BROADENING HORIZONSDISCOVERING WORK, CAREERS & COURSES AT BEDFORD COLLEGE

2013 -14

02 BROADENING HORIZONS 2013-14

introduction 03

exciting events 04

what’s on offer 06

open days & have a go 08

other events 09

our partnerships 10 & other activities

contact details 11

WHAT’S INSIDE

We wanted to say a huge thank you for attending the event at our school yesterday. Your support is greatly appreciated by the school and the students/parents attending and we hope it provided a worthwhile opportunity for you to promote your training options. We look forward to inviting you to future events and, once again, many thanks.

They were superb!

Thanks for all the hard work and organisation you put into yesterday. Our pupils and staff thoroughly enjoyed the experience and it is great to talk to pupils who tell me the experience was ‘magic’ and that the musicians were ‘superstars!’

Both groups interacted well with our pupils and were a credit to the College. Could you please pass on to both the schools thanks and my personal thanks to the staff involved.

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IntroductIonWe want to make sure that all young people in our community are given the opportunity to develop and exploit their skills and talents. This means ensuring they are given high quality information, advice and guidance about all the options available, and ensuring they have the opportunity to take part in high quality and relevant tasters and programmes.

This guide provides you with details of the range of services on offer to young people while still at school. As a College we have invested heavily in these programmes and in our facilities too. The services have been designed with the help and input from schools, local authorities, local agencies and young people themselves.

Bedford College is proud of its national reputation for being an outstanding provider of education to those aged under 16, and proud to be fully Matrix accredited, which means our advice and guidance is judged as impartial and independent. I hope you find it helpful.

Ian Pryceprincipal & chief executive

As a hub of the local community, we offer young people a varied selection of choices for further study, giving them the qualifications needed for the world of work. We are constantly looking at ways to improve and expand our provision to be ever more inclusive.

Welcome

Young people need lots of opportunities to gain as much knowledge as possible about how the subjects they are studying in school relate to the careers they will be looking for in the future. This is explored throughout their school lives but by giving them the external opportunities to discover further and higher education, academic and vocational pathways as they mature, enables them to choose more effectively. They will have a more solid understanding of what being part of the local and global economy is all about – definitely a case of ‘the more they know the better it is’!

Today’s young people will have many different careers throughout their working lives and may be working beyond the present retirement age; therefore they should not feel pressured into making a massive, frightening, limiting career decision when young but instead be able to make a more informed one.

Bedford College is ‘ahead of the game’ by working with local schools, agencies, organisations and local authorities in a broader and more integrated way. The extra provision described in this guide is delivered at Bedford College, across all campuses, or in schools and local venues and is already proving to be a huge success and is all free!

Come and join the fun!

Ellen Punterschools & community liaison manager

Ellen Punter

04 BROADENING HORIZONS 2013-14

All Key StAgeS (1-4+)Assemblies

All Key StAgeS (1-4+)Transition and careers group tasters

9.30am-12.00pm or 1.00-3.00pm

KS2 And Above (11+ yeArS)Individual student experiences

9.30am-12.00noon or 1.00pm-3.00pm

All Key StAgeS (1-4)Interactive workshops and

masterclass demonstrations

All Key StAgeS (1-4)Tours

All Key StAgeS (1-4)Visits to schools, other community

groups and organisations

Careers/jobs: • Interactive – dress up as a surgeon, chef, construction worker and more, to explore the world of work.• Enterprise – set up a business.• Finance and personal budgeting. • What job could I do, how much money will I be paid, what qualifications do I need, etc.?

A real ‘taste’ of the curriculum, theory and practice, available in all subject areas, for example:• Aeronautical Engineering – why study physics and maths? So why does an apple fall down from the sky but not an aeroplane?• Travel & Tourism – geography and history come alive as our ‘Cabin Crew’ take you on a journey ‘from here to anywhere’!

If in doubt ‘try it out’! • Personalised half day sessions.• Infilling into a lesson on the course applied for, making sure it is the right course. • Actively participating in a lesson.• Applying online.• Talking to Careers staff.

Aiming for the future:• Who am I? Who do I want to be? Raising expectations, motivating and engaging learners.• Sharing personal, educational and employment journeys – focusing on personal goals, lifestyle choices and future jobs/careers. • CV/Interview skills.

Brundtland Building – renewable technologies (Cauldwell Street campus):• Engineering and Science come alive.• See the wind turbine in action standing on the roof. • Rainwater harvesting from the River Ouse.

Option evenings and careers fairs: • Supporting parents/carers and school staff with

information, advice and guidance.

Performing Arts, Media, Musical Theatre, Production & Music Technology: • Showcasing a performance, e.g. ‘We Will Rock You!’ and explaining how it was done. • Delivering workshops on themes, such as cyber bullying.

excItIng eventS 2013 -2014 for KS1, KS2, KS3 And KS4… And beyond!

All of the extra provision described in the table is available in all of the following subject areas, as well as bespoke project sessions. These sessions offer our expertise with projects catering to particular key stages or specific topics, they are delivered at any campus or in the school over a mutually agreed timeframe – what do you need that we can help with?

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Work experience: • How to apply, how to plan and what to expect.• Volunteering – what can you offer and what do you get in return! • Exploring the massive personal and professional impact of volunteering.

Further education, higher education and apprenticeships: • Alternative routes to university and support with UCAS.• Other further education/higher education qualifications. • Level 2, 3 and 4 apprenticeships.• Professional qualifications. • Bursaries and loans.

Art & Design, Performing Arts, Media & Music Technology:• Come and be in the audience at rehearsals of performances – December, May and June.• Come on guided visits of the Art & Design exhibitions.• Animal Sciences, Land Management and The Environment at Shutttleworth College; acres of parkland, farmland and woodland to explore.• Come and see our farm and the newborn lambs in January/February as well as more exotic animals.

Focus mornings or afternoons: What’s on offer?• Small group sessions with activites.• Mini tour of the campus and taking part in a lesson. • Careers and other staff on hand to share expertise.

Challenging stereotypes:• ‘My dad stays at home looking after us’, ‘My mum

is the managing director of a company’, dispelling myths, broadening career options.

• Care, Childcare & Counselling – men are nurses and counsellors etc. and women are consultants and managers.

Masterclass demonstrations, for example:• Hospitality & Catering – Pasta Post – make it and then

see how far you can stretch your pasta! • Childcare – looking after a baby – how hard can it be?

Art & Design exhibitions: • Visits and guided tours in the South Bank Arts Centre (Cauldwell Street) – the end of year exhibitions of our students’ work – in April, May and June.

Peer mentoring and role modelling, for example:• Student Ambassadors visiting weekly for an hour or so

and supporting in whatever way is needed. • Computing students, for the last two years, visited a

local nursery supporting staff and children with their IT skills.

Individual subject tasters:• A ‘taste’ of a subject and its value in the workplace –

sometimes leading to commercial courses or accessing the main provision.

Art & Design demonstrations: • Textiles & Fashion – how to put on a fashion show.• Exhibition skills – practical support with putting on

your own Art & Design exhibition.

All free of cHArgeoffered from SePt-July 2013-2014

to Attend Any of tHeSe eventS contAct ellen Punter on:

epunter@bedford.ac.uk or 01234 291303

Bedford College subject areas: Animal Sciences; Art & Design; Business; Care & Childcare; Computing; Construction; Counselling; Engineering; English as a Foreign Language; Floristry; Foundation Education; Hair, Beauty and Holistic Therapies; Hospitality and Catering; Land and the Environment; Motor Vehicle; Performing Arts; Music Technology & Media; Plumbing, Sport & Outdoor Adventure; Public Services and Travel & Tourism.

School Curriculum: English; Maths; Science; Art and Design; Citizenship; Computing; Design & Technology; Languages; Geography; History; Music; Physical Education; PSHE and Religious Education.

06 BROADENING HORIZONS 2013-14All of the activities and events we offer are FREE!remember

WHAT’S ONOFFER?

broAdenIngHorIZonSMoving on from something very familiar to something completely new can be a very exciting prospect – but we know it can also be a very daunting one.

This guide focuses on giving impartial information, advice and guidance on the skills and qualifcations needed for the world of work. The provision is delivered at all Bedford College campuses, plus community venues and schools. Explore the options below…

Transition and Careers Group Tasters/Focus mornings – key stages 1-4+Morning session: 9.30am-12.30pm OR Afternoon session: 1.00pm-3.00pm

These sessions provide students with a real flavour of the curriculum of a particular course and level, covering both theory and practice. Activities will vary depending on the subject and location chosen but the sessions may involve…

•Attending the College and taking a proactive part in a range of informative and interactive activities, as well as talking to current students and staff

•Discovering how the subjects studied in your school relate to the academic and vocational courses the College offers – for example, applying knowledge of physics and maths when studying Aeronautical Engineering

•Students and staff from across Bedford College visiting schools and community venues to deliver interactive sessions, workshops, assemblies, or performances

•Tailored guidance to help potential students understand and meet the required criteria to take the course they are thinking about in the future

•Access to our award-winning student support and careers team at Yourspace Online www.yourspaceonline.net.

Example of a specially designed programme for key stages 1-2:

1. The Schools & Community Liaison Manager and Student Ambassadors deliver a presentation/assembly/workshop on a specific theme

2. A Transition and Careers Group Taster/Renewable Technologies Tour/Interactive Workshop Demonstration takes place

3. Follow-up sessions organised in school/other venue/College.

Example of a specially designed programme for key stages 3-4+:

1. The Schools & Community Liaison Manager and Student Ambassadors deliver a presentation/assembly

2. A Focus Morning/Transition and Careers Group Taster takes place

3. Open Day is attended4. Individual Student Experience takes

place in chosen area5. One-to-one/small group follow-up

sessions are delivered in the school/ other venue.

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getting readyNursery and Primary Co-curriculum – 2-11 yearsMorning session: 9.30am-12.30pm ORAfternoon session: 1.00pm-3.00pm(other times may available, please ask)

In response to the revised National Curriculum and the emphasis on working collaboratively and learning through ‘real world’ situations, we have developed our programme even further – with subject areas at Bedford College all focusing on industry skills and relating to the 14 subject areas in the National Curriculum.

try it outIndividual Student Experiences – 11+ yearsMorning session: 9.30am-12.30pm ORAfternoon session: 1.00pm-3.00pm

If in doubt, try it out! These sessions allow students to participate in a lesson within the subject area they’re interested in, supported by one of our current students. They are designed to ensure students are making the right choice about what they would like to study.

Please note: students participating in a Student Experience session will need to be able to make their own way to and from the College campus. Schools must be informed of the agreed date and their subsequent absence.

In order to apply for a session students need to complete an online application form at www.bedford.ac.uk/tryitout. To find out what we offer and get advice from our expert advisers, students can…

•Explore our online interactive course guides to discover the course and level they are interested in

•Talk to College Careers staff at school and community events or via the online chat on our website

•Attend one of our Open Days to experience campus tours and even get involved in our ‘Have a Go’ events (see page 8).

www.bedford.ac.uk/careers

frequently ASKed queStIonSSee ScHoolS AreA on tHe bedford college WebSIte

www.bedford.ac.uk/schools

Hugely impressed by all involved and feel that it was a more impressive performance than recent professional companies we have paid to have in.

08 BROADENING HORIZONS 2013-14

HAVEA GO

get A tASte of our courSeS tHIS JAnuAry...

bedford college cAmPuSwednesday 6 november 2013, 5.00pm-8.00pmwednesday 22 January 2014, 5.00pm-8.00pmthursday 20 march 2014, 5.00pm-8.00pmtuesday 20 may 2014, 5.00pm-8.00pm

SHuttleWortH college cAmPuSsaturday 9 november 2013, 9.30am-12.30pmsaturday 25 January 2014, 9.30am-12.30pmsaturday 22 march 2014, 9.30am-12.30pmthursday 22 may 2014, 5.00pm-8.00pm

OPEN DAYS2013/14

I just wanted to say a big thank you for organising the information session and the tour. The student was really motivated and excited by the end of the session and is looking forward to receiving her interview invitation.

The children talked non-stop on the minibus on the way back about the performance and all want to come back for another visit!

These events, running throughout the academic year, are the perfect opportunity for potential students to discover what life at Bedford and Shuttleworth Colleges is really like, with the chance to talk to our expert tutors, chat with our existing students and ask our support advisers all the questions they can think of. Plus with guided tours of all of our fantastic facilities, it’s a great way to explore the College too.

Bedford College CampusWednesday 22 January 2014, from 2.00pm

Find out more at www.bedford.ac.uk/events

come and have a go

For students with their eye on a particular subject after their GCSEs or for those already thinking about a future career, our Open Day in January offers a fantastic opportunity to experience a range of Bedford College courses through exciting, hands-on workshops.

From 2.00pm on 22 January 2014 at our Bedford College Campus we’re inviting young people to come along and get to grips with a range of activities and events in the subject areas that interest them.

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tHe SKIllS SHoWDiscover what you want to be...

Need help deciding on the career path you want to take? Get a hands-on insight into a range of jobs at the UK’s largest careers event.

free event!

The Skills Show14 - 16 November 2013NEC, Birmingham

Join over 75,000 visitors at the UK’s largest FREE event dedicated to career skills and training, and discover what it takes to pursue the job of your dreams through fun, interactive activities and shows.

Contact Ellen Punter:

Visit www.bedford.ac.uk/schools

Call 01234 291303

Email epunter@bedford.ac.uk

for more info

CALLING ALL TEAChERS! GET MONEy TO hELP wITh TRAvEL COSTS...As an official sponsor of The Skills Show, Bedford College may be able to support your school with the cost of travelling to the event at the NEC in Birmingham. If you’re interested in sending a group of students and would like to learn more about the support we can offer, please contact Michela Johnson on 01234 291076 or mjohnson@bedford.ac.uk.

book your free place todayBook now to guarantee your place and to get faster entry – you can book for yourself, for a group or for your family.

Just visit www.theskillsshow.com to book your place.

creAtIve futureSCareers in the Creative Industries...

From graphic design and filmmaking, to web design and photography – a career in the creative industries offers one of the most exciting paths young people can take when considering where to take their future.

Our special Creative Futures event is designed to inspire the next generation of creative talent by providing your students with access to careers advice from our experts – former or current working professionals in the creative industries.

• Find out the benefits of a career in the creative industries

• Learn from working professionals to get the inside knowledge

• Try out a creative career with our ‘have a go’ activities

when: wed 22 January 2014where: south bank arts centre, bedford college campus.

to find out more visit

www.bedford.ac.uk/events

OTHER EVENTS

Bedford College has a dedicated team of apprenticeship advisors who are keen to support your school in providing apprenticeship information to pupils. We can offer a variety of options to suit your requirements which include:

• Information stand where pupils are free to ask questions and take away information at careers events

• Presentations to explain: - What an apprenticeship is - Details of apprenticeships offered - Details of qualifications within the

apprenticeship framework - Entry requirements - Next steps and how to apply This can be for any audience and any number

of people

• A brief summary of what an apprenticeship is and how to apply. This can be applied to a large audience for example at assembly

• Workshops for pupils and parents explaining apprenticeships and how to apply – group size of up to 15

• Workshops for pupils “how to engage with employers” (this does not cover CV preparation, personal statements and interview technique). This is totally unique as it explains how to make contact with employers and proactively seek vacancies which could lead to an apprenticeship. Group size up to 20

A combination of several of the above can be delivered to meet the needs of the school and pupils. Many schools like to start with a brief generic presentation explaining what an apprenticeship is, followed up by a more detailed session for individuals who have expressed interest in an apprenticeship.

For support from the apprenticeships team, please contact Mary Palmer, Work Based Learning Manager on 01234 291080 or mpalmer@bedford.ac.uk or visit www.bedford.ac.uk/apprenticeships.

10 BROADENING HORIZONS 2013-14

bedford college AImS to be...• the leading advocate for learning with strong and productive links with other partners.

• a provider of expert and individual guidance, advice and other student support services including first class learning environments.

• a leading and innovative provider of work-based and community-based learning.

To achieve our aims we regularly work with a number of different partners. This includes cross–College partnerships with a large number of employers, organisations and charities. The additional provision in this guide is intended to respond to the needs of our partners. Our Schools & Community Liaison Manager is involved with a number of local community committees and networks such as the Bedford Borough Practitioners’ Network, The Hostels’ Forum and the Bedford Academy Cluster. Some of our partnerships include:

bedford cultural networkThe College is a member of this organisation’s steering group, ensuring that Bedford College and its talented Art & Design team are an integral part of an important local network.

cerebral palsy associationWe offer this organisation the use of classrooms at the Cauldwell Street Campus for a few of their summer programmes.

cranfield university schools of engineering, health sciences & business management A long-term partnership, which continues to include our students entering and winning competitions.

the prince’s trust Teams complete a Transition and Careers Group Taster, visiting Bedford College for an informal presentation from the Schools & Community Liaison and a member of our Careers team and campus tours linked to the areas they are interested in.

sue ryder – st. John’s hospice, moggerhanger This partnership offers our students volunteer work experience in preparation for their future careers. They are linked to their curriculum and additional volunteering qualifications and assessments. Our staff also support St. John’s as a chosen charity.

sure start centresWe regularly visit these centres, engaging in conversations with staff and parents/carers, heightening awareness of our varied provision and showing the friendly and personable side of Bedford College and Shuttleworth College.

the national it partnership (nitp) and the accounting academy partnership (aap) NiTP/AAP are based in both Bedford and Milton Keynes, providing Advanced Fast Track Apprenticeships in IT and accountancy in partnership with the College. These are designed to ‘kick start’ careers with a nationally recognised qualification in these subjects, combined with support into a variety of local employment roles.

university of bedfordshireA long-term partnership working internally and externally with students on shared provision, as well as organising events and activities in the College, at the university and local schools.

ymcaWe work with this organisation in a variety of ways including attending the hostel’s forum meetings, offering Transition and Careers Group Tasters/Focus Mornings and supporting the young people at the hostel with their academic qualifications.

OUR PARTNERSHIPS& OTHERACTIVITIES

I really think that this is something that has a lot of potential and that we can keep developing it as the year goes on.

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otHer ProvISIon...• Aim 4UR Future – inspirational workshops/assemblies delivered by staff and students. Open to all ages, focusing on personal goals, lifestyle choices, careers and employment.

• Assembly presentations – on further and higher education, sustainable technologies, careers, employment and apprenticeships.

• Careers in the Creative Industries: 22 January 2014 – get an insight into the fascinating world of the creative industries and find out the benefits a creative career can bring. Find out more on the next page!

• Challenging Stereotypes Interactive Workshops – providing up-to-date information, broadening career options and dispelling myths. Support workshops offered one to one or in small groups.

• Option Evenings and Careers Fairs – supporting parents, carers and school staff with information, advice and guidance.

• Subject Taster Sessions – delivered in community settings, with the chance to lead on to commercial courses.

• Work Experience Placements – as a local employer giving people aged 16 years and above the opportunity to learn more about Bedford College.

Opportunities to get involved at the College, including:

• Sustainability Day – March 2014

• Apprenticeships’ Week – March 2014

• Adult Learners’ Week – May 2014

Visit www.bedford.ac.uk/events to see our full event listing throughout the year.

more events!

BROADENING HORIZONS 2013-14

WHAT’S NEXT?

WHERE TO FIND US

medIcAl InformAtIon ProvIded for tHe relevAnt young PeoPle/conSent for PHotogrAPHS

confIrmAtIon of vISIt

delIvery of event/ActIvIty/tASter/tour

evAluAtIonS comPleted

folloW uP vISItS WHere Agreed

cHooSe tHe ProvISIon tHAt SuItS tHe needS of tHe cHIldren/young PeoPle

contAct our ScHoolS & communIty lIAISon offIcer, ellen Punter

dAyS, dAteS, tImeS Are Agreed

trAnSPort ArrAngementS mAde

ellen or ScHool to ProvIde rISK ASSeSSment

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Ellen PunterSchools & Community Liaison Manager01234 291303epunter@bedford.ac.uk

Bedford CollegeCauldwell StreetBedford MK42 9AHwww.bedford.ac.uk

Shuttleworth CollegeOld Warden ParkBiggleswade SG18 9DXwww.shuttleworth.ac.uk