Newsletter School and student update in these challenging times

Brooklands College recognises that we are going through unprecedented times. We are here to support our students, future students and the community as a whole. In this issue we will highlight some of our work and outline the support that we can provide to students at this time.

Brooklands College offers a wide range of vocational courses and our provision has been recognised as GOOD by Ofsted. This is what they had to say:

• Students feel part of a community and enjoy their courses. • Most students demonstrate positive attitudes to learning. • Students with high needs feel valued. • Students use extensive workshop and production facilities to develop a high standard of practical skills.

This is what our students say: New Courses "I have learnt so much since joining Brooklands College and have made so many friends." Sport courses starting in September! "I have enjoyed College very much and I don't want to leave. The course and tutors are amazing!" Level 2 NCFE Diploma in Sport, Exercise & Fitness "I love going to this College. I have made some lifelong friends and I’ve had so much support from the staff." Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma in Sport, "The skills I have learnt will be with me forever." Fitness & Personal Training

Level 3 BTEC National Linking with Industry Extended Diploma in Sports Coaching & Development Supporting our mission to provide students with career relevant information, we recently held a number of Industry Specific events. Speakers at the Digital Industries event included Dan Good (former Brooklands Student and Bafta winner) and Lizzie Turner from the University for the Creative Arts. At the Service Industries event we welcomed back alumni who now work for British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and the MET Police Sports Club. These industry specialists gave students a real insight into career paths in their sectors.

brooklands.ac.uk Extraordinary courses in extraordinary times

Brooklands College specialises in the provision of vocational courses, including apprenticeships. So, what exactly are vocational courses?

Vocational courses have been developed in partnership with employers to ensure students are learning the skills they will need in the industry, while they are at College. They offer a practical approach to learning which is valued by employers and students alike.

So what are the advantages of this type of study?

Courses are designed to meet the specific needs of employers and job sectors. This means that students develop the skills and knowledge that employers want, increasing their employability chances and the likelihood of finding a job after completion of a course.

They suit students who prefer coursework rather than taking exams. Although most courses do have an exam element, it is not as intensive as the A-level route.

Work experience is a key requirement of the majority of our courses giving the students the ability to apply knowledge to real-life situations and learn key interpersonal skills which are valued by employers.

Studying a vocational course can help students determine if a job sector is right for them. At the end of the course, they are work ready and although further study at University or at a higher level is a viable option for some, the attraction of earning a salary earlier than their University counterparts and avoiding University debt can be an attraction.

Work Experience

Gaining early work experience is key to successful transition from college into the workplace and is an advantage in an increasingly competitive job market. The following are just some of the companies that our students have worked with:

- Mercedes Benz World - Shepperton Studios - Cherrylands Nursery - Riverhouse Barn - St Peter's Hospital - Barclays Bank - Lee Marley Brickwork - Fortem - Oatlands Park Hotel - West Racing - David Lloyd - Crown Courts - MET Police - Burhill Golf Course - British Airways - Sunrise Care Home - Heathrow Airport - Holiday Inn

#BCPOSITIVITY

Although we are all facing a difficult time in the world, there is a lot of kindness and optimistic spirit around us. We would like to share these little moments of joy throughout this period to help brighten your days. Have you seen or done anything positive lately? Let us know!

[email protected] A Big Idea can change your life… Making dreams come true...

Brooklands College Business & IT students Brooklands College Travel & Tourism students demonstrated great innovation in London were overjoyed to successfully plan & deliver Metropolitan University’s The Big Idea Challenge a spectacular fundraising dinner in aid of and the students are now through to the finals Dreamflight UK. The charity event raised over which will take place in May. £2,000 and the students were honoured with certificates from the organisation.

Early Years Apprentice Our Students progress to Higher Education At just 18 years old, Brooklands College Apprentice Sophie Ignacio is thriving in her During National Careers Week (March 2-7th active duties with the Level 2 Intermediate March) we held a number of activities and Apprenticeship in Children & Young People’s events for our existing students. This included Workforce (Early Years). Sophie Ignacio has a HE Fair with over 15 University’s visiting excelled in her development at Sythwood Brooklands College and we are very proud that Primary School & Nursery and is now working over 100 Brooklands College students have as the lead for 2 year olds. received offers to start University this September. We encourage our students to #AimHigher. Advanced Heathrow Apprenticeship

National Apprenticeship Week #FireItUp Michael Langdon studied Level 2 Electronics and then went on to Level 3 Aeronautical We ran a number of progression talks for our Engineering. He is now working towards an existing students in Apprenticeship week, with advanced Heathrow Apprenticeship with a key visit from Heathrow Skills Academy who the opportunity of earning in excess of £40k. we are working with. We are now offering a Micheal greatly enjoyed his time at the College number of direct apprenticeships at Brooklands and was keen to point out that ‘most of the College including Business Administration, units I studied at College carried over to the Customer Service, Childcare, Teaching Assistant, Apprenticeship scheme.’ Commis Chef, Carpentry and Electrical Installation. If any of your students are interested in exploring these options please do ask them to contact the apprenticeship team on: [email protected] Advice and Information for Schools and Students in the Summer Term: During these unprecedented times, Brooklands College is here to support you and your students in the best way we can while working remotely. We would like to offer the following advice to the various year groups:

Year 10’s The majority of our top feeder schools have arranged for their Year 10’s to visit the College in July for Brooklands Experience, where students have the opportunity to take part in interactive course-based activities. We will be keeping in close contact with all schools about these events. Please visit the College website providing important information about Open Event dates. www.brooklands.ac.uk/events

Year 11’s It is not too late to apply, in fact several students have already contacted us asking what they should do to secure a place for September.

Apply online to your course of interest – you will then receive a letter confirming that you have a place, and there may be the opportunity to attend a Welcome and Presentation Session later in the year, depending on when the College reopens. But please be reassured that your place will be secure, the level you study will be determined by your GCSE grades. www.brooklands.ac.uk/courses/school-leavers

We are currently working with curriculum to create some engaging content for applicants to access before starting in September. We hope to have more information after Easter.

We will be keeping our College website up to date with Open Event information currently scheduled for 9th June at Ashford and 16th June at . Please visit the site regularly for updates as these events are very valuable for future students. www.brooklands.ac.uk/events

If you have any questions or would like clarification before applying to a course, then please email us on [email protected] and we will get back to you.

Careers Advice is available for students and parents Brooklands College is proud to provide impartial careers advice and are happy to communicate with any parent or student needing advice. We are now using an online platform Careers Coach which is really insightful to look at career routes. Please ask students or parents to contact our Careers Advisor on [email protected] | https://brooklands.emsicc.com/

Staying in touch We will be staying in touch by email over the next month and will also be sending our next Schools Newsletter towards the end of next term and will include details about our year 10. In the meantime if there is anything else we can do to assist you please to email us.

Jo Broad - School Liason | [email protected] Sarah-Louise Ford - School Liason | [email protected]

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