College Welcomes Learners Back to Campus as Another Successful Term Draws to a Close

Over the past two weeks Cheshire College has welcomed thousands of learners back to their three Campuses culminating what has been a different, but extremely successful term for the region’s largest provider of post-16 education.

With Campuses in Crewe, Ellesmere Port and Chester, the College reopened to all learners on a phased approach from Monday 8 March and has seamlessly transitioned from remote learning to a blended delivery model whilst maintaining high levels of safety throughout.  

Having implemented a number of protective measures at the start of the academic year, including one-way systems, social distancing, thermal imaging cameras, face coverings and hand sanitising stations, the College has now also introduced asymptomatic testing at all Campuses to ensure face-to-face teaching can be conducted as safely as possible.

During the ten-day period from Monday 8 March to Friday 19 March which saw all learners attend College at least once, 10,000 Lateral Flow Device Tests were conducted with the support of over 100 volunteers at 74 testing stations in 19 centres across the College’s three Campuses.

Dhesi, Principal and CEO of Cheshire College, said: “I am extremely proud of both our learners and staff who have all played their part in contributing to what has been a smooth transition back to Campus. The care, compassion and understanding shown by everyone has allowed us to maintain high levels of safety across our Campuses and it’s been absolutely delightful welcoming learners back to College.

“Whilst Term Two started differently to how we envisaged it, it has nevertheless been a huge success across the board and through our strengthened virtual learning environments we have achieved some fantastic things as a College. Learners and staff have shown tremendous resilience and adaptability and it’s been brilliant to celebrate another term of fantastic academic achievements.”

Since January 2021 learners have been taught from some of the best in the business with virtual demonstrations, gained work placements with prestigious universities, attended world leading conferences, achieved brilliant success in external examinations and have secured higher education offers at a range of universities including Oxford.

Staff and learners from across the College have also taken the opportunity to come together virtually during Term Two - from taking part in AoC (Association of Colleges) Sport’s Lunar Challenge to support their health and wellbeing to attending one of the most anticipated events in Cheshire College’s calendar, the Apprenticeship Awards which coincided with National Apprenticeship Week in February.

To learn more about at Cheshire College visit ccsw.ac.uk and register for the College’s next Virtual Open Day which will be taking place on Monday 26 April. Attendees will be able to chat to subject specialists, find out more about courses and facilities, get guidance on applications, funding and travel, as well as take part in a live question and answer session designed to give a flavour of College life… there has never been a better time to 'Get In, Stand Out’.

• Cheshire College is the largest provider of post-16 education in the region offering exciting opportunities to 11,000 learners and 1,400 Apprentices. 
• Their modern Campuses across Cheshire in Crewe, Ellesmere Port and Chester have world-class facilities which are the result of a £140m investment in the latest technology and real work environments.
• The College provides learners with the skills, experience and qualifications that will prepare them for their future career or higher-level study and encourage them to become confident individuals who will make valuable contributions to businesses and the local economy. 
• With extremely important values which guide the way they work with each other, their partners and within communities, Cheshire College empower individuals and nurture talent, taking the time to listen, help and care, whilst always acting with honesty, integrity and trust.  
• Cheshire College offers a range of courses from Entry Level to Level 7 in: A Levels; Full-time courses; Apprenticeships; Part-time courses for adults; Access and Higher Education courses; bespoke training for employers; Maths, English, IT and ESOL courses for adults; programmes for International learners; Futures Programme for learners aspiring to progress to university.  
• They are also the only Further Education College in Cheshire to have been selected by the Government to offer a new two-year qualification, T Levels, from September 2021.  
• Cheshire College works with key stakeholders and leads on initiatives to provide high-quality education for all ages in Crewe, Ellesmere Port and Chester. 
• They also work with employers, industries and organisations to drive economic growth through the development of future e-focused skills. 
• Cheshire College is on a mission to develop digital across the community with their new five-year project, ‘The Digital Hub’, which is part of a £5m investment made by Cheshire and Warrington LEP. The Digital Hub aims to deliver skills and career pathways in additive manufacturing and Virtual and Augmented Reality, as well as improve Advanced Manufacturing Skills to expand digital infrastructures in existing workforces and facilitate access to technology within community organisations. 
• The College has strong links with local businesses of all sizes and work with many major employers such as Bentley, Brownlow Furniture, Ecolab, Vauxhall Motors, Scottish Power, Unilever, Brunning and Price and National Grid. 
• Cheshire College are an approved Apprenticeship provider and can support local employers who are using the Levy system to recruit and train Apprentices within their business.