Students reach finals
Staff and students at a local college are celebrating after a record number of its students are named as finalists in a national competition.
Ten learners from Stoke on Trent College have made it through to the finals of a design challenge to win sought-after work experience placements with the Royal Opera House in London.
Interactive media students Rhona-Anne Breeze, Shannon McGuiness, Bethany Wallace, Taryn Smith; art and design student Sophie MacKey, as well as theatrical make-up students Jess Gater, Rebecca Prince, Cassie Young, Joanna Knapper and Nadine Wilde, all impressed judges from the Royal Opera House.
The students each created work in their chosen subject areas themed around the theatre’s current Royal Ballet production of The Sleeping Beauty for the chance to work backstage at the sell-out show which runs until April 9th.
The students will all now travel to London on Wednesday, March 19th, to watch the live performance of The Sleeping Beauty before finding out their fate.
Charles Bartholomew, Head of Media and Performing Arts at Stoke on Trent College, said “We are over the moon for these students who have all worked incredibly hard to impress the judges.
The standards are always incredibly high and our students didn’t fail to deliver. This is a national competition and they have fought of hundreds of hopefuls to reach this final.
They are a credit to themselves, the teaching staff and Stoke on Trent College. We are thrilled and wishing them the very best of luck for when they travel to London later this week.”
Now in its fourth year, the 2014 Design Challenge gives students from National Skills Academy Colleges the unique opportunity to test and develop their marketing, production and design skills. Over 300 students from 30 different colleges entered the annual design competition.
Last year Stoke on Trent College had three finalists in the competition, one of which went on to win the marketing strategy section and was able to en joy a tailor-made work placement experience at the world-famous Convent Garden venue.
Mr Bartholomew added: “Having a record number of finalists in this year’s competition shows how the college is going from strength to strength and continually growing its reputation as a leading venue for creative media courses.
As a college we continually strive to ensure our students get the best possible opportunities and experiences available out there. Competitions like this are just one of many events our learners are able to be a part of and enjoy during their time at Stoke on Trent College.”
Anyone wishing to find out more information should contact Stoke on Trent College on 01782 208208 or visit www.stokecoll.ac.uk.
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