Oxfordshire Adult Learning

Dear followers,

We wanted to let you know that we’ll be closing this page soon and transferring all OAL updates, events, and news to the Abingdon & Witney College main page.

👉 To stay connected with everything happening at the College, please make sure to follow the official page here: https://www.facebook.com/AWCollege?locale=en_GB

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you there! 💬📚✨

Abingdon & Witney College An award-winning Further Education College providing a wide range of courses across Oxfordshire!

🔌 💡 Now offering Electrical Installation Apprenticeships! 👨‍🔧

Abingdon & Witney College has expanded its apprenticeship provision to include Electrical Installation and Maintenance Apprenticeships, addressing a growing local demand for skilled electricians!

The new qualification will be taught at our Abingdon campus and is designed to equip apprentices with essential skills in electrical installations and maintenance, ensuring they are prepared for a career in domestic, industrial, and commercial electrical installation settings.

Apprentices on the programme will train in the College’s new workshop area equipped with all the latest industry standard tools and materials. Partnering providers for this apprenticeship including Low Carbon Hub, Locksley Group, The University of Oxford – Ashmolean (GLAM), The Lucy Group, Quartermain Electrical, Actemium, and Solar Solutions.

👉 Click the link to find out more and enrol https://buff.ly/4ePM3yn

IT’S NOT TOO LATE!

Here at Abingdon & Witney College we like to go the extra mile to make sure we find the right pathway to success for YOU.

But we know that that is not always easy and sometimes things go wrong. If you have started a sixth form or a course but your gut feeling is that this is not the right course for you that gut feeling is probably right – but don’t panic, it’s not too late to put things right!

Join us at our next open day on Wednesday 18th September at either our Abingdon or Witney Campus, to find out how we can help you make a smooth transition into College.

Sign up here for fast-track entry https://buff.ly/3ZkxEpl

🌱✨ On Thursday, 12th September, we were delighted to host a "thank you" lunch at Common Leys Farm Campus, bringing together local businesses from the Equine, Animal Care, and Agricultural sectors.

This event was a great opportunity for us to express our gratitude to employers who have supported our students through work placements, guest lectures, and visits. 🐴🐾

Coral Ward, Head of Land Based Industries, shared her appreciation: "Thank you to all of you who took a student on placement. They returned transformed—the improvements were truly remarkable, as always!"

Katie Shurey, T-Level Industry Placement Coordinator for Common Leys also gave a presentation on upcoming changes regarding the Animal Care T-Level and what this would mean for placements, as well as changes to content and approach with the new qualification.

Sam Bagnall from 4 Paws Pet Hotel remarked, "We’ve had a really positive experience working with the College," while Ian Vanderburg of Hartsop Farm added, "The placements help students to truly understand the various careers in the equine industry. They often come in with one idea and leave with a completely new perspective!"

Helen Hitchman from Cotswold Wildlife Park highlighted the importance of clear communication in supporting students with additional needs: "It ensured we could provide the right support to help them get the best out of their placement."

We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing collaboration with our industry partners, whose contributions are shaping the future of our students. A special thank you to Coral, for outlining the College's ongoing commitment to offering real-world learning experiences, including our farm shop initiative, where students hone their customer service skills. 🙌

We're back and just like that the new term has started!

We hope you have fun and enjoy yourself. Make the most of our upcoming Fresher’s Events, join our Student Voice and we can’t wait to see what extraordinary things you achieve.

Ready to kick off the new College year?
Find out what you need to know for your September 2024 start here... https://buff.ly/4cPY3OX

Apprenticeships celebrate Ewan and Spencer 🎊

At our annual Student of the Year Awards, Peter, Head of Apprenticeships, shared their worthy winning nominations.

Here's a snippet of why they won! 🏆

Spencer
Spencer won our Inspirational Student Award, "Spencer has consistently excelled both at work and in college throughout his apprenticeship. He achieved an outstanding 96% in his recent pesticides exam, one of the highest scores we've ever seen! Additionally, he received stellar feedback during his first aid course, with the tutor praising his impressive resuscitation technique.

Every day, Spencer amazes us with his unwavering determination to learn and complete tasks. He is a hands-on learner who tackles everything with enthusiasm and confidence. We couldn't be more proud of Spencer and his incredible progress!"

Ewan
Ewan took home our Outstanding Performance Award "Ewan's crowning achievement was his performance in the End Point Assessment of November 2023. In the formidable Level 3 Synoptic exam, he achieved a staggering 98%, a testament to his mastery of the subject. This was closely followed by a 97% in his professional discussion, securing a well-deserved distinction for his Apprenticeship.

Ewan is renowned for his meticulous attention to client work, approaching each task with unwavering diligence and precision. His modesty shines through, as he humorously downplays the consistent praise from Training Coordinator, Adrian McIlroy Speed.

Ewan's prowess as an AAT professional is not just academic; it is holistic, showcasing an extraordinary level of confidence and competence."

Congratulations to both of you, well deserved!

Take a look at our Digital Skills courses, targeted at improving employability and confidence in the digital space.

Whether you are new to using a computer and want to pick up some essential digital skills; or if you’re looking to test your creativity and ability on one of our specialist courses.

Sign up for one of our part-time courses here https://buff.ly/4e4708E

Construction celebrates Joshua and Mamadou 🎊

At our annual Student of the Year Awards, Bob, Head of Construction, shared their worthy winning nominations.

Here's a snippet of why they won! 🏆

Mamadou
Mamadou won our Inspirational Student Award, "As a refugee, with English being a second language, he has had to work hard to not only comprehend the course material, but also understand the complexities of plumbing terminology and both the metric and imperial systems.

He arrived in the UK when he was 17 years old, but was unable to enrol until this academic year. He has had to show incredible strength, resilience and patience throughout this time period. This positivity embodies the true spirit of perseverance and motivation, setting a high standard for others to follow.

There is no doubt, that when set a task he will apply himself fully, in turn motivating his peers with infectious enthusiasm and an unwavering willingness of support."

Joshua
Joshua took home our Outstanding Performance Award for "continually proving to be a strong, determined and a very reliable student. He always fully applies himself to every task and strives for perfection, every time.

He has grown so much in confidence over the last two years and it has been an absolute pleasure to watch his development and growth in his knowledge and skills.

He works incredibly well individually, and as part of a group, and never shies away from opportunities to support his peers. He does so by sharing his knowledge and assisting via peer teaching and practising elements rigorously. Watching him grow over the years and we are delighted by his achievements in his personal growth, and he should be proud of how far he has come."

Congratulations to both of you, well deserved!

Yesterday, we proudly launched our Free Care Courses, with Councillor Duncan Enright, Deputy Leader at West Oxfordshire District Council, marking a pivotal moment in equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary for a fulfilling career in care.

These *FREE courses, funded by the UK Government, are tailored to help you develop essential competencies for a successful career in the care sector.

Whether you already work in the Care sector or are considering a career in Care, we can help you get the qualifications you need.

Limited spaces are available; apply NOW by clicking below.
You can study these courses online at a time and pace to suit you!

Take the next step in your career with our FREE* and flexible courses.
*You must be at least 19 years old and live or work in West Oxfordshire.

Yesterday we had a successful launch of our free Green Skills courses, a significant step towards empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools for a sustainable future.

These *FREE courses, funded by the UK Government, are designed to help you gain essential skills and knowledge to excel in the Green Skills sector.

Courses include:
Level 3 Award in Installation and Maintenance of Heat Pumps
Level 2 Award in Understanding Domestic Retrofit
Level 3 Award in Domestic Retrofit Advice
Environmental Awareness and Introduction to Heat Pumps/Introduction to PV/Solar Thermal.

If you didn't make it to our launch event, then head to the link to find out more: https://buff.ly/4dLDILE

*You must be at least 19 years old and live or work in West Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse, South Oxfordshire OR Cherwell.

English and Maths celebrates Kuran and Joe 🎊

At our annual Student of the Year Awards, Scott Grey, Vice Principal of Curriculum and Quality, shared their worthy winning nominations.

Here's a snippet of why they won! 🏆

Joe
Joe won our Inspirational Student Award, "Joe’s commitment knows no bounds. He sought extra support from Rosie, his study coach, and transformed challenges into stepping stones.

Joe’s achievements deserve celebration. From overcoming barriers to excelling in GCSEs, he has proven that resilience and hard work can create remarkable results. His positive attitude and diligence during GCSEs exemplify his commitment to growth.

Beyond academics, Joe has blossomed into a confident and delightful young man—a testament to his character.

His journey signifies the values of perseverance, kindness, and excellence. Joe Harvey as the Inspirational Student in Maths and English.

Congratulations, Joe!”

Kuran
Kuran took home our Outstanding Performance Award " With self-motivation, Kuran has conquered every target set before him.

His mastery of the fictional section of the exam paper not only showcases his intellect but also reveals his indomitable resilience. Mistakes transformed into stepping stones, and setbacks powered his unwavering determination.

Within the classroom, Kuran’s nurturing spirit radiated brightly. He uplifted his peers, demonstrating kindness and unwavering support.

Today, we celebrate Kuran Krishan’s outstanding performance in English. His journey exemplifies the power of resilience, kindness, and unwavering commitment.
Congratulations, Kuran!”

Congratulations to both of you, well deserved!

Ready to take the plunge and apply for one of our undergraduate programs?

We still have places available for our FdSc courses, BSc programs, HTQs, HNCs, and HNDs.

Check out our list of available courses on our website, and get ready to embark on your academic journey with us!

Click here to explore your clearing options today https://buff.ly/3X6vQPt