DECEMBER 2015 ISSUE

Stoke Studio

College

Principals message – Christmas Newsletter – 2015

I would like to start by saying how much of a pleasure

it has been seeing all of our new Year 12 students

settle in so quickly to life at the Studio College. Our

new suite of A-level courses on offer at Excel Further

and the work that the students are producing is a

testament to their commitment to achieve and the

dedication and hard work of the staff. These courses

provide an excellent addition to our vocational

programmes in Engineering and the Built

Environment. Expressions of interest for next year’s

intake are already very high!

It was a pleasure to see the students immerse

themselves in our new look induction programme that

involved an overnight residential. When I say immerse

– remember I have seen the photos!!

Our students have embraced our revised Enrichment programme

wholeheartedly, and with the support of our sponsor, Stoke-on-Trent College

have access to over 30 clubs/activities and societies.

Another ‘near’ highlight for our students was a student convention held at

Buckingham Palace for Studio students from around the country. I say ‘near’

as their train had to be diverted and they missed their entrance into the Palace!!

There is always next year!!! Their day wasn’t wasted as they took in the sights

and fantastic architecture of the capital.

Anyway, before I get carried away in hogging the full newsletter, I will end here.

There is lots to read through which I hope you find of great value. On behalf

of all the team at Stoke Studio I would like to wish you, your family and our

students, a wonderful Christmas, and also to thank you for your continued

support. I am sure the New Year will bring further highlights and proud

moments.

Inside this issue:

Students Make Wind Turbines with GE Energy

Safety is the Focus for Term

EMS Industries Offer Higher Apprenticeships

If You Believe,

You Can

Succeed

Masterclass by M J Barratt

Students Have Designs for the Future

UCAS

applications

NEC Skills Show

Michelin Science

Day

Year 11 mocks

Progress

Evening A

Success

Fantastic

Fundraisers!

Mr Lee Nixon

Principal

“Educating the Next Generation of Experts”

The College re-opens for students on Tuesday 5th January 2016

A Word from our Principal

PAGE 2

Students Make Wind Turbines with GE Energy

STOKE STUDIO COLLEGE

GE Energy delivered a Wind Turbine presentation to all of our Year 9 and 10 students on the 2nd and 3rd November 2015. The aim of the session was for GE Energy to introduce the company and explain how they provide a broad array of power generation, energy delivery and water process technologies to solve global challenges. The session focused on one of their main areas of production which is wind turbines. Our Year 9 and 10 students learned all about how a wind turbine works and its components, including the size and cost of these to where they are mostly situated

around the world and how much energy they produce. Following the presentation which was delivered by the Training Manager, Andrew Chilton and 4 GE Energy Apprentices, our students were involved in making their own wind turbine, that had to be free standing and made out of paper.

All of our students thoroughly enjoyed the session and said it had prompted them to think about how a wind turbine is constructed, the cost, size and the amount of energy that they produce.

Post-16 students in term one have accessed a number of sessions focused on keeping themselves and others safe; including E-Safety and two Big Tutorials held at Stoke on Trent College on PREVENT and Risky Business. The aim of the E-Safety session was to protect our students from the adverse consequences of access or use of electronic media, including from bullying, inappropriate sexualised behaviour or exploitation. The session included cyber-bullying, including sexual bullying, the safe use of social networking, including Facebook and WhatsApp, and real time communication, including texts, emails, video chat

and instant messaging. All our students said that the session was extremely useful and that they are now aware of how to keep themselves safe on line and when using other electronic media. The PREVENT Big Tutorial informed our students about the Government's PREVENT strategy to stop people from being drawn into terrorism and radicalization, and provided our students with information on whom they could talk to if they have any concerns. The Risky Business tutorial informed our students about grooming and befriending, and an additional session took place on sexual health and keeping themselves and others safe.

Safety is the Focus for Term One!

DECEMBER 2015 ISSUE PAGE 3

EMS Industries Offer Higher Apprenticeships

On 29th September 2015, Alimiyau Abdulrahaman an Electrical Engineer who works for Stoke-on-Trent

City Council delivered an inspirational talk to our post-16 Engineering students with the central theme being

that ‘if you believe, you can succeed’.

Alimiyau had our students mesmerised in the power of belief. His talk focused on how our students can

become Engineers of the future, if they believe they can and they do their best in striving for their full

potential.

He gave information, advice and guidance on lots of differing

Engineering careers from petroleum to

mechanical engineering. All of our

students said how fascinating his

presentation was and gave positive

feedback.

Students Inspired by ‘If You Believe, You Can Succeed’ Talk

EMS Industries Ltd have signed up to a really

exciting partnership with the Studio College.

The company will be offering Higher

Apprenticeship opportunities to our Year 13

Engineering Students for when they finish

their BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.

They have delivered two presentations to our

post-16 Year 12 and Year 13 students and a

session to our pre-16 Year 10 students. A site

visit has also been arranged for our post-16

students to explore the factory and premises at

EMS Industries Ltd.

PAGE 4

Masterclass by M J Barrett

Students at Excel Further and the Stoke Studio College were given the chance to find out about their future options when they attended a UCAS event at the Manchester Convention Centre.

“Design Your Future” is about giving students the opportunity to find out about various universities from across the country. Hundreds of universities showcased their unique, exciting features, had expert staff on hand to discuss what they can offer, and had course information ready for students to take away.

This was a fantastic opportunity for our high level students to find out more about where their courses with us can lead, and to also help inspire those students into entering higher education who may not have considered this route previously.

STOKE STUDIO COLLEGE

Students Have Designs for Future

On the 13th October 2015 Mr Howard Clulow from M J Barrett Construction gave a masterclass to our post-16 construction students. M J Barrett specialise in estimating, design, fabrication and site erection of steel framed buildings across the UK. The aim of the session was to introduce the company, what they do, Mr Clulow's role within the company and how he arrived into the profession, and for our students to analyse and examine technical drawings.

Mr Clulow also focused upon providing information about the differing professional and managerial roles within the Construction and Built Environment Industry as a whole, focusing upon the roles of Quantity Surveyor, Architectural T e c h n i c i a n s , B u i l d i n g S e r v i c e Engineers and Project Managers. All our students found the session extremely informative.

DECEMBER 2015 ISSUE PAGE 5

A wide range of leading employers and training organisations, including Toyota, Jaguar Landrover,

BAE Systems, High Speed Two, IBM and NHS Careers, as well as colleges, training providers and

careers advisers, were on site for students to talk to.

As part of its community involvement programme and its desire to

help encourage young people to consider a career in STEM (Science,

Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) based subjects, Michelin

Tyre PLC organised a “Michelin Tyre Lab” for the first time this

year.

The objective was to show local young people who are studying

STEM based subjects at school some theoretical areas of science and

how they are applied in the design and manufacture of a tyre.

A group of Year 10 students received an interactive session on:

The tyre and how it works

How a tyre works, how it wears and how this affects the

performance of the tyre and some of the do’s and don’ts about

looking after your tyres.

What the future looks like for new tyre designs

Students received first-hand experience of how Science is applied in

everyday applications.

Michelin Science Day

NEC Skills Show

On Friday 20th November 2015, Stoke Studio College and Excel Further students visited The Skills Show at the Birmingham NEC.

The Skills Show is the UK’s largest skills and careers event for young people, where learners had the opportunity to:

Learn about a huge variety of skills and career opportunities

Speak to employers about real jobs and industry trends

Try different skills and discover new talents

Receive independent, impartial careers advice

Be inspired by the talents of young people competing in skills competitions

For more information, please visit www.theskillsshow.com.

The event provided students with hands-on experiences that inspire them about the world of work.

PAGE 6

STOKE STUDIO COLLEGE

2016 UCAS APPLICATIONS

Year 13 students at the Studio College received support and guidance on the process for applying to University as well as tips on writing a Personal Statement.

IMPORTANT dates to note are: 15th January 2016 - Deadline for receipt at UCAS of all applications, including the UCAS reference, for all courses except those with a 15 October deadline, and Art & Design courses with a 24 March deadline.

25th February 2016 - UCAS extra opens. If you are eligible to use Extra, you can refer yourself to another choice.

24th March 2016 - Deadline for receipt at UCAS of all applications, including the reference, for some Art & Design courses except those listed with a 15 January deadline.

31st March 2016 - Date universities will usually have made a decision about your applica-tion if you sent it before the 15th January deadline (although this may take longer in some cases.)

4th May 2016 - The date you need to make a decision on your firm and insurance choice if all your universities responded by the 31st March deadline. If UCAS do not receive your responses, they will decline offers on your behalf.

5th May 2016 - If you applied by 15th January, universities and colleges need to send their decisions by this date. If they don't, UCAS will make any outstanding choices unsuccessful on their behalf.

8th June 2016 - The date you need to make a decision on your firm and insurance choice if all your decisions are received by 5th May 2016.

Speak to your Personal Coach if you need any support on the UCAS application process or

other choices available.

DECEMBER 2015 ISSUE PAGE 7

The evening took place on Thursday 5th November 2015, with Personal Coach Alison Smith, Form Tutor and History teacher Paul Burgess, and Head of Year 12 David Miles present. It involved staff and parents discussing their child's progress at the newly opened Sixth Form based at the Excel Academy. Parents and students could both attend, allowing for all involved to gain a better understanding of their A Level and BTEC progress to da te , including praising students for their efforts so far and direction on how to improve and succeed going forward.

The evening was a great success, and we are looking forward to seeing the great progress our students will make with us throughout their learning journey at Excel Further.

Progress Evening A Success

Year 11 students sat mock examinations in November of which the results will be available at the

end of January.

These mock GCSE examinations will give a good indication of your child’s current grades and any

areas that they need to focus on for the Summer examinations.

Year 11 is a very important time for our students and we would ask that you please support us in

ensuring that your child has the best possible attendance record.

Please ensure that he/she sets time aside for revision and has the correct equipment to bring with

them.

Year 11 Mock exams

FREE Breakfast

ALL students (aged 16-18) attending our Burslem

Campus are entitled to a choice of Porridge, Toast

with Egg or Beans or Yoghurt and Fruit,

before 8.40am in the restaurant at Stoke

on Trent College.

A Great Way to Start the Day!

Fantastic Fundraisers!

Apply Now! We are now accepting applications for September 2016

For enquiries, please contact 01782 603171 or download an application form from our website:

www.stokestudiocollege.co.uk

PAGE 8 STOKE STUDIO COLLEGE

IMPORTANT NOTICE

The Admissions Policy is open for consultation.

Stoke Studio College for Construction & Building Excellence propose to lower the admission age for the year 2017 to 2018 to accept 20 Year 9 students.

The proposed new policy is located on our website www.stokestudiocollege.co.uk

Two of our Excel Further students, Georgia and Sharna, have had a busy November undertaking fundraising

activities for The Donna Louise Trust.

Their efforts included a Bake Sale, bag packing at Asda, Tunstall, a Cycle Challenge and a 24-hour ‘Stay

Awake’ event.

We are tremendously proud of the girls, who have raised in excess of (FILL IN AMOUNT—WAITING

FROM HELEN) which will be donated to towards providing Christmas meals for the families of patients at

the Donna Louise, as well as support for patients and bereaved relatives.

If you wish to donate, please visit: www.justgiving.com/DLT