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Why Beau Recommends T Levels
So Beau, tell us about yourself and what you’re studying at Cadbury
My name is Beau Handley and I study Digital Production, Design & Development T Level. I have been learning coding in Python, visual designs in Photoshop, how to create databases as well as the general computer knowledge you would need in the industry as a whole.
Tell us why you chose this T Level
I’ve always enjoyed Computer Science but specifically this course attracted me because of the work experience you get. 315 hours of experience is very valuable and a lot of companies are not just expecting you to be able to know the stuff, but how to do it. There’s no better way to do that than being at work.
What do you like best about your course?
My favourite thing to learn is coding because you can do anything in it. It’s fun to learn and it’s also complicated to learn, like a task to get over, and once you do it you learn a new skill. You’ve then got that set and you’ll be able to use that for your future.
What are your future plans?
After college I plan to go to uni or do an apprenticeship.
Alumni Spotlight: Mervely’s Digital T Level Experience
Mervely Kiese is currently studying Software Engineering at Manchester Metropolitan University after successfully completing his course at Cadbury Sixth Form College in T Level Digital Production, Design and Development.
During his T Level course, Mervely acquired problem analysis skills and web development experience from his 315 hour work placement with The Graded Gallery.
He also completed an LTSB Bootcamp and explains his aims now are to: “leverage my analytical expertise and learn from the best during an apprenticeship while travelling the world and meeting diverse people. I have a natural passion for precision and attention to detail.
“My goal is to get an internship to further develop my technical skills in places that matter. I am currently working on multiple programming projects that I will be posting in the near future. As part of T Levels Week, it’s great to be able to support the initiative and share my story.”
Great start Mervely!
Film Production Tour for T Level Media Team
T Level Media, Broadcast and Production students from Cadbury Sixth Form College were introduced to the many facets of film production at Wolverhampton Screen School.
It was a highly engaging experience for our Young Professionals Academy students as they had the opportunity to design a set and experiment with all the professional equipment needed to shoot a short film.
The T Level students were also given the chance to tour the site, see the green room and animation studio, and learn more about their creative courses.
Learners really enjoyed expressing their performing talents as well as using all of the high-tech industry equipment.
Even our T Level Employer Co-ordinator Jessica Gardner and T Level Media Lecturer Andy Shaw got involved in the action!
Older News & Event Articles
School leavers can aim high and achieve their goals at Cadbury Sixth Form College, with another successful September enrolment well underway.
Highly regarded for its state-of-the-art facilities and exceptional teaching standards, our College offers learners the opportunity to excel and develop within their chosen field.
Students at the College celebrated another summer of success this year, with an increase in the A Level pass rate for the third year running. Excellent results were also secured for T Level students, with a 100% pass rate and 85% of students achieving high grades.
Renowned as a centre of excellence for young people, new learners joining Cadbury will benefit from a £6.6million investment to create a brand-new Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) Centre on site.
The 1,000 sqm, two-storey STEM Centre will deliver a new technical curriculum, with dedicated suites for Digital Media, Health, Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Employee Engagement. Digital learning labs and VR suites will 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.
More than 50 different A Levels, T Levels, BTEC Diplomas and Subsidiary Diplomas are delivered by our specialist faculty. Tutors go above and beyond to not only prepare students for university, but to also help them build a strong skillset for the workplace, within a supportive and enriching environment.
ALL Cadbury students can also benefit from our Mega Deal which offers a free bus pass. Financial support, free meals and free and subsidised activities are also available to students who are eligible.
Julia Stevens, Principal of Cadbury Sixth Form College, said: “Whether students wish to continue to higher education or into the workplace, our team of tutors are committed to equipping every learner with the skills and knowledge they need. With our broad range of A Levels, T Levels and Diplomas, we can create a flexible learning programme that meets the goals and aspirations of every individual.”
A Level Science students from Cadbury got a masterclass in sharpening their communication skills at the BBC – winning a film production challenge.
Going behind the scenes of the live lunchtime broadcast of Midlands Today, students got to meet the programme’s regional news presenter and production team. They were also able to use the studio and had the help of the teams and equipment to script, make and perform their own short film clip.
Cadbury emerged winners of the production challenge, outshining two other school sixth form groups.
BBC STEM Ambassadors, who use or communicate Science in their roles, talked students through the skills needed to become brilliant Science communicators, plus the importance of providing researched, factual and evidenced scientific information to a vast range of audiences for many different purposes.
Cadbury Science Team said: “It really was a fantastic day and the students all got a lot out of it. They were incredibly engaged and gave a lot of smart responses to the ambassadors’ questions and asked insightful questions.”
Deputy Principal Ian Vogel said: “The BBC event looked absolutely incredible – and what a great experience for those students. It will have been inspirational for them and something that they will treasure forever.”
Excellent Results
We celebrated record results this year at Cadbury and our pass rate went UP for the third year running!
BBC Breakfast visited us ahead of A Level Results Day to film an interview with our student Zeeshan, who was nervously (but confidently!) awaiting his exam grades.
Among our star students were:
• Florida who achieved A*AA and is now at the University of Birmingham studying Biochemistry
• Arun who got AAA and is now studying Law at the University of Nottingham
• Sherika who achieved A*AB and started an apprenticeship with tax, audit and advisory firm Grant Thornton
• T Level students Lucy and Jessica, who both achieved Distinctions. Lucy is now studying Primary Education at Manchester Metropolitan University and Jessica is studying Counselling at Newman University.
New Developments
Our state-of-the-art STEM centre is now complete and students are now beginning their first year of studies in this brand-new £10 million Science City campus.
Perfect Partnerships
Thanks to Old Friends Care Ltd – a local domiciliary care company, our Level 3 Health and Social Care students were able to complete their moving and handling training, and learn more about care assistant and care manager job roles in the healthcare industry.
Criminology students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in mock crime scenes and discover the fascinating world of collecting and analysing evidence at a CSI day with CSI Training Events.
Next-Level Events
• Cadbury Culture Day celebrated the amazing diversity of our college.
• King Charles III’s royal representative Deputy Lieutenant Ian Sargeant OBE was a special guest at the Cadbury Big Coronation Party and tree planting ceremony.
• Creative Arts students wrapped up their studies in style with a striking End of Year Show.
Landmark Visits
• Spanish A Level students put their language skills to effective use in Malaga
• English Language & Literature, French, and Early Modern History students explored the cultural and historic sights of Paris
• 3D Design students got a chance to catch the quirky Arnifurniture exhibition at the Design Museum and the inspirational Herzog & De Meuron exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts
• Science students spent an incredible day at BBC Birmingham where they teamed up with BBC STEM Ambassadors, who are experts in using and communicating science
• Performing Arts students went to see an immersive-style production of Guys & Dolls at the Bridge Theatre in London and had fun interacting with the cast members
• Ex-professional football player Luke Staton and entrepreneurial success David Baldwin hosted an Empowerment Day for Business and Finance students. David shared his story of building up his family business and selling it for £250m!
• Stage star Nic Myers worked with our Performing Arts Students on a Cabaret Masterclass. Nic, who has just returned from a four-mouth residency at the Lido in Paris performing in Cabaret, taught students choreography
• Law students from Cadbury got real-life Crown Court experience in a Bar Mock Trial Competition.
Inspirational Projects
Cadbury’s new Fab Lab was awarded funding from Millennium Point to invest in emerging technologies. The funding has been used to set up a 3D Immersive Learning Lab, introducing innovative STEM-related learning projects, such as virtual reality programming.
Stars of Tomorrow
• One of Cadbury’s Star Alumni Khalid Daley – currently starring in Hamilton – returned from the West End to run a musical theatre masterclass for Performing Arts students
• Science student Zainab Mallah was one of the 2023 finalists for Further Education/Higher Education Student of the Year in the Titan Awards at Aston University.
We’re looking forward to even more in 2024! Join us on our journey 😊
