EDUCATION
Success- Angela Stevenson with Cambridge University students Freya Covell and Xavier Lane.
A breath of fresh air for centuries-old college
A
Teesside college which supports 75 % of students into university, while also providing vocational courses leading to employment or apprenticeships, has appointed Angela Stevenson as its new head of centre.
Prior Pursglove College Guisborough, which recently celebrated its 465th anniversary as an educational institution, values its traditional roots and links with Russell Group and Oxbridge universities.
However, as well as its wide range of A-level courses, which can lead to places at prestigious universities, the college is also becoming increasingly well known for high quality vocational courses.
These include T-levels in education and early years, digital software development and IT and BTECs in applied science, sport and engineering.
This approach to providing education that suits a broader range of students with unique aspirations and abilities is something that Angela, as the new head of centre, welcomes.
Proud- Mike Mackin is the head of centre at Stockton Sixth Form.
The former acting head of centre said it was a“ tremendous honour” to be chosen to lead the college and support learners of all ages and abilities to reach their potential.
“ I am incredibly proud to take on this role,” Angela said.“ Teaching has always been my passion. The moments that inspire me most are seeing the‘ light bulb’ come on when learners make a connection, gain confidence and realise what they can achieve.
“ Supporting every student to reach their full potential has been at the heart of everything I have done throughout my career.”
Angela credited an“ amazing team of dedicated professionals” with“ transforming lives every day” at Prior Pursglove College.
“ I have the pleasure of working alongside extraordinarily talented colleagues who care deeply about our learners and share a commitment to excellence,” she said.
“ Together, we will continue to build on the college’ s strong reputation while creating even more opportunities for young people to succeed.”
In addition to high quality post-16 and adult education, Prior Pursglove College provides outstanding personalised wraparound support to a significant number of students with additional needs, including exciting enrichment activities and international trips.
“ We are committed to preparing student of all ages for their next steps, whether that is university, an apprenticeship or employment,” says Angela, who is very candid about her own educational journey.
“ When I got my GCSE results, I went to
Kirby College and had to re-sit the year to get the results I wanted. I ended up being the first person in my family to go to university, so I would just say believe in what you can do.
“ I didn’ t think when I left school I would be sitting here as the head of a college- and now I am keen to help other students become independent learners.”
Her advice to anyone beginning their own career journey is“ follow your passion” and, above all,“ believe in yourself”.
“ You never truly know what you can achieve until you take that first step,” she says.
Prior Pursglove College is part of Atomix Educational Trust, which also runs Stockton Sixth Form College.
Stockton Sixth Form has seen a record number of GCSE students applying to study from September on courses including traditional A-levels, aviation operations( BTEC) and T-levels in engineering and adult nursing.
Mike Mackin, head of centre at the college, said:“ We are very proud to say, that over the past two years, our college has significantly expanded and enhanced its curriculum offer.
“ Among the high-quality A-level and vocational courses we were already well known and respected for, we have also introduced many innovative new courses designed to meet local and national skills demands.
“ Our curriculum has been carefully developed to dovetail with the educational experiences students receive within our partner schools, while also providing exciting new pathways to inspire future career ambitions and open doors to opportunities students may never have previously considered.”
For more information, visit pursglove. ac. uk and stocktonsfc. ac. uk The voice of business in the Tees region | 101