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Cadbury Sixth Form College Launches High Achievers Programme To Support Ambitious Students
Cadbury Sixth Form College – part of The Sandwell Colleges, has officially launched its High Achievers Programme, a dedicated initiative designed to support students who have made a strong start in their education and are eager to excel in their chosen subjects. The programme includes over 60 students this year and provides tailored opportunities that enhance learning, develop leadership skills, and prepare students for their next steps, whether that’s securing places at top universities, progressing into higher apprenticeships, or moving into employment training.
The launch event welcomed Dr. Ekbal Hussain, a distinguished alumnus of Cadbury Sixth Form College, alongside Lisa Capper MBE, CEO and Principal of The Sandwell Colleges, representatives from local universities, and members of the Cadbury Sixth Form College team. Dr. Hussain, who studied Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge and is now a geoscientist at the British Geological Survey, shared his inspiring journey, demonstrating to students what is possible with ambition, dedication, and the right support.
The High Achievers Programme offers students a comprehensive package of support, including specialist academic tuition to deepen subject knowledge, critical thinking, university preparation workshops covering personal statements and interview support, and guidance for higher apprenticeships and employment opportunities. Students will also benefit from guest lectures by industry leaders, resilience training to help them navigate challenges, and leadership development activities that equip them with the confidence and skills needed to thrive in any path they choose.
Lisa Capper MBE, CEO and Principal of The Sandwell Colleges, said: “The launch of the High Achievers Programme at Cadbury Sixth Form College marks an exciting step in our mission to provide exceptional opportunities for our students. We are dedicated to supporting learners in achieving their full potential, whether that means securing places at the world’s top universities, progressing into higher apprenticeships, or excelling in their chosen careers. Having Dr. Ekbal Hussain return to inspire our students is a testament to the calibre of talent that comes through our College, and we look forward to seeing our next generation of high achievers make their mark on the world.”
Lydia Maher, Campus Principal said: “We work with our feeder schools to ensure a tailored pathway for our students. Young people and parents have told us that our personalised approach and enhanced support, trips and visits make a world of difference for our students. We want to capitalise on that and make the most of their time with us at Cadbury and the Sandwell Colleges. As well as this programme we have a number of other initiatives that cater for all our students at Cadbury including specialist clubs, work placements, and great teaching.”
Monica Madriaga, a current Cadbury Sixth Form College student, shared her enthusiasm for the programme: “Being part of the High Achievers Programme is exciting. The additional support and opportunities are really going to help me push my boundaries and aim higher for my future.”
Cadbury Sixth Form College continues to build on its strong reputation for academic and technical excellence, providing students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape. The High Achievers Programme will play a pivotal role in empowering students from all study pathways – whether academic, technical, or vocational – to achieve their full potential.
Get more information on the Cadbury High Achievers Programme here
Cadbury Sixth Form College’s SafeHaven project recognised at the National Association for Managers of Student Services Awards
Cadbury Sixth Form College, part of The Sandwell Colleges, has been recognised on a national stage, securing Runner-Up in the Inspirational Project of the Year category at the prestigious National Association of Managers for Student Services (NAMSS) Awards 2025.
The recognition celebrates SafeHaven, a transformative project delivered in partnership with West Midlands Police, which provides a vital safe space for young people in the community. Designed to support local primary and secondary school students, SafeHaven offers a welcoming environment where young people can access guidance, support, and positive role models outside of school hours.
Reflecting on the impact of the initiative, Emma Brannen, Senior Vice Principal, said:
“SafeHaven is a fantastic example of how collaboration can create real change. We know that young people face a variety of pressures, both inside and outside of school, and having a safe and welcoming space where they feel heard, supported, and empowered makes a significant difference. This project is not just about safeguarding—it’s about creating a community where young people can grow in confidence, build positive relationships, and develop the skills they need for a brighter future. We’re proud to work alongside West Midlands Police to provide this invaluable support network for the young people in our region.”
PC Matt Shakespeare of West Midlands Police also praised the initiative, highlighting its role in strengthening community ties:
“SafeHaven is a wonderful initiative that gives young people positive outlets for self-expression and growth. Our collaboration with Cadbury Sixth Form College on this project reinforces our commitment to supporting Birmingham’s youth and fostering a safer, more connected community.”
The award ceremony, which celebrated outstanding student support initiatives across the UK, recognised the project’s commitment to safeguarding and community engagement, reinforcing the college’s role as a trusted pillar of support for young people in the region.
In attendance at the event were Campus Principal Lydia Maher, Project Lead and Director of Student Services Amie Banford, and Madison Shanahan, Senior Student Support and Community Liaison Officer, who have all played a pivotal role in the development and success of SafeHaven.
This recognition highlights Cadbury Sixth Form College’s dedication to fostering safe and inclusive spaces, empowering young people with the resources and support they need to thrive.
Choose STEM For Your Career Path at Cadbury
So why choose STEM as a career path?
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is one of the fastest-growing areas with an-ever increasing demand for graduates.
The UK is currently short of STEM graduates, so if you have a STEM background, you’ll be in a great position to start a successful career which is personally and financially rewarding.
With STEM qualifications you’ll increase your employment prospects and make a difference to society. You’ll be valued by employers and governments as you’ll be helping to drive economic prosperity in diverse industries such as information technology, robotics, cybersecurity, biotechnology and engineering.
Due to our greater use of technology and the complex challenges of today’s world including climate change, healthcare, and energy sustainability, STEM careers are some of the most exciting that you can imagine. As a college student, it’s entirely possible that by the time you come to graduate from university, there will be new jobs that don’t even exist at the moment.
STEM related job sectors cover artificial intelligence, software development and data analysis, and example STEM careers could include:
Science
Chemist/Astrophysicist/Environmental Scientist
Technology
Software Developer/Network Administrator/Systems Analyst/IT Manager
Engineering
Civil Engineer/Mechanical Engineer/Electrical Engineer/Aerospace Engineer
Mathematics
Mathematician/Actuary/Data Scientist
STEM Success
Shannon is one of Cadbury’s committed and driven alumni with a keen interest in the environment and passion for physical geography. After studying BSc Geography at Sheffield Hallam University Shannon graduated in 2019 with a First Class Honours Degree, and she is now a Hydraulic Modeller at RES Environmental Ltd.
Winning prizes for graduating top of her class and for her outstanding contribution, Shannon continued her study with an MSc (Res) in Polar and Alpine Change at the University of Sheffield where she was awarded a Distinction. Shannon is comfortable using a range of different GIS software including ArcPro, Mapinfo and QGIS.
On her recent return to Cadbury as a guest speaker, Shannon reflected: “Being the first in my family to go to university, I know how important it is for students to have role models from similar backgrounds and it meant a lot that I can be that for students at Cadbury.”
Which STEM subjects can I study with you?
Cadbury Sixth Form College offers you any of these subjects that fall within the STEM categories:
Applied Science │ Physics A Level │ Chemistry A Level │ Biology A Level │ Mathematics A Level │ IT Data Analytics │ Engineering │ Further Maths A Level │ 3D Design A Level │ Computer Science A Level │ Electronics A Level │ Economics A Level │ Applied Human Biology │ Psychology A Level │ Applied Psychology │ Environmental Science A Level │ Core Maths │ Laboratory Sciences T Level
Next STEM Steps
Research all our entry requirements or ask our knowledgeable STEM careers team at one of our next open days.
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 😊
