
2 BTEC in Sport
2 Essential Training for Leisure & Fitness
3 BTEC
Extended Diploma in Sport
(Development, Coaching and Fitness)
3 BTEC
Extended Diploma in Sport (Outdoor Adventure)
2 / 3 Buxton FC Football & Education Academy
TRAVEL & TOURISM
2 Essential Training for Travel & Tourism includes Cabin Crew & Resort Rep
3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Travel & Tourism
Welding
1 Introductory
Welding
LOGISTICS, WAREHOUSING
& STORAGE
1 Warehousing & Storage
2 Warehousing & Storage
MEDIA
3 BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/Diploma/
Extended Diploma in Creative
Media Production
City & Guilds 2850 Module
Call 0800 074 0099 or visit www.blc.ac.uk/courses/apply
For more information call 0800 074 0099 or visit www.blc.ac.uk
NEW FOR 2015
FREE Transport
is available between our
Buxton and Leek Campuses,
visit www.blc.ac.uk /transport
to find out more!
3
Paediatric First Aid
Award/Certificate/Diploma in Playwork
L,W
Duration
Hours
per wk
Start Date
Throughout the year - please contact us for a date that suits you and/or your employees
Paediatric First Aid
Campus
Day & time
Day & time
Start Date
Award in Stone Therapy
3
L
8 wks
Mon 6-9pm
3
09/15
Diploma for Specialist Support in
Teaching & Learning
3
B, L
1 yr
TBC
TBC
09/15
Diploma for the Early Years Workforce
(Early Years Educator)
3 B,L,W
1 yr
TBC
3
09/15
Basic Cake Decoration
1
B
5 wks
Wed 6-9pm
3
09/15
Certificate in Counselling Skills
2
L
20 wks
Thu 6.30-9.30pm
3
09/15
September 2015
Hours
per wk
Duration
Campus
Level
PART TIME
COURSES
ON
NG SO
COMI urses in
o
CPD c ional
s
e
f
o
Pr s y &
r
Cooke y
e
Bak r
11
Level
ON COURSE GUIDE
12 hours
Any
Any
Any
2 B,L,W
TBC
Any
Any
Any
Certificate of Professional Competence
for Transport Managers
3
HH
10 wks
Sat 9.15am3.15pm
6
09/15
3
TBC
Any
Any
Any
Diploma in Barbering
2
L
35 wks
Tue 5.30-8pm
2.3
09/15
Diploma in Hairdressing
2
L
70 wks
Mon 5-8pm
3
09/15
1 yr
TBC
TBC
09/15
W
April 2015
Wed 6-9pm
3
29/04/15
Diploma in Leadership for Health & Social
Care & Children & Young People’s Services
5 B,L,W
8 wks
Tue 5.30-8.30pm
3
21/04/15
Driving Goods Vehicles
2
HH
16 wks
Sat 9am-3pm
6
09/09/15
8 wks
Wed 5.30-8.30pm
3
22/04/15
Emergency First Aid
2
L
1 day
Wed 9.30am-4.30pm
6
16/09/15
L
1 day
Wed 9.30am-4.30pm
6
22/04/15
Food Safety in Catering
2
L
1 day
Wed 9.30am-4.30pm
6
23/09/15
4
L
1 day
Wed 9.30am-4.30pm
6
29/04/15
Functional Skills English
1-2
L
Ongoing Tue 10.15-12.15pm
2
09/15
4
L
5 wks
Tue 7-9pm
2
04/15
Functional Skills Maths
Ongoing Tue 1.15am-3.15pm
1-2
D
10 wks
Mon 9.30am-3.30pm
5
13/04/15
Allergen Awareness
2
L
1/2 day
Wed 9.30am-1.30pm
4
20/05/15
First Aid at Work
3
L
3 days
Wed 9.30am-4.30pm
6
Food Safety in Catering
2
L
1 day
Wed 9.30am-4.30pm
6
Painting & Decorating
1
HH
12 wks
Sat 9am-3pm
Award in Welding & Fabrication
2
HH
10 wks
Working as a Door Supervisor
within the Private Security Industry
2
B,L
4 days
Working as a CCTV Operator
2
B,L
4 days
TBC
TBC
05/15
First Aid at Work Refresher
3
L
2 days
Wed 9.30am-4.30pm
6
24/06/15
Healthier Foods & Special Diets
2
L
1 day
Wed 9.30am-4.30pm
6
10/06/15
AAT Diploma in Accounting: Budgeting
2
B
9 wks
Award in Manicure & Gelish Application
3
B
Award in Manicure & Gelish Application
4
L
Emergency First Aid
4
Healthier Foods & Special Diets
Introduction to Counselling
Preparation to Study (Formally Rising Skills)
1-2
L
GCSE English
2
L
GCSE Maths
2
Gym Instructor
2
06/05/15
Health & Safety in a Construction Environment n/a HH
13/05/15
October 2015
6
16/05/15
Advanced Engineering Maths & Science Unit 3
Sat 9am-3pm
6
16/05/15
Award in Barbering
2
TBC
TBC
05/15
First Aid at Work
Junior Chef/Baker
May 2015
June 2015
July 2015
AAT Diploma in Accounting: Internal
Control & Accounting Systems
Introduction to Painting & Decorating
for Home Improvement
4
B
n/a HH
9 wks
5 wks
Wed 6-9pm
Sat 9.15am-2.15pm
3
4
01/07/15
04/07/15
Taster: Accounting - Getting the most out
n/a
of your Finances
D
5 wks
Thu 10am-12.30pm
2.5
23/07/15
Taster: An Introduction to History
n/a
D
5 wks
Mon 10am-12.30pm
2.5
20/07/15
Taster: An Introduction to Law Knowing your Rights
n/a
D
5 wks
Wed 10am-12.30pm
Fri 10am-12.30pm
2.5
22/07/15
24/07/15
2
09/15
1 yr
Tue7pm-9pm
2
09/15
L
1 yr
Mon 7pm-9pm
2
09/15
B,L
18 wks
TBC
5
09/15
3 wks
Sat 9.15am-3.15pm
6
09/15
L
30 wks
Thu 5.30-7pm
1.5
10/15
B
10 wks
Mon 5-8pm
3
10/15
3
L
3 days
Wed 9.30am-4.30pm
6
07/10/15
1
B
8 wks
Sat 10am-1pm
3
10/15
AAT Diploma in Accounting: Personal Tax
4
B
9 wks
Wed 9.30am-1.30pm
3
12/11/15
Allergen Awareness
2
L
1/2 day
Wed 9.30am-1.30pm
6
18/11/15
Award in Cutting Hair & Facial Hair
Using Basic Techniques
2
B
10 wks
Mon 9.30am-4.30pm
2
11/15
Award in Food Safety
2
B
1 day
TBC
7
11/15
Award in Food Safety
3
B
1 day
TBC
7
11/15
First Aid at Work Refresher
3
L
2 days
Wed 9.30am-4.30pm
6
25/11/15
Healthier Foods & Special Diets
2
L
1 day
Wed 9.30am-4.30pm
6
04/11/15
Award in Food Safety
2
B
1 day
TBC
7
01/16
Award in Food Safety
3
B
1 day
TBC
7
01/16
2
L
1 day
Wed 9.30am-4.30pm
6
13/01/16
First Aid at Work
3
L
3 days
Wed 9.30am-4.30pm
6
27/01/16
November 2015
January 2016
Taster: An Introduction to Psychology Understanding Human Behaviour
n/a
D
5 wks
Wed 10am-12.30pm
Fri 1.30pm-4pm
2.5
22/07/15
24/07/15
Emergency First Aid
Taster: Back to Basics - Academic English
n/a
D
5 wks
Wed 1.30pm-4pm 2.5
22/07/15
February 2016
Taster: Back to Basics with English Language n/a
D
5 wks
Tue 10am-12.30pm
2.5
21/07/15
Taster: Digital Photography - Effective
Use of your New Camera
Award in Manicure & Gelish Application
2
B
8 wks
Wed 6-9pm
3
02/16
n/a
D
5 wks
Mon 10am-12.30pm
2.5
20/07/15
Food Safety in Catering
2
L
1 day
Sat 9.15am-2.15pm
6
24/02/16
Taster: Fine Art Appreciation
n/a
D
5 wks
Tue 1.30pm-4pm
2.5
21/07/15
March 2016
Taster: IT - Web & Graphic Design
n/a
D
5 wks
Fri 10am-12.30pm
2.5
24/07/15
First Aid at Work Refresher
3
D
2 days
Wed 9.30am-4.30pm
6
16/03/16
Taster: Learn to Improve your IT Skills
n/a
D
5 wks
Fri 1.30pm-4pm
2.5
24/07/15
Healthier Foods & Special Diets
2
D
1 day
Wed 9.30am-4.30pm
6
09/03/16
Junior Chef/Baker
1
D
8 wks
Sat 10am-1pm
3
03/16
Allergen Awareness
2
L
6
13/04/16
Taster: Microsoft Applications - Word,
Excel & PowerPoint
n/a
D
5 wks
Tue 10am-12.30pm
2.5
21/07/15
Taster: Reading for Pleasure - English
Literature
n/a
D
5 wks
Tue 1.30pm-4pm
2.5
21/07/15
Taster: Sociology Today - Media, Culture
n/a
& Society
Award in Food Safety
3
L
3 days
Wed 9.30am-4.30pm
6
20/04/16
D
5 wks
Mon 1.30pm-4pm
2.5
20/07/15
Gym Instructor
2
B,L
18 wks
TBC
30
04/16
Taster: The Secret of Marketing &
Market Research
n/a
D
5 wks
Thu 1.30pm-4pm
2.5
23/07/15
May 2016
Taster: Web Design
n/a
D
5 wks
Mon 1.30pm-4pm
2.5
20/07/15
3
L
3 days
Wed 9.30am-4.30pm
6
11/05/16
AAT Diploma Accounting
3
B
1 yr
Wed 6-9pm
3
09/09/15
First Aid at Work Refresher
3
L
1 day
Wed 9.30am-1.30pm
6
08/06/16
AAT Diploma in Accounting
4
B
3 terms
Wed 6-9pm
3
09/09/15
Food Safety in Catering
2
L
1 day
Wed 9.30am-4.30pm
6
29/06/16
AAT Diploma in Accounting: Business Tax
4
B
9 wks
Wed 6-9pm
3
09/09/15
AAT Certificate in Accounting
2
B
1 yr
Wed 6-9pm
3
09/09/15
Allergen Awareness
2
L
1/2 day Wed 9.30am-1.30pm
6
13/07/16
Award in Assessing Vocational Achievement
3
L
16 wks
Mon 10am-1pm
3
09/15
Emergency First Aid
2
L
6
20/07/16
Award in Manicure & Gelish Application
2
L
8 wks
Tue 5.30-8.30pm
3
09/15
Award in Nail Technology (Nail Extensions)
2
L
18 wks
Wed 5-8pm
3
09/15
Award in Shaving
3
L
12 wks
Tue 5.30-8.30pm
2.3
09/15
September 2015
What’s new at Buxton & Leek College?
Like us
April 2016
First Aid at Work
1/2 day Wed 9.30am-1.30pm
June 2016
July 2016
1 day
Wed 9.30am-4.30pm
Campus: B - Buxton L - Leek HH - Harpur Hill D - Derby W - Workplace
Please note: Start dates are subject to change and more courses may be
added. Our website is the best place to check for any changes.
Follow us
Connect with us
Capture us
12
ON COURSE GUIDE
LEARNING FOR LEISURE
For adults aged 19+
Time
Day
Date Weeks Fee
Computers - Basic Spreadsheets
7-9pm
Tue
12/05
6
£54
Sewing Workshop
6-9pm
Tue
21/04
8
£72
Helping Your Health With Herbs
7-9pm
Wed 22/04
5
£45
The Kitchen Medicine Cupboard
7-9pm
Wed 03/06
4
£36
A Taste of Italy, France, Spain & Thailand
6-9pm
Wed 22/04
5
£75
Find Your Voice Workshop
7-9pm
Mon 20/04
7
£63
Beginners Graphic Illustration NEW
7-9pm
Wed 22/04
7
£81
Hot Stone Therapy
7-9pm
Thu 23/04
3
£27
The Dome Buxton Campus - Evening
Guitar Lessons For Beginners
7-9pm
Thu 14/05
5
£45
Pictures In Fabric & Thread
7-9pm
Thu 30/04
5
£45
Conversational Spanish
7-9pm
Thu 23/04
5
£45
Flower Arranging For Summer
7-9pm
Mon 11/05
5
£45
Introduction To German Conversation
7-9pm
Mon 20/04
5
£45
Practical Photography
7-9pm
Mon 11/05
6
£54
Sewing Workshop For Beginners
7-9pm
Mon 11/05
5
£45
Art - Drawing & Painting Mixed Media
7-9pm
Mon 11/05
5
£45
An Introduction To Family History
7-9pm
Tue
05/05
5
£45
An Introduction To Reflexology
7-9pm
Tue
28/04
3
£27
Introduction to Aromatherapy
6-9pm
Tue
19/05
2
TBC
TBC
Photo Editing Using Photoshop
6.45-9pm
Tue
21/04
9
£90
Pottery
6.45-9pm
Tue
21/04
9
£103.50
Spanish For Holidays
7-9pm
Tue
05/05
5
£45
Guitar Lessons For Beginners
7-9pm
Tue
05/05
5
£45
An Introduction To Counselling Skills
7-9pm
Wed 06/05
5
£45
Studio Photography
6.45-9pm
Wed 22/04
9
£90
French Conversation
6.45-9pm
Wed 22/04
9
£90
7-9pm
Wed 06/05
5
£45
6.45-9pm
Wed 22/04
9
£90
Leek College Campus - Evening
Furniture Restoration For Beginners NEW
Portuguese Conversation For Holidays
Sign Language For Beginners
Sewing Crafts
Pottery
Apple iPad for Beginners
12.30-2.30pm
Tue
TBC
21/04
5
£45
12.30-3pm
Wed 03/06
4
£45
12.45-3pm
Thu 23/04
9
£103.50
5
£45
9.30-11.30am
Fri
15/05
Biddulph High School - Evening
Sugarcraft - Basic Modelling For Cakes
Flower Arranging For Summer
6.45-9pm
Mon 20/04
9
£90
7-9pm
Wed 06/05
5
£45
9
Free
Free
Biddulph Resource and Information Centre, Biddulph - Evening
Bitesize Maths
Bitesize English
11-12.30pm Wed 22/04
1-2.30pm
Wed 22/04
9
7.30-9pm
Mon 20/04
7
£45
21/04 10
£90
Woodhouse School, Biddulph - Evening
Pilates NEW
Art - Drawing & Painting Mixed Media
7-9pm
Tue
LEEK & STAFFORDSHIRE
MOORLANDS
• Aromatherapy
• Art
• Art of Photography
• British Sign
Language
• Cookery
• Counselling Skills
• Crafts
• Family History
• Flower Arranging
• French
• Furniture Restoration
• German
• Guitar Lessons
• Hot Stone Therapy
• Indian Head
Massage
• Pictures in Fabric
& Thread
• Photo Editing
• Portuguese
• Pottery
• Reflexology
• Sugar Craft
• Sewing Workshop
• Spanish
• Studio
Photography
• Woodwork.
• Complementary Therapies
• Computing & IT
• Cookery
• Counselling Skills
• Fitness
• French
• Helping your Health
with Herbs
• Italian
• Pictures in Fabric & Thread
• Sewing Workshop
• Sign Language
• Singing & Voice Coaching
• Spreadsheets for Business
• Spanish
• The Kitchen Medicine
Cupboard
• Web Page Design.
£27
TBC TBC
Leek College Campus - Day
Sewing Workshop
Take a quick look
at the courses BUXTON
coming up in
Sep 2015
Enquire
today!
Cookery course
proved the icing on
the cake for Sam
Inspired by the Great British Bake off, Samantha Lindop
signed up for a cookery course through her local College.
Two years on, she’s not only baked and
decorated her own and several friends’
wedding cakes, but she’s now leading
a class of her own teaching the art of
sugar craft with Buxton & Leek College.
And the young mum insists that anyone
with a bit of patience can learn the
delicate art of modelling from marzipan
and icing sugar.
Samantha, aged 28, from Norton, said:
“I’ve always loved watching Bake off on
the television and, when I heard that a
friend who is a trained chef was leading
a course in baking at Endon High School
through Buxton & Leek College I didn’t
hesitate to sign up.
“I soon got the bug for cake decorating
although I’m not a bit artistic. You just
need the patience and interest to learn
how to model flowers and animals from
marzipan and sugar.”
Knowing that Samantha had
certificates in Sugar Craft, Wired
Flowers and Marzipan Modelling,
tutors at Buxton & Leek College invited
her to share her skills by leading a class
at Biddulph High School.
Moorside High School, Werrington - Evening
Spanish Conversation
7-9pm
Tue
21/04 10
£90
Flower Arranging For Summer
7-9pm
Tue
21/04
£45
Learning for Leisure Course Fees
TBC
These courses are only available for adults aged 19+. You may be eligible for a
50% reduction in course fees if you’re in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance or
Employment and Support Allowance. (£5 registration fee is also payable). Anyone
wishing to enrol and/or claim a subsidised fee will need
to provide appropriate evidence of their entitlement.
5
William Amory School, Blythe Bridge - Day
Please enquire for course information
St. Giles School Cheadle - Evening
Flower Arranging for Summer
TBC
Thu 14/05 TBC
St. Thomas’ School, Tean - Evening
Please enquire for course information
Please note: Some courses may incur extra costs for materials. Please enquire for more information. Feel free to enquire
even if the course has passed its start date. If TBC is stated please contact us for more information.
For Learning for Leisure information or to enrol:
Call: 0800 074 0099 Visit: www.blc.ac.uk/courses/leisure
Visit: The Leek Campus reception for Staffordshire courses
Do you have a skill you’d
like to pass onto others?
We’d like to hear from you! We’re always on the
look out for new sessional lecturers in a variety of
recreational subjects. If you’d like to teach adults on
a part time basis please email enquiries@blc.ac.uk
or call 0800 074 0099 for more information.
For more information call 0800 074 0099 or visit www.blc.ac.uk
THE BLC MESSENGER
Fees & Financial
Information
If you’re a UK or EU student and under 19 when you start your course
you don’t need to pay towards the cost of your tuition or your exams.
However, you may have to pay for personal specialist equipment or materials.
If you are aged 19 or over, you will need to pay either the full tuition fee or
a subsidised tuition fee depending on your personal circumstances. If you
are entitled to the maximum subsidy, you will not be charged tuition or
examination fees. Full details of how much you need to pay are on our website,
as the level of fee will vary depending on the course and level of study. If
you are undertaking an Apprenticeship, your training may incur a fee to your
employer if you are aged over 19.
1. You are aged between 19 and 23 years, you are unemployed
and in receipt of a state benefit and wish to improve your
skills to increase your employment opportunities
For students
• Information, advice and guidance
on choosing the right course for
before learners start College
• Advice Days where learners can
visit the College, meet our friendly
tutors and our current students and
see if the College is right for them
• Student Mentors who can help
with worries and concerns about
housing, health, family, financial
issues, stress and anxiety
• Study Coaches who can help with
study skills such as essay writing,
presentations, referencing and
note taking as well as applying for
university and jobs
• The Chaplaincy who offer personal
and confidential support, on-site
prayer and worship, social justice
campaigns, social events and faith
and spiritual guidance
• Careers Advisers who offer
information, advice and guidance
on any career related issues learners
may have
• Students’ Union represent
students, provide services and social
opportunities for learners to develop
personally and have fun at College
• Personal Tutor available to help
with any aspect of the students’
course and to set personal targets
• Additional Learning Support
for support with processes and
procedures such as enrolment and
booking out equipment as well
as extra support for students with
physical or learning disabilities
• Wellbeing Service who can help
with general and sexual health,
childcare, your general welfare,
anxiety and low mood.
2. You are aged between 19 and 23 years, you are
employed but have no full Level 2 qualification and are
looking to enrol on any Entry Level, Level 1, full Level 2,
full Level 3, Level 4 or Level 5 qualification
For parents
3. You are aged between 19 and 23 years, you are employed
but have no full Level 3 qualification and are looking to
enrol on a full Level 3, Level 4 or Level 5 qualification
At Buxton & Leek College we feel that it’s very important
for those responsible for young people to be engaged with their education
and training beyond their school years as they prepare for progressions
into employment or higher levels of study. We offer support services for
parents to help with the transition from school to College. We offer:
4. You are aged 24 or over, you are unemployed and in
receipt of a state benefit and are looking to enrol on
any, Entry Level, Level 1 or Level 2 qualification
Students are
not entitled
to any fee
subsidy where:
Support Services
Students looking for a supportive and caring environment to
learn in are benefiting from Buxton & Leek College’s support and
wellbeing services. Once enrolled, students have access to a whole
range of support services, as well as access to information advice
and guidance services before they start College. Services include:
Various schemes are available to
help you pay for your course or
to support you while you study.
At Buxton & Leek College, we’re
committed to supporting students
to overcome any financial
difficulties wherever possible.
Students aged
19 and over are
entitled to the
maximum fee
subsidy where:
13
1. Y
ou are an international student from a non EU country or
have not been a resident in the EU for the last three years
2. Y
ou are aged 24 or over and are looking to enrol
on any Level 3, Level 4 or Level 5 qualification
This fee specification covers fee categories for students undertaking
classroom-based further education courses. Students that are over
the age of 19 are encouraged to apply to study at Buxton & Leek
College, and may not necessarily have to pay the full amount for their tuition.
Depending on circumstances, there are various levels of support from subsidies
to Advanced Learning Loans for those aged 24+. Fees for commercial rate,
workplace or higher education courses will be different and will have
different criteria applied for fee reduction or waiver.
The full fee policy is available
via the website ww.blc.ac.uk
NOTE:
The Government has yet
to publish its fee remission
policy for 2015/2016 so this
information is subject to
change. Please visit our website
www.blc.ac.uk/courses/
fees for the most up-to-date
information.
What’s new at Buxton & Leek College?
Like us
• One to one information, advice and guidance on helping your son
or daughter choose the right course to set them on the right path for a
successful career or progression to higher levels of study
• A handy Parents’ Guide to College which details all of the
important information you’ll need to know about enrolment,
choosing a course, what we can offer learners, financial help
and more. Download a copy at www.blc.ac.uk/about/parents
• Advice Days where parents and their child can come
to Campus, view the facilities,
meet our friendly tutors, find out
more about our courses and see
if College is right for them.
For advisers
As key influencers in learners’ progression
we offer support and information for teachers
and careers advisers in schools. You can gain access to:
• Our dedicated Young Persons
Liaison Officer, Louise Fletcher, who
will be your first point of contact for
any information you require about
the College, from courses to facilities,
support and more
• An advisers networking event,
held annually, at both Campuses
where you’ll be able to meet our
Follow us
Connect with us
staff, keep up-to-date with what’s
happening at the College and find out
all about our courses and facilities
• College representation at your
school Post 16 and careers events
• Information about exclusive Taster
Days, Advice Days and Experience
Days for your learners.
Capture us
14
THE BLC MESSENGER
Student
Enrichment
Students help
fight loneliness
among elderly
It’s not all about the course! Our Enrichment Team are here to ensure
that our learners have a memorable and enjoyable time at College
and develop important transferable skills. Here’s a taster of what our
students have been up to as part of the enrichment programme.
Competition
Six students from Buxton &
Leek College have entered
into a national competition to
discover some of the UK’s most
inventive young minds.
Formula 100 is a competition
created by the Your Life
campaign. A three-year
campaign to ensure young adults in the UK
have the maths and science skills needed to succeed
in the current competitive global economy. It looks
to inspire young people to study maths and physics
as a gateway into wide-ranging careers whilst also
encouraging employers to recruit and retain this talent.
The competition is looking to find 100 inventive minds
to be part of the Formula 100 Club. Entrants have to
submit a 30-second video explaining to the judging
panel about an invention they have been working on.
Working in partnership with voluntary and community
service Peaks and Dales, students from the College
have been entertaining the elderly people at a
Wednesday afternoon Coffee Club held in the
College’s Devonshire Dome. And for the pensioners of
Buxton and Chapel-en-le-Frith, the club has become a
real highlight of the week. Students from all courses at
the Buxton Campus are helping run the club as part of
the College’s enrichment programme. Students meet
the elderly people in the car park, escort them to their
tables in the Dome’s Café and enjoyed chatting over
coffee, tea and cakes.
Seventeen-year-old Jack Bullock, who is a Public
Services student hoping to join the Police Force,
said: “It’s nice to give something back to your local
community by volunteering and these elderly people
have such interesting stories to tell that it’s been a real
pleasure to help entertain them.”
Rita, 83, from Fairfield, has been to the club every week
since it began in early November. She said: “My family
all live a long way off – so I don’t see them as much as
I’d like. I can’t get out because I no longer drive and
it’s really nice to have a ride round on the minibus and
pick people up. I love coming into College as I really like
mixing with younger folk.”
Canoe & Kayaking Club
The Six Book
Challenge
Formula 100
Level 3 Engineering students George Shaw, George
Sherratt, James Hicken, Jack Hancock, George Wood
and Andy Coxon have been working in pairs on their
inventions. Their ideas include a microwave that scans
food and automatically knows what temperature and
how long to cook it for, a remote controlled light switch
and a new style affordable pushbike seat clamp that
makes adjusting bike seats quicker and easier. Entries
have been submitted and the students are eagerly
awaiting to see if their inventions have been successful
from a judging panel made up of the country’s leading
entrepreneurs and business leaders.
January saw the launch of the weekly Reading Space
Project at Buxton & Leek College organised by The
Devonshire Library, at the Buxton Campus and The HUB
at the Leek Campus. The project supports the launch
of The Six Book Challenge which is an initiative
to encourage more students to read and review
their efforts. This year’s theme at the College is Read
Anything, Read Anywhere, encouraging students to not
only read books but also newspapers, poems, plays and
websites. Once students have read and reviewed their
choices they can enter competitions on The Six Book
Challenge website www.sixbookchallenge.org.uk.
Student George
Mycock tells us why he
Climbing Wall Award enjoys the enrichment
14 students from the Level 3 Sport (Outdoor
programme
Adventure) took part in a Climbing Wall Award at
Awesome Walls in Sheffield. Student Brady Hindmarch
talks about the experience.
“I had a great time doing the training as it was fun
and good practice for climbing. During the training we
learned many skills like tying knots such as the Italian
half hitch and clove hitch. These skills are important if
you want to become a climbing coach.
“This training is a great thing to have for anyone
looking for a job in the outdoor industry as it shows
you have good knowledge of the sport and have the
capability to teach. The training allows you to teach
in summer camps and at centres and is something
companies look for when
hiring. Not only does it look
good on your CV it makes
going out climbing with
your friends a lot safer.”
“Being part of Buxton & Leek
College has many perks but
my personal favourite is the
enrichment programme where
the College sets up, and pays
for all students at the College
to take part in lots of different
sports and fitness classes. In my time at
the College I have taken part in lots of different sports
like football, basketball, water polo and futsal. Plus I
have taken part in a variety of fitness classes including
CAVE, HIIT and Zumba. I think the enrichment program
is a great way for all students to get fitter, make friends
from other courses and to find a new hobby.”
Students from Outdoor Sport, Sport and Health
& Social Care courses have been taking part in the
Canoe and Kayak Club. Visiting Coombs Reservoir
and Bugsworth Basin in Derbyshire, students have
developed skills and conquered fears that will lead
towards their Start 2 Qualification.
For more information call 0800 074 0099 or visit www.blc.ac.uk
Are you a
current student?
If you’d like to see any new activities or take
part contact your Enrichment Co-ordinators:
Laura Billingham (Buxton) and David
Shemilt (Leek) on enrichment@blc.ac.uk
THE BLC MESSENGER
CHILDCARE &
EDUCATION
ENGINEERING
Daniel Aldridge, 20 from
Waterhouses near Leek,
started out on Buxton &
Leek College’s Schools
Programme where he
attended College for one
day a week whilst he was
at school, to work towards
the Level 2 Diploma in
Mechanical Engineering.
Daniel progressed onto the full time
Level 2 qualification, the Level 3
qualification and HNC in Mechanical
Engineering and was awarded Student of
the Year in 2011. He now works as a Tool
Daniel said: “The courses I studied at
Buxton & Leek College have helped
me greatly in getting a job and have
taught me the necessities of working in
engineering and the skills to become a
good engineer. The support and teaching
methods are the best I have experienced
and I would not be where I am today
without the amazing tutors.”
Sonia, from Leek, qualified as a nursery nurse after first enrolling
at Leek College as a teenager. Now, aged 37, she has earned a
Level 3 CACHE award in Supporting Teaching and Learning
after going back to her old College – now known as Buxton &
Leek College – to boost her skills and find work in teaching.
As a lunchtime supervisor at Woodcroft Primary School in
Leek, Sonia had lots of experience with young children and
she has volunteered her help both in school and at local youth
club and toddler groups. She was pleased to be able to fit
her College course in around her part-time job, attending
classes at the College Campus in Leek just one morning a week.
In the future, Daniel hopes to progress
onto becoming a Designer at JCB.
COMPUTING & ICT
Industrial and agricultural engineers IAE have
always been proud of their `made in Leek`
reputation. Their lorries still carry the line
`That Pole in Leek` harking back to their
founder, Frank Klucznik who came over from
Poland as part of the armed forces during
the Second World War.
It
nev ’s
er to
o
late
t
lear o
n!
With her eldest daughter having just left
school, mum of three Sonia Johnson is
embarking on a new career as a teaching
assistant after returning to learning as a
mature student.
Maker at the JCB World
Headquarters in Rocester, Staffordshire,
whilst working towards his Foundation
Degree in Mechanical Engineering at the
University of Derby.
We’ll soon see the
completion of our Leek
Campus development
which includes a brand new
Engineering workshop
filled with industry standard
equipment and machines.
Find out more at
www.blc.ac.uk or call
0800 074 0099.
A manufacturing company founded in Leek
turned to its local College when looking for
reliable staff to run its growing IT department.
15
The company has now grown to be the biggest
manufacturer of livestock handling equipment
in the country and has a workforce of over
500. But it has remained loyal to its roots and
IAE found the talent it needed on its own
doorstep when it took on first Apprentice Dan
Mycock from the College over five years ago.
Sonia said: “I was surprised by how easy it was to get back into
learning really. I did all my coursework on my computer and, if
I came unstuck with anything, my daughters were on hand to
help me. The tutors were really flexible and I was able to leave
College early to fit in my work at Woodcroft each lunchtime.
“Coming to College second time round has been easier as it’s not
as nerve wracking. Most of the students on the course were my
age and I didn’t have to worry about fees either as students
over 24 can apply for an Advanced Learning Loan which
doesn’t have to repaid until you start earning over £21,000.”
After finishing her 12-month course, Sonia was offered work as
a Teaching Assistant in the reception class of Woodcroft Primary
for three days a week. She said: “I love the work and have done
extra training in school where I’m now responsible for First Aid.
I look after children with allergies and special needs and am
able to give them the extra attention they need.
“It’s a very rewarding job and it’s great to be involved
in all the school trips and
activities, especially at
Christmas time.”
In fact, the growing firm, which has now
moved its base to larger premises in Longton,
was so delighted with Dan’s progress they
turned to the College again to recruit two
more trainees. And they now have a talented
young trio – Dan Mycock, Dan McNicol and
Mat Blackhurst – who are trusted to run the
company’s entire IT department. All are under
25 and are responsible for servicing and
maintaining 180 computers and 70 scanners to
make sure IAE staff based at Adderley Green in
Longton can do their day to day jobs efficiently.
All three have studied
Computing & ICT courses at
Buxton & Leek College.
We offer Computing & ICT courses for all
ages, abilities and ambitions. Find out more
at www.blc.ac.uk or call 0800 074 0099.
What’s new at Buxton & Leek College?
Like us
Follow us
The College offers many part time and work based Childcare &
Education courses as well as full time for school leavers. New
for 2015 is the Level 3 Award, Certificate or Diploma in
Playwork – a course ideal for those already in employment who
want to develop their skills and knowledge, at varying levels, in
play work through work place assessments. Apply today!
Connect with us
Capture us
16
THE BLC MESSENGER
TRAVEL & TOURISM
Career advice
from the best in the business
Travel & Tourism students at the
Buxton Campus were fortunate
enough to receive an inspiring talk
from two employees of Thomas
Cook, the oldest and best-known
name in leisure travel.
Fellow student Grace Thompson commented: “The life
changing speech from the representatives at Thomas
Cook has given me a chance of a career of a lifetime.
It gave me a real experience of employment with an
international tour operator.
Richie Williams and Tom Arey, who work for the
Group Destination Team at the company, delivered
a presentation on the career opportunities and
interview and selection processes at Thomas Cook.
The presentation forms part of the Real World
Learning provided by Buxton & Leek College.
Travel & Tourism Tutor Carol Walker said: “The visit
from Thomas Cook provides the students with
invaluable advice on the role of a Resort Representative
and the interview procedures they would have to
go through. Richie and Tom enthused and inspired
the students in respect of the different oversea
opportunities available to them.”
Hannah Forder, a student in her second year of the
Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Travel & Tourism
said: “The presentation was really engaging which made
me excited about future overseas resort roles.”
ART & DESIGN
Creative Space
Former Art student
is offering other artists
the chance to showcase
their talents in an iconic
former pottery setting.
Justin Rasbridge-Nolan, who now
works as a Sculptor, started at College on
the Level 2 BTEC in Art & Design and continued on
to complete the Level 3 and then the Foundation
Diploma. Justin is now renting part of the previous
Aynsley’s China building in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent
where he runs his business, Steamwares, creating
Steampunk style art, props, clothing and accessories.
Justin is now encouraging like-minded artists to join
him in the iconic building. He said: “Working together
with artists is always good. It can be hard to work
on your own because your creativity tends to wither
whereas in a big space like this we can bounce ideas
off each other.”
Anyone who would like to take up a section of the
unique space for £60 per month is asked to contact
Justin on 07866 607926.
“The Travel & Tourism team at the College never
fail to go above and beyond to get you a head
start with the most amazing career opportunities.”
Richie and Tom said: “We really enjoyed visiting Buxton
& Leek College! The students were very engaged
and showed a great interest in our job opportunities
available for them this summer.
“One of our favourite parts of the recruitment process
is having the chance to go and
interact with the students
and give them an idea
of what the different
Our Level 2 Essential
job roles entail and
Travel
Pathway provides
to give them the
you
with
the essential skills
confidence to
and
knowledge
to prepare
apply as well.”
you for employment within
an airline, airport, retail
travel agency or an overseas
resort /customer service
representative.
Save the date
16AY 17
M M
AY
Check out our
brand new Level 3
BTEC in Performing
Arts starting in
September
2016!
Real
World
Learning
Art in the Park
Our Level 2 and 3 BTEC and
Foundation Diploma Art students
have been taking part in activities to
enrich their College experience and
encourage Real World Learning to
prepare them for their careers.
Join our Foundation Degree Creative Arts & Design
students who will be exhibiting their work alongside other
local artists. This is a great chance to pick up and browse
original pieces of art and crafts. There are lots of art
based activities for everyone to
join in as well as music
and refreshments.
BTEC students took part in a fashion
show at the Foxlowe Arts Centre in
Leek. They were required to create
and model their own garments based
on the theme Wrapped in Culture.
The project and show was ran in
conjunction with local fashion outlets
in Leek and promoted Fairtrade.
Brough Park, Leek
30
Astound
Y
A
M
Exhibition
Nicholson Institute, Leek
This annual event showcases the creative work of our
Foundation Degree Creative Arts & Design students.
Visitors to the exhibition will have a chance to buy
unique works of art including paintings, ceramics,
glass, photography and prints as well as meet
the artists and take part in free workshops.
For more information visit www.blc.ac.uk
For more information call 0800 074 0099 or visit www.blc.ac.uk
Students also got involved in a
project to celebrate diversity, as part
of our Equality & Diversity month.
Students designed posters to show
the positivity of diversity, which were
then placed on display around
the College.
We are soon to see the completion
of our brand new Art & Design studios
at our Leek Campus. Find out more at
www.blc.ac.uk or call 0800 074 0099.
THE BLC MESSENGER
17
HAIR & BEAUTY
Raising eyebrows
as Buxton’s first HD stylist
A young Buxton girl has graduated
from student to salon manager
after gaining vital experience in the
commercial beauty salon at
Buxton & Leek College.
Chelsea McCartan, 26, from Fairfield,
is setting the trend as Buxton’s only HD
eyebrow stylist at the Beautique salon in
Toni and Guy. She is embarking on a new
career as a beauty therapist after taking both
Level 2 and Level 3 Beauty awards at the Buxton
Campus followed by a Diploma in Spa Therapy.
Chelsea credits her success to her tutors and training at
Buxton & Leek College’s salons where, at the end of her
training she was employed on a commercial basis and
gained vital experience in wedding make-up.
She said: “I did various jobs after leaving school
including working in a taxi office, cleaning and working
as a carer but, at the age of 21, I decided to go back
10AY
into education, inspired by my aunt, Kerry Moores,
who is a famous nail artist based in London.
“I really enjoyed my training at the Buxton Campus
and get real job satisfaction from making people feel
good about themselves. I enjoy helping my clients
to relax and enjoy their treatments and I must say
that my course at College had me gripped from
the very beginning.”
Before opening the new salon at Toni and Guy,
Chelsea did a course in skincare at the Dermalogica
Academy. She is now qualified to offer a full range of
beauty treatments including waxing and permanent
hair removal as well as eyelash tinting and the latest
HD eyebrows.
Sally Dungworth, who taught Chelsea at Buxton & Leek
College, said: “Chelsea was always a very determined
young lady. She knows what she wants and will work
hard to get it and she was a great student ambassador.
I wish her every success in the new salon.”
All of our Hair, Beauty, Spa and Media Make-up
students develop their skills in our commercial salons to
give them experience of the real
working world. Find out more
at www.blc.ac.uk or call
0800 074 0099.
Save the date M
Annual Hair &
Beauty Show
Buxton Campus
Join us in May for our Annual Hair & Beauty
Show where more than 100 students from
our Hair, Beauty & Media Make-up courses at
both Campuses will be competing to interpret
a theme in front of a panel of industry experts
and a live audience to demonstrate their skills
in hair and make-up.
Join us from 12pm.
Light refreshments
will be available.
HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE
College diploma helps Abigail realise a childhood ambition
might hold her back. Her answer came in the form of a
two-year Extended Diploma in Health & Social Care
at Buxton & Leek College where Abigail thrived on the
system of coursework and achieved a triple distinction.
In September 2014 she took up a place at Keele
University studying nursing and feels well on her way
to realising her ambition. Abigail said: “The Level 3
Diploma has been really hard work but worth all the
effort. I am rubbish at exams and really liked the fact
that I did so many work placements. After carrying out
300 hours of work in various settings from a children’s
nursery to a day centre for the elderly, I knew I’d made
the right choice with children’s nursing and I can’t
wait to get started.”
Being diagnosed with diabetes
at the age of nine, left teenager
Abigail Rolfe eager to pursue a
career in nursing.
Course leader Kerry Sproston said: “Abigail was
always keen to develop her skills and our system of
work placements helped gave her practical skills. She’s
a hard worker who deserves to succeed and it’s great
to see so many of our students progress to university.”
From a young age, Abigail, now 18, was keen to
follow in the footsteps of her own diabetes nurse,
Tracy Fallows. She left high school not wanting to sit
any more exams and feared that not having A levels
Strong links with the NHS help Buxton & Leek
College to set up placements for all students
on the Health & Social Care course and this year
students have achieved 19% above the national
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benchmark for success. Targets for success have been
met or exceeded for the fourth year in succession.
Our Health & Social Care students have gone on to
a number of different universities including Keele to
study Midwifery, Sheffield to read Psychology and
Staffordshire to study Social Work.
In 2014 Ofsted inspectors rated our Health &
Social Care courses as good with outstanding
features with teaching and learning being
rated to a high standard.
Find out more about out Health & Social Care courses
at www.blc.ac.uk or call 0800 074 0099.
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18
THE BLC MESSENGER
College NEWS
Building the Foundations
for a Masters
Adult learner Donna Farrand, from Ilkeston
in Derbyshire has recently completed a BA
(Hons) Health & Social Care at the University
of Derby with first class honours and received
an Award of Excellence for her work. She now
has her sights set on an MSc in Occupational
Therapy and longer term, a PHD.
However, 42-year-old Donna hasn’t taken
the conventional route into university and
started her journey with a Foundation
Programme, at Buxton & Leek College.
Donna said: “My main job has been bringing
up my family. I had no clue about referencing
or structuring an assignment.”
The Foundation Programme prepares people
without traditional qualifications, for study at
university by offering support with study skills
and functional skills in maths and English.
Students also choose their specific subject
pathway - in Donna’s case, this was science.
Donna now works in
a low security mental
health hospital, in
the Occupational
Therapy department
as a Technical Instructor thanks to the
skills and knowledge she has gained through
her educational journey. She hopes this role
will aid in her progression to a Masters in
Occupational Therapy.
She said: “This has been valuable experience to
use and support the knowledge I have gained
at university. Without studying the Foundation
Programme, I would not have had the relevant
up-to-date qualifications to begin a degree
and I have loved every second. The support
I received on the course gave me to drive to
succeed and gain my first class degree.”
Serpentine Project
Dedicated volunteers from Buxton & Leek College
are assisting with the clean up of a former plant
nursery which will be turned into a food education centre.
The Serpentine Project aims to create a community facility which will not
only see sustainable food production on the site but also lessons in
growing and processing
your own produce. The
project at Serpentine Park
in Buxton is being driven by
Transition Buxton with support
from Buxton Town Team, The University of
Derby and Buxton & Leek College.
Be Healthy
Hospitality students at our Buxton Campus
were invited to take part in a Be Healthy event
organised by the College’s Wellbeing Service,
The Student Union and The Devonshire Library. Learners
selected a new stock of cookery and nutrition books for the
library and helped to run an information stand to engage
their peers on health eating, recipes and nutrition through
a nutritional investigation challenge. Students were also
treated to freshly prepared healthy fruit.
Young Chefs
in National Catering
Competition
A trio of young chefs from
Buxton & Leek College made
it through to the regional
heat of a prestigious national
catering competition.
Teenagers Joel Agg and Jordan Hemsil from Derby and
Daniel Foster from Stockport won a place in the regional
heat of the Nestle Toque D’Or contest in Birmingham along
with £500 worth of new equipment for the College kitchen
in Buxton’s Devonshire Dome. They were among 36 teams
challenged to replicate and serve a three-course meal to a
table of eight.
All three students are working towards their Level 2
Diploma in Professional Cookery. They worked as a team
to earn their place by answering multiple choice questions
and then writing two essays on food waste and saving
electricity in the kitchen and restaurant.
Tutor Anne Barber said: “All three students are very
enthusiastic and I’m very pleased to see them win through
to the regional heat in what is a very prestigious and
nationally renowned competition.”
More than 100 Colleges entered the regional heat of the
contest and although the trio didn’t make it through to the
final round of the competition they felt the skills they learned
would be helpful in their careers.
Daniel Foster said:
“The new experience
has been great for us.”
For more news and success stories check
out our website www.blc.ac.uk or find us on
Facebook & Twitter – just search BuxtonLeek
For more information call 0800 074 0099 or visit www.blc.ac.uk
THE BLC MESSENGER
19
Ginormous Banana Split
to Celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight
For the second year running, a group of
our Level 2 Hospitality & Catering students
made a huge banana split to mark
Fairtrade Fortnight in February. In 2014
the students managed a ten metre long
split made with 100 Fairtrade bananas.
This year’s efforts saw the students create
a gigantic twelve metre long split.
College Chaplain Ingrid Keith, who commissioned the effort
said: “I was a bit concerned that we wouldn’t be able to find
100 volunteers to eat it but it disappeared within seconds.
The students once again did us proud.”
The split was brought out onto the Dome floor in six lengths of
two-metre guttering and was devoured by staff, students and
Media Scholarship
Thirteen of our BTEC Creative Media
Production students took part in an exclusive
scholarship programme at Peak FM in
Chesterfield where they had the chance to create
their own 30 minute radio programme including
presenter chats, news bulletins, traffic and
weather updates and their own choice of music.
Working with the Creative Producer of the
radio station the learners also wrote and
visitors to the Dome as part of the Chaplaincy’s Fairtrade Day. The
idea was to celebrate the fact that an increasing number of people
now recognise the Fairtrade Mark when they shop for products
such as tea, coffee, cocoa and bananas. They understand that they
can enjoy Fairtrade products more, knowing that the people who
produced them, sometimes in the poorest parts of the world, are
guaranteed a living wage and decent working conditions.
World Book Day
recorded a radio commercial
for the College and had the chance to
write the script, record their own voice overs,
mix the music and sound effects and promote
their commercial on social media.
The learners took on individual roles as
presenters, news readers, sports reporters, travel
and weather presenters and radio producers.
Silly Selfies,
Sweets &
Sports for
Staff and students at Buxton
& Leek College have been
celebrating World Book
Day at both the Devonshire
Library in Buxton and
The HUB in Leek.
Comic Relief
Along with students from the University of Derby
and in partnership with the Students Union,
Buxton & Leek College took part in ‘Silly Selfies’
to raise money for Red Nose Day. On 12 March
students had their selfies taken in a photo booth
where they dressed up in wigs, moustaches
and funny hats and paid 50p for the privilege!
Money was also raised at the Buxton and Leek
Campuses through selling cakes, a staff and
student quiz, guessing how many sweets were
in a jar, hair and nail art and a friendly football
match between IT students from the Leek
Campus. The total raised was over £300.
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In the lead up to the day, staff and students were encouraged
to donate ‘as good as new’ fiction books, for a Big Book Sale to
raise money for Book Aid International – an organisation that
exists to encourage literacy and access to books, particularly for
people from Africa and the Middle East.
In Buxton, staff and students joined Storyteller Helen Appleton,
resident at the Matlock Storytelling Café, who told tales of
gateways and thresholds to other worlds at three sessions in
the Devonshire Library. Helen’s stories included an
Alaskan creation myth and a tale of an Apprentice
genie. The sessions helped students to further
their understanding of storytelling in education.
One student who took part in the storytelling
session said: “I thought it was interesting,
everyone got involved and I learned a lot about storytelling.”
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20
THE BLC MESSENGER SPORT
Sport in Brief
SPORT & OUTDOOR
Here’s what our Outdoor
Sports Students have been
getting involved in recently...
Row-a-Thon for a Deserving Cause
The Level 3 Sport, Coaching, Development &
Fitness students started out on this fundraising
journey in September 2014 when, as part of their
course they had to present pitches to their peers to
propose a money rasing event for a charity of their
choice. Aiden Ball’s pitch won, which was a Rowa-Thon from Leek to Windermere. Each student
involved had roles to ensure the project was well
managed, financed and promoted.
Their target was to complete the equivalent of
116 miles from the Leek Campus to Windermere.
On the day, eight of the students took it in turns
to row for 30 minutes for 10 hours, totaling a
two and a half hour row over the day for each
of them. However, the students managed a
whopping 130.4 miles! Donations were collected
throughout the day from leisure centre users.
Centre Manager Ian Sales said: “The event created
a real vibe in our reception area. We have a great
link with the College – the students often use our
facilities and it’s nice to be able to help out.”
Brave students gave up a cold night in January to take a
lesson in kayak rescue techniques. Learning invaluable
skills needed for future emploment in the sport.
Buxton Sub Aqua Club
gave a scuba diving
session to our students
in the swimming pool at
Buxton. While there were
no ship wrecks or fish to
look at, there’s no better
place to prepare for more
adventurous dives.
Staffordshire Moorlands Counsellor and Cabinet
Member for Leisure, Sports, Parks and Countryside
Brian Johnson attended the event to show his
support. “What the students are achieving is
tremendous. As well as raising money for a good
cause they are raising awareness of exercise and the
great sporting opportunities in the Moorlands.”
Students Tara Wilson, Chelsea Wilcock and James
Burton who organised and took part in the event
said: “We didn’t realise how long it would take
us to organise something like this. We’ve learned
lots of useful skills that we can use when we finish
College such as team work and event planning.”
Second year student Lucy Hickin travelled to
Vietnam in February where she completed reef
conservation work, to help maintain healthy coral
reefs as part of her Gold Duke of Edinburgh
Award and course.
Sports Tutor Shane Beckensall said: “I am very proud
of the group in their professionalism, organising
the activity and representation of Buxton & Leek
College and Help for Heroes.”
Students recently
enjoyed three weeks
of skiing and
snowboarding lessons
at Chill Factore in
Trafford, Manchester.
So far the students have
raised over £1,000.
Paragliding is not everyone’s idea of fun, but
our students at the College took on the task with
great enthusiasm. The chance to take advantage
of Paragliding sessions in Ashbourne will give our
students the edge adding this to their CV.
White Water Thrills for Talented Athlete Hannah
A Buxton & Leek College student has
paddled her own canoe to the top of
the national league after getting a
taste of outdoor adventure.
Hannah Matchett, aged
17, from Chesterfield,
hopes one day to
represent Great Britain
in the Olympic sport
of Canoe Slalom
after being promoted
to the first division
of the National
kayaking league. The Level
3 Outdoor Sports student
started out kayaking on a local
canal with her father, Colin,
who manages an outdoor activity centre.
She said: “We’ve practised all through the winter under
floodlights and I love it. I’ve had quite a few soakings
and the kit is not cheap but I’ve been lucky in that my
parents, Angela and Colin, are very supportive.
“I would like to be good enough to represent my
country in the Olympics eventually and my ambition
is to work as an outdoor instructor. It would be great
to make my career in canoeing and I am really loving
the Outdoor Sports course at Buxton & Leek College.
Since I started last September I’ve done all sorts of
exciting stuff including caving in the Yorkshire Dales.”
Hannah’s course leader at Buxton & Leek College,
Allan Shaw, said: “Hannah is an exemplary student
who inspires and supports the students around her.
Although only a first year student, whilst kayaking
on the River Goyt she helped coach her classmates
undertaking some difficult manoeuvres with fantastic
clear instructions and demonstrations. As the course
team leader I am happy to support her in both her
future career development on the course as well as
her future in kayaking. The College is also thrilled with
Hannah’s performance and is looking at sponsoring
her future development.”
Check out www.blc.ac.uk to find out what
took place at our new Football Academy Day
Chris Bradley will be joining up with an organisation
who run outdoor activities for children and active
families when he finishes his course in the summer.
Gabi Hignett finished her Outdoor Sports course
last year and starts as a Survival Specialist in the
RAF. She will be giving air crews vital information
on how to survive in hostile environments from
deserts to jungles.
After a successful interview
former student Will Lucas
has secured employment
as a Climbing Wall
Supervisor at Wirksworth
Climbing Wall in Derbyshire.
There are lots more photos and
videos of our Outdoor Sport
students and the activities they’ve been taking
part in on Facebook. Search for: Buxton &
Leek College Outdoor/Adventure
‘Best Performing College in the Region’ is based on 2012/13 College success rates for students aged 16–18, published by The Skills Funding Agency, May 2014
For more information call 0800 074 0099 or visit www.blc.ac.uk
Designed by www.figcreative.co.uk
Sports students
from Buxton &
Leek College
have completed an epic 10 hour
Row-a-Thon on static rowing
machines at Brough Park Leisure
Centre in Leek, to raise money
for the military charity, Help
for Heroes.