Head of College Update

Firstly, as students and staff go into an extremely well-earned break, I wish to say a huge thank you to all of our students and their families, staff members and our amazing work placement providers for your continued support throughout this challenging, yet very fruitful, half-term period. During this time, I have continuously looked inward. Subsequently, I am capturing this opportunity to gently nudge you all to think about what we do, who we are and, for me most notably, why we do it. Unquestionably, I sincerely believe that all of our students and staff can be truly proud of their resilience, work ethos, dedication, what they achieve each day and bask in a commendable and admirable glow. Whatever you have planned for over the weekend and next week, I’m wishing it brings you good health and well-being and much joy and happiness. Please do have a safe and great one.

Best wishes, Scott Mckeown

Future Finders Employability College Update

One step at a time… the final week of this half-term is now complete and what a busy, productive and energised half-term it has been! We will start off this week’s blog with our ‘Day in the Life’ from Nathan. Nathan has been with New Bridge for a number of years, successfully progressing onto Future Finders via our Pre-Internship Pathway, which provided Nathan with opportunities to develop and enhance the foundational skills required to work in professional environments. Nathan, it’s over to you…

A Day in the Life of Nathan – Oldham Library

“I travel to the Library with my Job Coach and sign into the library independently. I then work on doing the deep cleaning of public areas of Children’s and Reference Library. I also use my time at placement to complete 30 minutes of reading aloud and 30 mins Reading Plus to improve literacy skills, which help me with my English classes back at College. I also like to read a book to relax during lunch break. I even borrow books to take home with me using the Library Online issue system. I work Guided Mums to Mum’s and Toddlers Photographic event in Children’s Library. I have revised Adult Fiction stock, including Crime, Romance and Large Print to make sure it was tidy and all books were in the correct order. I spend time tidying the Young Readers and Teenage book section and spends time learning about the different genres of Teen fiction available. When we finish at the end of the day I collect the ID badges from all students and return them to the correct place on the Issue desk when signing out of the library.”

It certainly has been a half-term of achievements! Alan and Jordan have both gained full-time paid employment. We have Grace securing a fantastic opportunity and Zulaika gaining voluntary work at Oldham Library. Also, we have had JoJo working on his route training to get him one step closer to a paid outcome and we have Lewis securing paid work with the Disability Football Team, working in schools in Oldham. For those that have not reached their goals just yet, who knows, it may be your turn next half-term!

Each week, we mention what amazing successes our wonderful students achieve. However, it is important to remember and acknowledge that there is a great team of Job Coaches that motivate, inspire and challenge all of our students to be the best that they can be, support them to reach their full potential and achieve their desired destination outcomes. Thank you all.

So that’s it for this half-term. We are excited about what the next half-term will bring. Hopefully, more of the same… fantastic achievements and a group of amazing people who are continually creating meaningful futures.

Have a great half-term break, everyone!