Successful College Launches New Courses As Hundreds Turn Up For Open Evening
Simon Ritchie, Head of Sixth Form, and Victoria Watts, Principal of Tollbar Academy (both left), chat with Open Evening visitors Steve, Isaac (13), Ellen and Ethan Beckett (16) in the Geography Department.
Tollbar MAT Sixth Form College opened its doors to several hundred Year 11 students and their families who visited all 22 subject areas to learn more about the curriculum and the opportunities the college has to offer.
Visitors also heard that from September 2022 the college will be offering three new subjects – Law, IT and Sociology—in addition to the wide range of academic A-levels currently on offer.
Seventy current Sixth Form College students volunteered to provide their perspectives of studying for A-levels at Tollbar and to share their experiences of applying for university or higher level apprenticeships with visiting students. Year 12 and Year 13 students also demonstrated the wide range of enrichment and voluntary activities available to students.
Representatives from the popular Universities of Hull, Lincoln and Bishop Grosseteste were on hand to chat with students and they were able to give insights into the pathways A-level students can take to higher education.
Simon Ritchie, Head of Sixth Form, who delivered two presentations to families in the packed Music Hall, said: “We are delighted to see so many students and their families here tonight. Tollbar MAT Sixth Form has so much to offer local students and 80% of our students go on to university degrees, with the remaining 20% choosing other career pathways.
“We have a very personal approach to learning at Sixth Form. Our whole interaction is based on trust, maturity and having a good approach to study. Students have free movement and can come and go as their timetable permits. We help them every step of the way with their UCAS applications for university and we provide a fantastic range of A Level courses for them to choose from.”
Twins Jacob and Max Newton toured the Sixth Form College with their mum Catherine. Max would like to study Chemistry, ICT and History and Jacob has chosen Biology, Business and History. Catherine said: “I really have confidence that they will get the boys through here. It is really nice and has everything they could need.”
Thea Powell (15) visited with her parents, Stuart and Lorraine Powell. Thea would like to study PE. She said: “I am getting some great advice tonight.”
Ethan Beckett (16) visited the college from Caistor Grammar School. He was accompanied by his parents, Steve and Ellen Beckett and brother Isaac (13). He said: “I think it is really good here. The facilities are great.”
Jazmyn Copeland (15), currently a student at Louth Academy, agreed the college offers everything she needs to study for her A Levels. Visiting Media Studies with her mum Amanda, she said: “I am interested in Media Studies and what they have here is really impressive.”
Stuart and Lorraine Powell (left) and daughter Thea (15) chat with Amy Gowshall, Curriculum Leader for PE, at Tollbar MAT Sixth Form College Open Evening.
Karen Arundel, Area Lead for the University of Hull, chats with Beth Mundell (15) and her dad Andy Mundell at Tollbar MAT Sixth Form College Open Evening. Universities were on hand to give advice on future pathways.
Maths Teacher Mrs Helen Egan chats with visiting student Callum Golland (15).
Media Studies Teacher Mr Zack Eckley shows visitors Jazmyn Copeland (15) and mum Amanda some of the things they can do on the A Level course.
Twins Jacob (seated) and Max Newton (both 15) visit the ICT Department at the Open Evening accompanied by mum Catherine Newton.
Isabell Green (15) hopes to study Engineering. She is pictured talking to Ben Carter, Student Recruitment Officer for the University of Lincoln, at Tollbar MAT Sixth Form College Open Evening.
Year 12 student Liam Wright (right) acts as a student ambassador for the Open Evening and passes on some good advice to prospective student Elliot Fulcher (15) in the Politics Department.
History Leader Oliver Fothergill chats with Keyvan Fenech (15) and sister Devika Dhany at the Open Evening.
Music Teacher Rebecca Smith with pianist Aiden Brumby (15) at Tollbar MAT Sixth Form Open Evening.
Violet Thompson from Oasis Academy visits Tollbar Mat Sixth Form College Open Evening Geography Department and gets some advice from current Year 12 students Amelia Goodwim, and Lucy Cullen.
Simon Ritchie, Head of Sixth Form, gives his first presentation of the evening to a packed hall.
James Wilson (15) and mum Sarah Cross get some advice from Susan Miller, from Bishop Grosseteste University, who was on hand at the Sixth Form Open Evening to talk about future pathways for students following A Levels.
Miles Oliver (15) talks to STEM Lead Miss Elle Anderson at the Open Evening.
Kyle Walton (15) won a cake after correctly guessing its brand and price during a quiz at the Open Evening. He is pictured with mum Liz (right) and Teachers Claire Grimshaw (left) and Sean Mayall (right).
Teacher Hayley Clements addresses visitors to the Sixth Form Open Evening.