Blackpool and The Fylde College
July 2024
An eight page pull-out celebrating degree success from Blackpool and The Fylde College.
GRADUATION CEREMONY Be more successful. be more at B&FC.
CONGRATULATIONS to B&FC’s Class of 2024
On Thursday 4 July, in the magnificent Empress Ballroom at Blackpool’s iconic Winter Gardens, over 600 students took to the stage to receive their degrees from Lancaster University’s Dean for Academic Quality Professor Alisdair Gillespie, cheered on enthusiastically by friends and family, invited VIP guests, employer partners and fellow students.
In a nod to Blackpool’s entertainment heritage, the academic procession at the start of each of the two ceremonies was led in by a circus-inspired brass band featuring stilt walkers playing a selection of inspirational pop songs. This hit exactly the right celebratory note for the event, the first to take place under Alun Francis’s leadership, the College’s new Principal and CEO. who arrived shortly after last year’s graduation.
Taking this opportunity to address the assembled gathering and to formally close the ceremony, Alun, who is also Chair of the UK’s Social Mobility Commission, spoke passionately about the benefits of education not just for individual students but for whole communities. With this in mind, he then invited the graduates to make a pledge; to encourage one friend, colleague or family member who might similarly benefit from degree-level study to explore what’s on offer at Blackpool and The Fylde College in an effort to ensure people don’t miss out on the opportunities on their doorstep.
Both ceremonies were officially opened by Peter Greenall, Vice Principal for Higher Education and each featured a student address. In the first ceremony, this was conducted by Lucas Marino, a Vodafone Apprentice who received a BSc(Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions degree and who spoke eloquently about how allowing yourself to take risks and make mistakes can lead to even greater achievements. In the second ceremony,
Brooke Singleton, who achieved a first-class honours degree in Business Management, talked about how starting an apprenticeship at 16 had been no barrier to her long-term success either professionally or academically and praised the support she had received both from the College and her employer.
Having mingled in the Floral Hall at the Winter Gardens beforehand, graduates and their families were then invited to a celebratory drinks reception at St John’s Church afterwards where they had the chance to reconnect with their course tutors, reminisce about their time at B&FC and share their plans for the future.
We wish them every success with the next chapter of their lives.
You
did it!
Foundation degree in computing ignites passion for teaching in Benjamin
Benjamin Hancox FdSc Software Engineering and Game Development
When Benjamin signed up for his Foundation Degree in Software Engineering and Games Development it was a passion for computing in general and gaming in particular that drove his initial decision. Fast forward two years and Benjamin has not only loved every minute of his computing course, but he’s also discovered another skill that is now shaping his thoughts for the future.
One of the unexpected results of doing this course is that I found I’ve really enjoyed helping my fellow students with their coursework. People are always asking for my input so I’ve been thinking that getting a teaching qualification after doing my honours degree is going to be in my plans. I’d love to get into games development but it’s such a competitive field that having other options makes sense too and I think teaching is something I would find really satisfying. It’s also an opportunity to repay all the fantastic tuition I’ve enjoyed at the College. It’s one of the aspects of the course that I’ve really appreciated.”
Rebecca finds artistic inspiration in the classroom
Rebecca Ryan
PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate of Education)
Another student who was so inspired by her undergraduate journey that she made the leap into education is Rebecca Ryan. Originally a fine art student at the College, Rebecca decided that the best way to share her love of the creative process was to teach it.
Reflecting on her undergraduate degree, Rebecca said that one of the aspects of her tuition that she really appreciated was the tutors’ ability to draw out the creative ideas that she sometimes found difficult to articulate. “It was the fact that they could open up a whole new perspective on a project
you were working on and help you develop ideas in ways you hadn’t even considered that I found so motivating.” It was an experience she drew on herself during her placement teaching art to 16-19 year olds. “These students would have such wonderful ideas but could struggled to get them out on paper. Being able to help them fine tune their thinking and encourage them to experiment was really amazing.” Rebecca also praised the level of support she received from B&FC.
I originally went to a much larger university, but the support I received at B&FC was unparalleled. It wasn’t just the tutors who went that extra mile either. I had great support from the Careers Team when I was trying to decide if teaching was right for me and then help from the Wellbeing Team when issues outside College began to affect my studies. I don’t think I would have got the same help elsewhere.”
Taught by Industry specialists.
A passion for networking pays dividends for Tyler
Tyler Checchia BSc(Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions (Network Engineering)
Wanting to enjoy the best of both worlds led Tyler Checchia down the path towards a degree apprenticeship so he was delighted to secure a place on Vodafone’s coveted apprenticeship programme where he was able to gain valuable work experience as well as working towards an honours degree.
It’s been absolutely amazing. It really has. It’s been a great opportunity to work and get experience and do a degree all at the same time. I’ve also really benefitted from being able to apply my learning from the lectures in a practical environment and see what its impact actually is.”
Asked how he had found the study aspect of his programme, Tyler admitted to being sceptical at first.
I was worried that the learning was all going to be virtual and that we weren’t going to have the support you really need to do a degree. Thankfully, that apprehension was dispelled very quickly. The contact’s been there and it actually felt like you were in the classroom with the lecturer. In fact, the lecturers were always there to support you and even responded in the evening if you were struggling with some aspect of the course. And it’s been great to bounce off the other apprentices too. We’ve all been really supportive of each other and pushed each other to achieve more than we might have done doing a degree via a more traditional route.”
Tyler was delighted to hear he had achieved a first class honours degree and is now looking to secure a permanent role within the Vodafone network.
Emma lapped up the opportunity to join GA Pet Food Partners’
degree apprenticeship scheme
Emma Whittingham BSc(Hons) Project Management
Emma was already working for the GA Pet Food Partners when she was invited to join the company’s degree apprenticeship programme. Knowing she had always wanted to better her education, but not wanting to sacrifice the benefits of employment for a full-time degree programme, this was the ideal scenario for Emma. Doing the Project Management degree has dovetailed perfectly with Emma’s work responsibilities too.
So much of what I have learnt on the course has been applicable to my role. As a result, I’ve been able to integrate the knowledge and skills I’ve acquired to positively benefit both my own area of the organisation and the company as a whole. And it’s been beneficial to me as an employee too.”
As a result of doing the programme, Emma has been promoted within the organisation to a more senior role and has also seen an uplift in her salary, something which wouldn’t have been possible otherwise or would have certainly taken much longer to achieve.
Delivered virtually with fellow students attending from all over the country, Emma was quick to point out that despite the off-site element of the programme taking place online, the group all enjoyed a real sense of camaraderie. In fact, graduation was the first time they had all met face-to-face, but Emma said it was just like meeting people she’d known for years such was the strength of the bond they had all shared. She hasn’t ruled out going back to the classroom, virtual or otherwise, if the opportunity presents itself in the future, but for now she’s concentrating on putting everything she has learnt into practice and making her way up the corporate ladder.
From GSCEs to degree-level study: William proves anything is possible for adult learners
William Eaves FdA Mental Health
At B&FC we believe that with the right academic help and wraparound support, every learner has the opportunity to reach for the stars even if they didn’t excel at school.
William’s journey is a case in point. Coming back to study GSCEs was the first step and then it was onto an Access to HE course which made the possibility of degree-level study a reality when William applied for and successfully secured a place on the then newly launched Foundation Degree in Mental Health and Resilience.
“It was a completely natural progression and, to be honest, the timing couldn’t have been better. Having experience mental health issues myself, it was a subject that
and Resilence
was close to my heart so when the degree became available, I jumped at the chance to get involved.”
William also cited the excellent teaching throughout his time here as another reason why it was easy for him to make the decision to progress.
In every single course, not just at degree-level, but lower down as well, the tutors give students every possible resource to help them with their studies and we’ve had some fantastic tutors. Very knowledgeable, very personable and it’s just worked brilliantly.”
Having achieved a distinction with commendation, William is now looking to secure a support role that will allow him to put both his skills, expertise and experience to good use and is hoping to build on the work he did during his placement.
The numbers add up Fathia, Nadia, Katie and Lauren
Professional Diploma in Accounting
Four students who were delighted to be attending graduation this year had all recently achieved their AAT Accounting Level 4 qualification, one of a number of highly respected professional courses run at College. AAT qualifications set the industry standard for introductory and next-step accountancy courses which can ultimately lead to becoming a Chartered Accountantsomething Nadia is intending to pursue.
As a result of completing my Level 4, I’ve been able to apply for and secure a job with a company who are happy to support me through my Chartered Accoutancy qualifications so in three years’ time I’ll be fully qualified.”
Lauren and Katie, who both work in the financial sector for the NHS, have found the course invaluable in developing their technical expertise at work. In fact, Katie is already chasing more senior roles:
I’ve been able to apply for jobs that previously I wouldn’t have even been considered for so it has genuinely opened a lot of doors for me.”
Both graduates have grown in confidence too. Lauren has enjoyed two promotions and an increase in her salary. “Even though studying requires commitment, I have
Spearheading
definitely seen the benefits both in terms of finances and how much more equipped I feel to do my job.”
What the group are all agreed on is the tremendous support their tutor David Robinson has been throughout the course. Fathia was quick to point out what a brilliant experience it had been for her having David’s help. “He’s an amazing teacher and it has been such a positive experience for me. I couldn’t have achieved all that I have without him.”
Sadly, future students won’t benefit from David’s expertise as he is just about to retire, but he assures us he’s leaving accountancy at the College in very capable hands.
technical and professional education since 1892.
Sreekutty Polachirayil
Philip Muir Smith
Midhun Thomas Najmus Sahar Zafar
Leadership, Management and Lifestyle
Foundation Degree Physical Activity, Health and Nutrition
David Joshua Firth
Rachel Hannah Ratcliffe
Ethan Reiss Thomas Sumner
Foundation Degree Sports Coaching and Performance
Science
Daniel Gildea
Dainelle Kirsty Lousie OforiNyarko
HNC Physical Activity, Health and Leadership
Holly Leanne Buck
Sasha Corral
Diploma in Management and Leadership
Terry Martin Aoslin
Keith Alan Basson
Sophie Rebecca Bell
Carl Blackburn
Courtney Bornand Kenton Michael Chick
Helen Clucas
Lisa Jayne Coultas
Matthew James Cox
Daniel Lee Davis
Crystal Ellerton
Sharron Evans
Chelsea Fox
Andrew James Gaulton
Simon Albert Harris
Jordan Lewis Hayes
Charlotte Kennedy
Jamaal Ahmed Khan
Terri Millar
Gemma Rae
Joanne Rocca
Carol Shearman
Liz Stedman
Phelton Stephenson
Karl Leonard Taylor
Jack Taylor
Leon Jerome Taylor
Paul Thomson
Adam Mark Ward
Jennifer Western
Madison Yeo
Diploma in People Management
Julie Margaret Bentley
Lauren Casson
Mione Chatham
Hayley Davison
Gabriella Fawcett
Kamil Gradowski
Ashely Halton
Faye Jewell
Luke Kennedy
Samantha Kinvig
Emma Knight
Nasreen Kosar
Gemma Louise Langford
Nicole Lockett
Alex Meace
Philip Metcalfe
Scott Moore
Collins Ofiwe
Charlotte Mary Okeeffe
Cathey Quinn
Janine Ronaldson
Christopher James Stott
Lisa Jane Walker
Laura Anne Wright-Dixon
Ellis Wallbank
Professional Diploma in Accounting
Reuben Colin Coombs
Sarah Cumpsty
Nadia Louise Eaves
Tammer Samara El-Somokhly
Katie Emma Fairhurst
Matthew Howarth
Louise Victoria Morley
Malgorzata Moskwa
Lauren Grace Thornborough
Lancaster Accredited
Health, Education and Science
Post Graduate Certificate in Education
Katharine Ann Ball
Callum Greg Barbour
Bethany Mae Barnes
Mark Andrew Philip Chapman
Tyler Paul Anthony Clayton
Peter Andrew Cox
Liam Robin Davidson
Casey Louise Fearon
Emma Louise Jones
Kayleigh Anne Milsom
Aneta Moss
Mark North
Rebecca Dawn Ryan
William George Sanders
Niccola Louise Thornburrow
Melissa Topping
James David Welch
BA (Hons) Adult Health and Social Care
Susan Allen
Stephanie Jayne Ashley
Maria Lavinia Berry
Toni Louise Dawson
Sarah Louise Payne*
Hannah Perrett
Kimberly Jade Porter
Laura Alicia Shilton*
Molly Erin Smith
Natalie Jayne Steeden
BA (Hons) Children, Young People and Families
Samantha Lea Armstrong
Alisha Jane Egan
Leah Forletta-Tonner
Alexandra Olivia Franks
Melissa Jade Knapton
Kelly-Anne McCord
Thomas Gary Moulding*
Sophie Shearstone
Lakhvinder Ravina Singh
Fiona Elizabeth Watson
Megan Paige Wells
Lauren Debra Wong
BA (Hons) Early Childhood
Studies
Natalie Faye Ashley
Rachael Atkinson
Nicole Caldwell
Lucy Marie Gibson
Ildiko Graham
Bethany Lois Hutton
Victoria Kelly*
Fiona Jayne McNeill
Claire Louise Mills
BA (Hons) Health and Social Care
Nicole Swallow
BA (Hons) Teaching and Learning Support
Jade Cowling
Melissa Goodinson*
Marissa Suzanne Healey*
Rebecca Jane Helsby
Laura Ashley Hill
Kloe Rose Ann McGow
Megan Lesley Pogson-Hardy*
Stacey Marie Robinson
Sharon Louise Shenton
Nicola Ann Whitehead*
BSc (Hons) Marine Biology
Kyle Bleakley
Faith Brough
Katy Frances Casson
Bradley Cooke
Jack Robert Dyson
Kane Fletcher
Carmel Victoria Henderson
Scarlett Beatrice Bleu Henson
Kayleigh Taylor
BSc (Hons) Human Biosciences
Grace Joyce Laura Edeson
Gemma Annice Elleray
Harry Peter Rose
Foundation Degree Children, Young People and Families
Sharon Lynette Athay
Anuszka Grace Clegg
Danielle Mandy Davies
Jayde-Louise Eastwood
Shauna Marie Larkin
Chloe Stephanie Maddiss-
Griffiths
Josephine Marshall
Chaimaine Zara McCloy
Natalie Jacqueline Morgan
Georgina O'Neill
Hayley Jay Rawcliffe
Samantha Hannah Sutton
Foundation Degree Early
Childhood Studies
Nicole Clare Cooke
Foundation Degree Health and Social Care
Kristina Marie Corkery
Nichola Hargreaves
Joanne Hickman
Sally-Ann Hornby
Chloe Louise Kidd
Victoria Joyce Lamb
Carriann Lawler
Suzanne Metcalfe
Clare Thompson
Katy Louise Thompson
Nikolas Stuart Watkins
Sandra Akpojotor Wilson
Katy Louise Wood
Foundation Degree
Human Biosciences
Rhys Brooks
Jodie Hazlehurst
Jemma Claire Hibbert
Yazmin Holmes
Christopher Morgan
Michael Perry
Alisha Victoria Peters
Steven Paul Tunstall
Lauren Waters
Tonicha Jae Wilmore
Foundation Degree
Marine Biology
Alex John Carter
Freda Louise Downie
Zachary Andrew Gottfreund
William Jones
Heather Anne Race
Foundation Degree Teaching and Learning Support
Katie Rose Albert
Leeann Binns
Leanne Marie Briggs
Ella Jane Brookes
Thomas William Brownrigg
Lucie Elliott Burnside
Karen Julie Clare
Perri Louise Corbishley
Lilly Elouise Cowell
Rachel Lesley Hewitt
Jacqueline Anne Lawton
Amelia Marie Leadbetter
Aisha McNickle
Lisa Marie Mullen
Joanne Louise Newton
Casey Jo Robinson
Colin David Robinson
Sophie Louise Stapleton
Charlotte Stewart
Craig Whiteside
Sharon Lisa Wright
Certificate of Higher Education Children, Young People and Families
Jessica Ella Busby
Laura Casey-Morton
Alyssa Rose Cleland
Claudia Lynne Granda
Maho Hadfield
Kerry Rebecca Langan
Hayley Jane Latham
Teresa Ann Lynch
Kirsty Louise Morley
Kathy Jayne O'Brien
Sarah Pretty
Kelly Jean Ellen Reid
Stephanie Anne Watson
Leadership, Management and Lifestyle
BA (Hons) Business Management (Financial Management)
Paige Siobhan Benton
Ellie Louise Emery-Crowder
Diana Filimonova*
James Galliford
Paul Stephen Hilton
Julie Andrea Hooper
Marieta Plamenova Petrova*
Anna Rubule
Angela Shone
Arina Titova
Alla Vladimirova
Arron Wilkinson
BA (Hons) Business Management (Human Resource Management)
Abdul Nasir Amami
Magdalena Bednarczyk
Zaneta Sabina Bisikierska
Joanne Louise Bury
Jadene Cerys Evans
Ruth Hodges
Barbora Nekvapilova
Hannah Louise Trotter
Daniel Wolniak
BA (Hons) Business Management (Leadership)
Stacey Baldwin Michelle Binns
Jade Burke
Alison Marie Calderbank
Leah Clark Sara Fare*
Shantell Elizabeth Frudd
Jacinta Lucy Gaynor
Patricia Gilmore
Lydia Greenwood* Zakwan Hansrot
Chloe Sade Hodgson
Peter Joseph Hubbard
Leah Huddart*
Sophie Anne Inman*
Sandra Kite
Tessa Leigh
Daniel Mageean*
Alicja Anna Malon
Lewis Benjamin Moore
Christopher James Moss
Callum Goron Robert Muir
Amy Louise Munro
Dylan Nagliati
Elaine Karen Oakey
Andrew O'Donnell
Jennifer Mary Pullin
Johanna Revell
Rebecca Rachel Roskell*
Emma Scanlan*
Jonathan Sewell
Brooke Singleton
Sophie Jade Staff
Rebecca Lucy Stringer
Bradley Micheal Tabeart
Morgan Charles Wagner
Matthew Walker
Jessica Sarah Woodington*
BA (Hons) Criminology and Criminal Justice
Rebecca Bird
Rachel Boyes
Leanne Louise Clements
Jessica Cullinan*
Rebekka Glenn Foy
Aleah Franklin-Williams
Emma Marie Greenop*
Aden Lee Nixon
Toni Louiza Phillips
Hannah Vikktoria Teale
Jodie Ella louise Wilkinson
Helen Elizabeth Wright
BA (Hons) English: Language, Literature and Writing Ellie Jorden Briggs
Simon Andrew Dooley
Julia Evelyn Ellis
Darren John Gorman
Kimberley Patricia Gregory Sylwia Wojcik
BA (Hons) Hospitality and Events Management
Calogero Chiodo
Alexander Robert Dean Fielden*
Elliott John Green
Samantha Georgina Murphy
Lucy-Anne Rose Truelove*
BA (Hons) Professional Policing (Pre-join)
Matthew James Bowker
Kerrie Marie Dore
Mia Ewen
Benjamin Jones-Stringer
Harry David Molyneux
BA (Hons) Tourism
Management Chelsea-Leigh Rogers
BSc (Hons) Physical Activity, Health and Nutrition
Otto Ball
David Joshua Firth
Kerrie Hall
Kim Michelle Jeeves
Danielle Sian Parrott*
Megan Katie Riedel
Charlotte Emily Roberts
BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching and Performance Science
Mark Anthony Brindley
Daniel Gildea
Lucy May Green
Charlotte Megan Kendrick
Danielle Kirsty Louise OforiNyarko
Agnieszka Sylwia Adamek
Fathia Ayad
Allana Maria Duffy
Progress your career with Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs)
HTQs provide an exciting opportunity to get the skills employers want and secure a route into well-paid, sustainable employment.
Recognised by industry and sought after by employers, these qualifications increase a candidate’s visibility, proving to recruiters that they possess the technical skills required to do the job.
B&FC, which delivers some of its HTQs in partnership with the Lancashire and Cumbria Institute of Technology, currently offers HTQs in the following areas:
+ Business & Enterprise
+ Children, Young People & Families
+ Computing and Digital Technologies
+ Engineering … with more courses already in the pipeline.
Visit blackpool.ac.uk to apply or join us at our enrolment-focused Open Event on Saturday 7 September | 10.30am – 2pm | Bispham Campus