Foundation skills boost

Jemma Goode, Megan Wilson and David Henshaw each walked away with a first or second prize in one of the following competitions: ‘my life at college story’, ‘a funny story’ or ‘create a birthday card’.

Each winner received a certificate and medal and those that came first also received an HMV voucher.

The students are all on Warwickshire College’s Level Up programme – run at the Rugby, Leamington and Pershore centres - a one-year course designed to develop work, study and personal skills.

Jemma, 17, won first prize in the ‘create a birthday card’ competition. She said: “At first, we were all really nervous but when my name was called out to say that I’d won, I felt really happy. This is the first thing I have ever won and it has given me a lot of confidence.

"The course as a whole has helped me to believe in myself and I am going on to a hairdressing course next year.”

The ‘Footsteps’ competition, one of the first of its kind, was held at North Warwickshire and Hinckley College. It aimed to challenge foundation level students and raise achievement levels and aspirations. Foundation learning is learning below level 2 – the equivalent of a GCSE at grade C.

Training Co-ordinator, Linda MacDermott, explained the importance of the competition: “For many of our students, this is the first time they have taken part in a competition – and to get a first or second place is a great achievement and confidence boost. It was a challenge for the students and raised their aspirations, as they saw what other learners were achieving.”

Warwickshire College runs programmes for students of all abilities, including those who have struggled to engage with mainstream education. It provides a highly supportive environment and programmes which incorporate personal development, functional skills (English, maths and IT) and vocational skills such as motor vehicle, art, work skills or child care. For full details, contact 0300 45 600 48.