Many old favourites are included in the new course guide – things like Bellydancing, Indian Cookery, Sugarcraft, and Sculpture. Alongside them, though, are some innovative new courses. We asked Glenys Coombs, of the Community Learning Unit at Stafford College, to tell us a little about the new additions:
“I’m really pleased we’ve been able to introduce Sun Power Yoga,” she said. “This is an eclectic mix of three yoga styles: dynamic hatha for alignment, silvananda yoga for subtle mind and breath work and Ashtanga Vinyasa for heat, flexibility and stamina. This type of yoga usually appeals to younger people, sports people and those who like a good workout.”

The College is also launching a new Drumming for Beginners course, with a special event on Monday 13th September providing an opportunity for potential drummers to drop-in between 7-8pm to meet the tutor and learn more about the course.
“These classes are suitable for beginners, those with some experience and the advanced player who wants to develop new skills. Practice pads are provided but bring your own drum sticks if you have some,” said Glenys Coombs.
If you want to get to grips with talking to friends online, check-out the new Understanding Social Networking course. “Keep in touch with people living on the other side of the world or the other side of the street. Get back in touch with lost friends and make new ones too.”

Fancy something a little more energetic? How about Hooping? “Hooping is great fun, as we found in the Community Learning Unit, when we had a go. As we also discovered, it provides an intense cardio workout that burns calories and increases fitness,” reported Glenys. “This low-impact activity improves your flexibility, agility, endurance and balance. Hoops are supplied – just bring plenty of energy!”
Several new cookery courses are offered for the first time, including a five-week course called Quick Easy Healthy Meals. “This is a short course, teaching you everything you need to know to enable you to produce tasty, nutritious meals whether you are cooking for one, feeding a family or impressing friends. Classes combine demonstration and practical cookery – you will leave each week with a meal to take home,” promised Glenys.
Cookery from Around the World is also expected to be a hit with foodies and will focus on cuisine from a different culture each week. Course highlights include Tapas and Tasters, Indian dishes, Chinese delights, the Best of British and Sunshine Food of the Mediterranean. This course is based at Wolgarston High School and the tutor promises that no special skills are required, just a passion for good food and a willingness to be adventurous.

The visiting chefs are Richard Cullen, Matt Davies and Paul Gilmore. They will be heading kitchens staffed by Level 3 students as they prepare dishes to thrill diners in the college restaurant. Lecturer Mike Hughes has worked alongside all three visiting chefs and will be in the kitchens to assess students’ progress:
“We are incredibly proud that these chefs have agreed to take part in this programme. It is very generous of them to give up their time in this way. They have each created stunning menus which will stretch the students and give diners an exceptional experience,” Mike said.

Both Paul and Richard began their own training at Stafford College and have since been honoured in the college’s Hall of Fame. Paul was the first English chef enrolled into the French Guild of Cheese-makers and has earned two AA rosettes. Having cooked in some of the foremost kitchens in Europe and the Far East, Paul now runs Restaurant Gilmore at Strine’s Farm, Uttoxeter. After training at College, Richard went on to work for Gordon Ramsay. He then returned to the family restaurant at the Spotgate Inn near Stone. Richard was named Young Chef of Tomorrow in 2007 and Staffordshire Master Chef in 2008. Earlier this year he appeared on television’s Masterchef: The Professionals.
Matt Davies has worked at Simpsons, the Savoy and Claridge’s. He joined the Moat House ten years ago and is now Group Executive Chef for the Lewis Partnership, owners of the Moat House at Acton Trussell and the Swan Hotel in Stafford.

All three professionals are looking forward to the chance to guide the next generation of chefs: “The College helped me so much and it’s great to be able to give something back,” said Richard Cullen. “I’m looking forward to working with the young chefs and giving them a fresh insight into a contemporary kitchen. Hopefully, after this experience, they will find it easier to make the transition from college to the industry.”
Matt Davies already offers students the opportunity to work in his kitchens one day each week and has gone on to employ several young chefs from the College. “The students will see three very different styles of work at close quarters. They are very lucky to be able to get this kind of experience at such an early stage in their careers and it is exciting for us, too.”
Paul Gilmore was glad to be back in college kitchens he first entered in 1974. “I’ve got a very close connection with the College. A few years ago I brought my kitchen staff here to work with the students for a special evening and I thoroughly enjoy the chance to pass on my own professional skills to young people who are serious about joining the industry. The biggest challenge for me was designing the menu. I don’t yet know the abilities of the young chefs but I wanted to choose dishes that would test their skills as well as showcase local ingredients and be representative of my restaurant.
There is expected to be a rush from foodies to taste the results of the Visiting Chef programme. Tables are available at 7pm each Tuesday evening from 14th September and can be booked by telephoning 01785 275481.

Claire, who lectures in travel and tourism at Stafford College, said that she had been delighted to hear from her former student: “A lot of students take the trouble to keep in touch after they finish their course and it is always good to hear that they are doing well. On our courses in particular, former students can be working anywhere in the world and Chris Li has certainly been enjoying the high life.”

Now working for Cathy Pacific, Chris worked in her family’s restaurant in Stone while studying. “My family have moved back to Hong Kong now and I have spent five years flying, so I have seen a lot of the world,” she told us. “After so much travelling I’m not so keen on sightseeing any more but my passions are eating and shopping, so my favourite countries are Japan and Hong Kong. Hong Kong is well known as a foodie’s heaven and shoppers’ paradise. It’s a city that never sleeps. Japan’s Hokkaido is the perfect place to escape from a busy life and get back to nature. I love it because it is so unspoilt and brilliant for skiing. If I can, I try to get there for the annual Snow Festival, when there are around 300 sculptures and snow statues which are illuminated at night.”

Claire Davies said that she wasn’t surprised that Chris was working for Cathay Pacific, an airline which has a reputation for excellence: “We have very close links with the industry and ensure that our students are exceptionally well-prepared to take their pick of the cream of jobs in the travel sector. Former students like Chris are now working for top airlines, luxury cruise liners and leading travel operators across the globe. It’s a great option for someone with a love of travel and a spirit of adventure.”

“They wanted someone to carry out makeovers on members of the audience, showing how clever techniques can give star quality to any of us,” explained Sally. “Our lecturers have very extensive experience in the beauty industry and I knew that Dawn Smith, who is a former consultant for Estee Lauder, would do a wonderful job.”
Dawn carried out WAG-style transformations on willing volunteers during the popular event and also talked to the audience about skin-types, the importance of a good cleansing routine, how to choose cosmetic colours to complement skin tone and how to look like a million dollars without spending a fortune. She was also interviewed by Radio Stoke presenter Tim Wedgwood while she applied the make-up, explaining why she had chosen particular products and revealing some of the tricks of professional make-up artists.

“Dawn is one of our team of lecturers based in the Stafford Beauty Academy, where trainee beauticians develop their skills under the guidance of experts,” explained Sally Western. “Make-up is one of the treatments available to members of the public at the Academy where students are trained to create a whole range of cosmetic looks, from a natural, ‘no make-up’ style for the day, to sophisticated, dramatic make-up for the evening. Whether a client wants to look like an English rose or a glamorous WAG, our students are trained to create a style that’s perfect for the individual.”
Readers who would like to act as models for therapists training at the Stafford Beauty Academy can get more information by calling 01785 275514 during term-time to request a copy of the brochure listing treatments and prices.

With more than 800 young people completing A-levels or the equivalent vocational qualifications, Stafford College is the largest examination centre in the area. Celebrations on the campus will be shared by families throughout Stafford, Stone, Cannock, Rugeley and Newport.

“We are delighted with an excellent set of results,” said Jim Baker, Head of the Faculty of Arts & A-levels. “They are fully deserved by candidates who have worked hard during these demanding courses and by the dedicated lecturers, tutors and support staff who are committed to helping every student achieve the best possible results.”

This year there was a pass rate of 97 per cent for A-level candidates sitting their exams at Stafford College. Among those, 38 per cent of students gained Grade A*-B – up from 32 per cent last year.

“We were particularly pleased to see a pass rate of 100 per cent in 13 of the subjects we offer at A-level,” said Stafford College Principal Stephen Willis. “Special congratulations go to the students on our Photography, Textiles and Film Studies courses, where all candidates gained Grade A* - B and in Fine Art, where three candidates achieved a remarkable 100 per cent in their examinations.”

Mr Baker also highlighted pass rates of over 90 per cent for students on Law, Psychology and Sociology courses. “Pass rates of 100 per cent were achieved in Maths and Geography, with two-thirds of Maths results at grades A*-C,” he added.

The BTEC National Diploma is offered in vocational subjects such as Business, Health & Social Care, Arts, Public Services and Applied Science. With results pending in some subjects, more than 120 local candidates have already been awarded the highly-prized triple distinction – the equivalent of top grades at A-level.

“Our A-level and BTEC National Diploma students will be starting university courses next month,” said Stephen Willis. “Last year approximately 450 of our Level 3 students gained places at highly-regarded universities nationwide. This year we have extended our own range of degree-level courses and continue to welcome applications for these courses.”

Stories behind the results:
Sophie Kenny
Sophie took A-level Fine Art at Stafford College, studying English and Geography at Walton High School. Having already collected B Grades from school, she was thrilled to discover that she had achieved the new A* Grade in Fine Art.

Sophie, from Stafford, was one of three college students to achieve 100 per cent in their exam. She will be coming to College full-time in September, taking the Foundation Art & Design course before applying to university. “I can’t wait for the summer to be over so that I can start the course – I’ve never looked forward to anything so much!” she said.