2018/19 PROSPECTUS EXPERIENCE www.blc.ac.uk | 0800 074 0099 WELCOME FROM OUR PRINCIPAL REAL [email protected] OUR COVER Our 2018/19 prospectus is designed to highlight the purpose of choosing to come to college. The qualifications you will study, although important, represent your 0800 074 0099 ‘passport’ to the next stage of your career pathway and so we have focussed on what we feel are the essential things for anyone considering a move into Further STUDENTS Education and more specifically Buxton & Leek College. WWW.BLC.AC.UK Whether you are thinking of your future beyond GCSEs, looking for a Technical or Professional programme or considering returning to learning after a break, the most 24 FOUNDATION SERVICES Courtney - Art & Design important question you need to ask is ‘How will you help me to further my career?’ Courtney, from Stoke-on-Trent, is an Art & Each year almost all of our students take a positive step in their career 26 ART & DESIGN Design student based at our Leek Campus. She pathway: they progress to the next level of qualification, they move into 28 PERFORMING ARTS has just completed the first year of her course an apprenticeship, they get a job with prospects or they achieve a place 30 MEDIA and has already had her work exhibited at the at their chosen University. Some choose to stay with us to study their University of the Arts in London. University level course. 32 BEAUTY, SPA & MEDIA MAKE-UP HAIRDRESSING & BARBERING As the College is part of the University of Derby, we are in the unique CONTENTS 34 position to offer our students the kind of experience they cannot get CAMPUSES, GETTING HERE BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT & FINANCE elsewhere. Our curriculum links from Further Education to Higher 4 36 Paulina - Hairdressing Education mean that our students have opportunities to experience HOW TO APPLY, OPEN DAYS AND ADVICE EVENINGS 38 COMPUTING & ICT After leaving Lady Manners School in 5 and access facilities far beyond those available at other colleges and Bakewell, Paulina, from Buxton, studied for EXPERIENCE BLC hear from high-level visiting academics from their chosen subject area. 6 40 CHILDCARE & EDUCATION a Level 2 Hairdressing course, progressing 8 MORE THAN JUST A CLASSROOM HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE straight onto Level 3. She currently works 42 Even though we have the resources of a large University behind us, we are in the College’s commercial Salon 10 STUDENT LIFE AND ENRICHMENT still a small college. We offer a truly personalised experience – we 44 HOSPITALITY & CATERING in Buxton and plans to pursue a know all of our students by name and ensure that they get 12 SUPPORT SERVICES career in the industry. PUBLIC SERVICES the help and support that suits them best, whether that 14 FINANCIAL SUPPORT 46 means providing extra help with English and Maths or 48 SPORT, OUTDOOR, COACHING & FITNESS FULL TIME STUDY PROGRAMME for some, taking them right out of their comfort zone 15 50 TRAVEL & TOURISM - you won’t be just another number in our computer 16 APPRENTICESHIPS system, along with thousands of others. ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES 18 LEVELS AND ENTRY REQUIREMENTS 52 54 MOTOR VEHICLE & MOTOR SPORT Come along to one of our open events to meet and 20 BLC NEWS Lilly-Anne - Hospitality & Catering talk to our teachers in person – get inspired and PROGRESSION 56 CARPENTRY & JOINERY After leaving St Thomas Moore School, ‘Experience BLC’. 22 Lilly-Anne, from Buxton, studied short 23 FIND THE COURSE 58 COURSE INDEX courses in Catering, including food safety. She then progressed onto Level 2 Len Tildsley, Principal We have done everything we can to make sure the information in the Prospectus is correct and up-to-date. Culinary Skills with a view to beginning However, because we wanted to make sure you had this information early enough her career in hospitality and catering. Check out my Principal’s Blog at to give you time to make your decisions, some courses and other information may www.blc.ac.uk/principal change. Our website is the best place to check for the most up-to- date information. 3 Connect with BLC www.blc.ac.uk | 0800 074 0099 It’s easy to get to us from Stoke-on-Trent, the LEEK CAMPUS High Peak and Derbyshire, HOW TO APPLY GETTING Stockport, Macclesfield and By bus - The bus station is a short walk from Campus and you can buy a ‘Your Staffordshire the Staffordshire Moorlands. If you’re ready to experience BLC, it’s easy to apply online at: Travel Card’ to reduce costs. Download the www.blc.ac.uk/apply. Alternatively, you can request an application timetable at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/ form by calling us on 0800 074 0099, emailing [email protected] HERE transport/publictransport/buses. or by calling in to one of our Campuses to pick up a form. COME & SEE US BUXTON CAMPUS By car - There are reasonably priced local car WHAT NEXT? CAMPUSES parks close by but many students find free By bus - easily accessible by local bus parking on side streets. • Once you’ve applied our Admissions Team will OPEN DAYS ADVICE and annual bus passes are available. be in touch to invite you for an interview You can find up-to-date timetables on BLC transport service - We offer a service from • If this goes well we’ll offer you a place on a course Come and experience College life the BLC website. We will send you a Buxton, Ashbourne, Alton for yourself! At an Open Day you • We’ll send your enrolment and induction instructions in July EVENINGS letter about bus passes before you enrol. and Cheadle to Leek. will get a real taste for College life There are various We also provide • You’ll be invited to a BLC Experience Day where with interactive sessions from your If you want to find out more about our courses, come and By train - Buxton connects with stops in each location. inter-campus you’ll meet your Tutors and other students chosen subject and a tour of our meet our friendly Tutors and chat to some of our current Stockport and Manchester Piccadilly and For more information transport for certain starting at the same time as you. fantastic facilities. Open Days take students we have Advice Evenings which run from 5pm-7pm. the station is less than 5 minutes’ walk visit our website. courses. Please place at both the Buxton and Leek from the Campus. Apply for a rail card We’ll also send you updates about the enquire for more Campuses from 10am-1pm. BUXTON at www.railcard.co.uk and plan your College and the course you’ve applied for Leek Campus Buxton Campus information. 1 Devonshire Road, journey at www.nationalrail.co.uk. throughout the year! Buxton, SK17 6RY Sat 14 OCT 2017 Wed 15 NOV 2017 Thu 16 NOV 2017 By car - Student car parking is only available for blue disabled badge 01298 330644 Sat 03 MAR 2018 Wed 17 JAN 2018 Thu 18 JAN 2018 holders. The nearest public car [email protected] GCSE RESULTS DAY park is at Pavilion Gardens on Sat 02 JUN 2018 Wed 18 APR 2018 Thu 19 APR 2018 LEEK Burlington Road. www.blc.ac.uk/transport We are available all day from 9am - 5pm on GCSE Stockwell Street, Results Day if you want to talk to us about your Leek, ST13 6DP results. We can also answer any questions and discuss what is right for you. You can call us or pop in to Campus for a one-to-one appointment. HARPUR HILL Book on to If you’ve got the grades you needed for an Open day or Specialist Training Centre the course you have been offered, you Advice Evening Unit 28, Harpur Hill Business don’t need to confirm this to us. Park, Buxton SK17 9JL You will just need to online and we’ll send bring your results you a reminder a few statements on your days before! enrolment day. 4 5 Connect with BLC www.blc.ac.uk | 0800 074 0099 REAL WORLD BE INSPIRED STAND LEARNING Learn from Tutors who’ve had successful careers in the UT Classrooms are great but there’s nothing like industries they now teach. O Boost your CV with a learning in a room which has all the same Who better to prepare huge range of enrichment equipment and facilities that you’ll find when you for your future? you go on work experience or find a job. activities, as part of your OPEN study programme. DOORS EXPERIENCE We are proud of our strong LEARN GET links to local businesses YOUR WAY STUCK and employers. Everyone learns differently so choose a study method that suits you. GO FURTHER RIGHT IN Continue your experience and take advantage Engaging work placements mean of us being part of the University of Derby. you’ll leave College work ready, You may be eligible for a £1,000 bursary! with skills that make you more HUGE attractive to employers. CHOICE BUILD YOUR Over 220 career-focused courses in 21 subject CONFIDENCE areas, across three Campuses. Belong to a friendly College that’s big on COME & JOIN US student success and small enough to care. 6 7 Connect with BLC www.blc.ac.uk | 0800 074 0099 MORE THAN JUST A CLASSROOM Here at BLC you’ll PROUD OF OUR FACILITIESspend most of your time in our real world learning environments rather than a classroom. Our industry standard facilities are designed with input from employers, so you can develop the practical skills for an exciting career.