West Lancs News Burscough

NEWS

Autumn 2023

from West Lancashire College Burscough Priory Academy

IN PROFILE BEN GODDARD-PARIS

INSIDE… Spotlight on Year 13 Celebrating our students’ exceptional UCAT results in 2023 page 5 West Lancashire College students showcase their art at local gallery West Lancashire Art students showcase their exceptional works at The Chapel Gallery page 6 Fully Funded International Trips West Lancashire secures government funding for some fantastic destinations page 10

THE CHAPEL GALLERY EXHIBITION 2023 www.westlancs.ac.uk

News from West Lancashire College

Welcome Welcome to our second edition of the West Lancashire College and Burscough Priory Academy Newsletter.

Since our last edition, there has been lots of activity at West Lancs to update you, your pupils and parents. We have had significant investment into our campus, including the relocation of The Dining space, which now offers students a more extensive range of hot and cold food, and a much larger space for them to enjoy their leisure time.

We are currently in the process of refurbishing classrooms for our T Level courses, this includes a hospital ward for the Health students, a mock primary school setting for our Early Years Educators and a hi-tech workshop with all the latest technology and software for Digital students. These investments all add to our other amazing bespoke facilities such as The School of Science, The Hair & Beauty Lounge, Advanced Construction and Engineering Centre, Sports Performance Lab and Electrical Centre, meaning West Lancs students have access to the very best facilities and current technologies.

This year we have also secured funding through Turing for educational international trips to some fantastic destinations including Malta, Cyprus and Austria! The funding has enabled us to offer the trips all expenses paid, which is a fantastic opportunity for our students.

I am very proud of our college and the fabulous experience we offer students at West Lancs. The quality of teaching and learning is second to none and our excellent wrap around support ensures our students have the very best opportunity to succeed.

I hope you will find our latest newsletter useful and look forward to meeting and working with you over the coming months.

Best wishes, Gareth Sutton, Vice Principal

OFSTED QUOTE

“Learners are starting to develop their work ready skills through good quality work experience and work placements.”

Ofsted January 2022

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93%

COLLEGE STATS

OPEN EVENT

Register your place at Eventbrite.co.uk

Monday 5 February 2024 4.30pm-7pm West Lancashire College College Way, Skelmersdale, WN8 6LH

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Student Satisfaction *ODP Exit Survey 2023.

News from West Lancashire College

Burscough Priory Academy Alumni.

Burscough pupils go on to great things at West Lancashire College and beyond! We are so proud of the achievements of our students and we are sure everyone at Burscough will be too. Here is an update on a few of Burscough’s former pupils.

IN PROFILE

Christoper Stratton Studied: National Extended Diploma in Business BTEC Level 3 Progressed to: Apprenticeship

Mackenzie Della Cerra Studied: BTEC National Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care Level 3 Progressed to: Edge Hill University to study Paramedic Practice

Amy Stelmachowicz Currently studying with WLC: Health and Social Care Level 3 Progressing to: University to study Mental Health

Ben Goddard Paris Studied: NCFE Diploma in Childcare and Education

Oscar Ransome

Progressed to: Liverpool Hope University to study Education and Special Educational Needs

Currently studying with WLC: Diploma in Automotive Maintenance Level 2

Ben said: “After attending Burscough Priory Academy, I knew that West Lancashire College could provide me with the skills I needed for university. I’ve enjoyed the placement, where I’ve had the opportunity to work in an educational setting.”

Progressing to: Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles Level 3

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News from West Lancashire College

100%

COLLEGE STATS

Pass rate* for The School of Medicine

Pictured: Acting Principal Claire MacLean with School of Medicine students.

*Summer 2023

Spotlight on Year 13’s amazing UCAT results We’re very proud to celebrate our students’ exceptional UCAT results this year after they completed our dedicated 10-week preparatory course.

The UCAT is a rigorous aptitude test used by Medical Schools and is used to determine who is invited to interview. An estimated 36,000 students across the country sat the test while over half of our students were placed in the top 20% of the national entries - a superb achievement. This will undoubtedly make a tangible difference in their medical school applications. Their hard work, combined with our expert guidance has truly paid off. Congratulations to every one of our students!

Claire MacLean, Acting Principal said, “These outstanding results are a testament to the dedication and brilliance of our students and staff. They’ve shown that with the right support and their own unwavering determination, they can achieve greatness in their pursuit of a medical career.”

Students have now submitted their personal statements and applications to various medical schools across the UK ranging from local medical schools such as Manchester, Leeds, and Lancaster to those further afield such as Oxford and Glasgow.

To find out more about our School of Medicine programme, go to westlancs.ac.uk or contact admissions@westlancs.ac.uk

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News from West Lancashire College

West Lancashire College students showcase their art at local gallery West Lancashire College were delighted that art students were able to showcase their exceptional works at The Chapel Gallery, throughout September and October this year.

The month-long exhibition ‘Time’ featured various art forms ranging from traditional painting, 2D and 3D image based artworks, sculpture and textiles, to digital art and mixed media installations.

Gary Owens, Course Leader said, “We were incredibly excited to give our students this platform to present their

OFSTED QUOTE

creative visions. The exhibition not only celebrates their hard work but also serves as a steppingstone for their future careers. We hope the local community enjoyed engaging with the vibrant, young talent coming out of West Lancashire College, and we are sure it will inspire both artists and art lovers alike.”

To find out more about our Art & Design courses, go to westlancs.ac.uk or contact admissions@westlancs.ac.uk 01695 52383

“Learners are highly motivated to learn and to develop their skills and knowledge they work diligently inside and outside the classroom.”

Ofsted January 2022

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News from West Lancashire College

West Lancs College appoint Clinical Educator to support Health Students

KE YOUR UTURE TO THE NEX

West Lancashire College are delighted to have recently appointed Carol Reid as the new T Level Clinical Educator who now provides students with the very best support and education for their future progression into health care careers.

Carol, who is a former Nurse, began her training at Southport and Formby Nursing School before moving over to Fazakerley Hospital, in which she was very hands-on and part of the ward numbers from her first day. Carol said, “this is how we trained, our clinical skills were developed very early on and that is my aim for the T Level Health students.”

Carol continues to say, “my very first job was as a Registered General Nurse at J Ward at the Promenade where I specialised in Elderly Medicine and dealt with chronic medical conditions, such as COPD and Cardiovascular. My nursing skills were developed to a greater extent as we covered the daily activities.

After that role, I transferred to Southport and Ormskirk Hospital where I held an Acute Medical position. It was the same conditions on a daily basis, however as it is a new condition to the patient, a lot of interventions were put into place to support them. I moved over to a new ward, where I was a Vascular and General Surgery nurse, focusing on fempop and bypass. This was a different type of nursing as I would prep the patient, assist with the surgery, as well as the recovery process.

After working in the NHS for a portion of my career, I decided to go into nursing homes, where I was a deputy in the Mental Health Unit.”

Since joining the college in June 2023, Carol has supported Health students to learn the basics skills of becoming a Nurse such as making a bed, conducting an analysis, glucose reading and physical measurements.

Lynsey Makin, Curriculum Manager for Health & Education said, “With Carol’s assistance we aim to improve and support the future workforce of the health care system and who could be better to help us do so than our Clinical Educator!”.

You can find out more about our T Level in Health course by visiting westlancs.ac.uk or contact admissions@westlancs.ac.uk

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News from West Lancashire College

Burscough Year 10 Taster It was great to welcome Burscough Year 10 pupils to our college taster day at the end of the last academic year.

Pupils chose from sessions in Beauty, Bricklaying, Business, Childcare, Computing, Carpentry, Electrical, Engineering, Hairdressing, Health & Social, Motor Vehicle, Plumbing, Public Services, Sports and The School of Medicine A Level Programme.

We had great feedback on the day, and the Year 10 group were a credit to the school. We hope it helped consolidate their future choices and look forward to the next Burscough Year 10 group when they join us for a taste of WLC in 2024.

100%

COLLEGE STATS

Pass rate* for A Levels *QDP Exit Survey 2023

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News from West Lancashire College

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News from West Lancashire College

Fully funded International Trips for West Lancs students!

CYPRUS

This year we are delighted to have been able to secure government funding through Turing for educational international trips to some fantastic destinations.

Turing is the UK’s global programme to study and work abroad whose objectives are levelling up across the UK, to develop student skills and also provide value for UK tax payers.

Our Health and Social Care, A Level and Medicine students will be visiting Malta and carrying out their work experience in an international hospital. ​Education and Early Years students will be attending Cyprus where they will carry out work placements in an international school, and Digital Technologies, Construction, Engineering and Motor Vehicle students will visit some of the leading car manufacturers in Austria. ​

AUSTRIA

The funding has enabled us to offer the trips all expenses paid, which is a fantastic opportunity for our students.

You can find out more about our trips and visits at one of our forthcoming Open Events on Thursday 23 November 2023 or Monday 5 February 2024, 4.30pm-7pm. Book your place at www.eventbrite.co.uk

MALTA

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News from West Lancashire College

Local student Diana named as NCFE Level 3 Learner of the Year

Helena Kennedy Bursary support for students progressing to university

West Lancashire College were delighted that Uniformed Public Services student Diana Wiedemann was named as the NCFE Level 3 Learner of the Year (highly commended in the Learner of the Year category) over the summer.

At West Lancashire College, we pride ourselves on the support we offer to our students, this includes preparing those as they leave to go to university. We were therefore delighted that all students put forward were successful in receiving The Helena Kennedy Foundation bursary this September.

The former Our Lady Queen of Peace pupil won The Learner of the Year category, which recognises individuals who are developing themselves through vocational qualifications from NCFE and making positive improvements to their lives.

The Helena Kennedy Foundation is a bursary scheme for college students and is available to those within their first year of two-year Level 3 study programmes. The Foundation promotes equality of opportunity, enabling disadvantaged FE students to realise their potential by supporting them through higher education into fulfilling careers.

NCFE said “Diana is a natural leader, collaborative, a keen volunteer, has gone above and beyond to achieve her own goals and helps others along the way, making her a deserving winner of this award. Diana supports college staff during open evenings and as school advisor during open events and helps high-needs learners during classroom activities. The course team leader has praised Diana on multiple occasions for her support and commitment to learners.”

Lisa Allen, Learner Services Co-ordinator, supported a number of students to apply for the Helena Kennedy bursary with one hundred percent success! Lisa said “we are pleased to work with the Helena Kennedy Foundation to provide additional support for eligible students progressing to university and are delighted that those that applied this year have been successful in gaining the support of the foundation and a financial bursary. We hope that the students take the opportunity to benefit from the personal and practical support offered by the foundation to increase their employability and help promote the work of the Foundation.”

Public Services course leader Mike Cooney commented “Diana is completely focused and determined in her ambition of a career in teaching particularly for high needs learners, and she has an immense interest in public services; particularly the Fire and Rescue Services, where she has worked locally for the Skelmersdale Fire and Rescue Services on a cadetship, receiving high praise and commendation for her support work for the community.

Diana’s attendance and punctuality has been excellent at 100%. She demonstrates the ability to take on new tasks and has the ability to develop her own research and independent study, vital qualities needed to develop her academic studies for university and career choices in teaching and the services. I wish Diana all the very best and I know she has a very promising career ahead of her.”

Students who have received the bursary have now started university to study various degree programmes including Nursing, Education and Special Educational Needs, Social Work, Paramedic, Business and Management, Social Work and Adult Nursing and we wish them all the very best of luck!

Everyone at West Lancashire College is extremely proud of Diana and her extensive achievements. She is a prime example of a magnificent student, who always has a positive attitude, and we are certain that she will go far in her teaching career which she started at Edge Hill University in September.

If you would like to find out more about the support, including financial support for students studying at West Lancashire College please go to westlancs.ac.uk/support/ or contact Learner Services on 01695 52300.

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DISCLAIMER Every effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this booklet is correct at the time of publication. We reserve the right however, to make alterations or amendments to the details contained in this booklet. Courses will operate subject to sufficient numbers.

West Lancashire College College Way Skelmersdale Lancashire WN8 6LH Phone: 01695 52300 Email: enquiries@westlancs.ac.uk Visit: www.westlancs.ac.uk