News
Design and Business Students Get Masterclass From MADE Architecture
We were delighted to welcome Managing Director of MADE Architecture, Zain Ahmed, to Cadbury Sixth Form College for an insightful guest lecture with T Level Business and A Level 3D Design students.
Zain shared his incredible career journey, insights into the world of architecture, and the intersection of business and design.
He said: “It was a fantastic opportunity to engage with the students, inspire their passions, and offer valuable advice for those considering careers in these dynamic industries. A huge thank you to the students and staff at Cadbury Sixth Form College for such an engaging and thoughtful session. We can’t wait to see what these bright young minds achieve in the future.”
Cadbury Alumnus Nicholas Flourishing With HSBC
Enterprising Cadbury Sixth Form College alumnus Nicholas Wood is now flourishing in his career as a Business Development Manager for HSBC.
His role, at the forefront of expanding Global Trade Solutions initiatives, involves building strong relationships, analysing financial data, and collaborating with internal teams to deliver strategic insights that drive business success.
After success in Economics, Photography and Business at Cadbury in 2019 Nicholas landed a coveted Degree Apprenticeship place with HSBC, and the rest is history.
Nicholas says: “Without the support of Cadbury Sixth Form College, the advice, the networking opportunities and the education I received, I wouldn’t have even known about the HSBC Degree Apprenticeship and be on my way to a prosperous career. I want to thank all of the staff and everyone who has helped me over the years.”
Former Cadbury Finance Student Wins NHS Promotion
Former Cadbury finance student Diazan Yafai has won promotion at the NHS in just six months.
Yesterday we heard from Diazan – a successful Financial Studies, Sport & Exercise Science, and History student – who is now thriving in his role as a Senior Financial Management Assistant for University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.
Diazan inspired current Cadbury students by sharing how he won promotion to a permanent role just six months after starting his 18-month apprenticeship, and now looks after a budget of £110 million, helping oncology and radiotherapy budget holders understand financial impacts on patient care.
He credits Cadbury with giving his career a vital headstart: “At Cadbury I was able to develop in many areas, such as communication with fellow students, keen analytical skills and responsibility. This has been carried forward into my day-to-day role where I enjoy having direct impact on patient care. This apprenticeship has given me exposure to a professional environment and I am proud of the difference I’m able to make.”
Diazan is now studying for his Level 3 AAT qualification and aims ultimately to become a chartered accountant.
Sue Lyddon, Finance Workforce Manager for NHS, says: “Diazan was able to progress quickly as he was learning day to day and had good experience in changing environments.”
Financial Apprenticeship
Diazan was in no doubt he wanted to get into an accounting career.
He explains: “I decided that an apprenticeship would be ideal due to the ability to gain experience in the field whilst gaining my qualifications. The apprenticeship gave me a head start. I did my research and looked specifically for roles in hospitals. I was very lucky to have been successful.”
As an apprentice Diazan’s key responsibilities were being in charge of the suspense code and analysing invoices, reconciliation to ledger accounts, budget holder meetings, journal posting and assisting with daily tasks.
Diazan works in a hybrid role, making patient-centred decisions and travelling between Good Hope Hospital, Heartlands Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and Solihull Hospital sites.
He says a large proportion of his team are already chartered accountants and are always willing to help if he is struggling with any aspect of his studies.
Favourite Memory
Diazan says his favourite memory of Cadbury Sixth Form College “has to be the community and the way we were supported”.
Older News & Event Articles
Creative work by talented Cadbury students has been selected for a national art exhibition exploring environmental challenges when times are hard.
The ‘Your Money Or Your Life’ online exhibition has been launched by the Sixth Form Colleges Association and will run from June 14 until June 30.
Successful submissions by A Level Photography students Lucy Greetham and Zaynah Tariq will showcase their reflections on how to maintain the focus on sustainability when money is scarce.
Lucy created her installation entitled ‘The Cost-of-Living Crisis’ as a response to the current economic state of the UK and the rising prices of food, petrol, heating and electricity.
She says: “In this installation, I wanted to highlight what that struggle looks like through the voices behind those being most affected by the problem. Consisting of a set of propaganda inspired posters, and street photography of real people, I’ve created a set of images emphasising the fears and struggles that the public are being put through to maintain a normal lifestyle under money pressures, sinking them into further debt and poverty, in contrast to the politicians who are a part of the problem.
“This installation also features a shelf with cans across it, highlighting the scarcity of food and the difficulty to obtain such a mundane item due to the rise in prices and growth in poverty in the last two years. I wanted to highlight the frustrations at the rise in prices, the conflict it adds on regular people and their lives, using street photography to emphasise the people affected as well as a wall of quotations where I vent about those in lower incomes being most affected by the problems caused by those higher in power. In relation to this idea, I also screen-printed faces of political figures in the last year that have contributed to the growth in the Cost-of-Living Crisis onto the floor of the installation, allowing those viewing the installation to physically walk over political figures to view the art piece. This work was inspired by artists such as Rodchenko’s graphic design work and artist Lincoln Agnew.”
Zaynah created two posters for her piece called Attachment To Money.
She says: “The first poster shows obsession with money and a teenager’s viewpoint on it. I combined a high key poster of the subject saying what money means to her, followed by a projection shot of her obsessing over it.
“For my second poster I combined my money macro shots with the homeless shots I took. The meaning of this poster was to show our needs and how money does in fact have a big impact on your struggles and life. It shows the double imagery of how we need money to survive and how it does affect your mental state.”
Law students from Cadbury Sixth Form College have been getting real-life Crown Court experience in a Bar Mock Trial Competition.
The students have been working together to prepare legal arguments and to present a case in front of real judges.
Teams take part in a regional heat and go head-to-head with other schools across the country to prosecute and defend their cases. Winning teams will then compete in a National Final.
Our learners got to play all the key roles involved in a criminal trial, from lawyers to witnesses.
This helps them build on their critical thinking, employability skills and general confidence boosting.
Law students from Cadbury Sixth Form College have been getting real-life Crown Court experience in a Bar Mock Trial Competition.
The students have been working together to prepare legal arguments and to present a case in front of real judges.
Teams take part in a regional heat and go head-to-head with other schools across the country to prosecute and defend their cases. Winning teams will then compete in a National Final.
Our learners got to play all the key roles involved in a criminal trial, from lawyers to witnesses.
This helps them build on their critical thinking, employability skills and general confidence boosting.
