Accrington and Rossendale College is ready to bring the extraordinary to the homes of prospective Year 8, 9 and 10 students with an online Open Event.
The virtual Year 8, 9 and 10 Open Event will be held on the College’s purpose-built showcase platform. It will give prospective students the best opportunity possible to experience College life.
With restrictions still enforced, the College is doing its utmost to keep the community safe with the online event. The event will take place between 6pm and 8pm on Wednesday 5 May.
It is also open to Year 11 school leavers who want to reconfirm they have made the right choice in selecting Accrington and Rossendale College as their number one option for Vocational and Technical qualifications.
Personalised tours of the College are planned to begin again the week commencing Monday 17 May. Tours will be able to be booked on the College website www.accross.ac.uk from the week commencing Monday 3 May.
A wide range of course information
At the Virtual Open Event, there will be a wide range of course information to explore across the College’s high quality course offer. This includes new Plumbing qualifications which are being introduced from September 2021. There will also be information on other Construction trades, Motor Vehicle, Hair and Beauty, Health and Social Care and Education and Childcare courses. Registration can be completed on the website at www.accross.ac.uk.
On the night, attendees can expect an immersive online experience which will include virtual tours of the College campus and facilities. There will be a welcome from Principal Amanda Melton CBE and a LiveChat feature will also be running. Visitors can gain insight from the College’s expert staff on potential College options and future career pathways linked to the subject choices students have made at secondary school.
Skills demonstrations and Q&A sessions with current star students and College tutors will also take place. There will be interactive quizzes to take part in and student experience videos to browse. Support will also be on hand to help with the College application process.
Accrington and Rossendale College is number one in Lancashire for 16-18 Advanced Apprenticeship timely achievement. This is a shared benefit of being a merged institution with Nelson and Colne College. The college is one of the top performing colleges in the country across a range of academic measures.
Accrington and Rossendale College is also a top five college in the country for learner achievement. In its 2020 results, the College achieved a 100% Advanced Vocational pass rate.
‘College is a fantastic place to study’
Ellie Armstrong, 18, formerly of The Hollins, progressed on to the BSc Sports Science and Coaching degree at Accrington and Rossendale College. She gained Triple Distinction* in her Sport and Sport Sciences course.
Ellie said: “The college was always going to be my first choice for Higher Education. It is a fantastic place to study with modern facilities and brilliant staff members. They are supportive, helpful, fun and are always there to help you reach your full potential.
“College has always felt safe and welcoming and I have enjoyed the subject. It is full of informative lessons and practical sessions, which enable you to really develop your knowledge.”
Dominic Milligan, 18, from Accrington, is a Level 3 Bricklaying Apprentice at Accrington and Rossendale College. A former student of St Christopher’s High School, Dominic said: “My interest in bricklaying comes from helping my uncle with his building business at weekends when I was at school. He is now my boss, and suggested the College to me as it is local. It’s also the best in the area for learning the trade.
“I’m really enjoying my Apprenticeship. I’m learning a skill that would enable me to set up on my own in the future, or potentially take over the business down the line. My tutors in College are fantastic and I can now do advanced brickwork. I love working in the building trade. We mainly construct extensions on houses. There is no better satisfaction than finishing a job.”
‘Come and explore our extraordinary College’
Principal Amanda Melton CBE said: “Making the right choice of College is a big decision. Each Spring, we encourage young people to come and explore what our extraordinary College has to offer to support future career aspirations from an early stage.
“We would dearly love for our Year 8, 9 and 10 Open Event to be held on campus. In the interests of keeping our community safe, it will take place online and make use of our outstanding web platform.
“I would encourage prospective students and parents to come along to the event and gain a taster of College life. You will also be able to find out what is required to achieve successful progression on to university, or into an Apprenticeship or employment. We look forward to welcoming everyone virtually on the night.”
To find out more information about studying at Nelson and Colne College or Accrington and Rossendale College, please visit www.nelson.ac.uk or www.accross.ac.uk. Applications can be completed online, or via the Admissions Team. Contact them at admissions@nelsongroup.ac.uk or on 01282 440272.
