Available on a phone near you…

We’re very excited today over in the Marketing Department at BCA, thanks to the launch of our new smartphone app!

We’ve been working with Smartphone Media in the past few months to create an app to enable potential students to find out about BCA on the go!

The app features the sections – Courses, Videos, Enquiry, News, Information.

These give information about all the different course areas, levels and entry requirements, as well as linking the user to our YouTube video and social media sites.  Oh, and did I mention that it’s FREE!  Yep, you can download the app from your Apple or Android app store by searching for Berkshire College, and it won’t even cost you a penny!  If you do decide to give it a go, please leave a review to let us know what you think.

If you can think of any ideas of features we can add to the next edition of the app, please leave a comment below.

BCA is “Outstanding”

A recent Ofsted visit has confirmed that BCA is providing “Outstanding” education for the 14-16 year-old students attending the College every week.

It is a double celebration for BCA with the added excellent news that the College is graded overall as “Good” for 16+ learners. The Inspection team recognised that success rates for students are above the national average, and achievement and progression for school pupils is outstanding. Most students on advanced courses attain high added value, and overall the proportion of high grades achieved is good. Senior Management and the Governing Body provide good vision and strategic direction and strong leadership. Students feel safe and the College provides good value for money.

Inspectors met with students from various areas across the College, who stated that they enjoy coming to BCA and are well motivated to develop the confidence to continue their learning or progress to employment. They recognise lessons are lively and interesting, and taught by well qualified and experienced lecturers who structure courses to gain the best balance between theory and practical topics. The learning experience is enriched with external trips as well as visits from industry experts, with lecturers listening to students’ feedback and tailoring courses in response.

The recent £17m capital investment was praised for having provided new buildings and excellent classroom accommodation, with well-designed specialist facilities. Inspectors found the students full of praise for BCA lecturers and staff, finding them friendly and welcoming and always keen to provide extra support. Students love the uniquely beautiful campus and highlighted how easy it was to meet new friends and socialise.

Peter Thorn, who has been Principal at BCA for 23 years and is retiring this summer said: “I am personally delighted at this tremendous result which puts the College, with its new buildings and campus, on a very sound footing to continue its progress and development. I would like to thank all my colleagues for their commitment and support of our students and achievement of a very high standard result.”

New Part-time Prospectus out now!

BCA’s Summer 2011 part-time prospectus is now available and featuring lots of new courses!

The summer edition of the course guide features gardening, hairdressing and languages training up until October 2011.

To request your copy of view details online, visit www.bca.ac.uk/courses_pt.htm or email enquiries@bca.ac.uk

George shaves his head for Japan

George James, student on the Level 3 Diploma in Public Services at BCA went the extra mile for charity.

George followed in the footsteps of fellow student Jono last year and shaved his head for charity.
Not only did he volunteer to shave his head, but George also promised that if he beat last year’s total of £174 he would also shave his eyebrows!

George raised £213 from donations from staff and students to go towards the Student Executive’s chosen charities of Lauchpad, a charity to help homeless and vulnerable, and the British Red Cross Tsunami Appeal.

Sporting Success for BCA

The silverware at BCA has increased yet again thanks to its annual Berkshire Sevens tournament held on Saturday 5th March.

The event has been the cornerstone of the College’s sporting calendar for over 30 years , and this year saw 40 teams from 13 colleges as far away as Devon and Preston came to the college to compete in seven-a-side games of football, rugby, netball, hockey and women’s football.

Students from Land-based colleges as well as those local to BCA braved the cold wind at this prestigious event, which saw the hosts, BCA, clinch the title in women’s football, netball and rugby. The rugby team were particularly delighted with what was their first win at the tournament in 19 years! Winners of the men’s football were local lads, East Berkshire College, with last year’s runners up, Plumpton College managing to secure the title for mixed hockey.

Katie Stayt, event organiser said: “Thank you to all the players, coaches, staff and visiting colleges for making 2011 another successful year for BCA’s Sevens. We hope to see all the colleges again next year, but you’ll have to train even harder to win the trophies back!”

The day ended in true BCA style, with a party hosted by the Student Executive for all the players and supporters to celebrate their victories.

Peaceful protest to save EMA

Peaceful protest to save EMA

Originally uploaded by BCA Maidenhead

Over 100 students lined the College driveway in protest against cuts to EMA (Education Maintenance Allowance) on Save EMA Day, 13th December.

EMA is a means-tested allowance for 16-18 year-olds who are in full-time education. Up to £30 per week is offered to those students with a household income of below £30,000 pa to help with the costs associated with coming to College, such as travel, books and equipment.

The Government plan to scrap EMA for the next academic year, due to cuts in funding.

Students Raise Money for Help for Heroes

Over the past year, students have been raising funds for ‘Help for Heroes’, in aid of Rifleman Daniel Hume, a friend of some of the college’s sport students, who lost his life nearly a year ago whilst serving in Afghanistan.

At a presentation held at the College, Daniel’s Mum, Wendy Ellis-Stafford, received a cheque for £1384.56 from sports student Dean Rogers. Dean a close friend of Daniel’s, was instrumental in running many of the varied fundraising activities, from the traditional raffling of a signed Wycombe Wasps shirt to the more boisterous activities of selling ‘Happy Hume bands’ at rugby fixtures when students dressed as ballerinas and ‘ladies’!

Wendy said, “I am really proud of the boys, they have done fantastically raising so much money, in Daniel’s name, so far, over £106,000 has been donated; more than any other name representing Help for Heroes in the UK, which is amazing. Help for Heroes will put the money to good use in, the funds are being used to set up half-way houses for wounded soldiers providing the support and care needed between hospital and getting back into work and full army life”

BCA Lecturer and Rugby coach Alex Ballard said “The College is really proud of the lad’s effort for what is a great cause. The team have really pulled together this year to be successful on the field and raise a fantastic amount of money off it. The sight of 20 lads in fancy dress as women was horrendous but it seemed to do the trick! Well done to the team.”