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New £6.6 Million STEM Centre Officially Opens
Cadbury Sixth Form College has officially opened its new Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) Centre.
To mark the official launch of the £6.6 million STEM campus building, guests enjoyed an exclusive tour of the centre and its state-of-the-art facilities. The new sign was even unveiled by our robot dog Toto!
Due to the overwhelming demand for places at Cadbury, the new centre is focused on delivering a new technical curriculum, responding to a growing demand for specialist teaching facilities and learning for students. Funded by the Department for Education and the College, the 1,000 sqm, two-storey STEM centre supports the education of young people looking to enter careers in advanced manufacturing, life sciences and other critical sectors of the economy.
It houses dedicated suites for Digital Media, Health, Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Employee Engagement. Digital learning labs and VR suites offer robotics and coding opportunities for new T Level and A Level courses, alongside a media suite, a practical healthcare learning space, extended classrooms and flexible study and social spaces. The project marks Phase 2 of our multi-year investment following the opening of our £3.5 million Science City facilities in 2021.
Lydia Maher, Campus Principal, said: “We’re incredibly proud to open the doors to our new STEM centre, which supports the growing need for specialist skills across the region, so we can continue to foster leading talent for advanced manufacturing, life sciences and other critical growth sectors of the economy. In line with our commitment to provide exceptional teaching standards, our new centre empowers students to capitalise on the hugely exciting career opportunities in STEM, with practical, hands-on experience in their chosen field that will equip them with the future-proof skills they need for their next step – whether it’s university, an apprenticeship, or their first job.
“Cadbury College celebrates 40 years of success this year, and we can now offer students the broadest choice of advanced courses, including A Levels, T Levels and vocational qualifications, across Birmingham, and the opportunity to study in industry-leading facilities.”
Your Best Experience: Take a Tip from a Cadbury Student
What can I tell you to make Cadbury Sixth Form College your best experience yet? Well here are my best tips for really making the most of your time and preparations for the big move!
3 TIPS FOR APPLYING TO COLLEGE (Trust me, you’re going to want to know the last one!)
Number 1: Do Your Research
Make sure you seek advice and visit open days to see the college for yourself.
Number 2: Apply Early
The earlier you apply, the sooner you can secure your place and concentrate on your exams. Makes sense right?
Not only that, you can take advantage of exclusive support available to offer holders.
Number 3: Pick Subjects That You Enjoy And That You’re Good At
Not everyone knows what they want to be when they’re older – and that’s fine!
Cadbury has one of the largest course offers in the region. And for that reason you don’t have to compromise what you enjoy.
5 THINGS I WISH I KNEW BEFORE GOING TO COLLEGE
Number 1: Pick A Subject You Enjoy
The subjects you choose will be your primary focus for the next two years. Why don’t you make those next two years as enjoyable as possible?
Number 2: This Isn’t Like School
Say goodbye to assemblies, morning registration, and most importantly detention. You’ll be treated like an adult here.
Number 3: Time Management Is Super Important
Free periods aren’t always about catching up with your mates. They should be used to get ahead, whether that’s revising or studying certain subjects.
Number 4: Everybody’s Too Caught Up In Their Own Appearances To Worry About Yours
In College you finally get to wear your own clothes and express yourself. The last thing you want to be doing is worrying what other people think. Trust me!
Finally, Number 5: Take Care Of Yourself
College can be a big step from school and whilst it does involve a lot of study and work time, it’s really important that you take care of yourself and your wellbeing. And just enjoy it – you’ve got this guys!
DAY IN THE LIFE OF A CADBURY STUDENT
8am: I left the house – I’ll never get used to these dark mornings. I got on the bus with my free bus pass because Cadbury girlies do not pay for their transport 😊
9am: I headed to my first health class which I’m doing a T Level in. I’d love to be a nurse someday and this course is the first step to getting there.
11am: Ok, this is when my day got weird. Our college has a brand-new building and it’s kitted out with loads of hi-tec stuff, including VR. This was actually the most fun lesson ever. We even printed out Lego!
1pm: VR made me so hungry, so it was time for lunch. On the menu today was my favourite cheesy pasta bake with a cheeky bit of garlic bread.
2pm: I had a free period where I caught up with some coursework because I really do not want to be falling behind.
3pm: I headed over to music club which is always such a laugh. What a tune!
4pm: I grabbed a drink and headed home.
I BET YOUR COLLEGE DOESN’T HAVE THIS!
This is Cadbury College’s brand-new Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths centre – and I am loving it!
This huge centre supports students looking to enter careers in manufacturing, life sciences, digital media and loads more. And it even has digital learning labs and virtual reality suites which offer coding and robotics opportunities for T Levels and A Levels.
My favourite part has to be the flexible studying and social spaces – absolutely perfect for catching up with your mates. If you fancy having a look around, make sure to check our upcoming open days.
Turn Esports Passion into Profession
Gamers looking to turn their passion for Esports into a profession now have the chance to do just that at Cadbury Sixth Form College.
A brand-new Level 3 Esports course is launching at Cadbury in September 2024, providing students with an introduction to the fast-developing world of Esports. The College group has invested in esports gaming rooms, editing suites and enterprise pods to ensure students have access to the most inclusive and dynamic growth environment in an industry already worth over £1 billion.
Over two years students will gain valuable hands-on experience and discover more about the unique crossover of subjects such as enterprise, game design, marketing, business, teamwork and event management in the rapidly growing Esports industry. As they continue to develop their understanding of the industry, learners will also cover the technical aspects of Esports including programming, 2D & 3D graphics and live-streamed broadcasting, culminating in the design and delivery of their own competitive Esports event.
Learners taking this qualification will study topics ranging from skills, strategies and analysis to health, wellbeing and fitness for Esports players and responsible gaming. They will also benefit greatly from interaction with professional teams, guest speaker talks and work experience opportunities.
Head of Sport, Scott Thomas, said: “Esports is a rapidly growing industry around the world and within the education sector. This generation of students have grown up online and their sights are set on a digital future. Many UK universities now offer Esports as a degree course. Our students will have access to players and expertise which will enable them to turn their passion into a profession, learning employability skills including digital, problem-solving, teamwork, organisation and analytics to support them in whichever pathway they choose to progress.
“If you’re passionate about gaming and want to turn it into a career, this is the perfect opportunity for you.”
Don’t miss out on this chance to turn your passion into a profession!
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Which Careers Did Our Amazing Alumni Choose?
If you need inspiration for choosing your degree destination after sixth form, take a tip from Cadbury’s Class of 2023. Creative, scientific, business, health and humanities – they’ve got them all covered – along with the most popular career choices. In fact, there’s everything from nursing, criminology and architecture to data science, forensic psychology and film-making.
Sometimes it can feel like you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding on that final degree direction, but it needn’t be a case of choosing one or the other. Our 2023 class found their perfect matches by combining Business & Marketing, Ancient History & History, Criminology & Psychology, Civil & Transportation Engineering, International Relations & Economics, and Radiotherapy & Oncology.
Enrich your experience
Want to investigate and really get under the skin of something new? If you’re looking for a completely new challenge, do some outside the box thinking and opt for higher study in Artificial Intelligence, Construction Project Management, Paramedic Science, Marine Biology, Professional Policing or even Horology.
Never work with children or animals the old saying goes. But that hasn’t deterred our alumni from going into teaching and studying Early Childhood Education and Care, Education and SEND, Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status, Working with Children, Young People and Families, or even Zoology with a (wait for it) Year Abroad!
Sandwich Placements 🥪
Looking to fill up your CV before you even graduate? Well degrees like Biochemistry, Computer Games Technology, Cyber Security, Digital Media Computing, Media and Communication can offer you a professional placement year or industrial experience as an integral part of your course. Food for thought!
So if you want to follow a similar path to our amazing alumni, or start your very own career trajectory, we’ve got some incredible courses that will set you on your way.
Bon appetit! Cadbury was the first of a series of colleges in the region to thank their local community with food and friendship by hosting the Big Community Lunch.
Cadbury students and staff were saying thank you to more than 60 guests from Kings Norton Primary School and local care homes, with a picnic-style lunch attended by HM The King’s representative, the Deputy Lieutenant Dr M Sakhawat.
The special occasion involved delicious food, creative craft activities, face painting and live music from students. Students were also responsible for helping to organise the event and make it as sustainable as possible.
Executive Director for Human Resources and Organisational Development, Becky Beaty, said: “The Big Lunch is a wonderful opportunity for neighbours and communities to come together for a few hours of friendship, food, and fun. It aims to connect people and foster friendlier, safer communities where conversations, ideas, skills, resources, and friendship can be shared.
“A big thank to our hosts, the hugely committed student support team who are key to our positive learning environment and to ensuring all learners have full access to their studies through a broad range of pastoral and welfare services.”
The project, which is being organised and run by the West Midlands Lieutenancy, means Cadbury will join fellow further education colleges in the region in hosting community events throughout June.
More than a thousand people are set to attend lunches, afternoon teas and picnics, which will coincide with the year’s Big Lunch project to celebrate everything that makes our communities great.
The Lord-Lieutenant for the West Midlands, Sir John Crabtree OBE, said; “I’m delighted that so many colleges from right across the region are getting involved with this year’s #FE Big Lunch.
“Launched last year to coincide with the Coronation, the initiative has really taken off and is set to be bigger and better than ever.
“With a sustainable and environmentally friendly theme this year, the West Midlands Lieutenancy is pleased to be supporting these important community events and we hope everyone has a great time.”
The Sandwell family of colleges – of which Cadbury Sixth Form College forms part – is delighted to announce the appointment of its new CEO and Principal Lisa Capper MBE.
Lisa takes up the position from Graham Pennington, who has held the post since 2014, transforming the family of colleges into one of the largest providers of education to young people in the country.
Lisa joins from her role as CEO and Principal at Stoke on Trent College where she has transformed the quality of provision and financial health of the college, securing significant partnerships and profile for its continued success in meeting the skills needs of learners and employers.
Campus Principal Lydia Maher continues to lead the highly successful Cadbury Sixth Form College as it celebrates 40 years of tradition and innovation.
Commenting on her appointment, Ms Capper said: “I am delighted to be joining the Sandwell family of colleges at such an exciting time. The college offers great opportunity for the young people and residents of Sandwell and Birmingham to achieve their education and skills’ ambitions and develop their careers. I am looking forward to working with the talented and dedicated teams across all sites and hope that I can bring my skills and experience to build on their tremendous achievements.”
Alan Taylor, Chair of the Governing Board at the College said: “Lisa brings extensive experience of senior leadership and governance in further education, and through the roles she has held in colleges, charities and in government, a demonstrable commitment to the learners we serve. We are delighted to welcome Lisa to the Sandwell family of colleges and look forward to her joining us in the autumn.
“On behalf of the Board, I should like to extend our thanks to Graham for all his work and contribution to the progress of the colleges over the past decade.”
