Around 20 performances will take the stage at the Raqs Wombourne Show, from 7-8.30pm on Saturday 29 October. Among the stars are Ozgen, Dames Du Serpent, Shikidim and more. Students from a Thursday night class at the Centre will be performing a routine choreographed by teacher Karen Price.

“I am extremely excited about the show. It will be fabulous to showcase the skills of my students on the same stage as the internationally acclaimed male belly dancer Ozgen from Turkey. He is simply sensational, as are many of those taking part on the evening. I would urge anyone interested in belly dancing to come along and enjoy the event which demonstrates the diversity of this kind of dance,” said Karen.

The Raqs Wombourne show features demonstrations of different kinds of belly dancing including Egyptian and Turkesh cabaret, American tribal style, gypsy and Bollywood. It also includes a bar and a small souq. Tickets cost £10 and can be obtained from here: http://raqswombourne.vpweb.co.

Charlotte Fortescue, 19, was presented with the Haute Couture prize for her collection of dramatic, grand garments inspired by Cruella Deville.

Charlotte, who is in the second year of the Foundation Degree in Fashion Studies at the College, said that she was “Overwhelmed and excited” to win the award. “There was a lot of competition and I didn’t really expect to win.” She said that the designs showcased by models on the catwalk during the final of the event are striking, theatrically inspired styles: “They were entered in the Haute Couture category and to be honest, they are pretty out there. They aren’t exactly the sort of clothes you’d find on the high street but everything I do is about tailoring, about creating something that looks amazing on a woman’s figure.”

The Midlands Fashion Designer Awards celebrate new and emerging fashion designers from the region. Finalists were invited to show their collections in front of judges and industry insiders at an exclusive fashion show held at the Fazeley Studios in Birmingham. As an award winner, Charlotte says that she has already received a lot of interest and hopes that the connections she is making as a result, will help her future career. She will also be showing her designs at Clotheshow Live.

“I’ll finish my Foundation Degree next summer and then I hope to top-up my qualification to an honours degree at university. Meanwhile, I’ll keep improving my skills and developing my own style within design,” said Charlotte.

Stafford College lecturer Jayne Clough congratulated the award-winning student: “We are all incredibly proud of Charlotte and delighted that she has won this important award. She prepared her competition collection throughout the summer and thoroughly deserved to win after all the hard work and effort she put in to create a fantastic, dramatic collection of couture garments.

The pre-schoolers and toddlers compiled a list of traditional and modern nursery rhymes together with some Christmas songs. They were invited into the professional recording studios on the College campus to record their disc.

Twenty-six children took part in the recording. The young stars, aged between two and five, were divided into two groups, each spending half a day in the studio helped by Butterflies staff, Music technology lecturers and students. Nursery Manager Sue Tatler said that the experience had been a great adventure for the children:

“They loved every second of their visits to the recording studio and had so much help and support from the experts in the Music Technology team. The children had a wonderful time recording their favourite nursery rhymes and other songs that they sing at Butterflies”.

Inspiration for the recording came from requests by parents who enjoy singing along with their children but were unfamiliar with some of the latest hits at the nursery.

“We originally thought of writing down the lyrics for parents but decided it would be a lot nicer for them to hear the songs performed by the children. We always try to raise money to support Children in Need and felt that this could be a fun way to raise some funds for a fantastic cause,” said Sue Tatler.

Jenny Addison, a student on the Foundation Degree in Contemporary Art Practice course at the College, was chosen to design the cover for the CD. Jenny specialises in illustration and hopes to forge a career as an illustrator of children’s books.

The CD will receive an official launch in the College theatre at 10.30am on 3 November. Some of the young singers will be performing live versions of tracks from the disc and Jenny Addison’s illustration will be projected onto the walls of the theatre. The launch will be hosted by students on Performing Arts courses at Stafford College.

Butterflies Day Nursery sing for Children in Need will be offered for sale for the first time at the launch event at a price of £6. It will be available to buy from the Nursery and the main Reception in Earl Street, with all proceeds going to Children in Need.

The students were invited onto the large wetland area close to the town centre, to create some new wildlife environments and survey the extent to which the urban reserve is attracting mammals and invertebrates.

Course leader Andy Taylor said that the students, who hope to work in conservation or estate management, have spent several days on the reserve this term. “We have been working on the reed beds, clearing willow scrub which was threatening to dry out sections of the marsh and creating new habitat spaces to encourage additional wildlife,” he said.

The students also carried out a survey of small mammals as part of a national count and found healthy populations of four different species of these creatures. There were encouraging results, too, from an invertebrate survey which highlighted the success of the reserve in attracting dragonfly.

“This was a really valuable experience for the students. We would like to thank Stafford Borough Council for inviting us onto Kingsmead Marsh and for generously providing tools to help the group to engage in a wide range of environmental projects,” said Andy Taylor. “This course includes a great deal of practical experience in different locations. This was an excellent means of understanding the important role of an urban wildlife haven on the edge of a busy town centre. The students gained a lot in terms of having a direct involvement in current work to promote biodiversity.”

Councillor Frank Finlay, cabinet member for environment and health, praised the contribution of the project, saying: “This is a good example of partnership work by the college and ourselves and the students did an excellent job at the nature reserve.

The Russian language for business people is a five-week evening course which promises to give students the confidence they need to embark on a business trip in the country.

The Russian course is being taught from 6.30 – 8.30pm on Tuesday evenings, starting on 1 November. As a College spokesperson explained, it is one of the leisure courses offered on the campus and does not, therefore, lead to a qualification.

“This course is aimed at beginners and learners won’t have to face an exam at the end of it. Although the course is designed for business people, it would be just as suitable for someone who is planning to travel to Russia for a holiday and wants to get more out of their visit to this fascinating country.”

The course includes an introduction to the Russian alphabet and teaches students how to order from a menu or buy food from shops in the country. Concentrating on useful skills for travellers, it also covers buying tickets in Russian train stations and airports, booking accommodation and understanding local signs as well as key business and social vocabulary.

“We already offer a wide range of other language courses as part of our leisure courses at College. Our learners tell us that when they travel after having attended these courses, they are able to do far more than the average tourist or business traveller. Local people are always delighted that our adult students have made the effort to learn a little of their language and as a result, go out of their way to welcome them to their country.”

The importance of Russia as a trade partner was underlined in November 2010, when Business Secretary Vince Cable made a three-day visit to the country with the largest-ever British delegation. Nearly 40 companies were represented during the trip, including JCB, Rolls Royce and BP, which has a 50 percent stake in one of Russia’s largest oil producers.

“The 2014 Winter Games and the 2018 World Cup will both will be held in Russia,” said Nigel Southall, who will be teaching the new course. “There is going to be a huge amount of interest in Russia in the next few years and there has never been a better time to learn a little more about the country and its language.

With students travelling to the College from towns such as Newport, Stone, Cannock, Rugeley, Penkridge and Uttoxeter, families throughout the area were waiting for results that could lead to further study or employment.

Jim Baker, Head of the Faulty of Arts & A-Levels, congratulated students: “There are some excellent results, not only from students who gained A* or A grades but also from young people who demonstrated enormous commitment and were rewarded with results that were better than they had expected.

“Great results don’t come from one good exam. They happen because a young person has worked consistently hard and because they have been supported by inspiring lecturers and encouraging families. It’s a partnership that is helping our students succeed.”
Stafford College students achieved a 100 per cent pass rate in 14 A-Level subjects including Law, Geography and both English Language and English Literature. In Art & Design 29 students gained the top A* and A grades.

Among the students gaining three A*/A grades were former debutante Florrie Clarke of Stafford and Lauren Fowler from Wolverhampton.

Stafford College offers BTEC Diploma courses – equal to three A-Levels - in subjects such as Music Technology, Sport, Business and Applied Science. With results pending in some of these subjects, an astonishing 157 students had been awarded triple distinctions – the equivalent of three A grades at A-Level. More than a third of students completing these vocational qualifications had received triple distinctions.

College Principal Stephen Willis joined many lecturers and tutors who came in to College on results day to meet students collecting their results. “We want to congratulate everyone who is celebrating today and send our best wishes for the future to approximately 500 of our students who will be taking up university places next month as well as those who are going into employment or apprenticeships.

The Open Day takes place from 10am until 3pm and as Cathy Webb, Head of Marketing & Student Services at the College explained, it is expected to be one of the busiest days on the campus calendar:

“We hold an Open Day at the end of August each year and are always overwhelmed by the response from members of the public. The biggest proportion of visitors will be teenagers who have just received their GCSE results. A lot of young people feel that their life is on hold while they wait for these results and they can be unwilling to make plans for the future until they know how they have done. Others might have made plans to continue their education but want to review their options in the light of better-than-expected or disappointing results.”

Mrs Webb reassured these teenagers and their parents that places can still be made available on many courses at the College. “Even at this late stage we will do everything we can to help people switch between qualifications or provide the advice and guidance they need to take a fresh look at the future.”

As well as talking to subject specialists, visitors to the Open Day can get information about travel passes, finance, careers and additional learning support.

“We are also expecting a great deal of interest in apprenticeships and our degree-level courses too, especially in part-time degree courses for which it is possible to enrol now and start studying this September,” said Cathy Webb, who added that the College would also be accepting enrolments for evening classes and leisure courses during the day.

No appointments are necessary to attend the Open Day and visitors are advised to follow the yellow AA road signs leading to the main campus entrance. Public car parks are available nearby in Broad Street and Earl Street.

The Diploma in Countryside & Environment and the Extended Diploma in Countryside Management will be offered for the first time this September.

The College has announced the appointment of former countryside ranger Andy Taylor to lead the new courses. A member of the England International fly fishing team, Andy is well known to the region’s rural community having grown up on a family farm and lectured extensively on land-based subjects.

“We are delighted to welcome Andy to the team,” said Head of Faculty Richard Jones. “He has a wealth of knowledge in countryside management and conservation having grown up on a farm known for its environmental initiatives and worked extensively within this specialist area. These are exciting additions to our curriculum and I know that Andy is looking forward to working with students who share his passion for the countryside.”

The new course leader completed a degree in Countryside Management before working as a ranger and lecturer. A renowned still water angler and fly fishing instructor, he says that the new college courses are aimed for people like him, who enjoy acquiring practical skills and working outdoors:

“There will always be opportunities for qualified, skilled people to work in conservation and the countryside,” Andy explained. “Our courses will provide a very strong basis for students to go on to university or employment because they incorporate such a lot of real experience in a very wide range of environments. We certainly won’t be spending all our time in the classroom or on the campus. Instead, we will be using excellent links with landowners and employers to study the challenges of managing different habitats and to complete practical projects in the sort of settings where our students could expect to work in the future.”

For further information about the Countryside Management qualifications, email Andy Taylor at a.taylor@staffordcoll.ac.uk or visit him and some of his animal friends on the Stafford College stand at the Weston Park Game Fair on September 17-18.

The College is investing around £14m in the project, which involves the replacement of outdated workshop blocks with new buildings. The main campus occupies a prominent space at the heart of the town centre and Principal Steve Willis has said that as well as providing state-of-the-art training facilities for students, the new building will enhance its surroundings.

Preparatory work to demolish the old buildings and carry out archaeological investigations on the site was completed at the end of July. Now main contractors BAM Construction have moved onto the site, beginning the exciting construction stage of the project.

Welcoming BAM on the day that the firm began work were Chair of Governors Tony Davison, Principal Steve Willis and Vice Principal Ian Rigby.

“This is a very exciting day for the College,” said Steve Willis. “In the coming months the new buildings will take shape, creating new learning environments and giving greater prominence to those facilities which are so well supported by the general public such as the acclaimed training restaurant and beauty salon.”

Representing BAM at the welcoming event were Business Development Manager Adrian Tasker and Richard Dakin, Director of BAM in the Midlands which has completed a large portfolio of work on schools, academies, colleges and university buildings within the region. A Stafford resident himself, Mr Tasker said that he was particularly pleased to be involved with the project: “Living locally I am very well aware of the excellent reputation of Stafford College. I’m proud to be helping the College create improved facilities for young people and employers as well as enhancing what is such an important gateway into the centre of the town.”

The project is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2012.

The Adult & Community Guide lists courses at around 80 local centres during the Autumn term.

Courses in the new publication are aimed at people who want to learn something new or develop an existing skill in subjects like cookery, art, computing, dance, languages or music. The majority of courses do not lead to formal qualifications although some of those attending these classes have turned their expertise into new careers or businesses.

Among the courses for creative people are classes in dressmaking, life drawing, sculpture, stone carving, jewellery making, guitar playing and soft furnishing. Cooks can choose from classes including cake decorating, Indian cookery or a new course passing on the secrets of Malay cuisine.

For those hoping to improve their fitness levels there are classes in yoga, belly dancing and tai chi while if your summer holiday left you struggling to make yourself understood, there are courses in French, German, Spanish and Italian as well as Mandarin Chinese and Russian likely to be valuable for anyone doing business in those growing markets.

The Adult & Community Guide offers plenty of inspiration for those who would like to learn something different – how about reflexology, Shaminic healing or investigating your family history?

Youngsters aren’t forgotten, with classes in art, cookery, guitar and Spanish for children taught by age group. New this year in Junior College is a Salsa class for people aged 7-14, taught on the main campus on Saturday mornings.

While most subjects in the Guide last for several weeks or a whole term, there are a selection of special Saturday workshops, too, designed to provide a one-day introduction to specialist skills. These are offered at Stafford, Offley Hay, Wombourne and Wheaton Aston and include workshops in patchwork, Indian head massage, ancestry and the art of baking bread, buns and scones.

Free copies of the new Adult & Community Guide can be collected from Stafford College or from libraries and community centres throughout the area. Alternatively, call 01785 275607 to ask for a Guide to be sent to your home or look for courses online at www.staffordcoll.ac.

The course starts on Tuesday and finishes with an exam on Monday 5 September. Choosing morning or afternoon classes, participants will have the opportunity to work towards Level 2 City & Guilds qualifications equivalent to a grade C at GCSE.

Sally Black, from Stafford College, said that these intensive courses had a 75 per cent success record of helping people boost their grades in time for the start of the new academic term.

“These are ideal for people who have just missed out on a grade C and need to reach that level to progress on to other courses. Very many Level 3 courses and employment opportunities ask for a grade C or above in English and Maths. If you were expected to achieve that level and perhaps performed badly in a particular exam, we can help you get the qualification you need.”

Sally Black explained that the courses have become very popular in recent years. “Last year we were able to add additional classes to meet demand not only from our own prospective students but from young people who wanted to progress on to other college or sixth from courses. We would stress, though, that early booking is essential. As soon as you open your results and realise that you have just missed out on the grade you need in English or Maths, please give us a call straight away to reserve a place on this free course.”

Students predicted a C or above but who receive a D in English or Maths can join the five-day quick-fix course next week by calling Sally Black on 01785 275691 or emailing sally.black@staffordcoll.ac.uk

Although the five-day course is only suitable for those who fell just a few marks short of a grade C in this year’s exams, the College also offers students on its full-time courses the opportunity to combine their qualifications with GCSE courses in English, Maths or Science and these core GCSE subjects are available as evening classes open to people not already studying at College – with no tuition fees in English or Maths subjects.

SARH arranged for 12 young people to spend two weeks with its Repairs First team. At the end of the year all the students were invited to apply for one of six apprenticeships with the charitable landlord, which owns 5,600 properties within the Borough of Stafford.
Lisa Reading of Stafford College explained that the learners were all on full-time courses at the College:

“It has been a fantastic opportunity for everyone who took part in the initiative. The students were able to work alongside specialist mentors in areas including plumbing, electrical installation and construction. They were able to see how the skills they develop in our workshops could be applied in the real world, getting valuable work experience and a chance to contribute to the local community.”

Students were then able to apply for employed apprenticeships with Stafford and Rural Homes. Following formal interviews five young people got the news they had been waiting for, with a further business administration apprenticeship still to be appointed. One of those delighted to become an apprentice was Hakam Ghatoray, 19, from Stone. Hakam had just completed the two-year City & Guilds 2330 in Electrical Installation at the College, a Level 2 course.“In September I will be back at College one day a week to begin my Level 3 training. For the rest of the week I will be working with the Repairs First team. I can’t wait to get started –the summer can’t go fast enough for me this year!”

SARH said that all those taking part in the project had performed extremely well. Emma Woods is Human Resources & Development Officer at the company: “The students were all excellent, a credit to the College and to their lecturers who had done such a great job of preparing them for the workplace. We are looking forward to welcoming Hakam Ghatoray, Jordan Abbotts, Zach Fox, Jack Brown, Keiron Peake to SARH.”

Karen Armitage Chief Executive SARH said “ SARH is a local company providing local opportunities for local people. We are committed to helping people get into work and we are proud to able to work in partnership with Stafford College to achieve this.

The College is growing in student numbers as well as the facilities and resources it offers from its town centre base. Now it has confirmed that it is expanding its curriculum, too, with new courses in specialist subjects.
From September 2011 the recently-introduced Animal Care and Animal Management courses at the College will be matched by two courses aimed at people with an interest in conservation and land management. The Level 2 Diploma in Countryside & Environment and the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Countryside Management are enrolling now, following the appointment of nationally-recognised countryside expert Andy Taylor to lead the new courses.
The Foundation Degree in Offender Management saw Stafford College lecturers invited to Dovegate Prison, where staff were among the first in the country to study towards the new qualification. Offered in its launch year exclusively for people working at the prison, from September lecturer Damian Doherty, who himself has considerable experience working in offender management, will be delivering the course in other institutions throughout the region. The foundation degree will also be offered on the campus this year, for individuals who want to advance their careers in the custodial sector.
Another high-level qualification in a specialist field is the foundation degree in Sustainable Communities. The first students have already embarked on this course at Stafford College and there will be an opportunity for people to begin studying on a part-time basis starting this September.
With what it describes as “an explosion of interest” in apprenticeships, the College is also offering the vocational training and functional skills qualifications which combine with practical work experience to give young people a great head start in the workplace. Apprenticeship programmes are now offered in a wide range of areas including Accountancy, Business Administration, Hospitality & Catering, Construction Plant, Customer Service, Health & Social Care, Management, Engineering, Motor Vehicle, Plumbing, Retail, Team Leading, Trowel Occupations Woodwork and Warehousing & Storage.
There are new courses too, in the range of leisure courses taught on the campus and in village halls, community centres and schools throughout the area. Among the new subjects offered from September are Malay Cookery, Russian for Business and a ‘Back to Basics’ cookery course concentrating on pastry, cakes and simple family meals. New for energetic youngsters aged 7-14 is a Saturday morning Salsa class as part of Junior College.

With a little help from the grown-ups at the Stafford College nursery, the children designed their own hats to wear at the ceremony, each reflecting something of importance to them. Lining up to receive their graduation certificates were children wearing hats topped with colourful flowers, birds, a sailing boat and even a spider.
Each youngster was called up onto the stage in turn, to hear the member of staff who knew them best describe some of the highlights of their time at nursery. Then nursery manager Susan Tatler presented them with an individual certificate recognising the strengths and interests of each child.
Having seen the pre-schoolers graduate a full sixteen years earlier than the students attending university ceremonies this month, their parents watched a slideshow of pictures taken during the years the children had attended Butterflies. The event ended with a celebratory picnic in the nursery garden.
“It was a really lovely day for the children and their families and a really nice way for us to say a proper goodbye to these children, some of whom have been with us for a long time,” said Susan Tatler. “We wanted to take the opportunity to say how proud we are of all the children and how much we have enjoyed sharing their early years.

The cyclists set out from Morecombe on 30 June and arrived in Bridlington on 2 July. Along the way they stopped-off at SSAFA contact offices to meet people who work for the Association.
The dynamic dozen are all based at Stafford College and are drawn from the Sport, Public Services and Business courses. The cycling challenge was set by Mark Kent, who lectures on the Sports courses which prepares students to study at higher education or enter a diverse range of sporting professions. Mark says that the team hopes to raise £1,000 for the SSAFA:
“We chose this charity because we know that the money we raise will stay within Staffordshire, directly helping members and former members of the armed forces as well as their families. We particularly wanted to support its case workers, who assist people with mental as well as physical scars. Two members of our team have direct and personal connections with the work of this organisation and we are very proud to do what we can to help.”
The cyclists were accompanied by a support team, also from Stafford College. They l cycled up to 61 miles per day, staying in guesthouses along the route.

The lecturers, all of whom work at Stafford College, scaled Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in 24 hours.
One of the climbers was Joe Whitelock. She explained that she and her colleagues had trained for nearly a year in preparation for the Three Peaks Challenge and revealed that they had been supported by volunteers from MOD Stafford.
“All the team members were collecting for their own charities but as a team we are raised funds towards Help for Heroes. We chose this charity in memory of our own hero, a fine young man called David Clarke who worked at the College before enlisting in The Queen’s Royal Lancers. David was just 19 when he was killed while serving in Iraq. His father Jeff works at the College and helped collect sponsors for the team and we have also had a great deal of support from our friends at MOD Stafford who helped train us and were with us every step of the way during the Challenge.

The exhibition has been described by lecturer Neil Brewis as “A very exciting opportunity for anyone interested in the world of new media. It shows the technical and creative skills developed by people who intend to work in the fields of interactive media, graphic design, film and animation, web design, computer games design or 3D modelling.”

Work from up to 20 students will be featured in the free-to-view show, which will include moving images projected onto screens in the first floor of the building.

One of the students taking part in the exhibition is Martin Evans. He explained that the Broad Eye Designers have used a vivid image of a colour spectrum wheel on promotion for the event: “This symbol has been chosen not only because it is something familiar to graphic designers but also because we want to showcase a wide spectrum of new creative talent,” he said.

“The exhibition gives an insight into the standard of work produced by current students on the Foundation Degree course, including people of very different ages, backgrounds and interest. We expect it to have a wide appeal to fans of 2D and 3D design and employers hoping to spot new talent as well as people who might be considering the Foundation Degree as an alternative route towards a higher education qualification.”

Fellow exhibitor Mary Hemingway, whose photographs and collages are inspired by buildings in and around the town centre, said that organising the event had been a very positive experience: “It has shown us what it is possible to achieve with limited time and budget”.

Work by the Broad Eye Designers can be viewed at the Pie & Ale House on the evening of Tuesday 3 May and throughout the day from Wednesday 4 until Friday 6 May.

The shadow chancellor was met by college principal Steve Willis, who raised a range of priority issues with the former Labour leadership candidate. Topics under discussion during their meeting included youth unemployment, higher education fees, the ending of the Education Maintenance Allowance and the importance of creating more apprenticeships.

On 16 February members of the Stafford Borough Council Planning Committee unanimously approved plans for the demolition of the old Link and Workshop buildings together with adjacent structures. In their place will be new, environmentally sound learning areas along with outdoor recreational space for students. There will larger and more accessible positions too, for facilities popular with the local community including the college restaurant and beauty salon.

“News spread very quickly round the campus the following morning”, said Principal Steve Willis. “We are delighted with the decision. We have already shortlisted six contractors who over the next eight weeks will tender and price for the project. We hope to have a main contractor appointed by the end of April.”

Mr Willis confirmed that the College was also in the process of tendering contracts with specialist ‘active site’ demolition engineers and hoped to appoint a demolition contractor by Easter.

“In preparation for work to start, the remaining provision from the soon-to-be decommissioned buildings will be moving into nearby workshops within our Technology Centre at Palmbourne. Plumbing students will move there in the next two weeks, followed by Wood and Brick by Easter. These are very exciting times for Stafford College”, said Mr Willis.

During breaks from their professional training in the campus restaurants, the chefs have been working hard to produce the perfect pancake toss.

Two teams of chefs from the College are entering the relay race around the town centre, competing for the title of Best Flipper in Town.

Those taking part in the exhibition are all second-year students on the BTEC National Diploma in Photography course at Stafford College.

Stephen Gill, photography lecturer at the College, explained that the exhibition features up to 50 photographs, some of which will be for sale: “The collection of work has been called Passengers and many of the prints feature scenes and subjects which will be familiar to anyone living locally.

“Photography courses at Stafford College have a pedigree in the industry, with several award-winning professionals training here. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in photography to see some really interesting images and perhaps pick-up a piece of work by a young photographer before they’ve made their name.”

The exhibition runs from 15 – 18 February. Passengers will be open to the public from 10am - 5pm each day with no admission charges for visitors to the exhibition.

The Sports Careers Event took place on the campus and among those invited to attend were representatives from the Armed Forces, the National Health Service, universities popular with students on sport-related courses and companies running outdoor and adventure centres such as PGL.

Lecturer Mark Kent explained: “We asked employers and higher education providers to discuss a range of options open to our students on successful completion of their current courses. We also offered details of our own Foundation Degrees for those who want to go on to a university-level qualification here at College. It is important for students to understand the full range of opportunities open to them when they complete these highly-regarded vocational courses. Stafford College has an excellent reputation for its sport, adventure and public services courses and employers as well as universities are keen to meet our students”.

Sporty young people interested in a qualification that reflects their talent can choose from a variety of Sport, Outdoor & Adventure and Public Services qualifications at Stafford College – from entry-level right up to Foundation Degree. For more information contact 01785 275468 or visit one of the Open Evenings held throughout the year.

“Students on our sport, outdoor adventure and public services courses will learn archery as part of their course,” explained lecturer Mark Kent. “It is important for these students to have a really wide skills base to impress prospective employers and this is, quite literally, another string to their bow!”

As well as those on specialist courses, students from other areas of the College will be able to learn archery, when a new lunchtime club gets underway next term.

“It can be quite expensive to begin archery but lessons in the Archery Club will be free to students who have joined the Sports Association,” said Mark Kent. “Our students pay an annual fee of £20 to get free term-time access to the gym, sports hall and classes like spinning, fitness and yoga. We already run teams in a wide range of sports and I’m hoping that by next year, Stafford College will be competing at a high level in archery.

The College will be hosting advice and information evenings from 6-8.30pm on January 10, 11 and 12.

“These evenings are usually extremely popular because they’re perfectly timed for young people starting to think about what they want to do next,” said College Principal Steve Willis.

“The mock examinations and revision timetable after Christmas really brings it home to these students that the GCSEs are just round the corner and it is time to start thinking about life after the exams. These open evenings are a great first step for families to get the wider picture about what is available post-16.”

The Open Evenings will include tours of the facilities and exciting glimpses of plans for a redevelopment of the town centre campus. Visitors can sit-in on presentations about college life and there is also the opportunity for individual guidance from subject staff and careers advisers.

“The fact that it is so easy to reach the College is undoubtedly a big reason why so many students choose Stafford College,” said Steve Willis. “School leavers are looking for more than convenience, though. They know that Stafford College produces great results, year after year and that this is an award-winning college in terms of its students and its staff”.

As well as gaining valuable catering qualifications and experience in the College restaurant kitchens, Kevin Willdigg, 45, has also started his own business baking and decorating cupcakes.

“I always wanted to be a chef but somehow, at school, I didn’t get the chance. I felt as if a life as a mechanic and heavy goods vehicle driver was planned out for me as a teenager. Eventually I decided that I’d given it 20 years and since I still wanted to cook, I’d better do something about it.,” explained Mr Willdigg, who is now studying towards the Professional Diploma in Catering & Hospitality.

Students on catering courses at Stafford College have the opportunity to gain experience in the demanding environment of the restaurant kitchens and also work alongside some of Staffordshire’s top professionals as they teach ambitious prospective chefs how to create some of their signature dishes.

“I’ve already gained the skills and confidence to start my own business in a small way. I’ve called my business Lavender Hill Cupcakes and I take orders for decorated cupcakes for gifts, celebrations and special occasions,” said Staffordshire’s newest baker.

• Kevin’s cupcakes are available through his website http://www.lavenderhillcupcakes.yolasite.

The artists are in the second year of the Foundation Degree in Contemporary Art Practice Fine Art. Forming a collective called Fourart, they approached the Mill Street bar and coffee lounge to ask if they would host an ambitious exhibition of their work which they have called Inspire.

Students Jenny Cottingham, Carrie Reynolds and Therasa Ruttledge have installed a vibrant, eclectic and sometimes controversial selection of work including paintings, sculpture and photography. Several pieces were immediately snapped-up by art collectors and a notebook left in the bar inviting comments has been filled with appreciative responses:

“I came all the way from Norwich to see this. Keep up the good work”, writes one visitor to the exhibition. “I am 10 and I absolutely love the picture called The Start. It’s gorgeous!” comments one of the youngest contributors. “It’s very exciting and I was impressed by all the different styles and exhibits,” reflects another.

The local artists say that they have gained a great deal of confidence from their course and hope to be able to make a name for themselves through this kind of unusual urban showcase. Lecturer Neil Wood said “We are extremely proud of Jenny, Carrie and Therasa. The exhibition formed part of their work-based learning brief for this semester and they have created a magnificent collection which looks perfect in its setting. Particular thanks go to Gez Prendergast and his colleauges at the Vidal Lounge, who have been so supportive of the project.

Land owned by Stafford College has been turned into new football and rugby pitches. Students playing on the pitches will be able to use the changing rooms belonging to nearby Stafford Town Football Club, while the College has agreed to make the pitches available to other clubs and community organisations when they are not being utilised by students.

Councillor Mike Smith, Cabinet Member for Leisure, was one of those invited to attend one of the first training sessions on the new pitches. He watched while members of Stafford College women’s football and men’s rugby teams were coached to success: “We were very pleased to be able to work in partnership with the College to make facilities like these available to the wider community. We have been keen to create a sports village in this area, at the same time as maintaining the valuable ecology of the riverbank”, he said.

Lecturer Vinnie Fullegario coaches the teams, numbering several England players in his squads. He explained that prior to the creation of the new pitches, the College had to hire local facilities: “These are superb pitches, on land which the College already owned. The area was resurfaced and seeded in the summer, taking into account advice obtained by local conservationists who helped us preserve the important habitat areas. Students have been able to use the pitches for the first time this term and we are also able to host competitive fixtures on the ground. It is a big asset for the College and a great resource for other community organisations.

Bill Gregory, Chairman of the CMPE Midlands branch announced that the award for the Level 3 Apprentice would go to Robert Dingle. Robert lives in Cornwall, where he works for Imreys Minerals Ltd. For the past three years he has combined on-the-job experience in the workplace with training on the Construction Plant course at Stafford College. A previous winner of the Level 2 Award, Robert has also been nominated for a City & Guilds Medal of Excellence.

Robert’s lecturer is Patrick Perry: “Rob has been an excellent student, earning the respect of staff and peers. Like many of the apprentices on this course, Rob travelled considerable distances to attend college. This is a highly specialised course dealing in large plant equipment and it is not uncommon for trainees to travel from overseas for the training, which we offer in blocks throughout the year.”

The winner of the Level 2 Apprentice Award was Daniel Neal, who lives in Birmingham and works for Marubeni Komatsu Ltd in Redditch. Patrick Perry said that he had demonstrated “An enthusiasm for electrical work which is very important as modern machinery is becoming more electronically complex. At work Daniel is required to work on a range of plant machinery from very large pieces weighing tens of tonnes to small machines weighing-in at less than one tonne.”

A brand new award went to a third Stafford College apprentice. The Acorn to Oaks Award recognises the achievements of a student who has overcome significant difficulties to achieve a personal goal or qualification. The inaugural presentation was made to William McCaw, who works for Selwood Ltd in Hixon. Pat Perry explained that William has trained at the College since 2008: “William is dyslexic and experienced difficulty with aspects of the course such as report-writing. We put support in place to help him and were delighted to see him pass his NVQ Level and Intermediate Technical Certificate. It was an achievement for him to pass both these qualifications and he continues to do well on the advanced apprenticeship programme, which he is due to complete in July 2011.