The Edge - October 2023

Celebrating our success with the community
Issue #7
October 2023
Warrington & Vale Royal College Newspaper
@wvrcollege
wvr.ac.uk
Warrington & Vale Royal College students excel and
excite in the International Wine & Food Society’s
first-ever vegetarian competition
Challenged with creating
delicious, colourful and
innovative dishes, students
from the college and five
other colleges from across
the North have battled it out in
the International Wine & Food
Society’s (IWFS) first Vegetarian
Chef Competition.
Following a spectacular final cookoff
at the college’s award-winning
onsite Buckley’s Restaurant, all
finalists were welcomed to Bolton
College for an exuberant awards
lunch organised by professional
chef consultant and Great British
Menu contestant Stephanie Moon,
and prepared by the talented
students of Bolton College.
For this year’s competition,
the IWFS partnered with the
Vegetarian Society to invite
local young chefs to create an
exclusively vegetarian dish. The
entries were as colourful as they
were flavourful, blowing the panel
of expert judges away and making
it as delicious as it was difficult to
choose between the ten finalists’
dishes.
For the second year running,
Level 3 Advanced Professional
Cookery student Caitlin Clarke
excelled and was placed second
in this prestigious culinary event,
demonstrating her refined skills
by creating delicate and expertly
balanced flavours in an intricate
rhubarb tart. Since coming to
the college from Penketh High
School, Caitlin has spent three
years developing her natural talent
for cooking into what she hopes
will be a perfect foundation for
a successful career in the food
industry.
Zach Doherty, yet another of the
college’s high-flying chefs, also
secured his place in the final at
Buckley’s by serving a unique
beetroot risotto with a tangy radish
garnish. Although Zach is only in
the second year of his hospitality
and catering qualification, he
continues to impress and excite
both his tutors and industry
professionals with his advanced
culinary prowess.
Paul Ratcliffe, Chef Tutor & Course
Leader in Hospitality & Catering,
had nothing but praise following
the competition, saying: “Both
Caitlin and Zach are going from
strength to strength with their
learning, skills and confidence
in the kitchen. The standard of
entries this year, from the heats
right through to the finals, was truly
outstanding and I want to say a
huge well done to everyone who
competed. You should be very
proud.”
r e s t a u r a n t
As well as giving students from
across the North the opportunity
to showcase their skills and work
under the guidance of awardwinning
chefs, finalists got to enjoy
a bespoke VIP dinner to celebrate
their achievements, with this year’s
highlights including mushroom
arancini, potato and leek galette
and a chocolate silk pie. It is no
wonder that this event is one
that our students look forward
to every year, and the college
thanks the IWFS, the Vegetarian
Society, Bolton College, and all the
participating students involved for
making the competition yet another
fantastic and memorable event.
Are you an aspiring culinary
connoisseur?
Visit our website to view the range
of Hospitality & Catering courses
available for both school leavers
and adults: wvr.ac.uk.
Enrolment Evening
Visit our Warrington campus on
Tuesday 5th December 2023
and Tuesday 9th January
2024, 5.00pm - 8.00pm to learn
more about any courses you
are interested in and enrol.
Retrain & Upskill this Autumn
Warrington & Vale Royal College
has a wide range of adult
courses starting in the coming
weeks and months.
Whether you want to learn
something new, change your
career or increase your earning
potential in your current role,
Warrington & Vale Royal College
has a course to suit you. From
part-time and full-time courses, to
higher education, distance learning
and apprenticeships, there’s
something for everyone.
For those adults looking to step
back into the classroom, our recent
investment of over £12 million in
specialist technology, equipment
and facilities means there has
never been a better time to study at
Warrington & Vale Royal College.
If you’d prefer to study from the
comfort of your own home on one
of our many distance learning
courses, rest easy that you’ll also
be benefiting from expert industry
knowledge and support from
first-class tutors.
The best bit? Many of our distance
learning courses are FREE*.
Whatever your passion or
motivation, enrolling on an adult
course at Warrington & Vale Royal
College could be the best thing
you do this year! So, are you ready
to do something life-changing?
Browse our autumn guide today
and spark your inspiration.
Visit: wvr.ac.uk/adults to browse
the guide and enrol on a course of
your choice today.
01925 494 494 Campuses in Warrington and Winsford
Warrington & Vale Royal College
wvr.ac.uk

2
Putting Futures First: Warrington & Vale Royal College
launches a ground-breaking 16-18 digital prospectus
At Warrington & Vale Royal
College, sustainability isn’t just
a buzzword. We’re serious about
climate change, our carbon
footprint and our impact on
future generations. That’s why
we’ve scrapped the hundredpage
books and built a fully
digital, customisable prospectus
that puts the power to shape
your future in your pocket.
This exciting development follows
a host of initiatives to make the
college more sustainable as part of
our #OneStepGreener campaign.
Our decision to go digital with our
16-18 prospectus has already
yielded remarkable results, with a
monumental 124 trees spared from
the printing press, equivalent to
over one million sheets of paper.
To put this in perspective, a pile
of the prospectuses that have not
been printed this year alone would
climb above iconic structures like
the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Alton
Towers’ ‘Oblivion’ rollercoaster, or
even a stack of twelve fully-grown
giraffes!
Students will now have the
power to create a personalised
prospectus, explore their future
career options and share this with
their family and friends in just a
few taps. Our digital prospectus
has been expertly engineered to
put young people’s career paths at
the centre of their user experience,
promoting the college’s philosophy
of “careers not courses”. Ensuring
that young people receive the
most relevant guidance to make
their future aspirations a reality,
the digital prospectus will prompt
users to select which course areas
they are interested in studying,
before displaying a variety of
career suggestions which will then
generate the most suitable course.
Deputy Principal of Finance
& Resources and Chair of
the college’s Sustainability
Committee, Michelle Seeley,
says: “The decision to launch
a digital prospectus represents
the college’s commitment to
environmental sustainability,
acknowledging the urgent need to
reduce waste, conserve resources
and lessen our carbon footprint.
By going digital, we’re not only
minimising paper waste, but we’re
also contributing to a cleaner and
greener future for our students,
community and beyond.”
To explore the online prospectus,
visit: prospectus.wvr.ac.uk.
#ONESTEPGREENER
Brand-new Dance Academy for
Year 10 and 11 students to launch
in November
Brand new for 2023, Warrington
& Vale Royal College is inviting
students from years 10 and 11
to take centre stage in our FREE
4-week dance academy!
Work closely with our awardwinning
expert dance tutor to hone
your performance skills, boost your
confidence and make new friends.
Based in our newly-refurbished
dance studio and theatre, you will
participate in a range of exciting
workshops including contemporary,
jazz, strength & conditioning and
improvisation.
The Dance Academy will run every
Wednesday, 4.30pm - 5.30pm, from
1st November - 22nd November
2023 at Warrington campus.
Spaces are limited, so register
your your place now by visiting:
wvr.ac.uk/danceacademy.
Harnessing the power of the
sun: solar panels installed at
Warrington campus
A digital prospectus isn’t the
only investment the college has
made towards becoming more
sustainable this year, with solar
panels having been installed
at its Warrington campus this
summer.
This exciting addition to our
rooftops is a huge step forward in
our sustainability agenda. Once
they have been installed for one
year, they will have produced
325,572kwh of electricity for the
college and saved 75.1 tonnes
of carbon. Fast-forward four
years, and they will be the sole
provider of 30% of our electrical
consumption.
Bridget Floyd, Director of Estates
at the college, says: “These are
exciting times in our move towards
a more sustainable future for the
college. We’re delighted to be
working with Engenera on this
project and look forward to reducing
our carbon footprint even further.”
To learn more about how we’re
becoming #OneStepGreen visit:
wvr.ac.uk/sustainability.
01925 494 494 Campuses in Warrington and Winsford Warrington & Vale Royal College
wvr.ac.uk

3
Warrington & Vale Royal College
launches Higher Technical
Qualifications
College Careers Leader
awarded ‘Advisor of the Year
2023’ in recognition of her
hard work and dedication
Warrington & Vale Royal College
is proud to be adding Higher
Technical Qualifications (HTQs)
to its impressive line-up of
higher education courses.
Brand-new for 2023, HTQs are
higher level qualifications driven by
employers and guaranteed to equip
students with the specific training,
knowledge and skills needed to
succeed in their chosen career.
These level 4 (Higher National
Certificate) and level 5 (Higher
National Diploma) qualifications
are career-focused and are ideal
for those looking to gain the
qualifications and experience
needed to enter a specific sector,
retrain and upskill to progress
in their current role, or progress
on to further study or training at
university.
Engagement Officer, Courteney
Ford, to join a select few individuals
on the prestigious UK Parliament
Teacher Ambassador Programme
This 3-day programme is a
unique initiative designed to
empower and engage educators
in promoting civic education
and active citizenship among
students, helping them
understand what it takes to
become the leaders of tomorrow.
As a result of the college’s
established link with the Houses of
Parliament, Courteney was eager
to apply, demonstrating that she
practises what she preaches when
it comes to encouraging students
to grasp opportunities.
At the end of the programme,
Courteney will be one of only a
handful of Teacher Ambassadors
throughout the UK, and is excited
at the prospect of bringing
unique insights and expertise on
parliamentary democracy back to
the colleges. She said:
“I want to use my role to give
students access to information
and opportunities that I wish I
FREE * laptop for all
HTQ students!
The college is delighted to be
offering HTQs in HNC Construction
Management (HTQ) and HND
Healthcare Professions’ Support
(HTQ), which commenced in
September 2023. These varied
courses are taught in an array of
fabulous facilities including the
college’s Advanced Manufacturing
& Engineering Academy and the
Health & Social Care Academy.
Furthermore, all students studying
a HTQ at the college will receive a
FREE laptop to aid their studies -
which is theirs to keep at the end
of the course.
Are you looking to get career ready
or make your next move? Visit:
wvr.ac.uk/htq to find out more.
*Terms & conditions apply.
had when I was their age. That’s
why I wanted to put myself
forward for this exciting and useful
programme. I am really proud that I
have been selected and can’t wait
to see what future opportunities
it will bring for myself and the
students at college.”
We want to say well done and
wish the best of luck to Courteney
during her time at the Houses of
Parliament.
Warrington & Vale Royal
College is a leading provider
of technical education for both
school leavers and adults in
Warrington, with a clear focus
on careers.
This is embodied throughout
the college in its curriculum, its
enrichment programme and a wide
range of staple career-focussed
events in its academic calendar.
One of the most important
elements of the college’s Careers
Hub is its Careers Team, who
offer support and guidance to
students in a variety of ways. The
team provide a drop-in service
and one-to-one appointments,
arrange for employers and higher
education providers to visit
students, help students prepare
for recruitment and selection tests,
and much more. Through this
work, all students are provided
with specialised support with
their decision making and future
career planning, whether this be
help crafting their CVs and UCAS
statements, or improving their
self-awareness and research skills.
Students are further supported
with a Careers Hub site and an
online Job Shop.
This hard work was recently
recognised and celebrated by
Higher Horizons - a government
funded initiative to improve young
people’s access to university
and other forms of higher
education. Higher Horizons work
in partnership with education
providers to deliver outreach
events such as guidance
and curriculum enhancement
workshops. One such provider
working in partnership with Higher
Horizons is Warrington & Vale
Royal College, who is delighted
that its Careers Leader, Fionnula
(Finn) Byrne, has been honoured
for her efforts.
Finn says: “It’s lovely to be
recognised as Advisor of the
Year by Higher Horizons and the
Chester Hub. There is a lot of work
that goes into the organisation of
the ‘core programme’ to ensure it
runs smoothly and that our level
3 students have access to the
required information to make an
informed decision about Higher
Education.”
Warrington & Vale Royal College is
delighted that Finn’s hard work has
been recognised and applauded
by Higher Horizons and is looking
forward to another amazing
academic year which will see its
Careers Team support thousands
of students in planning for their
future careers.
This autumn, study for FREE * from the comfort
of your own home!
We have hundreds of Distance Learning courses, including:
• Business & Professional
• Childcare
• Counselling
• Digital & IT
• Health, Safety & First Aid
• Health & Social Care
Ready, Set, Grow with a FREE *
Distance Learning course!
• Hospitality & Catering
• Languages &
Communication
• Skills for Independence,
Life & Work
+ many more
Visit wvr.ac.uk/distance-learning to sign up today!
*Terms & conditions apply.
01925 494 494 Campuses in Warrington and Winsford Warrington & Vale Royal College
wvr.ac.uk

4
Warrington & Vale Royal College champions equality and diversity and is committed to being an environment
where everyone has equal rights and opportunities. Through our policies, practices and educational
programmes, we actively promote equality and diversity to create a place where everyone feels respected,
valued and empowered.
Warrington &
Vale Royal College
awarded Silver by the
Defence Employer
Recognition Scheme
Warrington & Vale Royal College
is delighted to have been
awarded the prestigious Silver
Award for the Defence Employer
Recognition Scheme.
The Defence Employer
Recognition Scheme is a
government initiative to encourage
employers to support defence
and the armed forces community
whilst inspiring others to do the
same. This recognition highlights
our unwavering support for the
armed forces and our dedication
to employ and support soldiers,
veterans and their families.
Enriching lives and promoting
inclusivity: Warrington & Vale
Royal College collaborates
with DFN Project Search and
Warrington Hospital
We are thrilled to announce our
exciting partnership with DFN
Project Search, an initiative
aimed at providing meaningful
work placement opportunities to
young adults.
This innovative programme
serves as a one-year transition
to work for young adults with a
learning disability and/or autism,
empowering them to explore their
potential in the professional world.
In England, only 4.8% of people
with a learning disability secure
paid employment, in stark contrast
to 80% of their peers. Recognising
this disparity, we have joined
forces with DFN Project Search to
address the issue head-on. Our
goal is to showcase the invaluable
contributions individuals with a
learning difficulty can make to the
workforce, highlighting their skills
and talents.
As of September 2023, we will be
working with Warrington Hospital
to offer 8 amazing NHS Supported
Internship opportunities. We look
forward to witnessing the positive
difference this collaboration will
make to the lives of our students
and the wider community.
To find out more about this
wonderful opportunity, or to
learn more about our Supported
Internship Programmes, contact
our Supported Internship
Team by emailing:
supportedinternships@wvr.ac.uk.
Pre-Access
to HE
Do you want to go to university,
but don’t have your maths or
English GCSE qualification?
Consider studying a Pre-Access
to Higher Education course at
Warrington & Vale Royal College.
Our Pre-Access to Higher
Education (HE) course is designed
to prepare adult students for
progression onto further college
courses and university. If you have
not studied for some time, or don’t
meet the entry requirements for
one of our level 3 courses, the
pre-access course will develop
your confidence, knowledge and
academic capabilities.
The Level 2 Extended Certificate
is your fast-track to further study,
covering a wide range of essential
skills, and contains units intended
to introduce thought-provoking
topics. You will be taught the art
of academic writing, important
research skills and a range of
health-based content. You will also
be able to study maths or English
alongside this course.
If you’re looking to study health,
health sciences, care, nursing,
social science or social work at
level 3, this course is the perfect
stepping stone for you. Whether
you want to progress on to further
studies or a new career, our Level
2 Extended Certificate Pre-Access
to HE will take you there.
To find out more, visit:
wvr.ac.uk/access.
Higher Education at
Warrington & Vale
Royal College
Stay local and benefit from the expert teaching
and outstanding facilities at Warrington & Vale
Royal College.
We offer a range of HNCs, HNDs, HTQs and professional
qualifications, designed to help you progress onto your chosen
career path. Whether you dream of becoming a nurse, a graphic
designer or a teacher, we can help you achieve your goals.
per
Full-time fees just £5,995 year
Significantly lower than university fees!
Why choose Warrington & Vale Royal College
for a higher education or professional course?
Affordable course prices
Excellent links with employers
One-to-one support and
guidance
Small class sizes
Fabulous facilities on campus
Easily accessible by car and
public transport
Don’t be disappointed, apply NOW
for courses starting in 2024!
01925 494 494 Campuses in Warrington and Winsford Warrington & Vale Royal College
wvr.ac.uk

5
Results Day success
for Warrington & Vale
Royal College students
Students and staff at Warrington
& Vale Royal College celebrated
in style with yet another
outstanding year for results. The
college’s hard-working level 3
students were invited to collect
their results in person at a
charming celebration morning at
our Warrington campus, where
they were able to revel in their
successes with their families,
proud tutors and college staff.
The celebrations were a chance
to reflect on what has been one of
Warrington & Vale Royal College’s
brightest years yet! With so many
students exceeding their own
expectations with their fantastic
achievements, emotions were high
in the campus’ Crescent café.
Former The County High School
Leftwich pupil and Level 3 Creative
Media Practice student Louisa
Timmis achieved the highest
possible grade of triple Distinction*
and is moving on to pursue her
dreams by studying BA (Hons) Post
Production & VFX at the University
of Salford. She said: “Coming to
Warrington & Vale Royal College
was the best decision I’ve ever
made. I’ve learnt so much, used
some of the most up-to-date
equipment and made friends for life.
I am going to become an editor one
day and my course has set me up
perfectly for success!”
Another example of student
excellence is former Birchwood
Community High School pupil
Shannon Downing, who will be
studying BSc Biomedical Sciences
at the prestigious University of
York, having attained a triple
Distinction* grade in Level 3
Applied Science. This remarkable
grade is the equivalent to 3 A*’s
at A Level and has ensured she
secured her place at one of
the UK’s top higher education
institutions.
While many students have
secured places at notable
universities including Manchester
Metropolitan University, University
of Chester and Lancaster
University to name but a few,
other students plan to step
straight into employment within
their chosen sectors, whether
through higher apprenticeships
or by securing themselves a job.
Students have been keen to
embrace the college’s mantra of
“careers not courses”, utilising the
college’s renowned industry links
to enhance their learning and,
ultimately, their future prospects.
One such student is Teodora
Taneska, Level 3 Military &
Emergency Services student,
who joined the college 4 years
ago after moving to the UK from
Macedonia. Teodora began her
journey on the college’s Vocational
Studies pathway, building her
knowledge of English and maths
while working on employability
skills until she was able to start
the military & emergency services
pathway. Throughout her time at
the college, Teodora has been
tenacious in pursuit of her dream
career working for the HM Prison
Service and has pushed herself
to achieve incredible results. Her
determination has paid off and she
is leaving Warrington & Vale Royal
College with a triple Distinction*
and will be joining the prison
service on one of their highly
coveted apprenticeship schemes.
The college has been blown away
by the efforts of its inspirational
students and wishes them
heartfelt congratulations on their
exceptional achievements.
Shannon Downing
Level 3 Applied Science
Grade: D*D*D*
Former school:Birchwood
Community High School
Progression: BSc Biomedical
Science, University of York
Prosper Ogbonmwan
Level 3 Sport & Physical Activity
Grade: D*
Former school:
Great Sankey High School
Progression: BSc Sports
Coaching, Edge Hill University
Louisa Timmis
Level 3 Creative & Digital Media
Grade: D*D*D*
Former school:
The County High School, Leftwich
Progression: BA Post Production
& VFX, University of Salford
Lewis Toft
Level 2 Brickwork Apprenticeship
Grade: Pass
Former school:
Hope Academy
Progression: Bricklaying
Apprentice with Bloor Homes
Megan Clarke
Level 3 Acting & Musical Theatre
Grade: Distinction
Former school: Cardinal Newman
Catholic High School
Progression: BA (Hons) Acting
(Screen & Digital Media), LIPA
Rhys Bryan-Wilding
Level 3 General Engineering
Grade: Distinction
Former school:
Golborne High School
Progression:
BSc Aerospace Engineering,
University of Hertfordshire
Lana Targett
Level 2 Graphic Design
Grade: D*D*D*
Former school:
Rudheath Senior Academy
Progression: HNC Graphic
Design, Warrington & Vale
Royal College
Reuban Lomas
Level 3 Games Design
Grade: D*D*D*
Former school:
Hope Academy
Progression: BA Games Art,
Manchester Metropolitan University
01925 494 494 Campuses in Warrington and Winsford Warrington & Vale Royal College
wvr.ac.uk

6
Working in partnership:
wvr.ac.uk/acds
Warrington & Vale Royal College student impresses ACDS
partner Draw & Code during his industry placement
Former Level 3 Games Design
& Animation student Jacob
Mason recently made a lasting
impression on our ACDS partner
Draw & Code, an immersive
experience studio based in
Liverpool, after a successful
week-long industry placement
during his time at Warrington &
Vale Royal College.
Jacob, former Lowton Church of
England High School pupil, was
introduced to Ben McWilliams,
Operations Manager at Draw &
Code, when he visited college
to deliver a guest lecture about
Draw & Code and the work they
do. Following this, Jacob took the
initiative to email Ben asking for
work experience or shadowing
opportunities as he was keen to
see what it takes to work in the
industry. After an interview with the
Draw & Code team, Jacob was
invited to start a week’s placement
at their Liverpool headquarters.
During his time on placement,
Jacob was given a 3D environment
pop-art art brief to promote a brand
of his choice and so he started
to create a virtual reality concept
where you can try a guitar before
you buy it. Jacob expressed that
his time at Draw & Code was
amazing, saying: “Everyone was
nice and inviting, it felt like they
were my friends before I even
met them. I was able to attend
their daily meetings which made
me feel a part of the team. I’ve
learnt invaluable skills such as 3D
software techniques and really
expanded my knowledge, which I
now bring to the classroom.”
Operations Manager Ben had only
great things to say about Jacob
and his time on placement. He
said: “Jacob was a pleasure to
have in the studio. He was the first
person to arrive on the Monday
morning with an eager smile on
his face to learn. Jacob was polite
in all his conversations with our
team and made the most out of
the opportunity that our 3D work
experience task offered. I have no
doubt that Jacob can continue to
develop his skillset further during
his studies and beyond. Being
in this environment allowed him
to understand day to day how
an immersive studio operates
and opened his eyes to the
exciting careers available across
Merseyside.”
Reflecting on his time at Warrington
& Vale Royal College, Jacob said:
“I would 100% recommend this
college for those looking to study
games design, the tutors treat
you like adults and with respect,
and the classrooms in the ACDS
Academy have all the equipment
and software needed to practise
industry-standard projects.”
Sam Kidman, Lecturer in Games
& Media, said: “Jacob is a
hardworking and enthusiastic
individual who uses his interest
in video games to push his work
further in order to meet industry
expectations. He also worked on a
collaborative project with another
ACDS partner, 10:10 Games,
gaining valuable knowledge and
feedback from industry veterans to
which he is very appreciative. He is
a great team player and a valued
member of the Level 3 Games
Design & Animation group.”
Jacob received an offer to study
Games Art at The University of
Bolton starting in September and
is looking forward to furthering his
knowledge of the games industry
and developing his understanding
of the creative and technical
possibilities of games art. Once
graduated, Jacob hopes to work in
the industry and we have no doubt
that his dedication to his studies,
coupled with this worthwhile
industry placement experience,
will see him be successful in this
venture. Good luck Jacob!
To learn more about our ACDS
Academy and the range of courses
on offer, visit: wvr.ac.uk/acds.
Warrington & Vale Royal College’s continued partnership with the
Liverpool Empire Theatre shines a spotlight on its commitment to careers
As a new academic year begins,
Warrington & Vale Royal
College is proud to announce
the continuation of our
exciting employer partnership
with the renowned Liverpool
Empire Theatre. This ongoing
collaboration is made possible
through our cutting-edge
Advanced Creative & Digital
Skills Academy.
At the centre of our mission is
an unwavering commitment to
careers and providing students
with invaluable industry
experience - our continued
partnership with the Liverpool
Empire Theatre exemplifies this
commitment in every way. By the
time our performing arts students
bid farewell to the college and
begin their exciting careers, they
will not only be well-prepared but
at the forefront of industry, armed
with skills and experience that set
them apart.
This year’s cohort of performing
arts students recently visited the
Liverpool Empire Theatre to take
a glimpse behind-the-scenes
and learn more about the various
departments, including the box
office, management and marketing.
They were also lucky enough to
have a sneak-peek at the setting
up of Mrs Brown’s Boys, which was
taking the stage that evening.
Ben Hallworth, Creative Learning
Producer at the Liverpool Empire,
also gave students a flavour of
what to expect over the course
of the year, all thanks to the
partnership. Students can look
forward to enjoying a series of
shows, including the upcoming
festive favourite Peter Pan Goes
Wrong. There may even be the
opportunity to participate in a
workshop with one of the cast
members following the show.
Getting performing arts students
ready for the industry is at the
heart of the partnership, and
so they will be put through their
paces by the theatre. An excellent
example of this is the college’s
upcoming pantomime, which
students will audition for in front of
the Liverpool Empire team. This
will give students an insight into
the reality of auditioning in the
sector, providing the opportunity
for them to receive constructive
feedback that can be used to hone
their craft.
Students will also be invited to
apply for the Senior Youth Theatre,
which if successful, will see
them work on productions at the
Liverpool Empire. Last year, the
youth theatre worked on Legally
Blonde, which sold out every night
to over 2,000 audience members.
This is another fantastic industry
experience that will put students
at the centre of their chosen
industries.
Warrington & Vale Royal College is
absolutely delighted to be working
with the Liverpool Empire Theatre
again this year and looks forward to
seeing students thrive as a result.
To find out more about our
Advanced Creative & Digital Skills
Academy and the range of courses
available, visit: wvr.ac.uk/acds.
01925 494 494 Campuses in Warrington and Winsford Warrington & Vale Royal College
wvr.ac.uk

7
Warrington & Vale Royal College students team up with Morgan Branding
and Golden Square Shopping Centre to produce a captivating exhibition
Talented graphic design
students from Warrington &
Vale Royal College teamed up
with ACDS Academy partner
Morgan Branding to produce
a captivating installation in
the Golden Square, which was
displayed over the summer.
The project brief, provided by
Morgan Branding, inspired
students to explore innovative and
interesting aspects of Warrington
and turn these into digital
illustrations, whilst competing to
have their work take centre stage.
The students rose to the challenge
brilliantly and produced some
amazing pieces – all of which
were on display in the former
Debenham’s window in the Golden
Square.
Callum Morgan, Director at
Morgan Branding, and Ian Cox,
Centre Director for Golden Square,
were absolutely blown away by the
quality of artwork submitted across
the board and found it incredibly
difficult to pick a winner. Ian said:
“The artwork is absolutely fantastic
and we are so pleased to be able
to support this project.” Ian was so
impressed that he has said he’d
welcome more collaborations with
the college in future – a great nod
to the professionalism and sheer
talent of our students.
Out of nine exceptional students,
Callum and Ian were delighted
to reveal Amelia Connolly as the
winner, proudly presenting her
illustration to the enamoured
onlookers. Amelia, former Level
3 Graphic Design student at the
college, said: “I’m really happy to
have won - it wouldn’t have been
possible if it wasn’t for being on
this course. It’s been amazing and
I’ve loved every minute of it!”
A huge well done to all of the
students involved: Jess Dean,
Alex Lightfoot, Dan Bate, Billy
Mitchell, Joe Bradley, Kai Fairbank,
Lana Targett, Rhiannon Cooper-
Thompson and Amelia Connolly.
To view the range of Graphics,
Games Design and Media courses
available for both school leavers
and adults, visit: wvr.ac.uk.
Warrington & Vale Royal College students
showcase an extraordinary end-of-year art
exhibition at Pyramid Arts Centre
Level 3 Art & Design students
were invited to showcase their
annual end-of-year exhibition
at the Pyramid Arts Centre and
Parr Hall in Warrington, in an
exciting first for the college.
The college’s promising art &
design students spent months
planning, producing, and curating
their pieces ready to be displayed
in an expressive exhibition at the
vibrant local venue, an opportunity
which was offered exclusively to
Warrington & Vale Royal College.
Throughout their time at the
college, these students enjoyed
industry placements with some
of Warrington’s largest cultural
organisations, which energised
their inspiration for the eclectic
and eye-catching final showcase.
An exclusive private viewing of
the exhibition was held, where
students were joined by family
and friends for a first look at
the amazing artwork on display.
Everybody who attended agreed
that this was a remarkable
opportunity for all involved.
The exhibition displayed an array
of incredible and powerful art
pieces, including a body mast
and visual effects video projection
created by student Macie
Cartwright. Inspired by becoming
a young mum, Macie used her
experiences of motherhood, its
effect on the female form and
its often-overlooked mental
challenges to influence her piece.
Other incredible work ranged from
an inverted house suspended
in the void, to an emotive and
delicate sculpture paying homage
to a past loved one.
Ben Brady, Director for Creative
Arts at Warrington & Vale Royal
College, said: “We are thrilled to
have celebrated our end-of-year
art & design exhibition at the
Pyramid Arts Centre this year. The
exhibition presented a wide range
of creative disciplines including
installation, video, sculpture,
textiles, photography, drawing,
painting and print. We owe a huge
thanks to Culture Warrington
for their continued support and
for hosting the exhibition. The
students have worked incredibly
hard to develop their skills
throughout their time at college
and the high standard of work on
display is testimony to this.”
Warrington & Vale Royal College
congratulates all students involved
on their impressive achievements
and wish them the best for their
future endeavours, whether that
be at university, an exciting role in
industry or continuing on a higher
education course at the college.
To find out more about the range
of art & design courses available
for both school leavers and adults,
visit: wvr.ac.uk.
01925 494 494 Campuses in Warrington and Winsford Warrington & Vale Royal College
wvr.ac.uk

8
Warrington & Vale Royal College celebrates Warrington’s
most promising young artists in annual competition
Committed to finding and
celebrating talented artists from
across the region, Young Artist
of the Year is one of Warrington
& Vale Royal College’s most
beloved competitions, which
broke records this year with
its huge uptake. With over
80 entries from 14 different
schools around Warrington and
Cheshire, we were blown away
by the outstanding quality of
work submitted and the talent of
all entrants.
Open to both year 10 and 11
pupils, the college annually seeks
to crown two winners: Young
Digital Artist of the Year and
Young Creative Artist of the Year.
The prizes up for grabs included
a state-of-the-art Wacom Intuos
Creative Pen Tablet and an artist’s
essentials kit worth around £70
from Abacus Resources.
This year’s entries were highly
unique and varied, including
sculptures, textiles, digital
photography and various painting
and drawings, all of which
demonstrated the entrants’ passion
and talent for their crafts. The
judges, made up of the college’s
Assistant Director of Creative Arts,
Ben Brady, and Subject Leader of
Graphic Design, Ellie Strowger,
had the tough decision of choosing
who would be this year’s winners
out of so many fantastic pieces.
Cardinal Newman Catholic High
School pupil, Carys Backhouse-
Worrall was this year’s top
Creative Artist, having painted
a stunning abstract portrait on
canvas, mixing techniques of
painting and collage to create a
stand-out piece. The judges felt
immediately drawn to Carys’ use of
bright colours and varied textures
to bring the canvas to life.
Tom Welsby, a year 11 pupil at
Hope Academy in Newton-Le-
Willows, was chosen as this year’s
winner of the Digital Artist category,
having submitted a striking digital
drawing inspired by the 1991
horror movie American Psycho.
The judges were blown away by
Tom’s work, commending him on
his technical proficiency and his
instinctive use of depth and colour.
The competition culminated in
an eclectic exhibition and award
presentation attended by over 90
guests, including entrants and their
families and friends, as well as
teachers and head teachers from
Cardinal Newman Catholic High
School, Golborne High School,
Middlewich High School,
Sir Thomas Boteler C of E High
School and St Chad’s Catholic &
Church of England Academy, to
name but a few.
Taken aback by the uptake of the
competition, Ben Brady was keen
to commend the efforts of all of the
entrants, saying: “This year has
truly been a special year for the
college’s Young Artist competition.
Not only have we seen the most
entrants to date, but the calibre,
variety and professionalism of work
has been of an unprecedented
standard.”
The college wants to extend its
sincere thanks and congratulations
to all the entrants who participated
in the year’s competition with the
hope of seeing plenty more from
these exceptional artists in the
near future.
To find out more about the range
of artistic courses on offer at the
college for both school leavers and
adults, visit: wvr.ac.uk/art.
Young chefs surprise and delight expert judges in the
college’s annual Junior Masterchef competition
Warrington & Vale Royal
College was delighted to host
pupils from Warrington, Wigan,
Winsford and beyond for its
annual Junior MasterChef
Competition. The final cook-off
was held at the college’s awardwinning
Buckley’s Restaurant,
where young culinary talents
from six schools from across
the North West showcased their
amazing skills and creativity.
This competition is open to year
9 and 10 pupils every year, who
are invited to design and submit
a delicious menu in teams of two.
This menu is then presented to
our expert tutors, who choose
which dishes they would like to see
cooked in the college’s professional
kitchens. This year, the competition
saw a record number of entries,
with shortlisted pupils from
Culcheth High School, Hawkley
Hall High School, Lowton High
School, Weaverham High School
and Winsford Academy claiming
their place in the final cook-off.
As an extra challenge, the college
asked all entrants to consider
ideas of sustainability when
designing their menus. These
brilliant young chefs rose to the
challenge by using fresh, locally
sourced ingredients to create
their delicious dishes. Entrants
went above and beyond, sourcing
fresh herbs from their gardens,
purchasing vegetables from local
allotments and, in the case of
Benjamin Witherington and Luke
Connor Ashton from Culcheth
High School, even catching
their own mackerel to use in their
dish. By choosing local produce,
they not only promoted healthier
eating but also reduced their
carbon footprint and supported
businesses close to home.
This year’s competition was judged
by Nigel Smith from Chef Patisserie
and Jack Vance, a former
hospitality & catering student from
the college who is now a Sous Chef
at The Little Manor in Thelwall.
Invited to sample the food and
judge the young chefs’ performance
in the kitchens, the expert judges
were blown away by the talent and
dedication on display.
Nigel said: “It is an absolute
pleasure to be judging this year’s
Junior MasterChef Competition.
We have seen amazing creations
from equally amazing young chefs.
I hope that using the college’s
outstanding facilities and hearing
feedback from such passionate
tutors at the college has given
these pupils an experience they
won’t forget.”
After 90 minutes of cooking
from the finalists, the judges
were presented with a feast of
creative fayre, including a tasty
vegan calzone, a rich sticky
toffee cupcake topped with Italian
meringue, a delicate vegetable
risotto and fresh wild berry
cake. After an intense period of
difficult deliberation, the judges
came to their decision, and Beth
Mutton and Polly Johnson from
Weaverham High School were
awarded 1st place and given this
year’s top prize of £100 in high
street vouchers. Well done Beth
and Polly!
The college would like to extend its
gratitude to all the talented entrants
and their teachers who made
this fantastic event possible and
congratulate all finalists for their
exceptional efforts.
Keep your eyes peeled for more exciting competitions launching this year!
01925 494 494 Campuses in Warrington and Winsford Warrington & Vale Royal College
wvr.ac.uk

9
Warrington & Vale Royal College’s ‘Glow Up’
competition winner starts new business venture
following her achievement
Former Level 3 Theatrical Hair
& Media Make-up student and
avid TikTok creator Layla Thorpe
was crowned our social media
competition ‘Glow Up’ champion
last year.
In the entrepreneurial spirit of the
college and inspired by her recent
achievement, Layla has now set
up her own beauty business and
has big plans to continue creating
her award-winning looks alongside
finishing her qualification.
Last year, we launched a
brand-new hair and make-up
competition, inspiring entrants
from all over Cheshire to create
jaw-dropping festive looks in the
bid to win the top prize of a £100
Beauty Bay voucher. Judged by
popular TikTok influencer and
make-up artist, Holly Barnes,
Layla was crowned based on her
technical ability, creativity and
social media impact.
Although Layla’s preferred medium
is body art, she challenged herself
for the competition, including
advanced techniques of SFX,
airbrushing and constructing
intricate headpieces to wow the
industry judge and the TikTok
audience. The effort paid off,
landing her the top prize and her
highest number of likes and views
on TikTok to date. Spurred on by
this victory, Layla has set her mind
to running her own freelance makeup
artistry business, specialising in
creating stunning night-out makeup
looks and bold festival face and
body art.
During her course, Layla has been
able to participate in a lucrative
industry placement at Pure Hair
& Beauty in Earlestown. While
at the salon, she impressed her
colleagues and has been offered a
chair to run her make-up business
from, giving her an impressive
head-start in the £36billion health &
beauty industry.
Reflecting on the competition and
where it has led her so far, Layla
said: “The Glow Up competition
was such a great experience
and it really inspired me to do my
best work. I was so grateful for
the prize as I have been able to
invest in professional kit for my
new business. I’ve bought MAC
foundations, Benefit powders and
all sorts of colourful palettes!”
If Layla’s incredible Glow Up
creations are anything to go by,
her business is sure to be booming
in no time. The college wishes
her every success in her new
endeavour and looks forward to
seeing more of her fabulous makeup
creations!
To find out more about Hair,
Beauty, Holistics & Well-being
courses for both school leavers
and adults at the college, visit:
wvr.ac.uk.
Warrington & Vale
Royal College students’
work selected for
prestige Association
of Colleges ‘Creative
Writing in FE’
competition
The Association of Colleges (AoC)
launched an exciting project in
summer – ‘Creative Writing in FE’
– which aimed to give students the
opportunity and platform to produce
a piece of creative writing exploring
an issue of importance to them.
With over 30 colleges nationally
submitting entries, Warrington &
Vale Royal College is delighted to
have had the work of its talented
students recognised.
Sophie Smithdale, Curriculum
Manager for English at the college,
said: “It is such a pleasure to
provide a safe place for students
to develop their opinions and voice
through creative writing. Research
shows that giving students time
and space to write creatively is
hugely beneficial, improving mental
health and confidence among
many other things. Seeing our
amazing entries highlights just
how talented our students are and
how valuable setting time aside for
creativity in education is.”
To view the complete anthology
online, including the published
work of the three Warrington & Vale
Royal College students Matthew,
Thomas and Alexander, visit:
aoc.co.uk.
Warrington & Vale Royal College
attends 30-year celebration of
The Prince’s Trust and Cheshire
Fire and Rescue Service
On Thursday 14th September,
members of Warrington &
Vale Royal College’s Senior
Leadership Team attended a
glitzy celebration at Chester
Zoo, celebrating the 30th
anniversary of The Prince’s
Trust and Cheshire Fire and
Rescue Service’s partnership.
The Prince’s Trust ‘Team
Programme’, delivered by
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service,
is a free, 12-week programme for
16 – 25-year-olds that provides
them with practical skills, self-belief
and help with getting a job. More
than 5,500 young people have
completed the programme since it
began in 1993.
The memorable event began with
a welcome from the Master of
Ceremonies, Cheshire Fire and
Rescue Service’s Area Manager,
Steve McCormick, followed by
talks from Alex Waller, Chief
Fire Officer and Chief Executive,
and Lady Redmond MBE, Lord
Lieutenant of Cheshire. After a
delicious three-course dinner,
Jonathan Townsend, Chief
Executive of The Prince’s Trust,
took to the stage to share the
work of The Prince’s Trust in the
community. Jonathan was followed
by the aforementioned Steve
McCormick, who delivered a talk
about his personal journey as a
former team member. The event
closed with talks from local partner
employer Bentley Motors, and Cllr
Stef Nelson, the Chair of Cheshire
Fire Authority.
Warrington & Vale Royal College’s
Vice Principal: Curriculum,
Andrew Williams, Assistant
Principal: Quality & MIS, Rebecca
Welch, and Director of Quality &
Curriculum: EPYP (Levels 2 & 3),
Amanda Mackinnon, attended the
event on behalf of the college. The
college has been in partnership
with The Prince’s Trust and
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service
since 2009 and welcomes three
cohorts of Prince’s Trust students
every year to gain a nationally
recognised qualification. The
college is exceptionally proud of
this ongoing collaboration, and
the vital role it plays in supporting
young people to realise their
potential and transform their
lives through education and skills
training.
Vice Principal Andrew Williams
said: “It was a privilege to attend
the celebration evening on behalf
of the college. It was a very
humbling experience to listen to
individual student journeys and the
immense impact The Prince’s Trust
and Cheshire Fire and Rescue
Service has had on the lives of
young people.”
To see more photographs from the
event, head to
cheshirefire.smugmug.com
or visit princes-trust.org.uk to
find out more about their Team
Programme.
01925 494 494 Campuses in Warrington and Winsford Warrington & Vale Royal College
wvr.ac.uk

10
Changing the face of construction: women breaking
barriers and building a more inclusive workforce,
one brick at a time.
The construction industry has
long been synonymous with
hard hats, heavy machinery and
a workforce mostly made up of
men. However, more recently,
women are increasingly
stepping onto construction
sites, wielding tools and taking
on leadership roles in what
was once considered a maledominated
domain. This shift
is not limited to the workforce
alone; it extends to Warrington
& Vale Royal College’s
workshops, in which there is an
increasing female presence.
The construction industry is an
evolving landscape, one that now
welcomes and celebrates the
contributions of women. Warrington
& Vale Royal College has seen
a surge in the number of women
enrolling onto construction courses,
reflecting a broader societal shift
towards gender equality in a
traditionally underrepresented
field. That said, the industry still
has work to do, with the percentile
of female workers still much lower
than other sectors.
Recent statistics suggest that this
number is on the rise and that
increasing numbers of women are
choosing to pursue careers in the
construction industry. An online
article published by Direct Line
states that the number of women
working in trade has increased by
120%, with an estimated number
of 33,000 tradeswomen in 2019
compared to 15,000 in 2009.
Looking at these numbers, it’s
evident that women are making
their mark on the construction
industry and excelling in roles once
considered exclusively male.
David Love, Director, Curriculum
& Quality – Construction &
Engineering at the college,
says: “It’s great to see our adult
community learning courses within
the construction trades increasing
in popularity with female students.
We’ve seen a growing number of
women wishing to upskill within
joinery, brickwork and plumbing.
One of the students enrolled on
the course after receiving a large
quote to repoint her house, so
she decided to learn how to do
it herself. Another student told
me that she is wanting her own
independence. It’s wonderful.”
One such student is Clare, a local
primary school teacher fed up of
needing to ask for help with jobs
around the house. So, she enrolled
onto the college’s Introduction
to Carpentry & Joinery course to
learn new skills and increase her
independence. Clare is a huge
advocate for learning and believes
that all adults should continue
their education in one way or
another. She says: “The tutors are
great; they are very patient and
understanding. I am having so
much fun on this course!”
Another student stepping into
the workshop is Bev, a remote
worker looking to learn new skills
and get out of her comfort zone.
Like Clare, Bev is hoping to take
the new expertise gained on the
course and use it to make home
improvements herself. She says:
“All of the tutors, including the
technicians, are lovely and great to
learn from! The workshops have all
of the equipment needed to learn,
which makes the experience so
much better.”
Warrington & Vale Royal College
takes pride in its commitment
to providing a supportive and
inclusive learning environment
for students of all ages, including
women pursuing careers in
construction. Central to the
college’s mission is getting
students career-ready, by
providing guidance and inspiration
that excels beyond textbooks.
Expert tutors not only share their
knowledge and experiences,
but offer insight into the unique
challenges and opportunities
women may encounter in
construction.
The future of the construction
industry is brighter and more
inclusive than ever before, with a
wide range of career opportunities.
Prominent roles include architects,
engineers, project managers
and quantity surveyors. Skilled
tradespeople such as carpenters,
electricians and plumbers are
essential for hands-on construction
work. Safety professionals
ensure worksites are secure,
while environmental specialists
focus on sustainable practices.
Estimators handle project budgets,
while equipment operators handle
heavy machinery. For those with
a vision to lead, there are careers
in construction management.
Whatever your level of career
aspiration, Warrington & Vale
Royal College has a construction
course for you ranging from
introductory courses right the
way up to higher education
courses. Whether you simply
want to learn something new like
Clare and Bev, or you want to
establish a successful career in the
construction industry, Warrington &
Vale Royal College can help you to
achieve this goal.
Join the wonderful women
breaking barriers at Warrington &
Vale Royal College today! Visit:
wvr.ac.uk/adults to view the
range of courses on offer.
01925 494 494 Campuses in Warrington and Winsford Warrington & Vale Royal College
wvr.ac.uk

11
Warrington & Vale Royal College launches eight
exciting new T Levels for September 2024
For National T Level Celebration
Week, Warrington & Vale
Royal College is proud to have
announced the launch of eight
new T Levels for September
2024 entry.
T Levels were launched across
England in September 2020
as the new gold standard of
technical education which offers
a high-quality alternative to the
“traditional” A Level route. These
two-year, post-GCSE courses
are practical and knowledgebased,
with students spending
80% of their time in the classroom
and 20% of their time gaining
on-the-job experience with an
employer, related to their T Level
specialism. Their final qualification
is equivalent to 3 A Levels and
can hold up to 168 UCAS points,
enabling students to go onto
a huge range of impressive
destinations, including higher
education, apprenticeships, or
straight into skilled employment.
Warrington & Vale Royal College
currently offers T Levels in health,
early years and construction trades
including brickwork, electrical,
plumbing, and carpentry & joinery.
This is set to expand for students
enrolling in 2024 to include exciting
new pathways:
• Accounting
• Business
• Digital
• Engineering & Manufacturing
• Healthcare Science
• Motor Vehicle
• Science
• Surveying & Planning
As part of the expansion of our T
Level course offer, the college will
also run six new T Level foundation
years, which will bridge the gap
between GCSEs and T Levels for
those who do not quite achieve
the minimum grades required to
go straight onto a T Level after
school. These engaging year-long
courses provide the fundamental
knowledge and practical skills to
prepare students for success in
both their future T Level and the
workplace, while helping them
to develop English, maths and
digital skills within an industryrelevant
context. T Levels are
becoming an ever-more soughtafter
qualification by students
and employers alike, making the
introduction of the foundation year
programmes essential to make
T Levels as widely accessible as
possible, further demonstrating
the college’s commitment to
supporting all students to land their
first-choice career.
Recently, the college has seen
major investment in four Centres
of Technical Excellence, including
an Advanced Creative & Digital
Skills Academy, Advanced
Manufacturing & Engineering
Academy, Construction & Civil
Engineering Academy, and Health
& Social Care Academy at its
Warrington campus. Current T
Level students at the college
are thriving on their courses,
benefitting from access to these
multi-million-pound facilities that
house state-of-the-art classrooms,
workshops and simulation work
environments to enhance their
T Level experience. These
academies also collaborate with
hundreds of national and local
employers, giving students access
to an impressively broad range of
industry placement opportunities
to complete their qualification,
making Warrington & Vale Royal
College a highly desirable T Level
provider. Supporting access to
local training for the students of
Cheshire, in 2024, the college is
also set to launch a brand-new
Institute of Technology (IoT) at its
Winsford campus which will offer
specialist courses in the areas of
health and science, and house
industry-standard laboratories and
medical training equipment.
Learn more at: wvr.ac.uk/tlevels.
Warrington & Vale Royal College student wins
Trades Union Congress Youth Award
For over twenty years,
Warrington & Vale Royal College
has trained thousands of trade
union representatives who, in
that time, have worked tirelessly
to improve the lives of their
members. This involves creating
safer workspaces, improving
terms and conditions, promoting
equality and providing
educational opportunities in the
workplace.
One such representative is Charlie
Gough. Charlie first became an
Usdaw trade union representative
in late 2021 as part of his role
at a Tesco store, and began his
training with Warrington & Vale
Royal College in 2022. Since
then, Charlie has jumped at the
opportunity to complete every
course offered to him by the
college as part of its trade union
education programme.
Charlie instantly excelled in his
role and within just twelve months
was awarded ‘Most Promising
New Activist’ by the union, who
described him as being a ‘standout
rep in the region’. Fast-forward
to September 2023 and Charlie
is now winning awards on a
national scale, with his most recent
accolade being the Trades Union
Congress Youth Award.
Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General
Secretary, said in an online article
published by the organisation: “I
was delighted to nominate Charlie
and we are very proud that he has
won the award. Charlie is a great
Usdaw lay rep. He has greatly
improved union membership in his
workplace and supported many
colleagues when they need help.”
He continues: “Charlie’s proudest
role in Usdaw is the work he
carried out on our North West
Young Workers’ Committee. The
committee was rebuilding after
the pandemic and his enthusiasm
shone through, growing committee
membership by bringing other
young people in the region to play
a more active role. He has also
started a fully digital newsletter,
written by young workers for young
workers to help spread the message
and keep people informed.”
Alongside his work at Tesco,
Charlie studied towards a degree
in History and Politics at the
University of Liverpool, from
which he officially graduates
in December. On balancing
his university studies with both
working and taking on additional
responsibilities as a representative,
Charlie credits Warrington & Vale
Royal College who made this easy
for him. He is incredibly grateful to
the college for its help and support,
noting that this without doubt
helped him go on to achieve his
recent national recognition.
He is particularly complimentary of
Rick Cayzer, Curriculum Manager
for Trade Union Education at
the college, who left a lasting
impression with his teaching.
Charlie describes Rick and fellow
college tutor Kerry as being
absolutely brilliant and insists
he wouldn’t be where he is now
without their support.
Rick echoed Charlie’s positive
sentiment, saying: “Charlie is
typical of the many representatives
that we train, who go on to
discover untapped skills and
knowledge that they use to
develop themselves and improve
the lives of others. I’m sure Charlie
will continue to go on to bigger and
better things, and become more
involved with Usdaw in the future.”
Warrington & Vale Royal College
would like to wish Charlie the
very best of luck with his future
endeavours and like Rick, the
college is sure he has a promising
and bright future ahead.
If you are an organisation with a
trade union and would like to learn
more about the training packages
Warrington & Vale Royal College
can provide, please contact
Rick Cayzer by emailing:
rcayzer@wvr.ac.uk.
01925 494 494 Campuses in Warrington and Winsford Warrington & Vale Royal College
wvr.ac.uk

12
Mark your calendar for our
next Community Fun Day
6 th
July 2024
Warrington & Vale Royal College
was absolutely delighted
with the success of its highly
anticipated Community Fun
Day this year, which attracted
hundreds of visitors to our
vibrant Warrington campus.
The next event promises to be
even bigger and better, with a
confirmed date for your diary of
Saturday 6th July 2024.
The college spared no effort in
organising a spectacular event,
which was sponsored by local
company Equans and from which
all proceeds were donated to St
Rocco’s Hospice. We were joined
by over twenty exhibitors from
highly esteemed organisations such
as the Royal Air Force, the Royal
Navy, Cheshire Police, Cheshire
Fire and Rescue, Kinaxia Logistics,
Cheshire Mix 56, Costco and even
an appearance from Princess Elsa!
Also adding to the festivity was
Warrington Wolves’ lovable
mascot Wolfie, who was a cheeky
presence charming visitors and
posing for photos. Amidst the
excitement, guests enjoyed a range
of edible treats including burgers,
hot dogs, ice cream, cakes and a
delightful afternoon tea in our own
Buckley’s Restaurant.
Visitors also participated in a
variety of stalls and games; such
a diverse range of entertainment
ensured there was something for
everyone to enjoy.
A particular event highlight
was the incredibly popular dog
show. A parade of furry friends
showcased their talent and the
competition was fierce! After much
deliberation, the coveted “Best in
Show” was awarded to Nevis the
Labrador Retriever, aged 11 from
Middlewich, who outshone with his
undeniable charm and skill. Nevis
and his owner, Julie, were proud
winners of a large hamper full
of goodies, donated by local pet
shop Jollyes. The judging panel,
made up of college Principal and
CEO Nichola Newton and Steph
Davies from the RSPCA, along
with the large crowd of spectators,
were incredibly impressed with the
displays of talent and very much
look forward to welcoming the
cheeky canines back to campus at
next year’s competition.
We would like to thank everybody
who came along and made the
event such a huge success – we
hope to see you all again next year!
If you would like to get involved
by having a stall or being an
event sponsor, please email
jhatton@wvr.ac.uk.
YEAR 11 OPEN
EVENINGS
Warrington campus, 5.00pm - 8.00pm
Wednesday
18 th October
Monday
6 th November
Wednesday
7 th February
Open Evenings are a great way for you to explore our campuses and the wide
range of technical courses, T Levels and apprenticeships on offer.
Chat to staff and current students, take part in subject activities and tour our
state-of-the-art facilities, transformed by over £12 million of recent investment.
Register online:
wvr.ac.uk/openevenings
01925 494 494 Campuses in Warrington and Winsford Warrington & Vale Royal College
wvr.ac.uk