News
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!
Cadbury Is Not Like School
Studying at college is not like studying at school or moving onto a school sixth form. There’s so much more to life at Cadbury!
By joining us at Cadbury Sixth Form College, you’ll become part of one of the most diverse and vibrant college communities. Here you’ll develop and enjoy independence, make lifelong friends and experience our fantastic facilities and unbeatable support.
Here are the Top 5 best things about college life:
You’re in charge
From picking your courses, deciding when and where to do your additional study outside of lessons, to what you wear to college. At college you’ll be treated like an adult and enjoy the benefits of independence. You get to take control of your learning and your future and most importantly you get to be yourself.
There is support for you everywhere
Some people can’t wait to leave school and for others it can seem a bit daunting. If the idea of independence and moving somewhere new scares you, then don’t worry. First of all, you’re not alone, loads of people feel anxious, but more importantly there’s even more support on offer than you’re used to at school. We have staff to help with everything from catching up with homework, applying to university, welfare, finance and mental health – the list goes on. You can find more about support here.
There is always something going on
Life at college is much more than just what goes on in the classroom and there’s always something new to get involved in, from trips abroad to experience new cultures to cultural celebrations in college, freshers’ fairs and activity days. College life is jam-packed and never boring. We offer a wide range of enrichment courses too from sports clubs to societies – you can find out more here.
The best facilities
Your school may have a good library or even some new sports equipment, but at Cadbury Sixth Form College the facilities are next level! Using the latest technology and design we have everything from science labs, libraries, gym and sports facilities to nursing wards, film studios and robotics labs. Our brand-new £6.6million STEM building is a must see. Find out more here.
Make college pay!
From our free college bus pass to bursary and welfare support, college doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact it’s the opposite – you can make it pay – whether it’s taking advantage of all the student discounts on offer to getting support with job applications with our careers team. Being a Cadbury student comes with lots of added benefits.
Top Tips to Ace Your Cadbury Interview
Firstly, don’t worry about your interview!
Interviews are short, friendly one-to-one meetings where you get to discuss your strengths and ambitions with a member of Cadbury staff. If you’re really nervous then you can have a parent or guardian to join you for support.
Why do colleges ask for interviews?
At this stage the interview is more of a consultation, where we can both make sure you’re selecting the right courses to meet your aspirations – it’s also your opportunity to ask questions too!
What if I can’t make my appointment?
If you miss your appointment, don’t worry, we’ll be happy to rearrange at a time more convenient for you. Email [email protected] or call 0121 458 3898.
Still a bit anxious about your interview?
Don’t worry, we’re here to help! Here are our Top 5 Tips for your interview:
1) Be prepared
Take a look at the website, read the course briefs and familiarise yourself with the courses you’re applying for.
2) Prepare your answers
Most Colleges will ask the same type of questions such as ‘why do you want to study the subject?’ and ‘why do you want to attend this College?’ – all questions you will know the answer to!
3) It’s your opportunity to ask us questions too
Do you want to know about the timetable? What about enrichment opportunities or more about a particular course? Asking a smart and well thought out question not only shows you are interested but gives you more information about what you’re applying for.
4) Arrive on time
Plan your journey and try to arrive a little early, as being late can leave you feeling stressed or flustered. If you are running late don’t panic, we’ll still complete your interview.
5) Be yourself
Remember nobody is here to catch you out! Interviews are designed to help you get all the advice and guidance you need, so be honest and make the most of it.
Older News & Event Articles
Politics A Level students from Cadbury Sixth Form College had the inspirational opportunity to hear from Sonia Kumar, Dudley’s first female MP and former alumna.
Sonia, a former NHS physiotherapist, shared her insights into the world of politics, her journey from Cadbury to Parliament, and current affairs.
She graduated with a distinction in MSc business and management from Aston University in July – the same month she gained her Dudley seat at the 2024 General Election with a majority of 1,900.
After leaving Cadbury College Sonia worked at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Northfield where she is now a foundation trust member.
Sonia says: “My message to students is to dream big, break glass ceilings, and manifest what they want to do. I worked in the NHS for a decade and decided I wanted to make more of a change with politics and also studying at the same time. There is nothing you can’t achieve if you put your mind to it.”
This week has been an incredibly exciting one for the Sandwell Family of Colleges as we celebrated our first Festival of Learning! The festival took place from Monday 21st October, to Thursday 24th October.
The Festival of Learning celebrates and showcases all aspects of college life across the three colleges, with this year’s theme being Lifelong Learning. The week has demonstrated how the colleges value personal and professional development for students, staff and our partners.
We have been delighted to have been joined by some incredible employers and alumni who have shared incredible insights to our students and staff. Just some of the inspiring events that have taken place this week include:
- University of Aston for an insightful Law Talk to our Law students
- Khaled Daley (Alumni) who performed Hamilton at the West End (plus many other performances), led a dance workshop to various groups
- Birmingham Black Lawyers did a Tech & IP Law Workshop for our Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth Law students
- Working for British Airways: Careers in Cabin Crew for our Business and Travel & Tourism groups
Khalid Daley (Alumni 2012-2013) who studied Drama & Theatre studies, English Language & Literature and Business said “I loved my time at Cadbury College, it was amazing to be amongst diverse and multicultural people and setting. Being with the students this week has been amazing. It’s so inspiring, I find young people so incredible, they have their own individuality and is what makes them special. So many of them really brought it out and haven’t even reached their full potential yet.”
This festival is the first of its kind at the college and we can’t wait to watch it grow even further year on year. To see some of the events and talks in action from this week, please follow our Instagram page here.
This week, Asa Gordon joins the Sandwell Family of Colleges – of which Cadbury Sixth Form College forms part – as Deputy Principal for Curriculum and Skills, stepping into this role as David Holden retires after a successful decade at the College.
Asa comes to Sandwell from his previous position as Vice Principal at Bradford College, where he had a remit from the Governors to deliver a curriculum that meets the needs of students, employers and the community. His achievements there included introducing a skills-focused programme for young people, a responsive adult offering aligned to meet the skills gap identified through the Local Skills Improvement Plan, and the launch of Higher Technical Qualifications and Higher-Level Apprenticeships.
With extensive experience in leading apprenticeships, Asa previously led apprentices at Bradford to success before becoming Assistant Principal for Study Programmes and Adult Provision. He is committed to the transformative role of Further Education, having served the sector for over 20 years and participated on several strategic boards. Additionally, he is an experienced school governor.
Asa’s appointment will be followed in January by the new Senior Vice Principal for Quality and Student Success. Asa joins Lisa Capper MBE, the new CEO and Principal, who also took up her post this week.
Lisa Capper MBE commented: “I am delighted that Asa is joining the Sandwell Family of Colleges for his next challenge. Developing the skills pipeline for young people, adults, and apprentices is crucial for the areas surrounding our colleges and the West Midlands region. Asa brings invaluable experience in curriculum development across key sectors, and we look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead.”
Asa shared: “I can’t wait to get started meeting colleagues and learners and supporting our plans for continued success. It’s an exciting time to be joining and contributing to the local area and the wider City region.”
Alan Taylor, Chair of Governors, added: “Asa is a great addition to our team as we move forward with our exciting developments and our relentless focus on learner success.”
