One giant leap..

As we sit preparing sessions for the Newcastle College Summer School – and the wealth of confidence building activities we are about to deliver - we thought it appropriate to reflect on our own experiences of Further Education and how it provides that vital bridge between school and University.

Coming from a relatively small Secondary School, where everyone knew me and I knew the majority of the student body, the local Sixth Form College seemed a huge and daunting place, not least because of the lack of uniform and opportunity for individual style that this resulted in. There were around 15 of us who progressed from my school to college. At the beginning of Year 12 we sheepishly stuck together for fear of the other groups who seemed to possess an inordinate amount of members in comparison. But once Year 13 struck things began to change; new groups formed and, as the older kids, we were finally able to embrace college life – move from canteen to common room - and with it new beginnings.

Although now dotted around the country, the college group are some of my closest friends, for we had all experienced the uncertainty of Sixth form life, had found each other, and had gone through the anxiety of University applications together. The experience made me a more confident person, not only socially but also academically; I was ready for University when the time came, purely because I had been coached and guided by my peers and tutors.

This week we intend to share our experiences with prospective students, and equip them with the skills necessary to enter Further Education at speed.