THE new COMMUNITY NEWSLETTERFROM STRATFORD-UPON-AVON COLLEGE

Inside...• Apprenticeship Success!

• New student magazine

• Become a Friend of SUAC

• Access to Higher Education Diploma

• Our new Business School

Includes our complete Part-time

Course Guideon page 6

2nd

edition

3WELCOME

TO THE BUZZ!

4WELCOME FROM THE

STUDENTS

5SUAC

NEWS!

6PART-TIME

COURSE GUIDE

8BUSINESS SCHOOL

9SPOTLIGHT ON...

10WARWICKSHIRE EMPLOYABILITY

CHARTER

11ACCESS TO HIGHER

EDUCATION DIPLOMA (HEALTH)

7STRATMAG

One particularly exciting piece of news I’m delighted to share with you is that Lord Digby Jones, the distinguished business entrepreneur, has been appointed Chairman of Governors. As I’m sure most of you will know, Lord Jones has many links to the area – he was born in Birmingham and educated at Bromsgrove School, and serves as Chairman of several major companies including Stratford-upon-Avon-based industrial group Grove Industries and Triumph Motorcycles Limited.

He already has a close association with the College – earlier this year he officially opened newly refurbished teaching facilities and helped us launch our Apprenticeship Academy, and he has served on the Board of Governors since October. He and I recently attended a business event together at the House of Commons, where we forged links with business leaders from all over South Warwickshire and government ministers, ensuring the College’s place in the region.

We’re in no doubt that Lord Jones will help us prepare all our students for a successful future.

We’d like to invite you to our Oasis Café – just bring the voucher at the back for a free coffee. In the meantime, enjoy the read!

Nicola Mannock, Principal & CEO

Welcome back! It’s great to see you in issue 2 of our community newsletter, The Buzz! This is such a thrilling time at the College and things are moving fast.

This year’s intake of students are fully settled in and hard at work in their subject areas, but we are also offering great opportunities to learn new skills with new part-time courses starting in January.

As you’ll see from this newsletter, we have something to offer everyone in the Stratford-upon-Avon area – we’re really excited about new developments such as the new Access to HE Diploma (Health) course and our new Business School.

Welcome from the Principal & CEO3

Welcome to the 2nd issue of The Buzz!

As students, we belong to the Stratford-upon-Avon College family, but we are also part of the wider local community and so it’s a great pleasure to be able to share with you what the College has been up to.

I really enjoy being a student governor, I get to meet all sorts of students or future students who are looking at coming to the College. I have responsibility and I also get to build a relationship with the board and the principal. Before I joined the board, I had no idea how much work and effort goes into the College as an engine. We have recently appointed Lord Digby Jones to join our board and we are all so excited to see how he will help our College build and grow.

In this issue, you’ll find a feature on our College magazine Stratmag. This is a really exciting new development, written entirely by the students, for the students. (turn to page 6 for details). So sit back and enjoy reading about what’s been happening at your local College!

Hannah Strick, Student Governor

Welcome from the students

SUAC News

READ MORE about these stories & find out what else has been happening

at SUAC in the News section of our website:

www.stratford.ac.uk/up-to-date

All the latest from the College...

5

Massive congratulations to one of our apprentices, 16-year-old Joseph Vaughan, who has achieved his dream of setting up his own business by opening a chocolate shop - 1683 Chocolate Place in Knowle High Street, Solihull. It has already proved a huge success since it opened its doors in September.

Joseph - one of the UK’s youngest chocolatiers - manages to combine a Business Administration Apprenticeship with creating delicious chocolates and running his shop. Its range of chocolates includes not only everyone’s favourites such as fruit creams, but also original recipes that Joseph has developed himself.

Qualifying as a chocolatier meant he had to train incredibly hard and learn all the processes involved in making perfect chocolates. He studied at the Chocolate Academy in Banbury and even took several other courses privately. “It’s taken me a whole year of solid research and experimentation to get to where I am now.”

He now splits his time between his shop – he’s often there longer than a normal working day, creating his chocolates and replenishing the stock which sells really quickly – and his apprenticeship work. Although he is only 16, Joseph already knows exactly what he wants for his future and is not short of ambition. “Owning my own shop was always a goal of mine. I’d like to open a few more shops in the future, maybe in Stratford and Leamington, and to expand to the corporate sector.”

The College has been a tremendous support to Joseph, offering both practical assistance and encouragement - it’s provided help from social media promotion to completing apprenticeship assignments. “They’ve been incredibly

helpful. The College has helped me every step of the way.”

Joseph’s amazing achievement is down to his hard work, determination and talent. But we’d like to think our Apprenticeship Programme is playing a part in his success!

PART-TIME & LEISURE COURSES Take a look at the new and exciting courses we have to offer the community.

We have been working hard all year to ensure we have something to suit everybody in the Stratford-upon-Avon area at affordable rates, and we believe strongly in lifelong learning.

Course title Starts Duration Fee

LANGUAGES

ACCOUNTING

ART

Call our Marketing Team on 01789 417414 to enrol for our January starts, or pop in to a sign-up session: 7, 12 and 13 January from 3.30-7pm.

Januarypart-time course sign-up sessions:

7, 12 and 13 January

3.30 - 7pm

Access to HE (Health) Jan 2016 1 year Please call for details

French beginners 20 Jan 2016 8 weeks £110

French beginners next step 19 Jan 2016 8 weeks £110

German beginners next step 20 Jan 2016 8 weeks £110

German Intermediate 18 Jan 2016 8 weeks £110

German Advanced 21 Jan 2016 8 weeks £110

Italian beginners next step 19 Jan 2016 5 weeks £70

Spanish beginners 18 Jan 2016 8 weeks £110

Spanish beginners next step 19 Jan 2016 8 weeks £110

Spanish intermediate next step 20 Jan 2016 8 weeks £110

ESOL 5/6 Jan 2016 11 weeks £175

Bookkeeping - Level 1 18 Jan 2016 10 weeks £150

Bookkeeping - Level 2 20 Jan 2016 10 weeks £185

Life Drawing 20 Jan 2016 8 weeks £135

Painting 19 Jan 2016 8 weeks £135

Photography 18 Jan 2016 8 weeks £135

DIY 20 Jan 2016 8 weeks £150

7

STRATMAG, the new magazine designed by students, for students

WRITTEN, EDITED AND DESIGNED ENTIRELY BY STUDENTS

FULL OF FEATURES ON SUBJECTS OF REAL INTEREST TO STUDENTS

COMMUNITY NEWS, EVENTS, ENTERTAINMENT REVIEWS AND FEATURES

ALL IN A LIVELY, ACCESSIBLE STYLEPUBLISHED EVERY MONTH

We are currently offering advertising space in our next issue at fantastic rates. For more information, please get in touch – email hello@stratford.ac.uk or call 01789 266245

StratMagBy Students For Students

STRATMAG WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE IN PRINT TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, BUT IF YOU CAN’T WAIT, YOU’LL FIND ISSUES 1 & 2 HERE:

HTTP://ISSUU.COM/COLLEGEMAGAZINE7

READ MORE AT WWW.STRATFORD.AC.UK/UP-TO-DATE

Our new student magazine

Coming to SUAC soon...

BUSINESS SCHOOLThinking of applying for a

new job? We can advise you on how to spice up your CV

Want to change careers?Our Business School will enable you to retrain

while you carry on working

Interested in professional courses such as CIM / CIPD / ILM?

Look no further - sign up to register your

interest with professional@stratford.ac.uk

expanding futures and opportunities

9

The Academy Restaurant, located within the College, is a fantastic place to relax and chat with friends while experiencing great-tasting, affordably-priced cuisine.

The College’s dedicated Hospitality students will ensure your evening is an extremely enjoyable one. The Restaurant is open for dinner on Thursdays, 7pm for 7.15pm 6 courses, including coffee and petit fours, for only £27 per person*

*PRICES AS SEPTEMBER 2015

As the Academy is a popular place for friends and family to dine, we recommend that parties book in advance to avoid disappointment. COME ALONG WITH A GROUP OF FRIENDS AT LUNCHTIME ON TUESDAY OR

FRIDAY FROM 12 NOON enjoy a delightful, relaxing 3 course lunch

Starter: £3, Main: £6, Dessert: £3

In addition to lunch and dinner, the Academy Restaurant is a perfect place for events. So if you are arranging anything from a business conference to

a private celebration, you can trust us to provide excellent hospitality. We’ll make your special occasion even more special.

If it’s just a drink and a chat you want, why not visit the Academy’s licensed bar – we cater for up to 80 guests.

You’ll find us at http://www.stratford.ac.uk/academy-bar-and-restaurant/ Or get in touch to find out how we can meet your requirements – email reception@stratford.ac.uk or call 01789 266245.

Become a friendof the College

FIND OUT MORE & SIGN UP ONLINE AT:

www.stratford.ac.uk/friends-of-the-college

One of our main aims as a College is toenrich our community and we’d very much like to offer our range of facilities for you to use.

We welcome you to visit our coffee shop or one of our many restaurants, where you will be served by catering students who go on to work in establishments such as The Ritz and Claridge’s.

Or maybe you simply wish to use our free wi-fi. Take a look at our Friends of the College membership –- it’s free to join - you will receive special discounts- up-to-date news on what’s happening here at SUAC!

Businesses working with Stratford-upon-Avon College to develop the employability skills of young people can now be awarded the new Warwickshire Employability Charter. The Charter recognises the contribution businesses make to developing the skills of young people through structured programmes such as apprenticeships, work experience or other career development opportunities.

Stratford-upon-Avon College was one of the first organisations to commit to the Charter offered by Warwickshire County Council.

“It’s so important that business and education work as closely together as possible if we are to equip young people with the skills and attributes they need to enter the world of work,” said Nicola Manning, Principal and CEO of Stratford-upon-Avon College. “Businesses frequently say young people aren’t work-ready. By committing to the Charter we are demonstrating our aim of partnering with business to ensure students at the College are as ready as they can be for the world of work.”

The Charter is in the format of a certificate and outlines the type of skills and attributes businesses say they look for in employees. The certificate can be printed and displayed. A Charter mark motif is also provided for use in publicity. The names of organisations committing to the Charter are published on the Council website and publicised more widely.

To request a Charter for your work with Stratford-upon-Avon College students, please e-mail skillsforemployment@warwickshire.gov.uk stating the name of the organisation to appear on the Charter. You will be e-mailed a personalised charter within 48 hours. A list of organisations committed so far can be found at: http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/skillsforemployment

If you wish to discuss the Charter, please call 01926 418027.

Warwickshire Employability Charter

11

Starting in February - apply now online.hello@stratford.ac.uk www.stratford.ac.uk

Stratford-upon-Avon CollegeThe Willows North, Alcester Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 9QR

www.stratford.ac.uk call: 01789 417414 email: hello@stratford.ac.uk

What’s coming up...

New SUAC publications: Xtend Guide / Full-time Prospectus / Higher Education Prospectus / Travel Guide / Parents & Carers

enjoy your free coffeeThis voucher entitles you to one coffee at SUAC’s Oasis Cafe free-of charge. Please present voucher to cashier.

Terms & conditions apply - please ask for further details

2016 Full-time open events:

» Wed 27 Jan 2016 5:30 - 8:00pm » Wed 16 Mar 2016 5:30 - 8:00pm » Wed 8 Jun 2016 5:30 - 8:00pm

LOOK OUT FOR PERFORMANCES BY OUR EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS COMING SOON!Don’t miss the upcoming production of Footloose,

performed from Wednesday 13 January!

Find information at www.stratford.ac.uk/events

Part Time Information and Sign-up Event

» Thur 7 January 3:30 - 7:00pm

» Tues 12 January 3:30 - 7:00pm

» Wed 13 January 3:30 - 7:00pm

Discuss the full provision of part-time course options with our

team and get enrolled.

To register your interest, please email hello@stratford.ac.uk or call 01789 417414.

Dinner serviceThursdays, 7pm for 7.15pm6 courses including coffee & petit fours£27 per person*Parties welcome if booked in advance

LunchTuesdays & Fridays from 12 noon3 course lunchStarter: £3, Main: £6, Dessert: £3

*Prices as at September 2015

www.stratford.ac.uk/academy-bar-and-restaurant