College wins prestigious Keele University award

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) has been awarded this year’s Keele Outreach Award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Raising Aspirations in Further Education’.

The award for the College’s ‘determination to provide a wide variety of opportunities to young people’, was presented by former student Jamie Littlejohn who attended NULC between 2008 and 2010 where he achieved A*AB in Biology, Chemistry and Maths with Statistics. Jamie went on to study an Undergraduate Degree in Biomedical Science at Keele and became a student Ambassador in 2011. Since then he has been involved in giving back to the local area through his Outreach work and so won the award for Outstanding Contribution to Curriculum Outreach for 2013/14. He is currently undertaking a PhD on The Crystal Structure in Proteins at Keele.

 

Karen Dobson, Principal and Chief Executive at the College said: “Last year NULC became one of the region’s top three colleges for university progression, sending more than 800 students to higher education. This year 90 of our students went on to Keele which is a good university and right on our doorstep. So we are delighted to work with them and to receive this award. It recognises the hard work and dedication from all the staff involved in supporting our learners’ progression.”

Over the past year, the College has worked with the University to provide the opportunities for young people to engage in work experience, e-mentoring, and master classes led by Keele academics in subject areas such as social work and politics.

NULC has also supported young people to attend residential summer schools at Keele and engaged in projects to help those students interested in competitive subjects such as law and medicine.

 

Ant Sutcliffe, Outreach Officer at Keele University said: “At Keele we are passionate about encouraging young people to aim high and have the confidence to go to University. NULC’s activity has been most impressive, with the college engaging with our Outreach Programme on more occasions that any other Further Education College. We congratulate all the schools and colleges, like NULC, that have been exceptional in helping us achieve these goals.”

Representatives from Keele have also been invited to upcoming College events such as parents’ evenings and careers fairs to ensure young people receive the most up-to-date advice and guidance when applying for university places.