More than 250 Year 10 students from Poltair, Brannel and Sir James Smith schools enjoyed learning about life as a college student.
They attended an experience day at Cornwall College St Austell where they chose sessions reflecting their study interests including acting, art & design, catering & hospitality, childcare, construction, dance, engineering, hairdressing beauty & nails, IT, games design, media, motor vehicle, music, photography and travel & tourism.
Student, Zara Thacker, from Sir James Smith School who chose the Hairdressing, Nails and Beauty session said she “thoroughly enjoyed the day.”
“It has been great to learn so many different hair techniques.”
Fellow student from Sir James Smith School, Kaitlin Ryde, who chose the Dance session, said learning the dance routine “was a lot of hard work but it has really shown me the effort you put in really pays off.”
“The teachers and student ambassadors went at a slow pace to help us pick it up. It has been really fun to spend the day at college.”
Teacher at Poltair School, Verity Walters, said their students “loved the freedom to go around the campus as adults in non-uniform.”
“They were treated like adults and really felt they were respected by the friendly staff and current student ambassadors at Cornwall College St Austell.”
“Overall our students loved the day, some of them have come back to school wanting to change their work experience placements to link with the sessions they took at the experience day.”
The day gave visiting students the opportunity to be taught by the College lecturers, test out the classroom and workshop facilities as well as explore areas of the college including the new student area, The Space, during their lunch break.
Student ambassadors at the College were on hand throughout the day to talk about life as a Cornwall College student and answer any questions the visiting students had.
Head of Cornwall College St Austell, Chris Taylor, said it is always “a pleasure to see so many young people from local schools here on campus weighing up their future options.”
“It is fantastic for us to be able to give them a real experience of college life,” Chris continued.
“The young people who attended the experience day fully engaged in the sessions and activities and it was a pleasure to have them on campus. I hope this has helped them with their next decision making steps and they know we are here to support them.”
The next Course & Careers Advice Event is on Saturday 14th March 10am – Midday, where the learners are invited back onto campus with their friends and families to show them what they experienced, as well as all young people in the area looking at their next steps.
“With our new student area on campus, The Space, recently opening and our curriculum expanding to include Childcare from September, it really is an exciting time here at Cornwall College St Austell,” Chris added.
For more information on the range of courses available at Cornwall College St Austell visit https://www.cornwall.ac.uk/campus/st-austell or call 0330 123 2523.
