University Centre Wigan & Leigh College

Our BA (Hons) Creative Practitioner (Fashion & Textiles) students Alex and Martina have finished their end of year projects and they look brilliant.
Here we can see Alex's theme of equality and Martina's military style fashion in completion and their earlier research and designs.

Our HE Research Symposium took place today providing a great opportunity for students from across our University Centre to get together and see each others research projects.
Many thanks to Roshani Swift, Doctoral Student at Lancaster University and our new HE Professional Mentor, who provided her keynote speech on research context.
Students produced a wide range of excellent research projects with themes including software analysis integrity on autonomous vehicles, religion and the Equality Act in the workplace and autism in judicial procedure.

Get down to the The Old Courts for the Now is the Time to Say Something Exhibition which runs from 6th - 20th June. It showcases some excellent work produced by our FdA Creative Industries and BA (Hons) Creative Practitioner (Graphic Design Pathway) students.
The work is in response to the nationally acclaimed 'Now is the Time to Say Nothing' which is a collaborative project between young people in the UK and a resident in Syria, who over the period of the project manages to find asylum in Germany.

Martin Aldred is studying for a Certificate in Education (Cert Ed) and is certainly benefitting from his teacher training. Read his story here:

We spoke to PGCE student, Danielle Whittle to find out what it's like to be a Teacher Trainer. Click the link to read her profile: https://bit.ly/2HoxgN5
To find out more about our Teacher Training courses, come along to our next Adult and Higher Education Enrolment Event on TUESDAY 25TH JUNE, 2-7pm at Parsons Walk or click here to register: https://bit.ly/2HhZ7P0

Congratulations to Matt Eccles, who recently won MBDA's Internal Engineering Apprentice of the Year award. Matt currently studies on the BEng (Hons) Electrical & Electronic Engineering course while working as a Seeker Test Engineer at MBDA.
It's great to hear that the work he does on the course links well to his work at the missile producing company.
He said: "The course is extremely relevant to the work that I do at MBDA. Each unit is precise and relates well to the indust...ry and what I currently do at work now."
Matt is planning to become a chartered engineer - which is an internationally recognised standard for engineers approved by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
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FdA Performance and Education Dance students were joined by the Wigan and Leigh Young Carers team yesterday to look how their work can help to educate, support and highlight the amazing resilience, kindness and strengths that young carers have.

BA (Hons) Education Studies student, Jessica Atkins has progressed at College from Level 2 Childcare all the way through to her final year degree and has benefited from the ALS support she's received since being diagnosed with dyslexia and autism.
Jessica's confidence and interaction with people has improved dramatically resulting in her going to Budapest on an educational trip with her fellow students despite never being away from her family before which was s big step.
"Th...e teachers have been really helpful and will explain points more in depth for me and I see the ALS team on Monday's where I get support (relating to my written work) and to make sure everything is okay."
Jessica, who currently works in a nursery alongside her studies, has plans to work in education in pastoral care as a future career.
#AutismAwarenessWeek Autism Friends
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Great to see alumni student, James Wilcock return today to speak to our current first year Foundation Degree Sports Coaching students about his coaching career since completing his degree and the opportunities available in North America to gain vital experience.
James currently works for Manchester United Soccer Schools and Challenger Sports and has worked on five continents across the world and spoke passionately about his successful career to date.

Foundation Degree Creative Industries and BA (Hons) Creative Practitioner (Graphic Design Pathways) visited specialists in hot stamping foils Foilco, who have over 30 years in the graphics industry.
Students were treated to a foiling workshop, tour of the production and testing facilities and a discussion of the technical aspects of finishing techniques such as embossing, hot & cold foiling and thermo foiling for print and packaging production from marketing manager Jamie and Regional Sales Manager Neil.

Foundation Degree (FdSc) Sports Coaching students tested out their coaching abilities with 4-5 year olds in the Leigh, Lowton and Golborne Schools Reception Sports Festival today at Leigh Sports Village.
They had to plan, organise and run an event as part of their course and to also gain a Level 2 certificate in PE and School sports. Well done to all students who put on a fantastic event held on behalf of Premier Sport.

Brilliant effort from our Foundation Degree Sports students, Darren and Katie for planning and running a fantastic year 9 rugby tournament this afternoon at Leigh Sports Village.
The event was run as part of their assessments and welcomed pupils from Fred Longworth High School Official, St. Mary's Catholic High School and The Westleigh School who battled it out against each other.
The competition was well organised and is expected to grow with more schools set to take part. Both Katie and Darren have plans to become PE teachers after their degree studies.

BA in Education Studies learners had a fantastic trip to Budapest. It was a great opportunity to explore childhood mental health and treatments at the Vadaskert institute. They also visited the world famous Peto Institue Tree of Hope who support the physical and emotional development of children with cerebral palsy and observed group sessions from babies to adults.
The group soaked up the local culture too and visited parliament and spent time reflecting at the shoes on the river Danube. The shoes represent the lives of Jews that were shot on the banks of the Danube during the war.

BA Creative Practitioner (Fashion pathway) students Alex, Martina and Ashley have started working towards their final exhibition to be displayed at the End of Year Show in June. Both Alex and Martina have progressed from gaining Triple Distinction Stars at BTEC Level 3 at the College and are now in the final year of their degree.
Each student has to create four outfits and are required to research and use different experiment techniques including laser cutting. It will be great to see their initial designs become reality over the coming weeks. Themes such as equality, vacation and modern military are being explored.

Foundation Degree (FDA) Creative Industries and BA (Hons) Creative Practitioner (Graphic Design pathways) visited University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) for their annual design conference. Speakers included Craig Oldham, Mr Bingo, Tom Richards, Olivia Downing, Carolyn Gowdy and workshops were run by the BBC UX team which explored the future of user experience and interface design.

Fantastic session today with our Foundation Degree Sport students overseeing around 60 brilliant and enthusiastic pupils from Fred Longworth High School Official who all worked hard towards gaining their Young Sports Leaders awards.