Strode News

27/02/12 - When Times Get Tough for Business Make Sure You're on Top of Your Game

Strode College in Street is running a series of new workshops for local business people and their employees, with expert speakers offering advice and insights to help improve business performance. The workshops, which begin on Wednesday 21 March and run until Friday 1 June 2012, will be held at Strode College in the evenings from 6.30pm to 8.45pm.

The workshops will focus on a range of hot business improvement topics including how to gain and retain clients through exceptional customer service; how to build a positive mental attitude through understanding the psychology of success; getting your business on-line and making the most of your website and social media; creating effective interpersonal communication using Neuro Linguistic Programming; managing conflict; how to generate and close sales; and how a better use of written English can improve your business performance.

Graham Knight, Head of Business Development at Strode said: "Every day we hear about our troubled economy and how tough it is for businesses to do well. Many businesses are going under and there is no denying that this is a worrying time. But this is also a good time for businesses to take a look at how they are performing and take positive steps to improve their business. They need to be at the top of their game and well placed to compete in this tough economic climate."

"Using their extensive experience across a range of sectors with national and international companies, the speakers at these workshops will consider different approaches and techniques to maximise the effectiveness of businesses. They will not only provide people with new ideas, they will also inspire and motivate them and this is great for business."

Full details of all workshops, including dates, costs and speaker profiles, are available on the Strode College website.

Those interested in attending one or more of the workshops should call Strode's Business Development team on: 01458 844457 or email dseymour@strode-college.ac.uk

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24/02/12 - Clarks Help Schools Design a Bright Future

Thirty students from schools and colleges across the area were recently invited to take part in a specially organised ‘Design Workshop' at the head office of Clarks in Street.

This full day event, aimed at encouraging young people to develop their design skills and understand how they might use them in the modern-day workplace, was organised in association with the East Somerset Partnership and involved students from Strode College and five secondary schools: Ansford Academy (Castle Cary), Crispin School (Street), Sexey's School (Bruton), St. Dunstan's School (Glastonbury), and Whitstone School (Shepton Mallet).

In stylish surroundings and with the support of various professionals from the company's design teams, the students heard about the workings of the fashion industry and the way the latest trends hit the shops. They were then given the task of imagining new shoe designs themselves. Thinking carefully about the leathers and fabrics they might use, as well as colour, shape and comfort, the students worked in groups with those from other schools, before standing up to present their ideas.

Everyone that took part had an enjoyable time, producing some impressive work under the guidance of staff from Clarks. The insight they gained into the international design process was of immense help to them in their GCSE and A Level studies and plans are already being put in place to repeat the opportunity next year.

The students returned to class with some good memories, some great ideas and some excellent comments: "Excellent - really interesting and inspiring!"; "It was amazing - I learnt loads! "; "I've been able to see first-hand what a career in design would be like"; "I enjoyed doing the design brief as we were all able to contribute our ideas collectively and it was a fun experience"; and "I found this a very useful workshop as I am studying DT."

Carol Authers, Training and Development Manager at Clarks said: "The day was a huge success. I was amazed at the way in which the students took the project briefs and worked together to produce
coherent designs. It was a great opportunity to work with students from the local area and I hope that it will have inspired some of them to follow a path into design. With luck some of them will join us at Clarks HQ in the future."

Adrian Ash, East Somerset Partnership Director, said: "We are very grateful to Clarks for the support they have given us in arranging this incredible opportunity for local students. Schools and colleges in Somerset are always looking at ways to offer exciting and unusual learning experiences to our young people and the involvement of one of our region's most respected companies in achieving this is greatly appreciated. The students left the building buzzing and took many great ideas back to the classroom."

Jon Hampton, Innovations Department at Clarks, said: "It was great to work with such enthusiastic and capable students. They all seemed to pick up on everything that was presented to them and created some very relevant and exciting projects. I attended both St Dunstan's and Strode College, so it was fantastic to see such talent coming through from the local area. I very much look forward to the chance of being involved again in the near future."

The day at Clarks was the first in a series of events being organised for young people in East Somerset. In coming weeks students will get the chance to learn about study and career possibilities in Engineering and Event Management, as well as trying their hand at writing for television and radio and looking at the importance of language skills in international business. Each event will involve major employers and universities from across the area.

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22/02/12 - Strode Students talk Politics with MEP

Sir Graham Watson MEP visited Strode College recently to talk to A Level Government and Politics students about his work as a Member of the European Parliament, current developments within the European Union, economic prospects for young people and his views on the UK Coalition Government.

Stephen Page, Government and Politics Tutor at Strode said: "Our students found the session extremely interesting and enjoyed discussing a variety of issues with Sir Graham Watson.

"The visit is part of a series of talks to our Government and Politics students which are designed to help them understand current political issues and enable them to become informed future citizens. Other visitors have included a BBC journalist, a spokesman for the Green Party and the Anti - Library Cuts in Somerset Campaign."

In 2011 Strode's A level Government and Politics students achieved a 100% pass rate, with 64% achieving high A* to B grades. A number of Strode students go on to study politics and related subjects at a range of top universities in the UK.

Photo: Strode's Government and Politics students enjoyed discussing politics with Sir Graham Watson MEP.

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22/02/12 - Strode College Helps People Back to Work

These days redundancy can hit anyone and finding another job can be very difficult. But one group of Frome jobseekers were determined to be proactive in their search for work, so they signed up for a Retail Skills and Customer Service course with Strode College.

Run in association with Job Centre Plus, the free course covers customer service, the huge scope of the retail sector, CV writing, interview techniques and food safety. It leads to an `Award in Retail Knowledge` and a food hygiene certificate; qualifications that employers recognise as best preparing candidates for work.

Course leader Martin Titmas and tutor Marc Braddock were pleased by the enthusiasm of the students and their many positive contributions which "made teaching a real pleasure", Marc said.

As for the students, they gained from the experience. Natalie Hibberd thought the course was "really good and exceeded my expectations". Gemma Willis said she "loved and enjoyed the course', and Craig McAuslene summed it up by saying: "friendly tutors, friendly people, very interesting course and even great fun".

It all took place in the function room of the Cornerhouse, the old Lamb Inn. Course leader Martin Titmas said: "The helpful staff at the Cornershouse provided us with an example of good customer service. The learners were also able to gain some real insights into the hospitality industry".

Anyone who is unemployed and interested in these `back to work' courses, should contact Strode College on 01458 844400 or their Jobcentre adviser.

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09/02/12 - Fantastic Evening from Strode Live Musicians

A group of musically talented students from Strode College came together recently to perform a fantastic evening of acoustic music in Street Parish Church, raising £350 for the college Gambia Project. 

The concert was unusual in combining the sounds of orchestral instruments with singer-songwriter performances including vocals, double bass and mandolins.

Highlights from the evening included the performance of popular trio 'Reinstate Sarah' with their original songs augmented by a string trio; and performances of the Foo Fighter's song 'Stranger Things Have Happened' and a song from the film 'Once'.    

The event was organised by students on Strode's Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music as part of their 'Strode Live' project. 

Music Tutor Daniel Shaw said: "Everyone had a great evening. Every seat was filled and there was a lovely atmosphere. The students enjoyed balancing themselves acoustically in the wonderful space. We are grateful to Diana Greenfield Curate at Street Parish Church for allowing our students to perform in the church."  

The Strode College Gambia Project, which began in 2005, raises funds for youth and nursery facilities in the rural village of Tujereng in the Gambia. 

Bill Scott, Head of Student Support Services at Strode will be taking a group of students to the Gambia in February. He said: "What a fantastic evening. It was a real showcase in the community for our students. From the front of house to the camera crew and the performers - it was a real credit to the College. Everyone I spoke to thoroughly enjoyed it.  Well done to the team."

The students are planning the next 'Strode Live' event which will take place in Strode Theatre on Friday 20 April. It will celebrate the local music scene, drawing in many successful past Strode performers as well as current ones.

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03/02/12 - Strode is the Highest Scoring State School or College in the Mendips, South Somerset and Sedgemoor

The government's league tables for advanced level 16-18 education were published last week, showing that Strode College in Street is the highest performing state school or college in the Mendips, South Somerset and Sedgemoor; the third highest performing state institution in Somerset; and the second best performing college in the South West of England.

This performance is based on the average points score per exam entry, which gives a fairer comparison between schools and colleges than the points score per candidate, as it takes account of the broad range of students and the courses they study.  

James Staniforth, Principal of Strode College said: "We are delighted with these outstanding results which reflect the performance of our outstanding students and staff.   The combination of our best ever A Level results with our best ever National Diploma results in 2011 has contributed to this excellent performance. 

"Although the performance tables do not give the complete picture of a school or colleges performance, they do provide students and their parents with useful information when thinking about where to study after GCSEs.   It is also worth remembering that Strode College is in the top 7% of 1,200 schools and colleges in the state sector for improving students' performance in A Levels and National Diplomas after their GCSEs, according to the national Advanced Level Performance Systems 2011.

"We have a lot of good students, but we also add value to all our students because of our exceptional staff and our approach to learning and support.

"This is an outstanding achievement for Strode.  I am extremely proud of what we have achieved and we are determined to build on this success."

Photo: Principal James Staniforth and students outside Strode College in Street, the highest performing state school or college in the Mendips, South Somerset and Sedgemoor.

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03/02/12 - Life is a Cabaret for Strode College Performers

One of the greatest musicals of all time is coming to Strode Theatre for four nights, from Tuesday 28 February to Friday 2 March, when students from Strode College present 'Cabaret'.  

With its stunning songs, fascinating characters and compelling story line, 'Cabaret' evokes the decadent and disturbing life of early 1930's Germany during Hitler's rise to power.      

The show opens with the arrival in Berlin of young American writer Cliff Bradshaw.  Cliff is soon befriended by the polite and intelligent German Ernst, who takes him to stay at Fraulein Schneider's lodging house.  Later they go to the 'Kit Kat Klub', a seedy cabaret joint where almost anything goes, and Cliff meets the flamboyant singer Sally Bowles.     

Set against Cliff and Sally's relationship, and the relationship between Fraulein Schneider and her Jewish fiancée Herr Shultz, the Nazis start to flex their muscles and their menace is felt by all at both the unassuming lodging house, as well as the outrageous Kit Kat Klub.  

Virtually all songs in the show are staged in the Kit Kat Klub, with each song commenting on the plot and on Germany's progressions from Hedonism to Hitlerism.  

Charmaine Bray, Lecturer in Performing Arts at Strode College and director of the show promises a great night's entertainment.  She said: "Cabaret is a powerful and demanding show which is fantastic to perform and watch.  Our students are relishing the opportunity to play such strong characters and to perform such quality song and dance routines, including 'Willkommen', 'Cabaret' and 'Don't tell Mamma'.

"Our musical production is always a College highlight with students and staff working really hard to deliver a quality production.  There will be so much talent on show - singing, acting, dance and music - and a lot of skills and effort behind the scenes.  We're really looking forward to showing what we can do and I'm hoping for a great audience turnout to support our young performers."

Photo: 'Cabaret' is coming to Strode Theatre with its fantastic song and dance routines and its fascinating characters.

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31/01/12 - Strode Students Aim High with Six Offers from Cambridge University

Students at Strode College in Street have had great success with applications to Cambridge University this year, with six students receiving offers.

Offers from Cambridge University have gone to:

• George Field, formerly from St Dunstan's School, to study Computer Sciences at Jesus College;
• Luke Godfrey, who is a resident at Farleigh College and studies A Levels at Strode, to study Engineering at Pembroke College;
• Jade Evans, formerly from Crispin School, to study Engineering at Girton College;
• Laura Bentley, formerly from Ansford Academy, to study Natural Sciences at St Catharine's College;
• Amy Livingstone, who is a student at Farleigh College and studies A Levels at Strode, to study Engineering at Newnham College; and
• Fiona Marie Smith, formerly from St Dunstan's School, who has a confirmed place to study Theology and Religious Studies at Homerton College;

 

Philippa Piper, Head of A Level Studies at Strode said: "Our A Level students achieve high academic standards with results significantly above national benchmarks - 99.4% pass rate with 54% A*-B grades.  We support our students applying to a range of universities and the most important thing is to make sure that every student gets into the university that best suits them.

"Our aim is for those with the ability to get into Oxford or Cambridge to have the best chance of selection.  Students get specialist advice and support from tutors and UCAS advisers, and their success shows that Strode College can successfully prepare students for the most highly rated universities in the UK.  These students are a credit to themselves, their families and former schools, as well as the excellent teaching and support we provide at Strode. "

Laura Bentley said: "As inevitably nerve-racking as the application process was, it was still an enormous relief to have the support of my tutors, especially coming up to the interviews.  Receiving my offer was one of the best days of my academic life so far, and I am ecstatic about the prospect of joining the University next year - although I think it did take a couple of days to sink in!"

Amy Livingstone said: "The application process was slightly daunting but everyone was very supportive.  My personal tutor at Strode was very helpful with guidance about UCAS as a whole, and Sian Decamp, who provides support and guidance for Strode students applying to Oxbridge universities, gave me some very good advice about writing my personal statement. I am incredibly pleased to have been offered a place and slightly surprised!"

Photo: After a range of application forms, tests and interviews, six A Level students from Strode College have been offered places to study at Cambridge University. (Left to right) George Field, Luke Godfrey, Jade Evans, Laura Bentley and Amy Livingstone.  Fiona Smith is not pictured as has already completed her A Levels and is away from Somerset at the moment.

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31/01/12 - Strode College Public Service Students Take Charge of Mountain Rescue

During their annual ski trip to the Italian resort of Courmayeur last week, Strode College's  Public Service students showed great leadership and team work when they took charge of a real medical emergency involving an Australian skier.

During a free ski session the group witnessed an accident in which an Australian skier suffered multiple and serious injuries. Taking charge of the situation the students immediately organised themselves, identified the hazard to other skiers, and sought immediate help from Mountain Rescue.

Using his St John Ambulance Training, Joel Whittaker, who is studying for a Foundation Degree in Public Services at Strode, offered immediate medical assistance and stabilised the patient. Meanwhile, Billy Illingworth, an Extended Diploma Public Services student, skied down to raise the alarm and informed the appropriate authorities. On the arrival of the mountain police the students relinquished their control of the area, but Joel remained with the patient until the helicopter arrived.  

Ava Holdstock, the Group Leader in charge of the party at the time, said: "I was amazed to watch the students in action; they were so professional in their approach, calm and in control throughout". 

Maurice Holdstock, Public Services Course Manager at Strode said: "This is the response that I would expect from our students as they learn about incident management, leadership and teamwork on the course.  They put this into practice with good effect, and I am so proud of them."

"Our courses are designed to prepare students for a role in the public services or to take on a supervisory or management position in any area of work.  This incident demonstrates how effective the course is in developing their personal skills and their ability to take charge of situations."

For more information, please see Strode College's Public Services Diplomas and Foundation Degree pages.

Photo: Strode College Public Services students on their ski trip in the Italian mountains, where some of them calmly took charge of a mountain rescue involving an injured Australian skier.

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24/01/12 - Strode College Live and Unplugged Concert for Gambia

'Strode College Live' is presenting a night of unique acoustic music in Street Parish Church, on Thursday 2 February at 7.30pm, to raise funds for the College Gambia Project.

A range of acts from Somerset's exciting local music scene will be performing, including acoustic bands such as 'Reinstate Sarah', solo acts like Theya Fowler and pieces from College ensembles.  

The venue was chosen for its exquisite acoustics and the performers will play as unplugged and acoustic as possible. 

Tickets for this one off charity concert cost £3 and can be purchased on the door, from the Strode College Shop or Student Association.

The Strode College Gambia Project, which began in 2005, raises funds for youth and nursery facilities in the rural village of Tujereng in the Gambia. 

To find out more about the musicians who will be performing on the night and to listen to some of their songs, visit: www.reverbnation.com/label/strodecollegemusic

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