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First Term Highlights: Work Experience, Enrichment, Competition Success and Student Achievement

Four individuals wearing yellow high-visibility jackets and safety gear, including helmets and ear defenders, standing indoors. They are holding bright orange and red signalling batons and discs, simulating aircraft marshalling procedures. The background includes signage and equipment related to aviation.

This term has been packed with inspiring opportunities across the College. From hands‑on Industry Weeks and vibrant enrichment events to specialist T Level experiences, unforgettable aviation activities, and impressive competition successes, our students have embraced every chance to broaden their horizons, develop essential skills, and connect their learning with the real world.

Work experience highlights:

This term, learners have taken part in Industry Weeks across departments, giving them valuable opportunities to engage with employers and build towards their 35 hours of work experience.

Construction Industry Weeks – Stretford & Stockport

  • Employer Engagement: Inspiring career talks and interview preparation sessions with industry professionals.
  • Hands-On Learning: Bricklaying and rendering demonstrations, plus Health & Safety presentations.
  • Collaboration in Action: Plumbing, electrical and carpentry students worked together to construct a fully functioning toilet block – a real-world project set by Head Office 3.
  • Planned Site Visit: A visit with Rowlinson was postponed due to stormy weather, but will take place later in the year.

These activities have given learners a taste of the workplace, strengthened their teamwork and problem-solving skills, and provided a fantastic start to their work experience journey.

Student experience spotlight:

This term has been full of exciting opportunities for students to broaden their horizons and develop essential life skills through a variety of enrichment activities. Here are some highlights:

College-Wide Events:
Our Events Planning Team delivered two major events for all students.

  • In October, Black History Month Focus Days celebrated African and Caribbean ancestry. Highlights included a Caribbean food vendor, DJ Kemoy Walker, and student-led activities such as a book stall, quizzes, and bracelet making.
  • Widen Our World Week was a vibrant celebration of global cultures. Students showcased international dishes, cultural clothing, and music that brought the campus alive. Many proudly represented their heritage, sharing stories and traditions that made the week truly special. These activities encouraged curiosity, empathy, and appreciation for diversity—key skills for thriving in today’s interconnected world.

Democracy in Action:
As part of our Roadmap to Votes at 16, we celebrated UK Parliament Week, giving students the chance to learn about democracy and the importance of their voices.

  • The highlight was our annual Student Question Time, delivered in partnership with Greater Manchester Colleges. This year, students from across the region joined a lively debate on censorship and misinformation online, alongside the traditional panel where they posed questions directly to local leaders and decision-makers.
  • Students also took part in Register to Vote drives and UK Parliament workshops, building confidence and knowledge about civic participation.
  • Our commitment doesn’t stop at Parliament Week. Throughout the year, we’ve been hosting Constituency Clinics with each of the college’s five MPs, giving students regular opportunities to raise questions and influence change.

Celebrating our students’ T Level experiences:

This term has been packed with inspiring opportunities for our T Level students, giving them a real taste of the industries they are preparing to enter.

  • Law Year 1 – Magistrates Court Visit: Students explored the structure of the court and gained insight into advocacy, bringing their classroom learning to life.
  • Accounts Year 1 – Visit to BDO, Salford: Learners took part in auditing simulation tasks, discovered how a major accountancy firm operates, and heard first-hand from staff about their career journeys.
  • Law Year 2 – Guest Speakers:
    • Katie Davis, Solicitor Apprentice at MLP Law: Shared her personal journey into law and highlighted the diverse career routes available.
    • Sabz Solicitors: Delivered an engaging talk on pathways into law, with a focus on conveyancing and immigration.
    • Aquitas Legal: Introduced students to the world of personal injury practice and explored the growing role of AI in legal services.

These experiences have not only broadened our students’ knowledge but also inspired them to think about their own futures in law and accountancy. From hands-on simulations to real-world insights, our learners are building confidence, skills, and ambition to thrive in their chosen careers.

Celebrating aviation student highlights:

Our aviation students have had an incredible term filled with hands-on experiences, industry insights, and opportunities to shine.

  • Students from T Level Legal Services and the BTEC Foundation Diploma in Business at Marple Sixth Form College enjoyed an unforgettable London Capital Experience this term. They visited Parliament for a guided tour arranged by the local MP, explored the Bank of England and the Supreme Court, and rounded off the trip with some festive fun at Winter Wonderland. The experience gave students a unique opportunity to connect their classroom learning with real‑world institutions while creating lasting memories together.
  • Year 1 – Aerozone Visit: Students explored Manchester Airport’s Aerozone, enjoyed guest speaker sessions, toured Terminal 2, and took part in interactive activities designed to bring aviation careers to life.
  • Year 2, Level 2 & Year 1 – Airside Tour & Jobs Fair: Learners experienced an airside tour of Manchester Airport, gaining a behind-the-scenes look at operations. Second-year students also supported the Manchester Airport Jobs Fair at Wythenshawe Forum, helping with ticket checks, crowd management, and assisting employers—showcasing professionalism and teamwork.
  • Industry Engagement – DNATA Guest Speakers: Students learned about the diverse roles in ground handling, gaining valuable knowledge of how airports operate day-to-day.
  • Manchester Airport Youth Forum: Aviation students are active members of the Youth Forum, attending termly meetings and contributing to discussions on major projects such as sustainable aviation fuel and the Manchester Transformation Programme.

These experiences have given our students a deeper understanding of the aviation industry, strengthened their skills, and inspired them to think about the exciting career paths ahead.

Competition success:

First Year Physics Olympic Success Our First Year Physics Olympic Team at Cheadle College competed at the University of Liverpool against 28 other sixth-form teams from across the region. Despite many teams including Year 2 students, they showcased outstanding teamwork and problem-solving, achieving an impressive 6th place out of 29 teams!

WorldSkills UK Finals

A huge congratulations to our students who took part in the WorldSkills UK Finals, what a fantastic achievement!

More than 400 competitors battled it out across 45 specialist skill categories in South Wales.

Our students excelled across Hospitality, Media Make-Up and our Supported Internship Programme, with Isabelle Burgess taking home Bronze in SFX Make-Up & Hair for Film and TV.

Three Cheadle Choices students, John Paul Johnson, Dua Allah and Adam Massey, also secured an impressive fourth place in Foundation Skills: Enterprise.

We are incredibly proud of the talent, dedication and professionalism shown by everyone who took part, reaching the finals alone is a huge achievement.

Three individuals standing in front of a WorldSkills UK banner that reads “National Finals.” One person is wearing an elaborate costume featuring metallic silver arm pieces and a belt made of Coca-Cola cans, with bright red hair. Another person is wearing a WorldSkills UK shirt with a lanyard and ID badge. The third person is dressed in a light-colored, fluffy coat. The backdrop includes the WorldSkills UK logo and an image of a person holding a Union Jack flag.
A group of five individuals standing in front of a branded backdrop with the WorldSkills UK logo repeated across it. Two people are holding large props: one is a rectangular sign reading “TIM CYMRU,” and another is a circular sign with text in Welsh about WorldSkills UK 2025. There is a small round table on the left and a freestanding banner with colorful graphics. On the right, there is a sign on an easel with more text about WorldSkills UK.
Four individuals are gathered around a gray laboratory table in a classroom setting. The table has a calculator, pen, and paper on it, along with an electronic device connected to wires. The background shows several computer monitors mounted on the wall, a clock, and a power strip on the table. The group appears to be engaged in a hands-on activity involving the equipment.