11h Novemeber 2009

AMONG the events taking place locally during national Colleges Week (November 9-13) will be Exeter College’s 14-16 Practical Learning Student Awards.

The 10 young winners, together with one overall winner, have been singled out for the awards, being held on Thursday, November 12, from among around 300 school children who completed two-year courses at the College this year on weekly half-day release from schools within the city and across Devon.

hose taking part in 2009 included youngsters from city-based St Luke’s Science & Sports College, Westexe Technology College, Isca College of Media & Arts, St James’s Secondary School, St Peter’s C of E Aided School, and Southbrook College, as well as The King’s School, Ottery St Mary, Clyst Vale Community College, Broad Clyst, Queen Elizabeth’s Community College, in Crediton.

Each representing a particular subject area – hair, beauty, travel and tourism, motor vehicle, construction, engineering, child care, learning and development, public services, and catering – the prize-winning pupils were among those who gained City & Guilds, NVQs, and BTEC qualifications, or attended pre-apprenticeship programmes from the age of 14 to 16.

As well as being treated to a meal at the College’s restaurant @34 with their parents or guardians – prepared and served by College Catering students, and accompanied by live performances from Music students also from Exeter College – each pupil will take home a Dartington Crystal award and a certificate at the end of the night in recognition of their outstanding achievements.
In addition, one individual will be awarded the 14-16 Student Of The Year trophy.

Principals from local schools, educational body representatives, governors, and the pupils’ College lecturers will also be among around 70 people attending on the night, as well as the College’s Vice-Principal John Laramy and Principal Richard Atkins who will both be speaking at the event.

As the final preparations for the awards were being made, 14-16 Practical Learning Co-ordinator Nikki West said: “I think the most important thing to remember is that all of our 14-16 students have come into an environment previously unfamiliar to them where other learners are much older than them, so in a sense they’ve had to work doubly hard to achieve what they have achieved.
“Our winners this year have not only done this, but have excelled in their chosen fields, and we feel extremely proud to have played some part in their success.”
Exeter College Partnership Manager Samantha White said: “The variety of courses offered to students across the city and beyond complements the curriculum within their own schools. Students are able to learn in a variety of vocational and applied areas which can give them a real insight into the working environment. The success rates this year have risen again, which goes to show through consistent information, advice, and guidance for students, we are getting the right students on the right courses.”

Exeter4Learning Partnership Development Manager Liz Hayes added: “It is wonderful to be able to celebrate the achievement that these students have made. They have gained new skills and been able to use the specialist ‘state of the art’ facilities that the College can offer.”