Accrington and Rossendale College is set to host its first virtual Open Event for school leavers and parents/carers – including live bookable sessions, panoramic tours, live chats with tutors and much more!

The Virtual School Leaver Open Event will take place on Monday 28 September, from 6pm until 8pm, and give visitors the opportunity to find out more about life at Accrington and Rossendale College and how it has developed to ‘bring the extraordinary’ to its campus since merging with one of the highest performing colleges in the country, Nelson and Colne College.

With a newly transformed £4million campus, as well as the same phenomenal teaching, strong industry links and extensive wraparound support as at its sister college, there has never been a better time to study at Accrington and Rossendale College.

As well as the virtual tours of the facilities, live chats with tutors, and live skills demonstrations, which can be booked in advance, students and parents/carers will also be able to hear video content from former students who have progressed in their careers and find out more about the College’s wide range of vocational and technical courses and Apprenticeships, which are designed to get students career ready.

A Principal’s Welcome, support Q&A and application help also form part of the online Open Event experience for those attending. To register students and parents/carers need to visit www.accross.ac.uk/events/virtualopenevent

Aiden Watson, 18, from Langho, secured employment at DFJ Auto in Preston after achieving his Level 3 Auto Electrics qualification at Accrington and Rossendale College this summer.

Aiden, formerly of St Augustine’s RC High School, said: “My qualification has helped me get into the industry I want to get into, and I’m pleased to be progressing into employment. Accrington and Rossendale College has been really good. My tutors are knowledgeable and friendly, and I have made some great friends.

“I’ve learned valuable information about my hobby and now that I’m progressing into my career, I want to develop my skills and push myself to go as high as I can in the motor industry.”

Tierney Grieves, 20, from Haslingden, is now working full time at Green House Farm Nursery – having gained an A grade in her Education and Childcare Diploma while at Accrington and Rossendale College.

Tierney, formerly of Haslingden High School, said: “I’m loving my job, it’s absolutely brilliant. I enjoy the interaction with children, and it is a great place to work.

“I really enjoyed my time at Accrington and Rossendale College too, as I have been able to learn new skills, create amazing friendships and I had the best tutors to help guide me and support me along my journey.

“I would definitely recommend Accrington and Rossendale College to other people, as they offer a wide range of courses for everyone and the tutors help to provide each student with the right support for each individual.”

Accrington and Rossendale College now sits as the number one college in Lancashire for 16-18 Advanced Apprenticeships and is one of the top five colleges nationally for classroom learner achievement. In 2020, the college achieved a 100% Advanced Vocational pass rate.

Principal of Nelson and Colne College Group Amanda Melton said: “Choosing a College is a big decision, and if you have an ambition to progress into a vocational or technical career then Accrington and Rossendale College should be your first choice destination when you leave school.

“Open Events are the perfect opportunity to really get a feel for what it is like to study at College. While we would love to see pupils and their parents/carers in person, their safety is our number one priority right now, and as such we have invested time and money into this online platform, to ensure they will receive the same quality and same delivery they would expect if they were coming to see us on campus.

“I really would encourage any school leaver, as well as their parents/carers, to register to this virtual event and get booked on to the live sessions available by visiting our website or contacting our Admissions Team on 01282 440272 or admissions@nelsongroup.ac.uk.”

For more information about Accrington and Rossendale College, please visit www.accross.ac.uk. To apply, or for application support, contact the Admissions Team at admissions@nelsongroup.ac.uk or call 01282 440272.