A once-shy student who has blossomed in confidence and ability while studying at Brock has been awarded a David J Moore Memorial Bursary for her achievements.

Melanie Edwards, who joined the College in 2012, has received the bursary from Ascentis, the examining body for the Access to Higher Education Diploma. The bursary recognises students who have studied and completed the diploma whilst having to overcome outside pressures.

Melanie had suffered with high levels of anxiety, but was determined to undertake the Nursing and Midwifery Pathway to an Access Diploma and worked hard to achieve all her credits at distinction level. Throughout the duration of the course she conquered her worries, gained confidence and even began coaching other students and supporting them in their studies.

On completing the diploma course at Brock, Melanie secured a place at the University of Southampton and is now in her first year, studying for a nursing degree.
Melanie’s tutor, Ceri Werren, praised her remarkable development and said: “Mel started the year in a state of great anxiety; in fact when I interviewed her I was worried if we would even reach the interview room because she was trying so hard not to be seen by anyone in the corridor. However, she was totally determined to achieve her goals, and over the course of the year has become an outgoing young woman who no longer tries to hide from everyone and can cope well with a crowd.”

Melanie said of her accolade: “I am so pleased to have won this award – shocked is an understatement! I would never have got to where I am now without the support of everyone at Brock – they are amazing!”

Former Brock Hospitability student Lucy Jones is celebrating after winning a gold medal at World Skills UK.

The competition recognised the UK’s most talented apprentices, employees and learners, and culminated with a glittering Awards ceremony.
WorldSkills UK Competitions inspire young people and adults to be ambitious in their pursuit of skills to the highest level and are the highlight of The Skills Show, a national event to change the way we think about skills, training and apprenticeships. During The Skills Show, over 700 of the UK’s most talented apprentices, employees and learners battled it out in 70 competitions ranging from Forensic Science to Floristry to be named the ‘best in the UK’ in their chosen skill.

A team of four students represented Brockenhurst College at this year’s event, competing in the Culinary Arts and the Professional Restaurant Service categories. Lucy beat off stiff competition from other contenders in the category, and was awarded the gold medal for her exceptional performance which demonstrated the role and skills required in the professional restaurant service environment. She undertook the service of a range of food and drink offered in contemporary and traditional environments over three days, including cocktails, coffees, crêpes suzettes, decanting wine, carving salmon and chateaubriand, afternoon tea and lunch service.

John MacArthur, Head of Hospitality at the College, commented: “We are thrilled with Lucy’s achievement and her truly impressive performance at such high-profile competition.”
 

Brockenhurst College today launched its support of Forest-wide initiatives to reduce animal road casualties through raising awareness about the dangers of speeding.
 
As a follow-up to its recent Drive Safe campaign, and as part of National Road Safety Week, Brock launched a campaign called ‘For Pete’s Sake’, an initiative featuring mascots ‘Pete the Pony’ and ‘Dotty the Deer’, to encourage awareness about the importance of driving safely in order to help reduce the number of incidents involving animals on rural roads in the New Forest.
 
A number of key agency representatives attended the event, including the New Forest National Park Authority, New Forest District Council, British Deer Society, Commoners Defence Association, Hampshire Fire and Rescue, Hampshire Constabulary and Hampshire County Council Road Safety.
PC Graham from the Country Watch Wildlife Crime Team said: “All of the organisations taking part in the ‘For Pete’s Sake’ campaign work in partnership across the Forest to reduce animal road accidents. The event today at Brockenhurst College has provided the ideal opportunity to talk to students, give out information and raise awareness about the importance of taking care on Forest roads.”

Nigel Matthews from the New Forest National Park Authority, ran a poll to collect students’ opinions about how effective they feel road safety measures such as ‘pinch points’, signage, reflective collars worn by ponies and awareness-raising activities such as car stickers and information cards are. He said: “The key message is to drive within the speed limit, in a way that is appropriate to weather conditions and to give animals a wide berth; you never know when an animal might step out into the road, so must always be alert and ready to stop.” Information was also provided about what to do if a road emergency involving an animal does occur. Graham Ferris from the New Forest Commoners Defence Association advised: “If a driver is ever unfortunate enough to hit an animal when driving, it is essential that it is reported. There are a number of hit and run incidents that take place, which leave animals suffering and distressed before authorities can get to them.”

As part of the campaign, the College’s ‘Student Watch’ team, a group of Uniformed Public Services students working in conjunction with Hampshire Constabulary, invited others to sign a pledge, committing to think twice about the consequences of their actions when driving, and to refrain from using mobile phones when behind the wheel. First year student Jodie Hambling said: “It is very important that students understand the dangers of texting when driving, especially in an area like the New Forest where the number of animals roaming freely are an added risk on the roads.” In addition, the group set up a suggestions box, inviting students to contribute their ideas about the best methods to use to spread this important message. A series of hard-hitting images, showing the tragic after-math of road accidents involving Forest animals, also reinforced the urgency of the drive safe message.

John Howell, Public Services lecturer and part of the College Health & Safety team, helped organise today’s event. “As a large educational establishment located in the heart of the New Forest, it is important for our staff and students to support campaigns of this nature,” he said. “Our aim is to preserve the heritage of the Forest, think about the safety of wildlife when driving and do everything we can to help reduce the number of terrible accidents that occur on local roads.”
 
Clive Evans from Hampshire Fire and Rescue collaborated with the team to promote the campaign. He added: “We are privileged to live and work in a part of the country that has such a beautiful natural environment and is shared by such an abundance of wildlife – when we travel through the Forest by car, we are effectively driving through their front room, so it is essential we show respect by driving in a safe and considered way.”
 

Brockenhurst College has supported ‘Operation Christmas Child’ this year by wrapping and packing over 150 shoeboxes with gifts for children in need across Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

A group of students from the College also helped to load the ‘Operation Christmas Child’ delivery van with the gifts ready for shipping across the globe in time for Christmas.The annual initiative, which is run by Samaritan’s Purse, helps to deliver Christmas presents from the UK to more than a million underprivileged children.

Di Roberts, Principal of Brockenhurst College, said: “I am delighted that we were once again able to support this extremely worthwhile charity, and that so many Brock students and staff members have come together to help disadvantaged children around the world this Christmas.”

The Principal of Brockenhurst College, Mrs. Di Roberts CBE, is to accompany the Prime Minister on a business delegation to China this week.  The delegation, which will include representatives from a number of UK businesses and academic institutions, will visit Beijing and other cities to discuss new opportunities for the development of UK-China partnerships.

Mrs. Roberts will be attending as Principal of Brockenhurst College and in her capacity as Board Member of the Association of Colleges and will be the only representative from Further Education on the visit.  Senior representatives from institutions as diverse as the Arts Council, BP, the CBI, Rolls Royce, Jack Wills, the UK Space Agency, and University sector will be amongst those participating.

During the three-day visit, Mrs. Roberts will be able to demonstrate Brock’s expertise in partnership working in China and to illustrate the opportunities for joint working offered by Further Education, and the tangible benefits for our local students and community. She will also meet with existing partners there and, importantly, sign a new agreement with Jia Xiang School for the development of a new international school.

Mrs. Roberts said: “This visit is a tremendous opportunity for us to strengthen our existing links with China and to plan further developments for the benefit of our local students and business community. Brock’s international engagement plays a vitally important part in the success of the College through developing the employability skills of our students and their international awareness. Our Confucius Classroom initiative enables students to gain knowledge and understanding of Chinese culture and working practices across areas such as business, law and economics, in addition to learning Mandarin. The international students selecting to study with us adds another dimension to studying at Brock through sharing the cultures of different countries and effectively preparing our students to compete in a global environment.  The partnership with our sister college in Chengdu developed some years ago has provided opportunities for students and staff to visit China and learn from each other. Our reputation as a provider of world-class education can only be strengthened yet further by this visit and I am honoured to be a part of it.”

Brockenhurst College students benefit from working alongside high calibre  students from across Europe, the Americas, Australia and Asia, who choose to study at the College. This international dimension adds a richness to the student experience in the same way it does in high performing Universities. In addition Mandarin has become a popular subject for Brockenhurst students in recent years and many other students choose to study Chinese as an Enrichment option to give them an understanding of the language and culture of China, and further the opportunities for their future careers. Brock has also established a ‘Confucius Classroom’ initiative that promotes Chinese culture and facilitates the teaching of Mandarin to children in our local schools.
 

The Hospitality Department at Brock has another culinary success to celebrate after second year student Ashley Read was named runner up at the Institute of Hospitality Southern Branch Student Awards which took place at Lainston House Exclusive Hotel, Winchester.

Students from seven colleges were nominated for the award, and Ashley now has the opportunity to gain invaluable additional experience by taking up a Master Class at the renowned Lainston House or Chewton Glen.

Ashley, who is studying for the Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery & Food and Beverage Service, said; “I’m delighted to have been presented with this award – The Institute of Hospitality is a hugely respected organisation and it’s a real privilege to have been recognised.”
 

Second year A level Photography student Amy Walsh is celebrating after winning first place in a national photography competition, run by Discover the World.

The competition invited students to submit photographs that had been taken during study trips, capturing on camera memorable moments, awesome landscapes and quirky aspects of the new and different surroundings and cultures they encountered.

Amy was awarded the top prize for her stunning shot taken on the black sands of Vik beach while on an A level Geography field trip in June, and was commended for the outstanding level of professionalism and creativity it exhibited.

Amy said she was motivated to enter the competition in order to achieve something towards her photography passion, in particular her love for landscape photography and appreciation of dynamic angles and contrasting colours, and to put into practice the techniques she had learnt in her lessons.

Reflecting on her winning piece, Amy said: “I loved the way the black sand contrasted with the pure blue water slowly creeping in. The shot was taken from a low angle which made an interesting focus on the foreground and just made the image a little different.”

She added that the tuition received during her Photography A level at Brock stood her in good stead to achieve such impressive results: “I have learnt many techniques through studying on this course; I could control the aperture, ISO and therefore exposure instead of just using auto. I had also learnt about dynamic angles and how to take a picture that is different from a standard 'holiday snap'. It is because of the A level that I had learnt how to make use of all the functions of my camera -  it makes such a difference to the end result.”
 

Former premier league football star Graeme Le Saux visited Brockenhurst College this week to talk to Sports Academy students about opportunities for careers in the sports sector.

The footballing legend gave a real insight into what life is like as a professional footballer, drawing on his experiences of playing for Chelsea, Blackburn Rovers and Southampton, winning 36 caps for England, and playing for his country at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.

During his trip he reinforced the importance of focusing on academic study alongside sporting development, and highlighted that the skills learnt in the classroom can be just as crucial a part of being a good footballer as natural skill. He said: “Coaches and managers always look for people who try their best and listen to instructions – these are key skills acquired in the classroom as well as on the pitch. Working hard and following what your teacher or coach says is just as important as natural talent.”

Graeme’s association with Brock began in December when he was part of a delegation, along with Principal Di Roberts, accompanying the Prime Minister on a trade mission to China.

Head of the Football Academy Graham Mills said: “We are thrilled to be visited by such a respected sportsman as Graeme Le Saux – his amazing career has been a real inspiration to the students he has worked with today. He has reinforced the importance of gaining a good academic education alongside schemes such as Brock’s Sports Academy, which nurture outstanding sporting talent to develop sporting stars of the future.”

The day was rounded off with Graeme posing for pictures with delighted students. One second year Exercise & Fitness student and Football Academy member, said: “This was a great opportunity - it’s amazing that such a prominent sporting figure has come in to College to talk to us – it really is something that is out of the ordinary and I would not have experienced if I was not part of this specialist Academy programme here at Brock.”

Graeme was also accompanied on his visit by International Development Manager for the Premier League Kate Hodgkinson, a former Brock student who has pursued an exciting career in sports media and communications since completing her sixth form studies in 1999. She spent the afternoon talking to current Business students about the career route she has taken since leaving College, and imparted valuable and inspirational advice about the steps they could take to embark upon a similar route. She said: “The sports facilities at Brock were brilliant and really set me up to go on to work in the sports industry. The College also provided a fantastic social experience – I made so many new friends which was really important in preparing me socially for going on to university and for my career.”

Established author Rebecca Alexander visited Brockenhurst College this week to talk to Creative Writing A level students about the life of a writer, and to provide advice on pursuing their creative ambitions to achieve success in the industry.

She has just published her latest book The Secrets of Life and Death, a fantastical thriller that follows characters Jackdaw Hammond and Edward Kelley and their intriguing worlds, separated by hundreds of years; this is the first novel to be published in a forthcoming trilogy of supernatural mystery. Rebecca has also published a range of short fiction and poetry that explores a variety of themes, incorporating  elements of fantasy, crime, history and romance.

Having recently completed an MA in Creative and Critical Writing at the University of Winchester, Rebecca emphasised to students the importance of constantly learning and developing, both creatively and technically, in order to translate the natural gift of storytelling into the honed craft of writing.

She said:  “Writing courses provide the opportunity to connect with other writers, which is  invaluable. Writing can be a lonely experience, but I found that sharing my work gave me a great deal of confidence, and is a way of continually improving.”

Many of the questions posed to Rebecca by students dealt with the practicalities of an author’s life, such as her writing routine, the publishing process and the importance of using social media and blogging as a method of promotion and connecting with a wider community of writers to share support, encouragement and ideas.

Rebecca added: “My best advice to aspiring writers would be to always ‘write what you read’ – stay true to the genre you are interested in and only attempt to write the type of fiction that you would be likely to choose to read yourself; be bold, confident, quirky and imaginative – if you can do something truly unexpected with your plot and characters,  it is far more likely to get noticed by an agent, or singled out in a literary competition.”

Second year A level student Cassie Lister was delighted to attend Rebecca’s talk, as she is currently aspiring to be an urban fantasy writer herself. She said: “Having the opportunity to hear first-hand from a published author who writes in the genre I am most interested in, was amazing. I know the path to becoming a writer is incredibly hard work, but listening to Rebecca’s talk has really boosted my confidence and inspired me to make the most of dedicated time I can spend writing, especially while studying on this course here at Brock.”

Find out more about Rebecca Alexander at www.rebecca-alexander.co.uk

and on her blog at http://witchwayblogspotcom.blogspot.co.uk

As part of its on-going commitment to assist students in their post-College plans, Brock’s Next Step Programme this week hosted a series of inspirational talks where students were able to find out more about potential career and training options available to them after Brock.

Physics, Maths and Engineering students had the invaluable opportunity to listen to the experiences of apprentices currently training with global defence, aerospace and security company BAE Systems. The trainees described how Apprenticeships offer an exciting alternative to doing a degree course, and are enabling them to launch their careers by taking part in world-class projects and developments, and be paid an annual salary whilst receiving comprehensive on-the job training and gaining top, industry-valued qualifications.

The college also welcomed local entrepreneur John Quinn to talk to students from a range of subject areas about starting their own business. John has helped to build and sell a number of successful companies, the most recent one for in excess of £100 million, and was previously an award winning journalist for the Mail on Sunday.

He described how becoming an entrepreneur can be both challenging and rewarding, but is a very real and obtainable route that students can take after Sixth Form. He discussed with students how natural talent, energy and passion were key to starting a business, and those that do so successfully can reap the rewards. As well as explaining the wider benefits of entrepreneurship, he also took the students through the practicalities behind starting up, such as developing a business plan, gaining support and advice from a mentor, investigating funding methods and planning promotional opportunities.

Sandy Latham, Brock’s Next Steps Employability Programme Coordinator said: “We run a number of talks by professionals from a range of different areas to share their wisdom and experience, and help current students consider the range of options that are available to them. The idea of this week’s talks was to help students realise that they don’t always have to follow the traditional route of going on to Higher Education in order to progress to an exciting and rewarding career.”

Past students from across the decades reunited to reminisce about time spent at Brock at a series of Alumni Reunion events this week.

Part of the College’s ongoing Brock 100 centenary celebrations, visitors had the opportunity to meet with friends and contacts and learn more about Brock's vibrant history, evolving from a small Pupil Teacher Centre with eighteen students, to a County High School, a Grammar School and finally to its present day incarnation as tertiary college with over 3,000 full time students, 8,000 part time adult learners and over 1,000 training apprentices.

A display of artifacts and photographs from the College’s past, including the first school register from 1913, was presented for viewing. Alumni enjoyed refreshments in the Hard Brock Café, the hub of College life for current students, as well as an address from the Principal and a visual display of poignant moments from across the past academic year.

Ted Tucker studied at Brock from 1960 to1965 and said: “I was here for five years and went straight into an engineering apprenticeship afterwards – I have since gone on to travel the world working in the industry. The education I received at Brock undoubtedly set me up to pursue this career – I have so many good memories from school and it’s wonderful to come back and see how the facilities have developed and share recollections with others who were here at the same time.”

Find out more about Brock 100

Brockenhurst College will be marking this year’s National Apprenticeship Week, which takes place from 3rd – 7th March, by officially launching its new Skills Shop, an Apprenticeship and Job Matching Service that helps individuals and businesses to find the ideal Apprenticeship position.

Brock has been working successfully with businesses across a variety of sectors to provide relevant training for many years. With industry-experienced staff, and a commitment to providing quality training for all, Brock is uniquely placed to deliver excellent support for Apprenticeships.

The new Skills Shop service will enhance Brock’s current Apprenticeship offering by helping businesses to advertise and manage vacancies free of charge, and in addition, match vacancies to prospective apprentices to make sure that both the business and the candidate are perfectly suited.

Skills Shop Manager Emma Barrett says: “We are currently recruiting a pool of very talented young people who are excited about the range of future opportunities that are available. There is a real need to support young people and businesses to ensure a successful partnership for both, and the Skills Shop will enable this. With government grants available to support employers, we are delighted to provide a tangible solution to prevailing business needs.”

As the College aims to place even more importance on the benefits of Apprenticeships this year, it is planning to recruit 100 apprentices to 100 positions in 100 days to get the new Skills Shop service off to a flying start. Anyone interested in the programme is invited to contact Emma Barrett for further information at ebarrett@brock.ac.uk

Apprenticeships are a great opportunity for both employers and the apprentices themselves. Not only can they help businesses to grow through providing cost-effective training, they can help bring fresh ideas into the workplace, increase motivation and improve productivity while nurturing personal skills development.

Brock’s Apprenticeship team works with a wide network of employers across the south to support their training needs. Christine Turner, Group Operations Manager at New Forest Hotels said: “We find that having apprentices is a great way to grow and develop our business. Staff retention is important to us for many reasons, and having apprentices who we are able to promote gives stability to the business and continuity to our guests.”

For those entering the current tough job market, Apprenticeships are an invaluable route to help get one step ahead by gaining both work experience and qualifications whilst also earning a salary. Marine apprentice Ashley Weatherhead  said: “I didn’t have a skill before starting an Apprenticeship – now I am set for my future career.”

Brockenhurst College currently delivers over 20 different Apprenticeship programmes including: Construction, Business & Administration, Childcare, Customer Services, Adult Health & Social Care, Hospitality, Management, Professional Cookery and many more. Please visit our website for a full list: www.brock.ac.uk/apprenticeships

As part of National Apprenticeship Week, Brock’s Apprenticeship team will be taking part in a range of events across the region, and is pleased to invite interested individuals to come along and find out more about the opportunities available:

• Wednesday 5th March 2014 - `Your Big Opportunity’ Southampton Solent University,  11am - 3.30pm

Brock will be running ‘Have a Go’ sessions for visitors interested in apprenticeships within the Marine sector. Vacancies with Berthon Boats will also be featured.

• Wednesday 5th March 2014 – Brockenhurst College’s Marchwood Marine and Construction Technology Centre Open Evening, 4.00 - 7.00pm

Our dedicated training Centre at Marchwood Industrial Park will be holding an Open Evening on Wednesday 5th March, giving you the chance to tour our specialist workshops and talk to staff about the range of full and part-time vocational courses available including: Plumbing - Carpentry - Electrical Installations - Bricklaying - Boatbuilding & Yacht Design - Marine Engineering & Electronics - Composite Technology - Upholstery & Interiors.

• Thursday 6th March 2014 – The Skills Show Experience Exhibition – BIC, Purbeck Hall, 11.00am - 7.00pm

For individuals interested in Apprenticeship training within the Hospitality industry, Brock will be at The Skills Show Experience Exhibition at the BIC, giving you a flavor of working and training in the sector.

For further information, please contact a member of the team:

T: 01590 625589

E: apprenticeships@brock.ac.uk

A range of different cultures, interests and backgrounds were explored at Brockenhurst College as students and staff celebrated Diversity Week from 24th - 28th February.

Centred around the themes of dignity and respect, the week was a means of recognising the multi-cultural, socially diverse community within the College and across the region, and to raise awareness about the situations of others.

Diversity Week at Brock was launched by College Principal Di Roberts, who spent a day in a wheelchair, supplied by student Ian Payne, in order to understand the challenges encountered by disabled individuals. Di fed her experience back to students and staff, and said: “This was an illuminating experience that allowed me to appreciate the mobility challenges that wheelchair users can face. I viewed the physical layout of the College in so much more detail and it became a valuable way of ensuring we eliminate any accessibility barriers, however small, that could cause issue around the campus. It was great to watch Ian showcasing his tennis talents, which will hopefully take him to the Brazil Olympics, and see him challenge Alex Scott, our Deputy Principal to a match! The day also highlighted the kind and helpful nature of so many of our students who thoughtfully came to my assistance.”

Other events and workshops relating to diversity were held throughout the week and promoted friendship, empathy and understanding, as well as providing an opportunity for current students to try new activities. Highlights included an Adult Inclusive Learning (AIL) Open Day and a film screening of a performance by their drama group, wheelchair tennis, wheelchair rugby, a language & cultural exchange event, a debate on immigration in Britain, a presentation from Nightstop on homelessness, a lecture about Early Years education and the challenges facing young people by Visiting Research Fellow Kate Wall from the University of Chichester, and a multicultural fayre which included representation from LGBT and different cultural groups within the College. The flavour of diversity was further enhanced with the serving of an international menu in the College’s Hard Brock Café.

International student Tiffany Lee from China commented: “I came here to study Maths, Economics and Psychology. I am really enjoying Brockenhurst College; they have really helped me and made me feel like I am part of a family. Diversity Week has been particularly interesting in raising awareness about how students from all over the world, and from such a variety of backgrounds, study together − I have particularly enjoyed the range of information available at the multicultural fayre.”

Jill Lueddeke, Head of Supported and Foundation Learning, organised the week’s events. She said: “We have celebrated the differences and multiple viewpoints that make educational institutions such as Brock so vibrant and interesting. It has been fantastic to see so many students get involved, embrace different ideas and points of view, and discuss a number of topics related to diversity and how this can make such a positive impact to the College and society in general.”

Staff and students at Brockenhurst College joined together today to celebrate this year’s World Book Day, an annual event that promotes books and highlights the joys of reading for all.

Brock is one of thousands of organisations across the UK and Ireland marking the occasion by showing how enjoyable and inspirational reading books for pleasure and personal enrichment can be.

A display in the College’s Learning Resources Centre (LRC) and a range of recommended fiction was available to students, encouraging them to consider reading something they may not have been drawn to before. Students were also able to collect free bookmarks carrying quotes from renowned literary works, and could take part in a book-based quiz.

LRC Manager Hilary Bates said: “We are so pleased to share the buzz around World Book Day and encourage budding bookworms across the College to get involved by taking time to read a poem, quick read or start a longer novel. The event is a great way to fire up the imaginations of young people and inspire them to be avid readers.”

For the latest news and updates about World Book Day 2014, visit www.worldbookday.com

Over 70 universities from across the country attended Brockenhurst College’s Higher Education Fair on campus today.

The event gave current Sixth Form students the opportunity to talk informally to staff and student ambassadors and find out about the course options, facilities and lifestyles on offer at different institutions across the UK. The Fair is an important event for students as they start making choices about the route they would like to take once they finish College. Amongst the exhibiting universities, Brockenhurst College also had a stand at the event, promoting the range of HND and Foundation Arts Diplomas on offer.

Tom Walsh is currently studying Maths and Physics at Brock and hopes to go on to study Engineering at university. He said: “I came along to the HE fair last year and it was so useful I decided to come back today. Being able to speak to representatives from such a range of universities all together at one event is great as it gives so much insight as to what you can expect from higher education.”

For students who are considering progressing directly into a career, support was available in the form of the Southampton Solent University Career Coach, which provides advice, guidance and tips on finding a job, creating a wining CV and how to impress at interviews. Employers with opportunities for local jobs also attended to help current students with their job search and to give direction to their post-College plans. Lizzie Brazier from the Solent Partnerships Team said: “It’s great to be able to support students by supplying one-to-one careers and course advice. We’re able to help young people to explore the job market and see how best to successfully break into particular areas.”

To celebrate this year’s National Science & Engineering Week, top Brock students have made a presentation to local secondary school pupils to raise awareness about the impact of malaria, and demonstrate how studying science can help lead the way into a rewarding career addressing similar pressing global issues.

The talk was hosted at Houndsdown School, and delivered by high achieving science A level students Amy Lowe, Luke Martin, Daniel Butler and Claire Hackston, who examined the question ‘Could malaria come to the UK with climate change?’ The team discussed the disease from a variety of perspectives, including the cost of prevention versus the cost of the disease to African countries.

Houndsdown pupils were joined by groups from a range of schools across the Forest including Noadswood, Upper Shirley High School and Applemore. As part of the event, pupils had the opportunity to take part in an inter-school quiz, and demonstrated accute mental arithmetic abilities when asked to make hard-hitting calculations relating to the devastating effect of third-world diseases in terms of child fatalities.

Ambitious and committed to develop their futures in science-related professions, the participating Brock students used the outreach experience as an invaluable opportunity to spread the benefits of studying science and raise awareness about major challenges that face the world today. After completing their A level studies, Amy Lowe and Luke Martin have offers to study medicine at Cardiff University and University College London respectively, Daniel Butler plans to take a gap year to volunteer in Cambodia before going on to study medicine and Claire Hackston is aiming to study contemporary dance following her completion of further maths, physics and English Literature A levels, proving that science can take you anywhere in the future.

Brockenhurst College has thriving Science and Maths departments with approximately 150 students studying A level Biology, 100 studying Chemistry, 80 studying Physics and over 250 studying Mathematics.

If you would like to find out more about studying at Brock, come along to our next Open Evening on 1st May 6-8pm.