Personal Development and Curriculum Enhancement
College is not just about lectures, assignments, homework and exams. It is also about making friends, trying new experiences, being active and healthy, enjoying the social life or pursuing an interest or activity. Blackburn College offers a range of enrichment activities which allow students to do just that.
We are committed to supporting our students’ personal, social and professional development. We promote students studying beyond the curriculum to develop key employment skills, knowledge and behaviours for future success in the world of work. We deliver a range of personal development opportunities which have previously included guest speakers, employer masterclasses, and curriculum enhancement activity. Examples of this activity include:
Motor vehicle students soapbox derby, where students have undertaken the design element of the soapbox car on their own, and have been supported to work independently. They students built the soapbox car by repurposing old college tables and have fabricated the chassis of the soapbox as well as fitting the necessary parts.
Public Services Students have engaged in Snowboarding sessions, this activity also feeds into their core curriculum units for Adventurous Activities, as well as being great fun!
Travel and tourism students have attended additional cabin crew training with FlyMe, Beauty Therapy students have attended a media makeup masterclass at Plouise make-up academy, building on the skills required for employment.
Applied Science and A level Physics students attended the University of Liverpool orthoptics to explore the use of non-ionising radiation techniques in healthcare, and received a careers talk in a healthcare sector not well known to the students.
Childcare T-Level students participated in a trip to the Science and Industry Museum Manchester to Identify opportunities for using virtual reality technology to support learning, participate in virtual reality experiences with peers and consolidate learning in preparation for the T-Level exams.
Other highlights
Our level 3 Science Students have visited the University of Liverpool Diagnostic for a Radiography talk, they looked at the physics behind the machines including MRI and X ray machines and this has fed into their core curriculum.
A-Level students visited Leeds Armoires to gain an insight into the lives of soldiers during the English Civil War, which is part of the A Level syllabus.
Plumbing students learned how to install a shower as this is not on their curriculum, and the Brick layers learnt about external wall insulation which is becoming increasingly popular in the industry as part of retrofit, again building on their skills for employment.
Sessions fit around tutorials and are offered throughout the academic year, playing a vital role in your time here at College.
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Enrichment
College Sport Teams
Our College teams include; basketball, football, cricket and pan ability football. The Campus Sport programme is a recreational programme designed around fun, development and social engagement. Most sport takes place on campus with like-minded people in a friendly, non-competitive environment.
PAN Ability/Social Inclusion Football Team
- Play in the AOC Sport College League and Creative Football Social Inclusion Football League Academy
- Meet/train - Mondays 12.15pm -1.00pm - Sports Hall 2
- Fixtures - Wednesday and Friday (once a month)
Our partnership with Creative Football allows the students to take part in their own session at Witton 3G. Want to join the team? Attend team training or email Karla.
Men's U19 Football Team
- Play in the AOC Sport College League
- Meet/train - Thursdays 4.30pm -6.00pm - College or Witton Park 3G pitches
- Fixtures - Wednesdays 1.00pm
Want to join the team? Attend the team trials at the beginning of the year or email Karla.
Men's U21 Cricket Team
- Play in the AOC Sport Regional Tournament & T20 Competition. Also the tape ball tournaments with other North West Colleges (once a month)
- Meet/train - Tuesdays 4.30pm - 6.00pm - Sports Hall 2
- Fixtures - Wednesdays
Want to join the team? Attend team training or email Karla.
Men's U19 Basketball Team
- Play in the AOC Sport College League
- Meet/train - Mondays 4.30pm -6.00pm - Sports Hall 2
- Fixtures - Wednesdays 1.00pm
Want to join the team? Attend team training or email Karla.
Blackburn College AOC Sport Student Leadership Programme
These roles are for students to work with me to increase participation in Health & Well-being activities at College, within different student groups.
This Girl Can Ambassador - Female Students
Inclusive Ambassador - Students with disabilities
Well-Being Ambassador - Students with any well-being issues.
Football Activator - Students interested in Football
Sustainability Ambassador - To increase students awareness of sustainability and how we can do better as a college.
Rugby Ambassador - Students interested in Rugby
Ladies Football
The Team has been set up in partnership with Creative Footballs Girls UTD Community Football groups. The training session is to be confirmed and they team will compete every month as part of the Creative Football Social Inclusion Academy League - so keep an eye on our page for updates!
Students who play competitively have the chance to go for the AOC Sport National Female team trials.
FE Youth Collective
Students will be part of a group which includes other students from Colleges in the UK to promote the positive opportunities that come with being involved in Student Voice and Extra Curricular activities.
Karla Hacking
Student Health, Well-Being and Extra Curricular Coordinator
For more information about sport opportunities you can contact Karla at karla.hacking@blackburn.ac.uk, X @KHacktivator and in person: Sport and Leisure Centre (Room LC008) or BC001.
Jacqueline Rimmer
Student Voice, Participation and Enrichment Coordinator
For more information you can contact Jacqueline at Jacqueline.Rimmer@blackburn.ac.uk, on 01524 292829 or pop into BC001.
I am Jacqueline Rimmer, your Student Voice , Participation and Enrichment Coordinator. I have worked at the College for 11 years. The Student Voice is the thoughts, views, and opinions of the students on their educational journey; my role is to ensure the student voice is heard. I also organise enrichment opportunities for the students from clubs to guest speakers in line with tutorial and personal development.
Student Voice
At Blackburn College the views of our students are hugely important. Your feedback is essential and makes a real difference so that we can be the College that you want us to be!
You can get involved and be the voice of students in many ways:
- Be trained as a student representative
- Apply to become a student ambassador
- Attend various meetings and focus groups to discuss college issues
- Attend events, such as lunch with the Principal.
College Enrichment
Get involved, we have plenty of student enrichment offers here at College and this includes:
- Basic lifesaving skills sessions
- Dungeons and Dragons club
- Coding/Robotics club
- Animation club
- Chess club
- LGBTQIA+ support group
- Music club
- Arts and Crafts club
Plus lots more in response to student requests as they come up!
