College News

College awarded 'Associate' status by Royal Society

Gower College Swansea has been awarded ‘Associate’ status by the Royal Society, the UK’s national science academy.

The Royal Society’s Associate Schools and Colleges scheme is a network of enthusiastic teachers who share their experience in order to help promote excellence in science and mathematics teaching.

Gower College Swansea Biology lecturer Amy Herbert was recently interviewed by the Royal Society for their September podcast during which she was asked about the college’s various STEM projects.

'Big Ideas' baritone visits Beauty students

Big Ideas Role Model and multi-talented Welsh baritone Mark Llewellyn Evans delivered a day of workshops recently at the Broadway Centre.

“This was a wonderful opportunity for the new beauty therapists to gain an insight in the careers they could follow in the film and music industry," says the college's Enterprise Officer Lucy Turtle, who organised the event. 

Important information - exam entry applications

ENTRY APPLICATIONS FOR BMAT EXAMINATIONS:
The deadline to enter BMAT examinations is midday today - 1st October 2015 - as previously notified. Late applications will not be accepted.

ENTRY APPLICATIONS FOR OTHER OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITIES’ EXAMINATIONS:
The entry deadline for the above is midday on 9th October 2015. Forms are available from the Examinations Office in Gorseinon.

Accreditation for Computer Services team

Gower College Swansea has become the first organisation in Wales to have its Computer Services staff accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS), The Chartered Institute for IT.

This comes after a recent assessment of all technicians and technical staff within the department.

“The BCS has recognised that we are committed to promoting the professional development of our IT Technicians who, having each met the required standards, have successfully gained their professional accreditation,” says Computer Services Manager Richard Thorne.

100% pass rate for International A Level students

International A Level students at Gower College Swansea celebrated an overall 100% pass rate in 2015, with 67% achieving A*- A grades.

These students have now progressed from the college to some of the UK’s top universities - including Cambridge, Imperial College London, University College London (UCL), Exeter and Manchester - as well as further afield, with one student attending Knox College, Illinois.

Apprentice earns top award

A Gower College Swansea Electronics apprentice has scooped a prestigious award from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

Thomas Eynon, an apprentice with Zeta Alarms Systems, has claimed an IET Local Network Award which aims to ‘reward excellence’ in students.

“Since completing his technical certificate at the college and joining Zeta, Tom has not looked back,” says Curriculum Leader Steve Williams. “He is now fully immersed in his modern apprenticeship, putting together an excellent portfolio of evidence.”

Safer driving awareness event for students

Students at Gower College Swansea’s Tycoch campus were invited to attend a Road Safety Awareness Day, a fun and free event organised by Safer Driving Swansea, South Wales Police and the Fire Brigade.

“The focus was ‘staying alive’, concentrating on young drivers and their passengers,” says Learner Services Manager Anne Pitman. “Students heard all about the damage caused by the fatal five - drink driving; excessive speed; not using seat belts; using mobile phones while driving and careless driving.”

Sir Terry backs unique partnership tackling digital skills gap in region

Sir Terry Matthews has given his backing to a new partnership set up to tackle the digital skills gap in the Swansea Bay City Region.

Speaking about the launch of Digital Skills Training, a public/private venture between Gower College Swansea and IT training and development company Stratum Worldwide, Sir Terry said he was pleased to see the college responding proactively to the economic and commercial opportunities presented by expanding digital networks and the development of applications and services that exploit them.

Botanical garden inspire students and staff

Art and Design students at the Llwyn y Bryn campus recently visited the National Botanic Garden of Wales in Carmarthenshire to gather research and inspiration for their induction and first assignment based on ‘Natural Form’.

Armed with sketchbooks, pencils, paints and cameras, the students and staff visually recorded what they saw and these will be used for further development in specific design areas such as posters, logos, fine art prints, textiles, collage and sculpture.

Enterprise Manager shortlisted for major award

Gower College Swansea’s Enterprise Education Manager Sue Poole has been shortlisted for a major award which recognises her expertise and enthusiastic approach to the national enterprise agenda.

Organised by the team behind the Great British Entrepreneur Awards and the publishers of Fresh Business Thinking, the Entrepreneur Wales Awards is the only awards ceremony to acknowledge the hard work and inspiring stories of Welsh entrepreneurs and businesses in Wales.