We are really excited to share the wonderful news that Northern College students have had their writing published as part of a national Association of Colleges project. Our students’ work has been featured across many of the project’s genres including poetry, non-fiction, and science fiction.
This follows the creation of a collection of work from the GCSE English Language class of 2020-21. This work was a happy product of the pandemic when, due to Covid-19, all exams were cancelled, and students nationwide were graded by their teachers instead of sitting exams.
Many of our students come from a wide variety of backgrounds, sometimes without former qualifications. With the added pressure of Covid-19, this year’s group also experienced the additional stresses of lockdowns: online classes, children to home-school, isolation, financial worries, illness and more.
Ruth North, lead tutor, had the fantastic experience of reading students work that would otherwise have been submitted to an examiner and compiling the anthology.
The students produced such a high-quality body of work in the face these challenges that, with hard work, commitment, and support from college, 100% of them achieved grade 4 or higher (equivalent to grade C or above).
At Northern College, we run English and Maths courses for adults, to support them to re-enter education to gain employment, change careers or access university. These run at flexible times to suit learners’ needs, including during the day and at weekends.
Download and read the full anthology (PDF 1MB)
Did you know you may be able to study English and maths for free?
Functional skills and GCSE qualifications in English and maths are free to anyone who doesn’t already have either a grade 4, or a Level 2, in the specific subject. This means, if you’re aged 19 or over, the government will fund your English and Maths studies until you achieve either of these grades whether you are in work or not.
• If you are interested in studying English and maths and would like to know more visit our webpage here
• Listen to our student Michelle (pictured), an author of one of the pieces of creative writing, about her own experiences of studying English, Maths and Digital Skills at Northern College here
Calling all voluntary and community organisations
To support this, we are currently offering voluntary and community organisations:
• Free group taster sessions to help adults back into education
• Fully funded residential courses for eligible students
• Transport into college
• No entry requirements for many courses
Our residential courses are two full days and one night at our stunning campus in South Yorkshire, surrounded by over 500 acres of National Trust gardens and parkland. This offers the ideal spot for students to focus on their studies with like-minded peers and receive exceptional support throughout.
Residential courses are fully funded for many students up to level 2. This is usually if they are unemployed, on certain benefits, or earn £17,374.50 a year or less. We also offer some digital courses free to all adults, regarding of income, alongside English and Maths. A residential stay for these courses includes bed, breakfast and evening meal.
There are many courses and subjects available, and we are open to conversations to meet the needs of groups and organisations. Subjects include but are not limited to outdoor courses in Forest Skills, English, Digital, Maths, Team Leadership, Volunteering, Peer Mentoring, Substance Misuse, First Aid, Enterprise Skills and Counselling.
We are also able to offer three-hour taster courses on your own premises should this be more appropriate. These courses can be negotiated on a bespoke level ensuring that the needs of your group are met. See our website for ideas and examples of delivery: www.northern.ac.uk
Many of our students describe their period of short intensive study at Northern College as life changing, as our students progress onto higher level courses and work.
If you require any further information and to book your residential learning opportunity email awright@northern.ac.uk or telephone: 0778 7504841.
There is currently a growing high demand for skilled workers in the Health and Social Care sector in our region. This means that there is also going to be a demand for teachers to train students wishing to pursue a career in Health and Social Care.
If you already hold a Level 3 Health and Social Care qualification, at Nothern College you can study a Certificate in Education and be able to teach young adults (post-16 sector) who are preparing to enter a career in Health and Social Care.
You can study full-time or part-time and we will help you secure your 100 hours of teaching practice hours.
Zoe Graham is one of our Tutors who made the change to her life by leaving a practitioner career and becoming a full-time tutor to help prepare the next generation of professionals.
Most students can cover this cost by applying for a Student Loan. Students do not have to pay this back until they earn over £27,295.
The course starts in September. Fill out our form below to register your interest and a member of our team will contact you.
Northern College has announced an exciting new partnership with Sheffield Hallam University designed to benefit our region and meet growing demand to meet skills gaps in the health and care sector.
This unique partnership includes work experience and progression opportunities for adult students who want to return to learning and make a difference. Students will benefit from the resources and expertise of each provider during their studies to achieve their goals.
Northern College, based in South Yorkshire, supports adults who want to return to education to progress, gain employment or make a career change. Many students study residentially on campus to focus on their studies with like-minded peers. As a residential student, they also benefit from enhanced tutor contact and wrap-around support.
Interested individuals can register interest for the Northern College degree-level course in Health and Social Care delivered with Sheffield Hallam University (subject to full validation) for the first time now. The course is planned to begin in September 2022.
What does it involve?
The Foundation of Sciences Degree (FdSc) Professional Practice in Health and Social Care is a two-year full time, foundation degree course. It is made up of on-campus delivery at Northern College and a work placement in a suitable environment to develop the skills needed to work in Health and Social Care.
Students will be registered at both Sheffield Hallam University and Northern College, and benefit from:
Students will also be able to access resources, support and services at Sheffield Hallam University.
Students can apply as a progression route from Northern College’s level 3 Access to Higher Education programme designed for adults, as school leavers from the age of 18, or if they already work in the industry.
Yultan Mellor, Principal and Chief Executive at Northern College, explains:
“We are delighted to announce this exciting new partnership to benefit our region and meet growing demand and skills gaps in health and care sector. Most important of all, this partnership will also support our students who want to make a difference to realise their career goals and full potential. “
You can register your interest in this degree programme and Northern College will be in touch with you in January 2022 to invite you to our first application event.
Northern College supports students to access university on its level 2 and level 3 access programme. It also offers English, Maths and Digital skills to underpin this study, alongside entry level courses.
View our full course programme, from entry to level 7, at www.northern.ac.uk
You can also contact our friendly team on 01226 776000
Are you passionate about marketing and improving adult skills? Love marketing? Passionate about making a difference?
Then come join our fun and friendly team. We want to work with you to take your skills and experience to the next level. We are seeking a creative Marketing Officer with an excellent eye for detail, and digital marketing experience.
Northern College, the only adult residential college in the North, supports anyone aged 19 or over who wants to return to learning to learn a new skill, get a new job, progress in their current role or even make a complete career change. We provide a second chance to adults who want to start a new chapter and transform their lives through adult education.
Our mission is to inspire positive change through adult education, and working closely with our community, voluntary and employer partners we will provide outstanding teaching and learning on our campus based in the grade 1 listed Wentworth Castle and surrounded by 500 acres of National Trust gardens and parkland. Find out more at www.northern.ac.uk
We have recently modernised our brand, launched a new website and new course offer for adults. We are also expanding our partnership and employee engagement programme.
During this period of growth, we have an exciting vacancy that will be at the heart of delivering our aims. If you are passionate about enabling adults to achieve the skills they need to reach their potential, and you meet the requirements below, then we look forward to receiving your application.
The deadline for applications is 10th January 2022.
Do you want to study flexibly and independently online but still get the opportunity to connect with your classmates, network and get the support of specialist tutors?
Northern College has launched an exciting range of courses designed for anyone aged 19 and over who prefers to study independently and flexibly, yet still benefit from connecting with other students and specialist tutors in a classroom environment. Our new blended learning style gives you the benefits of both. These courses are free for eligible students.
You will study independently and also residentially over two separate weekends at Northern College, South Yorkshire, in small covid-secure class size at the start and end of each course.
You will come to our grade 1 listed building surrounded by over 500 acres of National Trust gardens and parkland. Here, you will meet and study with fellow students and make new friends. Off campus, you will also connect online and share good practice.
Academic and support staff will be available when you need help throughout your course, whether you are studying virtually or on campus.
You will benefit from one-to-one tailored support from a specialist tutor over the phone or via video call to make sure you are happy, comfortable, safe and on track throughout.
So, what are the benefits of this new and flexible approach? You can:
These new level 2 accredited courses last from around six to 10 weeks, and you will achieve a qualification.
These courses are aimed at giving people knowledge and skills for the workplace so can be to enter a sector or develop in your current role. They can also support you to progress onto relevant level 3 courses, including our Access to Higher Education in Health Science Professions programme.
How do I apply?
Visit www.northern.ac.uk and apply today. Alternatively, you can contact us by telephone or email to chat to your friendly team.
Advent is a time for preparation and anticipation. Unfortunately, for many people the approaching seasonal festivities are fraught with worry and sometimes the anticipation of losing their home is very real.
This year staff and students at Northern College will be dusting off their boots and taking part in a 5k walk through the parkland and gardens of Wentworth Castle to support the Walk for Home, a fundraising event for Shelter.
Shelter is a national organisation that campaigns for a fairer housing system and supports individuals who find themselves in the situation of being made homeless.
Northern College is the only adult residential college in the North. The College supports adults to re-enter education to learn progress, gain employment or make a career change.
Over 408 households are made homeless every day; that is one every four minutes. (www.shelter.org.uk). The money raised by Northern College will support their important work in raising awareness of the issues that surround inequalities in housing and trying to reduce the instances of homelessness.
You can support staff and students at Northern College to complete their walk on the 9th December by donating to our JustGiving page if you can.
Also, watch out for the posts and photos of the walk on the College’s social media platforms and share them to raise public awareness.
Facebook: northerncollege Twitter: @NorthernCollege
If you haven’t already, you can sign up for our free newsletter here to hear all about our news and stories.
The safety of our staff and students remains our top priority, and we continue to follow all government guidelines. We are committed to supporting our students to achieve and progress.
Following the recent government announcement, the College was issued with new guidance. From Tuesday 30 November, the following applies to all students, staff and visitors:
Face coverings
We encourage that face coverings be worn in communal areas in all settings by staff, visitors and above, unless they are exempt. Students and staff (where applicable) should continue to wear face coverings on public transport, unless exempt.
Testing
The College encourages all students and staff to twice weekly use lateral flow device (LFD) tests. These can be collected from reception.
Contact tracing and isolation
The current guidance on contact tracing and isolation remains in place – which means that close contacts should take PCR tests but do not need to isolate unless they are over 18 and unvaccinated. The exception is for close contacts of suspected or confirmed Omicron cases, who will be asked to isolate for 10 days.
Vaccination
All eligible staff and students are encouraged to take up the offer of the vaccine, including boosters.
Vaccines are our best defence against COVID-19. They help protect young people and adults, and benefit those around them. Vaccination makes people less likely to catch the virus and less likely to pass it on. To book a vaccine, please visit: Book or manage a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination – NHS (www.nhs.uk).
Good hygiene
Everyone in College should continue to follow the basic rules of good hygiene. This will help to protect individuals and others from COVID-19. These are:
The college also has a range of carefully planned methods in place to adapt and manage our teaching and learning, to ensure you can continue your studies. This includes being prepared to use blended learning (mixture of online and face-to-face teaching) for our courses, so we can respond and adapt to government guidance as needed to remain Covid secure.
Are you stuck in a job that isn’t for you? Have you always dreamed of a different career but feel unsure where to start? Do you want to work in an industry which is seeing rising demand?
We respond to sectors where there is rising demand for adults to fill job roles and the key skills employers need in the workplace. We also build the key skills employers want into our course programme.
For example, did you know that there is a boom in demand for Health and Social Care skills nationally, with job postings for these roles in the UK increasing by 22 per cent from April 2020 to April 2021 (House of Commons Library: LMS in the UK Regions, May 2021). This, alongside regional employer priorities, have informed the development of our current health and social care programme.
There is significant growth in demand for jobs related to our other curriculum areas too, including education, digital skills across all sectors, and business and enterprise.
Here’s just a small selection of our courses, which sit alongside our entry level and introductory short courses:
Access to Higher Education Level 3 in:
Not sure which is the right career for you. To explore a new career, why not try one of our one-day career transition days?
The Career Transition Days are in areas such as:
If you are interested in any of these, please telephone us on 01266 776000 or email advice@northern.ac.uk
Functional Skills qualifications are available in both English and Maths, and are valued by employers. They are based around skills needed for everyday life and to enable students to have the flexibility to problem solve using these skills.
On a Functional Skills English course, you will learn reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. On a Maths course, you will learn about the number system, use of common measures, shape and space, and handling information.
Level 2 Functional Skills are also more and more acceptable to Universities, depending upon what type of Higher Education course you want to do. They take less time to study than GCSE’s. However, for some professions you will need GCSE’s in English and Maths which are also offered at the College. The English and Maths team will ensure you study the right course and level for your needs.
Functional Skills qualifications in English and Maths are free to anyone who doesn’t already have either a GCSE grade 4 (C grade), or a Level 2 in the specific subject. This means that the Government will fund your English and Maths studies until you achieve either of these grades regardless of your age, or whether or not you are in work.
All of these qualifications will develop your ability to function competently in the workplace and achieve your goals.
Telephone 01226 776000 or email advice@northern.ac.uk to express an interest and we’ll do the rest.
Alternatively, learn more and apply for all of our English and Maths on our website.
If doesn’t matter where you are in your learning journey – we can help you find the best place to start.
Find out more
We have a whole team to support you through your studies to make sure you do well.
Find out more
We can offer you all the advice you need about course fees, funding support and Advanced Learner Loans.
Find out more
Our students tell it best – find out more about their own journeys.
Find out more
