Cheshire College Chronicle January 2024

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CHESHIRE COLLEGE OPENS

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In here you’ll find an abundance of good news stories, features and updates from students and staff across Cheshire College’s three Campuses.

We’d love to hear more! Send your news to p.release@ccsw.ac.uk so we can include it in our next issue.

J U ST S O M E O F W H AT W E ’ V E B E E N U P TO …

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CHESHIRE COLLEGE INVESTS

£150 K IN NEW TRAINING HOSPITAL WARD AT CREWE CAMPUS

LEARNING AT THE LAUNDRETTE!

CHESHIRE COLLEGE AND MOTHERWELL JOIN FORCES FOR COMMUNITY LEARNING

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Motherwell Cheshire CIO has opened a brand-new laundrette at the New Images Youth and Community Centre in Winsford, which will be used as a space for community learning in collaboration with Cheshire College – South & West.

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CHESHIRE COLLEGE ENCOURAGES

LIFELONG LEARNING WITH ADULT COURSES

USHPAL THIND, TALKS SUSTAINABILITY, GREEN SKILLS AND ELLESMERE PORT CAMPUS’ NEW 680 K SUSTAINABLE HOUSE.

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CHESHIRE COLLEGE SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD CHAMPION

NOMINATED FOR SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

CHESHIRE COLLEGE INVESTS

£150 K IN NEW TRAINING HOSPITAL WARD AT CREWE CAMPUS 4

JANUARY 2024

A new state-of-the-art training hospital ward, designed and built for students to gain experience in a real life medical setting, has just opened at Cheshire College – South & West’s Crewe Campus.

The College was one of the few educational providers in the North West that was awarded funding under the Government’s Strategic Development Fund (SDF), resulting in an investment of £150,000 into the new training ward.

Impressive new training facilities include an eight-bed replica hospital ward on Campus, cutting-edge dental simulation equipment, digital reality programmes, tactile models and lifelike mannequins, virtual dissection tables and specialist teaching staff.

The hospital ward will not only equip students with the skills to better meet the needs of their future employers, but also support local innovation, jobs, and economic growth as well as develop a more efficient

overall delivery infrastructure within the College itself.

Facilities are now open within the health and social care department of Cheshire College’s Crewe Campus, and use of them will be offered to students working towards careers in nursing, life science, dentistry, healthcare and education, to name a few.

Students will be able to engage with responsive mannequins to measure blood pressure, heart rate and even simulate engaging with a patient CHESHIRE COLLEGE CHRONICLE

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in a ward setting. They will also be taught to check pulses and can monitor virtual procedures thanks to cutting edge digital equipment provided by the College. Dentistry students can experiment with onsite simulation equipment to begin to understand and attain the skills they will need for their future working life.

Karen Roberts, Assistant Principal has overseen the project. She said: “ From our close relationship with employers, we know that the best talents come from when students can experience what it’s really like to be in a work setting. There’s no better place to do this for those pursuing a career in the medical or healthcare field, than in a ward itself. This new high quality learning experience will give our pupils the perfect start to their career journey; and that they will venture into further education, or into work, with transferrable, ‘hands on’ skills attained at Cheshire College.

It’s amazing what we’ve been able to achieve here with the investment, it really brings the curriculum alive.”

Local organisations that work with the College have already expressed interest in using the facilities to train

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JANUARY 2024

their own members of staff; and have highlighted the value of the ward when it comes to the employability of college leavers in this sector.

Many of the students that will be using the new medical facilities on

Cheshire College’s Crewe Campus will be studying the new qualifications that are T Levels. T Levels equip students with the real-life technical skills that are valued and required by employers in various industries.

Higher Education at Cheshire College High quality tuition without the high university fees Timetabling to suit you Smaller class sizes Dedicated support and facilities Work skills and employability training

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Dane Bank Avenue Crewe, Cheshire CW2 8AB

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Eaton Road Handbridge, Chester CH4 7ER

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NEW ADULT COURSES Enrol onto a FREE adult course.

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Crewe Campus

Ellesmere Port Campus

Chester Campus

Dane Bank Avenue Crewe, Cheshire CW2 8AB

Off Sutton Way Ellesmere Port CH65 7BF

Eaton Road Handbridge, Chester CH4 7ER

JANUARY 2024

LEARNING AT THE LAUNDRETTE!

CHESHIRE COLLEGE AND MOTHERWELL JOIN FORCES FOR COMMUNITY LEARNING

Motherwell Cheshire CIO has opened a brand-new laundrette at the New Images Youth and Community Centre in Winsford, which will be used as a space for community learning in collaboration with Cheshire College – South & West.

The community space is named ‘Edna’s Laundrette’ in honour of local woman Edna Fletcher, who worked at the New Images Community Centre for 38 years and has continued to volunteer there for a further 13 years.

The four washing machines, Edna, Ailsa, Ada and Eva (named after Edna Fletcher, former mayor of Winsford Ailsa Gaskill-Jones, social activist Ada Nield Chew, and former First Lady of Argentina Eva Perón) were also installed with the help of Plumbing

staff and a former student from Cheshire College.

Edna’s Laundrette promises to be a vital resource for those in need, as household appliances are increasingly expensive to use. Service users can book to use the machines for free, but Motherwell’s founder Kate Blakemore has said that the space is designed to be so much more than a place to wash and dry clothes, inspiring the hashtag #NotJustALaundrette. “ People can definitely use the washers and tumbles but it’s more about what the space can provide, really,” Blakemore shared. “ Cheshire College has already been delivering community learning in this space and we want to

capitalise on that. We want people to know that we’ll always have a course that’s running for the women we support. Edna’s Laundrette is a place where people can network, socialise, learn, and find a greater sense of community with each other.”

Cheshire College recently completed a Level 2 Domestic Abuse Awareness course at the centre in collaboration with Motherwell. The four-week programme was such a success that it is due to be repeated at the College’s Crewe Campus.

Other upcoming community learning sessions include Level 2 Understanding Behaviour That Challenges, Level 2 Understanding Autism, a Level 1 Award in Stress Awareness, and more.

CHESHIRE COLLEGE CHRONICLE

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APPLICATIONS FOR SEPTEMBER 2024

ARE NOW OPEN!

Take a look at our Career Guide College Life One of the best things about studying at Cheshire College is the freedom we have to be ourselves. We are encouraged to study independently and develop as individuals and this prepares us for further education like university, which I think is great!

The College has helped me a lot in terms of university applications and academic excellence. The Scholars Programme is truly amazing. The programme has helped so many of us to achieve what we thought was impossible.

The extracurricular activities are great for discovering new talents and hobbies, and I think it’s wonderful that the College provides activities outside of your studies where you can focus on having fun!

Wiktoria, Student Governor Studying A Level Psychology, Biology and Chemistry

The Next Chapter University

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If you are you can planning to go to universit attend designed our to give tailored workshoy, advice ps from whenyou support applicat and you first ion your offer. right through start your and talks You can also to acceptin g from universit attend visits ies.

Our students have gone places at including the country’ on to secure s top universit Universit the Universit y of Cambrid ies, and The y of Oxford, Universit ge, Universit y of Manchesy of Bristol ter.

Further Stu dy

You might so much enjoy your time on to the that you choose at Cheshire College next-lev to el course. stay and progress progress

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Studying info@ccsw.ac.uk www.ccsw.ac.uk | 5 to startingat Cheshire the next College can really give chapter Many of in your you an life. advanta employmour students ge when go it comes scholars ent, higher-le on to exciting vel courses, hips. destinat ions apprent iceships, such as universit trainees y, hips and

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Apprent iceships regarde are highlyd available by employe rs apprent from Level 2 and are to iceships at Level degree 6.

If you are apprent considering an iceship step, we as your join our can help you! next You can Talent Pool support you with which will applying writing interview for vacancie your CV, s and with techniqu es.

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www.cc

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Join a College where there are

NO LIMITS… info@ccsw.ac.uk

Crewe Campus Dane Bank Avenue Crewe, Cheshire CW2 8AB 10 JANUARY 2024

01270 654654 01244 656555

ccsw.ac.uk

Ellesmere Port Campus

Chester Campus

Off Sutton Way Ellesmere Port CH65 7BF

Eaton Road Handbridge, Chester CH4 7ER

WHAT'S NEW AT CHESHIRE COLLEGE I N V E S T M E N T U P DAT E W I T H L O R N A H E AV E N S

CHESHIRE COLLEGE OPENS

£680 K ON-SITE SUSTAINABLE HOME TO PLUG SKILLS GAP A new sustainable house aimed at giving students hands-on experience with sustainable technologies has opened at Cheshire College’s Ellesmere Port campus. The £680,000 project addresses the ever-increasing demand for environmentally friendly properties as well as the skills gap in sustainable construction methods.

The College’s fully functioning sustainable house was built by local specialist WUDL, and has been fitted with the latest sustainable technologies, such as ground source heat pumps, photovoltaic solar panels and green walls from partner businesses, all within a 50-mile radius of the college.

A sustainable house is a voluntary set of building standards that aim to create houses and other structures that are comfortable and healthy yet consume very little energy.

The idea behind the project is that students will get to work on the new house in a real life setting without the risk associated with it being someone’s home. This hands-on approach will CHESHIRE COLLEGE CHRONICLE

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help students of all ages develop new skills and tackle the UK’s current skills shortage.

Mark Parsons, Assistant Principal of Curriculum has overseen the project, he said: “ Learning is very different when you can use your senses: to see and touch the house is a change from looking at an image on screen or in the classroom. As a T Level provider, we understand the importance of this kind of on-the-job experience which is why we are excited to see our students use this new house to learn new skills that will have a positive impact on not only them as individuals but the planet.”

The house will allow students to work on the maintenance, as well as installation of sustainable features, for example looking at the servicing of ground source heat pumps and how they work. They will also get to examine the analytics of the home on the courses at Levels 2, 3 and 4, to see what savings can be achieved, both financial and environmental, through the seasons.

However, the project is not just for school leavers but for the wider community and adult students too, in order to upskill the issue of the aging work force both nationally and locally.

Courses will be offered to businesses whose employees may not be familiar with more modern technologies, allowing them to upskill and take their learnings to projects across the country. The project also addresses the issue of aging housing stock in the UK, future proofing those homes by giving students the knowledge and skills to upgrade those homes.

The students will be able to monitor everything on the house, from inside and outside temperatures – on a cloudy day, a rainy day, right down to testing when the photovoltaic energy cells get dirty – how efficiently are they running at that point in time.

Many of the students that will work on house will be studying T Levels. T Levels equip students with the real-life technical skills that are valued and required by employers in various industries.

The demand for sustainable housing is ever increasing and, as such, there needs to be a skilled workforce that can meet this need. The sustainable house is a unique facility that allows our students to get hands-on experience of environmentally-friendly technology and techniques. It allows people of all ages and stages of their career to upskill and to tackle the current skill shortage.

Lorna Heaven, Director of Capital Projects

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JANUARY 2024

CHESHIRE COLLEGE CHRONICLE

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CHESHIRE COLLEGE LECTURER IN GREEN TECHNOLOGIES, USHPAL THIND, TALKS

SUSTAINABILITY, GREEN SKILLS AND ELLESMERE PORT CAMPUS’ NEW 680 K SUSTAINABLE HOUSE.

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JANUARY 2024

: Hi Ushpal! Tell us a bit more about your role at Cheshire College – South & West.

A: Sure - I'm a lecturer in Green Technologies and I currently teach T Level courses for Construction, Building Services, Engineering, Design, and Surveying and Planning. I also teach Electrical Installation courses. : What drew you to a career in green technologies?

A: I’ve always been interested in innovative technologies, green technologies and sustainability.

My background is in Mechanical Engineering, and throughout my career, I’ve worked with renewables and wave energy. My career so far has provided many opportunities to work with green heating systems for domestic and commercial buildings, and I’ve had a little bit of involvement with wind and solar power too. : Sustainability is a main priority at Cheshire College.

Given your background, have you been involved in our path to Net Zero?

A: Yes, we’re committed to our sustainable ethos every day on Campus. I’m a member of the College’s Sustainability Working Group that brings together staff and students who are passionate about improving the environment and work together to achieve this as much as possible across all three of our Campuses.

From a teaching perspective, we plan to incorporate the Sustainable House into the wider curriculum so that as many students as possible can explore the house and understand why the facility. and the data it provides. is helpful for a multitude of sectors and career pathways.

Whether it be the LED lighting, or the sustainable wool insulation featured in the house, there are small changes anyone can make to better their understanding of the environment and include the sustainable quality of their home or workplace, and we intend to spread this message with the Sustainable House.

: Has the Sustainable House inspired new courses that focus on green skills?

A: Yes! Starting in February 2024, we’re launching parttime adult green skill courses to help people move towards a more sustainable future and upskill in the construction industry.

We have a Domestic and Commercial EV Charging Installation course, an Air Source Heat Pump Systems course, and a Retrofit course available for adults to enrol onto.

They’re accredited 16-week courses and they’re so useful for anyone working in construction, especially as the demand for these sorts of technical qualifications is on the rise.

What’s even better is that for many adults, these courses could be fully funded*. : You’ve mentioned Cheshire College’s Sustainable House during this interview; can you tell us a bit more about the facility?

A: So, the Sustainable House is a fully functional house at our Ellesmere Port Campus which showcases several sustainable technologies and principles. Everything about the building, from how it was designed and built, through to how it’s heated and how it uses energy, are via sustainable methods.

The College has invested £680,000 into this project, and it comes equipped with ground source heat pumps, photovoltaic solar panels, green walls, and various other technologies which will be increasingly common in sustainable construction.

As far as we're aware, this facility is unique to Cheshire College; certainly in the North West. But we’re hoping it will be a catalyst for greater change, especially as green skills courses become more widespread.

It will be in every college’s best interest to have some sort of sustainable house facility in the future, so it’s very exciting for Cheshire College to be leading the way.

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: How does the Sustainable House benefit students?

A: One of the key areas of learning is that students understand the theory behind all these technologies. It’s vital that students learn this, but in most colleges, it’s often just taught in a classroom or with reference materials or by doing online research.

But here at Cheshire College, we also have the real physical systems there to transfer and apply the students’ learning; it takes their education to a whole new level. And I think it really completes the learning cycle for our students. : What does the facility offer local employers?

A: Through our great relationships with local and national employers, we know that there is an ever-increasing demand for environmentally friendly properties as well as a skills gap in sustainable construction methods.

Cheshire College’s courses within the Sustainable House are offered to businesses whose employees may not be familiar with more modern technologies, allowing them to upskill and take their learnings to projects across the country.

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The project also addresses the issue of aging housing stock in the UK, future proofing those homes by giving students the knowledge and skills to upgrade those homes. : How can people learn more about the Sustainable House and its impact?

A: We’re really proud of what we have created on Campus; not just for our students but for our staff, employer partners and the wider community. If anyone is curious about the sustainable house or our commitment to sustainability in general, we’re always happy to arrange a coffee and tour on Campus!

Thank you, Uspal!

If you are interested in visiting the Sustainable House in person, or exploring the College’s part-time green skills courses, send a message to marketing@ccsw.ac.uk. *Subject to eligibility.

Explore our cutting-edge Campuses!

Cheshire College is proud to provide impressive facilities at all three of our Campuses.

Whether you’re interested in our newly designed hospital ward at Crewe, our innovative Digital Hub at Chester or our very own Motor Vehicle workshop and Sustainable

House at Ellesmere Port, we have the resources to provide expert training and support.

Take a look a closer look at our Campuses through our virtual maps and let us know what you think!

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CHESHIRE COLLEGE CHRONICLE

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APPRENTICESHIP

VAC A N C I E S Cheshire College works with over 500 employers to deliver rewarding apprenticeships students across a wide range of sectors.

Here is a snapshot of our latest apprenticeship vacancies with local, regional, and national employers.

Administration Apprentice Apprentice Commis Chef Apprentice Dental Nurse Apprentice Hairdresser Apprentice Manufacturing Engineer Apprentice Teaching Assistant

Scan the QR code to explore our apprenticeship vacancies in full.

Choosing Higher Education at Cheshire College – South & West will provide you with the opportunity to study locally at one of our three state-of-the-art Campuses based in Cheshire.

Find out how you could

Stay Near, Go Far… 18

JANUARY 2024

SAVE 20

apprenticeship

awards

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THE DATE

We’re looking forward to hosting our annual Apprenticeship Awards at our Ellesmere Port Campus!

Taking place during National Apprenticeship Week, the awards serve as a celebration of our amazing apprentices and the wonderful employers from across the region who grow and develop the student’s skills.

Will we see you there?

Email marketing@ccsw.ac.uk to secure a spot for you and your guests!

8th February CHESHIRE COLLEGE CHRONICLE

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CREATIVE AND FLEXIBLE ADULT COURSES LAUNCH AT CHESHIRE COLLEGE Cheshire College – South & West is supporting adults in the local community by offering a varied and exciting range of adult part-time courses for people aged 19 or over.

Taking place at the College’s state-of-the-art Campuses in Crewe, Ellesmere Port and Chester, adult students can take advantage of the world-class facilities which are the result of a £200m investment in the latest technology and real work environments.

The range of adult courses feature qualifications and certificates that are relevant in the workplace and designed to provide upskilling, but there are also diverse courses that serve to encourage personal interests.

Equipment such as Crewe Campus’ hospital ward and Anatomage Tables and Esports suite, Ellesmere Port’s Sustainable House and Motor Vehicle workshop, and Chester Campus’ media booths, TV Studios, gaming suites, Digital Hub and 3D printers are readily available to provide technical training or an outlet to explore a personal hobby or passion.

Courses such as Vehicle Maintenance, or Nail Technology, are

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industry-specific and created to help people retrain and upskill or their future careers.

Designed to save people money and improve their life skills more generally, courses such as Cooking on a Budget, DIY Household Renovation and Repair, and Stress Awareness, have been great successes, allowing adults to apply their learning in their personal and professional lives.

Additionally, Cheshire College is offering recreational adult courses,

such as Ceramics, which can be enjoyed by anyone looking to start their career in the arts, or simply looking to learn something new.

Deputy Principal/CEO of Cheshire College, Helen Nellist, said: “ The adult offering at Cheshire College is vast and potentially life-changing, as many people may have a dream career in mind but need the high-quality teaching and facilities to start the upskilling process. “ Our supportive staff work closely with our adult students so that they can get the most out of this unique learning experience.”

Although some courses may have fees attached to them, adults aged 19 or over are likely to be eligible to enrol on an adult course for free. Many adult education courses are also designed to be part time in order to accommodate the personal, professional and family demands of its students.

* FREE WORKSHOPS

AT CHESHIRE COLLEGE Build your confidence with our FREE* TWO-DAY WORKSHOPS on Campus.

NO COST. NO FUSS.

BOOK YOUR SPOT onto the workshop of your choice!

*Subject to meeting funding criteria.

Crewe Campus

9:30am – 2:30pm

Identifying career progression opportunities

15 – 16

How to successfully apply for a career opportunity

21 – 22

Ellesmere Port Campus

9:30am – 2:30pm

Identifying career progression opportunities

7 –8

How to successfully apply for a career opportunity

14 – 15

admissions@ccsw.ac.uk

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Winning Team B O O K

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01270 654678

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TA B L E academy@ccsw.ac.uk

FUTURES PROGRAMME

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The Futures Programme at Cheshire College – South & West provides our students with coaching, support and unique opportunities to ensure your goals for the future are achieved.

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Whether your dream is to go to a top university or start on the career ladder in a highly respected industry, we’ll work with you to boost your skills and confidence throughout your time with us.

W H A T O U R S T U D E N T S S AY…

NAIRAH Progressing to the University of Warwick to study Philosophy, Politics & Economics

I am so happy with my results and I am excited to start my course at University. The variety of subjects, adult learning environment and teachers at the College have helped me achieve my results.

USE THE CONTACT DETAILS BELOW TO SPEAK TO FUTURES SUPERVISOR, HOLLY JONES. Head to the Student Hub when you’re on Campus. holly.jones@ccsw.ac.uk

01270 654654 (ext. 4832)

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CHESHIRE COLLEGE SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD CHAMPION

NOMINATED FOR SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR A Cheshire College – South and West student was nominated for the 2023 Everybody Awards Sports Personality of the Year, following her outstanding achievements at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin earlier this year.

Over 150 guests attended the exclusive event at Crewe Hall to celebrate some of the most inspiring people in the local area.

One of the nominees was Cheshire College’s Poppy Wood-Wright (pictured right); an 18-year-old Employability and Development Skills student from Crewe, who represented Great Britain at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin earlier this year. Poppy’s specialism is Rhythmic Gymnastics, and her mastery of hoops, balls, clubs and ribbons earned her three Gold and three Silver medals at the event.

Despite her extraordinary success, Poppy said that her nomination at the Everybody Awards was still a pleasant surprise: “ When I found out that I had been shortlisted for Sports Personality of the Year, I was shocked and also extremely happy because I worked so hard in the lead up to the World Games and it is nice to know that other people acknowledged how hard I worked in achieving my goal.”

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Lyndsey Cherry, Assistant Director for Health, Early Years, Access, Care and Entry Level said that Poppy’s nomination was extremely welldeserved: “ Poppy is a dedicated, talented and friendly student and she brings all those qualities and more when she’s competing in Rhythmic Gymnastics. “ Being a Special Olympics World Champion is a dream for so many athletes, but Poppy worked hard and to make that dream into a reality. And now with her Sports Personality of the Year nomination, it’s clear other people can see what an extraordinary person she is too.”

With our two pathways, Skills for Employment/Skills for Independent living, and Vocational Studies, we encourage Learning For Life and Work students to build their confidence to help promote independence in their daily personal life and in the workplace.

Throughout their studies, students will have access to our well-resourced training flat, sensory kitchen and garden at the Crewe Campus, and independent living area and tabletbased computers at the Ellesmere Port Campus.

CHESHIRE COLLEGE CHRONICLE

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APPLYING

FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT Cheshire College uses an online system called PayMyStudent, which makes applying for financial support quick and easy.

You can use a mobile phone, PC, tablet or laptop to upload your evidence and submit your application, and you can also view and check your payments online too!

Scan the QR code to apply.

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info@ccsw.ac.uk

01270 654654 01244 656555

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We’d love to hear more! Send your news to p.release@ccsw.ac.uk so we can include it in our next issue.

HAVE A STORY TO SHARE? GET IN TOUCH! p.release @ccsw.ac.uk

OUR LOCATIONS CREWE CAMPUS

Dane Bank Avenue, Crewe, Cheshire CW2 8AB

ELLESMERE PORT CAMPUS Off Sutton Way, Ellesmere Port CH65 7BF

CHESTER CAMPUS

Eaton Road, Handbridge, Chester CH4 7ER