Choosing the right Level 3 courses for you…

It can be a difficult task! We’re here to help you choose the right college courses for you throughout the application and enrolment process.

You need to pick THREE subjects to study at Bilborough, at least one of these has to be an A Level (we have some great BTECs too!). Some uni courses will ask for two or more of your choices to be A Levels so make sure you take a look at the entry requirements if you have a particular course in mind!

It can be really hard to decide which courses are right for you when you’re applying to college! Here are 3 tips on helping to pick your courses….

1. Come to an Open Day!

This may be obvious but there is really no better way to find out about each course than by seeing the classrooms where it’s taught and chatting to the teachers who teach it. You can ask anything at our Open Days and many people come away with a much clearer idea of what they want to study.

 

2. Think about your future!

If you’re not sure about the next step, think about the end goal. If you’re thinking about uni, make sure you look at some uni courses you might be interested in on the UCAS website and see what the entry requirements are. This can help make sure you’re on the right path to where you want to be! Some university courses will accept a  maximum of one BTEC, others might accept 3 A Levels only or have specific courses that must have been studied (e.g. Medicine courses usually require Chemistry A Level and other specific requirements).

3. What do you enjoy?

Think about what subjects you are naturally motivated and do well at! A Levels require hard work both in and out of the classroom so make sure you’re doing subjects that you want to spend a lot of time studying! You will always do your best when you’re enjoying yourself, that’s not to say it won’t be challenging but give yourself the best chances by choosing your best subjects.

 

If you need anymore guidance on how to choose your college courses, you will have the opportunity to discuss them at enrolment with a member of staff. If you are given a provisional offer, you will also be invited to our Taster Days in the summer, when you will be able to try out all of the subjects you have applied for to see if they are right for you.

 

For more information about applying to college, please email admissions@bilborough.ac.uk.

We are aware of reports of an increase in the number of cases of Strep A and Scarlet Fever across the country in recent weeks. Below is some useful information from the Department for Education.

Scarlet Fever and Group Strep A Infections
The Secretary of State for Education, Gillian Keegan, is closely monitoring the increased cases of Group A streptococcus (Strep A) and scarlet fever. As a Department, we are working closely with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), who are leading on the response.
UKHSA is reporting an increased number of cases of Group A streptococcus (Strep A) compared to normal at this time of year. There is no evidence that a new strain is circulating, and the increase is most likely related to high amounts of circulating bacteria and social mixing.

What are scarlet fever and Strep A?
Scarlet fever is caused by bacteria called Group A streptococci (Strep A). The bacteria usually cause a mild infection that can be easily treated with antibiotics.
In very rare occasions, the bacteria can get into the bloodstream and cause an illness called invasive Group A strep (iGAS).

What are the symptoms of Strep A/scarlet fever?
Strep A infections can cause a range of symptoms that parents should be aware of, including:
Sore throat
Headache
Fever
A fine, pinkish or red body rash with a sandpapery feel
On darker skin the rash can be more difficult to detect visually but will have a sandpapery feel

If a child becomes unwell with these symptoms, please advise parents to contact their GP practice or contact NHS 111 (which operates a 24/7 service) to seek advice.
If a child has scarlet fever, advise they stay at home until at least 24 hours after the start of antibiotic treatment to avoid spreading the infection to others.
Encourage parents to trust their own judgement and if their child seems seriously unwell call 999 or go to A&E if:
a child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs
there are pauses when a child breathes
a child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue
a child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake.

Managing confirmed cases
Early years settings and schools should contact their UKHSA health protection team if there is an outbreak of 2 or more scarlet fever cases within 10 days of each other and the affected individuals have a link, such as being in the same class or year group.
Further information for staff on how and when to do this can be found here: Managing outbreaks and incidents – GOV.​UK (www.gov.uk)
If there are confirmed or suspected cases in an education or childcare setting, there is no reason for children to be kept at home if they are well.

How to help prevent Strep A?
To prevent the spread of Strep A, UKHSA advises children, young people and staff to implement good hand and respiratory hygiene practices.

For more information please visit the UKHSA website

Where can languages take me? Ex-Bilborough student, Matt, used his Geography and Language A levels to kickstart a career in the charity sector as well as travelling around the world. We caught up with him recently to find out how he got there!

 

1. Can you tell us your name and current job role?

Matt Cooke, Supporter Engagement & Income Generation Officer at Framework Charity.

 

2. What does an average day look like in your job?

It’s a job where no two days are truly the same. I work as part of a small and amazing team and our primary goals are to increase the profile of the charity in the areas within which we work, raise awareness of homelessness and raise funds so that we can continue to provide the vital and lifechanging services that Framework offers.

I primarily look after our relationships in the community and so spend much of my time working with schools, youth groups, colleges, universities, faith groups and other community groups to facilitate opportunities for them to support our work.

I also help organise events and work with individual supporters to make sure they are happy and feel included in what we are doing, especially those who choose to make a major donation to Framework or to leave us a gift in their Will.

 

Matt gives a talk in Nicaragua.

 

3.What subjects did you study at Bilborough?

I studied Spanish, German and Geography at Bilborough from 2011-2013.

 

4. When you started at Bilborough, were you planning to go down this route?

 

Having studied languages at Bilborough and continued these at University, I always intended to pursue a career in which I could use my language skills on a daily basis. I did do this for a few years whilst at University and after graduating, spending time living abroad in Germany and in Central America and working for large multinational corporations where I was able to put my language skills to good use. This was really fun and a great experience, but for personal reasons I wanted to try something a bit different and ended up making a move into the charity sector.

Whilst I am not using my language skills directly in my current job, studying languages taught me so much more than just the language and has allowed me to develop some really important skills and build my self-confidence. It is only because I studied languages that I have been able to have all the experiences I have had to-date and am able to do such a good job in my current role.

Matt receiving an award from Bilborough.

5. After Leaving Bilborough, what was your next step?

After leaving Bilborough I went on to study Translation Studies with German and Spanish at University and spent time working and volunteering in Germany and Nicaragua. These were some of the best experiences of my life so far, but it was studying at Bilborough that gave me the confidence and belief to go out there and grasp these opportunities.

 

6. What advice would you give your college-age self?

Take every opportunity that comes your way and keep an open mind. There are so many paths you can follow when you leave Bilborough – not just in terms of the working world but in terms of life as a whole – and if you work hard and dream big at Bilborough, you could find yourself walking down any of them. You’re incredibly lucky to be studying in such an amazing environment, so enjoy it and have no regrets.

I would also say that, when it comes to the world of work, find a job that makes you happy and don’t be afraid to experiment and try different things. There is nothing worse than not wanting to get out of bed every morning to go to work. Find something you are passionate about because, when your job becomes a passion, you’ve won.

 

 

Matt graduates from Aston University with a degree in translation studies with

German and Spanish.

 

7. Is there a highlight of your time at Bilborough that helped put you on the path you are on?

I don’t think I have a particular highlight or moment that I look back on. I just loved my two years at Bilborough and would say that, by taking every opportunity available to me, I was able to get the very best out of my time at college.

 

8. What’s next for you?

Who knows – I am loving working in the charity sector and for now am looking to make a career out of it. But life takes you to unexpected places and I know there will be other opportunities and different paths that become available. I plan to keep an open mind and enjoy the ride!

 

With thanks to Matt Cooke for sharing his career story with us!

If you are an ex-student of Bilborough and you would like to share your story, please email admissions@bilborough.ac.uk.