News Autumn 2010

01223 507400 enquiries@longroad.ac.uk www.longroad.ac.uk

Science studentscelebrate successful Nuffield Bursaries

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Contents

2 Examination results

3 Happy memories forEvelyn Firth

4 Induction days

6 Nuffield Bursary / Maths research project

7 Locusts for lunch / Physics students at Royal Society Summer Exhibition

8 Operation Wallacea

9 Sports round-up

10 Visual Arts exhibition

11 Curwen Press Bursary / former Photography students visit college

12 Back to school! / German and French students at National Film Schools Week / Expressive Arts round-up

13 Lucozade Sports Science team / Dust off your bike!

14 Students in the news

Long Road Sixth Form College is entitled to use the Get Set logo because of our commitment to the London Olympics and Paralympics. We were awarded membership of the Get Set Network after the visit to the college by Lord Coe in May 2010.

College pilotsearly examination results availability

One student whose day was particularly exciting was Kerry Alexander, who lives in Royston.

“BBC Radio Cambridgeshire arrived at my house at about 6am while I was still in my dressing gown! They wanted to find out how my parents and I were feeling. We were live on radio!

“I collected my two friends, Anna Middlemass and Emmie Sayers, and we

There were lots of happy faces on examination results day. For the first time, the college piloted sending students their results by email at 8am in the morning. Many students however chose to follow tradition by coming to college to collect their results in person – again at 8am.

Ben’s science award brings back happy memoriesEvelyn Firth, grandmother of student Ben Whybrow, who is studying Biology, Maths (Statistics) and Media Studies, was very pleased to be invited to the Science and Technology department’s award ceremony. Not only did she see Ben being awarded a prize for his participation and dedication to his studies; she also had a chance to see her old school, the Cambridgeshire High School for Girls. “I was at the school when it first opened on this site,” she says. “Until 1940 the school was in Mackenzie Road, off Mill Road. When the school moved to the Long Road site, I was in the top year and helped with the move, leaving in 1941. “It’s extraordinary to see the original buildings and to be in my old school hall again!”

Ben Whybrow and his grandmother, Evelyn Firth, on the balcony outside the college main hall

Kerry opens her envelope

Dipesh Patel achieved Distinction in the 18 unit Sport National Diploma, while Laura Swingler bagged 3 As in History, English Literature and Geography and a B in Performance Studies. Katy Kew was delighted to achieve Distinction in her 12-unit Health & Social Care National Diploma, Grade A in Biology and Religious Studies A level and Grade A at AS General Studies. Catherine Hughes got 3 A grades in Art, History and Psychology, and Emily Edgley achieved 3 A*s in English Literature, History and Sociology.

Back row:Dipesh Patel, Anna Middlemass, Jonathan Gibson, Zoe Carruthers, Emmie Sayers, Jacob HammondMiddle row:Hina Aslam, Laura Swingler, Alex Dewison, Catherine Hughes, Katy Kew, Kerry AlexanderFront row:Emily Edgley, James Ord

drove to Cambridge. When we got there, at about 8am, Jozef Hall, the BBC Radio Cambridgeshire reporter was there ready to record me opening my envelope. I was really nervous.”

Kerry had nothing to worry about. She was one of many students who achieved As and A*s, gaining A* in Biology, Physical Education and Business Studies, and an A in Film Studies.

Health & Social Care National Diploma student Hina Aslam celebrates her Distinction with her mother

Christian Isaacson, Travel & Tourism National Diploma Distinction student, talks to Jozef Hall from BBC Radio Cambridgeshire. Christian was about to set off to do a celebratory sky-dive!

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Why Long Road Sixth Form College was the right choice for meA2 student Kim Silverman explains how he has used the opportunities available to him at Long Road to help him achieve his goals.

I wanted to study at Long Road because of its reputation for excellent Art facilities and examination results. However, it took me a while to realise that what might not at first be an obvious combination of A level courses: Art & Design, along with Design & Technology (Architecture) and Sociology, could turn out to be a really good choice after all. By combining creative skills from Art, graphic design from Architecture and gaining more social awareness and writing skills from Sociology, I have been able to focus my attention on a new subject I wish to learn about, and one day work in: magazine publishing.

My attention is focused on what my next step should be, post Long Road. You need to work hard to get the grades you need. There is so much competition these days for a place at the university of your choice, that you really need to take your A2 work very seriously.

If you really want to stand out from the crowd applying for that coveted place at university, consider doing the Extended Project in Year 13. This is an entire AS level for you to achieve by carrying out a project on whatever suitable subject you like – it’s great to show off on a university application and will give you that extra polish-and-shine. Year 12s: seriously consider doing this next year!

Most importantly, Long Road has given me a sense of direction in what I wish to do next. By choosing a mixture of types of course, which at first I thought might not be a good thing, I have gained knowledge from both ‘essay intensive’ and ‘design intensive’ subjects, which has given me the opportunity to form my own interests and further develop them.

Lastly, I’d like to say, just because you have chosen a particular course, it really doesn’t mean you will end up specialising in that area. Of course if you wish to that’s great, but the reality is, there are still many paths available to take, whatever course you have landed on.

Good luck to all of you!

Starting at a new place of learning may be daunting for even the most confident student, but with more than 100 of our pink t-shirted Student Mentors on hand to help, and a range of friendly, fun, familiarisation activities available, our new students soon began to feel at home.

Induction days help new students settle in to college life

Some of our specially-trained Student Mentors, ready to go out and meet our new students

Health & Social Care students were challenged to build the highest tower using toothpicks and wine gums

Induction days

A special ‘Equality Tent’ was erected in the quad, and students were invited to take part in a drumming workshop or make hand prints and write a statement about equality. These have been on display in the college.

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Nuffield Bursary students attend award ceremonyWhen A2 student Ryan Thomas was awarded a Nuffield Bursary for the summer of 2010, little did he know that he would be carrying out top secret market research for Unilever.

“The Nuffield Bursary provides scientific and technological work placements for students,” says Physics teacher Melissa Fu. “We were delighted to find that five of our students were awarded placements this year.”

“I was asked to carry out brand loyalty research for Unilever,” explains Ryan. “I had to use SAS (Statistical Analysis System) software to create mathematical models to look at purchasing patterns in a supermarket chain in the United States. I was then asked to present my findings to Unilever, but they’re confidential, so I obviously can’t say what I discovered, or even which supermarket chain it was!

“Unilever has offered me more work for next summer, which is great. I’m hoping to study Engineering at university; this computer programming work is excellent preparation for that.”

Liam Faruq had a completely different placement.“I spent six weeks at ARM in Fulbourn. I was working with embedded

microcontrollers: these are multifunctional devices that send instructions to other devices. My task was to work out how to transmit text to a television screen. I made use of electronics to devise a type of external hard drive. I had to ‘hard code’ it so that it would interface with the video overlay module.

“This was a perfect placement for me as I am hoping to study Electronics with Computer Science or Engineering.”

The Nuffield Foundation held its award ceremony at Napp Pharmaceuticals on the Science Park. “I was delighted to be able to attend with our students,” says Melissa. “They have all shown the ability and commitment to succeed in the future and are a credit to the college.”

College Maths teachers and students in

research project

Stephen Warr, Maths and Further Maths Course Team Leader, has recently started coordinating a research project with the National Centre for Excellence in Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM), looking at ways of encouraging reasoning and building on students’ prior knowledge.

“The Action Research project involves using digital audio devices to record the views of staff and students as they complete weekly drill tests,” explains Steve. “These drills are used to provide feedback to students so that they know how well they have understood the topic from the previous week. We will share our experiences of using these drills to raise awareness of issues and identify strategies for supporting the long term professional development of the team.”

Steve’s vision is that digital recordings will help staff and students to share their experiences of engaging with Mathematics so that they can all learn from one another.

Steve with AS Maths (Mechanics) students

Biology lunch club takes on a plague of locustsNot many people spend their lunch breaks dissecting locusts, but that’s what Long Road AS and A2 Biology students enjoy doing!

“We started the lunch club to broaden our Biology students’ knowledge and to give them an additional insight into the subject,” explains Biology Course Team Leader Chris Graham. “Students tell us what they want to do, and we set it up for them. At the moment, they’re into dissection.”

Humans usually avoid locusts, plagues of which can rapidly strip fields bare, so being able to find out what makes them tick is more than just idle curiosity.

“I got a supply from the Zoology Department at the University of Cambridge,” adds Chris. “Some were already dead, and ready for dissection, while others were alive, so our students had a chance to analyse their movements.”

Next on the dissection list was that other old enemy of mankind, the rat. “We’re not just doing dissections, though,” explains Chris. “The students have also asked us to invite speakers to the college and to arrange short trips. We’re very lucky to be next to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, and we also have excellent links with the University of Cambridge.”

The five Nuffield Bursary students and their placements were:Michael Bennett, University of Cambridge, Engineering Department, investigating carbon footprintingLiam Faruq, ARM, using an EmBed processorEmily Martin, University of Cambridge, Earth Sciences Department, studying shells and the sulphur cycleDawid Ochal, Imperial College, investigating shock wave physicsRyan Thomas, Unilever, investigating brand loyalty

From left to right: Liam Faruq, Ryan Thomas, Dawid Ochal, Michael Bennett and Emily Martin at the award ceremony

Physics studentsvisit Royal Society Summer exhibitionLong Road Physics students made their annual visit to the Royal Society Summer exhibition, at the Royal Festival Hall.

“This is the only science exhibition aimed at Sixth Form students,” explains Physics Course Team Leader Maria Kettle. “The exhibitors have to apply for a stand to display their areas of research. They are mostly universities and research organisations. It’s a great opportunity for our students to catch up with current theories.”

1. Investigating plate tectonics using sand and wedges

2. Levitating magnets

3. Jake Butcher and Cameron Fullerton as they usually look….

4. …. and their thermal image

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Operation Wallacea takes students to South AfricaJack Whitelegg, James Hinchcliffe and Kim Reeve took part in an Operation Wallacea trip to South Africa in July 2010. James writes about their experiences.

We can all remember the excitement and the nerves when we first got to South Africa. The plane journey was long and Jack’s back was killing him! The plane journey was just halfway to our destination as we had another 10 hour journey by coach to the “A Day in Africa lodge” in Sodwana, where we were staying during our first week in Africa.

We were diving in Sodwana Bay: “The best place I have ever dived,” reckons Jack. “The coral is just so beautiful and undamaged.” As Jack, Kim and I were already qualified divers before we arrived in Sodwana, we were all fortunate enough to take part in a coral reef ecology course, which we all passed! The reef ecology course was a fun way to allow us to understand some of the symbiotic interactions that occur in coral reefs and allowed us to identify some of the fish we saw. During the week we were lucky enough to see more than most people see in a lifetime. We swam with pods of dolphins, and Kim’s favourite, whale sharks! We gazed upon pods of humpback whales; we dived with black tipped sharks, moray eels, manta and sting rays, sea turtles, trumpet fish, and we even had time to find Nemo. Jack and Kim’s highlight of the week

Sport National Diploma studentsstart course with a splash!Year 12 Sport National Diploma students got off to a good start with an induction / team-building trip to the Nottingham Water Sports Centre. The day started with a talk about the elite performance centre. The students then had a chance to try out two of the facilities: the Assault Course and White Water rafting.

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was swimming with the 9 metre whale shark whereas mine was spending my 18th birthday swimming with a manta ray.

In the second week we left Sodwana and travelled to Interbarn, a game reserve, to take part in terrestrial conservation research for Operation Wallacea. Rules were a lot stricter here as there were no barriers separating predators such as lions from big juicy prey like us! Kim would know as she spotted a lion outside her dorm on our last morning of the visit! Jack and I had to cope with the irritating howling of hyenas! During this week, we were lucky enough to see three of South Africa’s “Big 5”: the elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo and leopard. We saw the lion, rhino and elephant. The scenery was also fantastic, and this allowed for great hikes and safaris. For the research part of the visit we took part in quadrating to compare the effects that elephants have on vegetation cover and density. We also took part in game transects which was basically one massive safari! However, we had to record the animals and birds we saw. The skies were amazing at night. You could see just about every star in the sky, and this made for an excellent astronomy lesson after dinner, which helped us to navigate by using a group of stars called the Southern Cross. On our last night we can all remember grouping around the campfire with other school groups just stargazing and socialising. It was just heaven, and I think it reminded us all just how much we didn’t want to go back to England.

The trip is a once in a life time opportunity. It has helped all of us in various ways. Jack is now inspired to take part in another research expedition during his gap year, Kim is heading towards occupational therapy but she believes the experience she has gained will make her CV stick out from any other candidates’, and I now know what area of employment I wish to enter once I have gained my Marine Biology degree in Plymouth. I also have experience of the area now, and this will also help me land a job in the future!

Back row in black shirt: James; no shirt: Jack; girl with black hair: Kim

Hockey Team through to finalsCongratulations to our men’s hockey team, which has reached the finals of the British Colleges Cup. The match will be played in the spring term.

Long Road Basketball AcademyLong Road Basketball Academy has started the year in style with two close-fought wins that see them at the time of writing joint second in the British Colleges’ Performance League. After beating West Thames College 65-61, the Long Road Lions took on Havering College. The Lions managed to hold on for the win after a strong fourth quarter come back from Havering. Final Score 63-60.

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The annual Visual Art exhibition showcases the very best of our students’ work and attracts a large number of visitors. This year was no exception, with a wide range of artwork on display.

One of the highlights was the Fashion Show, which gave Design & Technology (Textiles) and Art & Design (Textiles and Fashion) students a chance to try out life on the catwalk.

Annual Visual Arts exhibition Former Photography studentsvisit collegeJames Thomson and Brendan BerryJames Thompson and Brendan Berry, who studied A level Photography with us, came back to talk to our current students. “They both went on to study Documentary Photography at the University of Wales, and have had their work featured in a wide range of exhibitions,” says Martin Salmon, Photography teacher. “It was great to hear how they have been getting on: a very inspirational talk for our students.”

Bethany Cragg Former Photography student Bethany Cragg, who took the photograph of Harriet Lee on page 15, has been commissioned to take official photographs of Harriet’s Paralympic campaign. She says:

“I’m a third year Photography student at London South Bank University, specialising in documentary photography. I’m really enjoying my course as it has introduced a more in-depth study of the theory behind the development of photography. This year I will be focusing my time on my dissertation and final exhibition project. The years have gone by so quickly since leaving Long Road. I got so much out of being there especially from the Photography department. It was where I found my eye for Photography, and my love for it has grown stronger since. I was also inspired by my Photography teacher to become a teacher myself.

“After I finish my degree, I want to go on and complete a PGCE to teach Photography at GCSE and A level. To help me with this career I used the work experience opportunity with my course to come back to Long Road and teach with the Photography department. I learnt skills and teaching techniques that I was then able to practise in the classroom. I got on well with the students and was able to help them develop their skills as photographers. Long Road Sixth Form College has done so much for me, even though I left in 2007.”

Art studentswin bursaries at Curwen PressCurwen Press is a long established fine art printers which is now based at Chilford Hall near Linton. Their professional printers run workshops for people who want to learn about a range of printing techniques. They also facilitate printing of established artists’ work: Rolf Harris worked there last year using their expertise, and Paula Rego, a very well-established international artist, has also used their services.

Each year, three of our students receive free tuition for two to three days by the professional printing tutors at the studio and return with amazing work. This year, the students selected were Joe Chandler, Laura Weller and Robyn Wilton.

“It was great having so much space to work,” says Joe, “and having access to large-scale printing equipment. We had the freedom to do whatever we wanted with the support of the professionals based there.”

Brendan Berry James Thomson

Bethany Cragg

Laura Weller: the process from start to finish

Joe Chandler makes use of the large printing equipment

Robyn Wilton at work

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8.Pictures taken by:1. Chloe Fuller2. Kim Silverman3. Ryan Laxton4. Kim Silverman

5. Ryan Laxton6. Tom Pinney

7. Chloe Fuller8. Tom Pinney

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“Our students need to find out about the role of energy, nutrients and hydration, and their effect on performance as part of their course,” says Sport National Diploma teacher Nigel Ballard. “The Lucozade Sports Science Academy carries out research into these areas as part of its programme of product development, and came along to the college with specialist equipment to use with our students.”

The afternoon started with a visit to the Sport Hall toilets, with students emerging with urine samples. These were tested to check students’ level of hydration. Lucozade then checked students’ performance with their ‘light gates’.

This year’s Cycle Safety event was another success story. The Dust off your Bike scheme, set up by Transport Delivery at Cambridgeshire County Council, has been taking place at local colleges to make cycling safe and fun.

Students arriving at college were met by a brightly-coloured gazebo and some keen cyclists wielding screwdrivers.

Lucozade Sports Science Academyinvited to work with Sport National students

Dust off your Bike!

Expressive Artsround-up

Back to schoolfor our students!Long Road students have been visiting their former schools to talk to Year 11 students and take part in ‘speed-dating’ activities.

“The aim of these events,” explains Assistant Principal Heather Chambers, “is to reassure Year 11 students that the transfer from school to sixth form college is not as daunting as it seems. We also find that Year 11 students enjoy being able to question current students directly to find out what it is like at Long Road. This kind of activity is also excellent experience for our students and helps to boost their confidence. We award enrichment credits to students who take part.”

The first two events this autumn took place at Sawston Village College and Soham Village College. Head of Studies Richard Skelding accompanied the students and gave an introductory talk. At Sawston there was a speed-dating activity, with Long Road Applied Learning (Diploma) students rotating between small groups of Year 11s, while at Soham, Sport National Diploma student Jaz Dorling gave a talk to 150 students.

“We’ll be visiting a number of schools in the next month or so,” adds Heather. “We are always pleased to organise events like this.”

German and French studentstake part in National Film Schools Week As part of the National Film Schools Week, German A level students went to see ‘Goodbye Lenin’ at the Arts Picturehouse (our French students saw ‘Tell No-one’). A couple of them were inspired to write a summary and a comment in German:

“Als Alexs Mutter aus einem Koma erwacht, darf sie keine Überraschungen erleben. Doch als sie eingeschlafen ist, wurde die Berlin Mauer abgerissen. Ihre Heimartland hat sich total geändert! Alex, seine Schwester und seine Freunde müssen das alte, sozialistische Ostdeutschland nachspielen, um ihren Mutter von ein anderem Hertzinfarkt zu schützen!”

“Wir haben ‘Goodbye Lenin’ gesehen. Ich denke, dass es wirklich toll ist. Alle sollten es sehen!”

This roughly translates as:“When Alex’s mother wakes up from a coma, she’s in no state to cope with any

shocks. Yet while she has been unconscious, the Berlin Wall has been torn down. Her homeland has completely changed! Alex, his sister and his friends have to act out the old, socialist East Germany to prevent her from having another heart attack.”

“We saw Goodbye Lenin. I think it’s really great. Everyone should see it.”Our French and German A level students are now signing up for their work

experience placements in the Spring term.

Tales from the Middle of Town Drama and Performance Studies students went to Queensgate Shopping Centre in Peterborough to watch a promenade piece set in a disused bookshop. The play, Tales from the Middle of Town, is by the New International Theatre Company and is based on stories collected from people who live in Peterborough.

Carmen Elektra Music A level students were treated to a workshop by Carmen Elektra, an ensemble of composers, performers and directors from Cambridge University Music Faculty. Students looked at a new chamber opera, Bone Song, and Gruber’s Frankenstein, and explored the works’ use of dramatic and musical characterisation, instrumental techniques, vocal writing and harmonic and motivic techniques. “This was an excellent opportunity for our students to examine the compositional processes involved in a new work,” explains Music Course Team Leader Kim Jenkins. “We hope that this is the start of further links between the Music Faculty and Long Road.”

The premier of Bone Song took place in the University Museum of Zoology on 29th October.

Richard Skelding and Jaz Dorling discuss their presentation

Ex-Sawston students (from left) James Eldridge, Sven Mattes and Chris Baker. Also at the event were Rebecca Saunders and Matthew Bradford

A level German students with German language assistant Karin Sherwood

FREE bicycle repairs, subsidised lights and advanced cycle training

www.outspokentraining.co.uk www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/around/cycling

PCSO Sally Mitchell tells students about the Immobilise scheme to safeguard property

Simon Hughes from Transport Delivery (centre) Mark Nash (right) from Outspoken

This was ‘Outspoken’, who were on hand to run “Dr Bike” help for students, sell bike lights, and persuade students to sign up for cycle training. Also on hand were Transport Delivery, with cycle maps, reflectors and other cycling-related goodies. The Cambridgeshire Police had information on how to register your bike in case it’s stolen, and to give general advice about safety and security.

“This was an excellent opportunity for students to prepare themselves for autumn and winter cycling,” says event organiser Maria Kettle. “With so many cycle paths in the area, there’s no reason why students can’t cycle to college easily and safely, as well as getting superfit!”

Catherine Thompson from Outspoken advises a student

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Students in the newsCurrent and former Long Road students have had a high profile recently, appearing on television and in the press.

Gold medal winner Harriet Lee appears on Channel 4 Former Long Road student Harriet Lee not only won gold and silver medals at the International Paralympic Committee World Swimming Championships in Holland in August but smashed the British and European record time for the SB9* 100m Breaststroke. Harriet has also found time to appear on Channel 4’s That Paralympic Show, and will feature in its swimming edition.

Harriet has been swimming since she was eight and is a member of the Mid Beds Swim Squad. However, it was only in December 2009 that she received the classification for participation in Paralympic swimming.

“A couple of years ago I was diagnosed with Beckwith-Wiedermann Syndrome, which is an overgrowth disorder. It’s quite rare and there’s not much known about it, so I had to wait a long time for a diagnosis for it,” she says.

“I started training in January after getting the classification,” she says. “I had to work very hard to get fit for the World Swimming Championship trials in March as I was ill last year.”

Harriet’s outstanding success at the 2010 British Gas Swimming Championships guaranteed her place in the SB9 100m Breaststroke, the 200m Individual Medley and the 34-point Medley Relay squad.

“I came 9th in the Individual Medley, and this was a great boost to my confidence. I was delighted to win the gold in the 100m Breaststroke in 1:19.86. We then went on to win the silver in the relay, so it was a great day for us all.

“To come away with a world gold and silver was a life-changing experience.”Harriet’s next venue will be the European Championships in Berlin next year, with

the London Paralympics also in her sights. She is currently looking for sponsorship and can be contacted via the college.*SB denotes the classification used for Breaststroke swimmers with a physical disability, on a scale of 1-9 where 1 is the highest degree of disability and 9 the lowest.

Harriet with her medals. Photograph taken by former student Bethany Cragg (see page 11)

Kyan Kuatois reaches semi-finals of Sky 1’s Must be the Music Talented singer, songwriter and pianist Kyan Kuatois reached the semi-finals of Must be the Music, Sky 1’s talent show. Along the way, Kyan picked up lots of fans, both from Long Road and elsewhere, who were extremely disappointed he didn’t get through to the finals.

“I heard Kyan playing at Alimentum restaurant on Hills Road earlier this year,” says Assistant Head of Studies Tim Whittaker. “He was brilliant, and I’m not surprised that he’s done so well.”

Naomi Wallen, who was Kyan’s tutor and who taught him A level Performance Studies, says: “Kyan was always playing the piano or creating music. He was totally dedicated to what he was doing, very bright and an exceptionally kind, personable student. I am really pleased that he is doing so well.”

Josh Oddi meets Jeremy PaxmanIt’s not every day that you find yourself being cross-questioned by Jeremy Paxman on Newsnight, but that’s exactly what happened to Josh Oddi, who studies A2 Politics, Economics and Drama.

“I used to be a member of the UK Youth Parliament,” he explains. “I’m still in contact with the Press Officer, so when an email came round asking for volunteers to take part in a TV debate on student tuition fees, I jumped at the chance.”

Also on the programme were Dr Wendy Platt, Director of the Russell Group, which represents 20 leading universities; the University of Bedfordshire Vice Chancellor, Professor Les Ebdon CBE, Baron Tanlaw of Tanlawhill, Chancellor of the private university, The University of Buckingham, and two other students.

“I feel that students have a misconception about the cost of going to university,” says Josh. “Students often think that they won’t be able to afford university, but in fact you don’t have to pay the tuition fees upfront: you pay the money back afterwards, and the idea is that we will be able to pay the money back over 30, rather than 25 years as at present.

You can also take out loans to cover living costs and apply for means tested grants.

“Of course, not all the other people there agreed with me! For example. there was a lot of discussion about popular universities being able to charge higher tuition fees, which would mean that they were better funded than less well-known universities who would have to charge less to attract students, and so would have less money available for investment.”

You can see extracts from the programme on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecgKzvI_6Zg

Josh Oddi

Emerald in ‘The Archers’Actress Emerald O’Hanrahan has recently joined the cast of The Archers, the world’s longest running radio drama. Emerald studied Drama, English Language & Literature and Media Studies at Long Road. She went on to study at the Bristol Old Vic, where she won the Carleton Hobbs Award for Radio. This led to a contract with the BBC and then her role as Emma in The Archers.

James appears in ‘Cambridge First’Politics, Physical Education and History A2 student James Clark attended a day of workshops for young people with hearing difficulties.

The event was organised by the Addenbrooke’s Hospital’s audiology unit and aimed to prepare the participants for the transition from teenager to adulthood

James was photographed and interviewed for an article in local newspaper Cambridge First.

“I was very pleased to be in the report,” he says. “It gave me a chance to say how useful the day was – I particularly liked being able to meet so many people in a similar situation.”

Long Road Sixth Form College and other sixth form providers had stands at the event so that young people thinking about their post-GCSE studies could find out what facilities would be available to help them. Head of Study Support Olwyn Benjamin said, “This was a very useful day for both the young people attending and for the sixth form providers, who had a chance to explain to potential students how we can help them with their studies.”

James is planning to study Politics at university.

James with the copy of Cambridge First in which he appears©Andi Southam

Long Road Sixth Form College Long Road Cambridge CB2 8PX