09.03.07
University College Falmouth collaborates with Helston Community College on young designers pilot programme

University College Falmouth recently hosted design and technology sixth formers from Helston Community College as part of its 'Widening Participation scheme', which aims to raise the awareness and aspirations of school pupils and communities about the benefits and opportunities that higher education can provide.

During an eight week introductory pilot programme that involved students and staff from UCF's Spatial Design and 3D Design degree courses and 14 AS and A2 students from Helston Community College, the pupils took part in a number of drawing and 3D workshops, and enjoyed accessing a range of resources at the College's Design Centre at Tremough.

The programme, which was designed to bridge the gap between A-level product design and degree-level design education, also encouraged the pupils to learn about experimentation and teamwork in design and technology through construction activities with everyday materials, with a focus on recycling. They also had the opportunity to exhibit their own designs as well as view work by UCF graduates.

Many themes arose during the course of the 8 weeks. The College's relationship, connections and work with local schools was widely discussed as was the support it provides for future generations of local designer-makers.

"The A-level students also valued the opportunity of gaining first-hand experience of the campus and the facilities that are available at Tremough," explained Widening Participation Officer, Hannah Partington, who helped to organise the event along with Widening Participation Educational Development Lecturer, Hilary Watters. "The Helston pupils were encouraged to ask questions about what life was like on campus, such as how the second year Spatial Design and 3D Design students made the transition to higher education during their first year, what the everyday challenges of being a student in higher learning was like, and what their career prospects were, as well as budgeting, finance and all the responsibilities that come with living away from home for the first time," Hannah added.

"Our pupils really benefited from the experience," said Helston Community College tutor, Sean Ellis. "Quite a few of the students who took part are accelerated learners who completed their A-levels in Year 12, so a programme like this helps to maintain their interest in design throughout Year 13," he commented.

"This is a really exciting project for Falmouth to be involved in," concluded University College Falmouth's Director of Design, John Miller. "Giving pupils the opportunity to spend time at our campuses and work alongside our students will hopefully inspire many of them to consider higher education as a real and useful future choice as well as demonstrate the wealth of opportunities that exist locally in design. Our students also learn a great deal from working with A-level pupils and achieve valuable life skills to add to their CVs."

University College Falmouth is a founding partner in the Combined Universities in Cornwall, a unique initiative to promote regional economic regeneration through higher education. The CUC is funded mainly by the European Union (Objective One), the South West Regional Development Agency, and the Higher Education Funding Council for England, with support from Cornwall County Council.

For further information about Design at Falmouth, visit www.falmouth.ac.uk/design, email admissions@falmouth.ac.uk or telephone 01326 213730. For further information about Helston Community College, visit www.helston.cornwall.sch.uk.

For further information contact Jilly Easterby at Univeristy College Falmouth on 01326 213792 or email: jilly.easterby@falmouth.ac.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) project, both Phase 1 and Phase 2, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). University College Falmouth is a partner of the CUC.

Editor's notes:

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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