Northampton College prides itself on being the college in the community. Read below to see how our staff and students have stepped up to offer help and support within Northamptonshire, and embrace new ways of learning to ensure they can remain safe.
Northampton College offers adults the chance to update their skills
Friday, 11 September 2020
Has the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way you think about work? Has it prompted you to think that maybe now is the time to make a change in your career? Northampton College is giving workers across the county the chance to update their skills and equip them with the knowledge they need to pursue alternative pathways and explore new opportunities.
High grades on the up at Northampton College as students celebrate GCSE success
Thursday, 20 August 2020
The number of Northampton College students achieving high grades at GCSE has risen – with teachers praising students for their “astounding resilience” amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The number of students achieving a high grade (grade 4-9) in maths increased by six per cent year-on-year, while there was also a five per cent rise for English.
STATEMENT: GCSE Results 2020
Tuesday, 18 August 2020
Northampton College recognises the stress and uncertainty this year’s exam results process has caused students.
We pledge that no student will be put at a disadvantage by the events of recent weeks and we will honour all offers already made to study at any of our three campuses – at Booth Lane, Lower Mounts or Daventry – based on Centre Assessed Grades (CAGs).
Issue over some Health & Social Care results now resolved
Friday, 14 August 2020
A small number of Northampton College’s level three health and social care students did not receive results in August as they had expected.
Since then, the college has been working closely with colleagues at NCFE CACHE – the relevant awarding organisation - to finalise and communicate results for the 28 students affected. The college is grateful to NCFE CACHE for working so quickly and constructively with us to process these results.
'Little Chum' book helps explain Coronavirus crisis to children at college nursery
Monday, 20 July 2020
Staff and students at Northampton College have teamed up to produce a children’s book explaining the impact of coronavirus for youngsters attending the on-site nursery at Booth Lane.
With children expected back in nursery from September, and social distancing guidelines still in place, the book aims to explain the measures in simple terms and outline what the youngsters can do to stay safe and healthy. The book was written by Alexandra Hamblin-Pardon, from the college’s marketing team, and illustrated by student Ellie Lines, who has just completed her Foundation Diploma in Art & Design at the College.
Stage stars send messages of support to Musical Theatre students
Monday, 13 July 2020
Some of the biggest names in showbiz have sent their support to Musical Theatre students at Northampton College, who had their hopes of starring in their end-of-year performance dashed by COVID-19.
To soften the blow, a host of West End stars have sent video messages to the students, wishing them well in their future careers and congratulating them on their work during their time at Booth Lane. Among those to record a message was former Dr Who and I’m a Celebrity star John Barrowman, Kinky Boots star Callum Francis, Layton Williams from West End smash ‘Everyone’s Talking About Jamie’ and Dear Evan Hansen star Jack Loxton.
'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' - students prepare to emerge from lockdown life
Wednesday, 3 June 2020
Students at Northampton College have recorded a ‘virtual cover version’ of a classic feelgood song to highlight their hopes for the future as they look to emerge from lockdown life.
Musical Theatre and Dance students compiled their version of the Judy Garland song ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ from their own homes during the COVID-19 restrictions, each sending in videos of them singing and performing. The recordings were then stitched together and laid over an instrumental track to form a full music video.
Online careers talk gives students exclusive insight into world of finance
Tuesday, 5 May 2020
Business and accounting students at Northampton College have taken part in an online session with a financial expert to help give their career hopes a kickstart during lockdown.
Philippa Scobie, a company finance director who previously worked in investment banking for Lehman Brothers, held the webinar via Google Meet, with 38 students tuning in to find out more about her career and ask her what they could do to boost their own prospects of a future career in finance.
Sessions for learners continue remotely at Mind
Friday, 24 April 2020
Adults with mental health needs are able to ‘keep on learning through lockdown’ thanks to a remote working initiative launched by Northampton College and leading charity MIND.
Staff at the College have arranged for work to be sent electronically and also offered telephone support to allow learning to continue.
Northampton College students praised for switch to studying at home during lockdown
Tuesday, 14 April 2020
Students at Northampton College have been praised for showing “amazing adaptability” by working from home during the enforced COVID-19 lockdown.
Government guidelines put in place because of the coronavirus crisis mean students at Booth Lane, Lower Mounts and Daventry have been continuing their studies remotely for almost a month, with tutors delighted at how easily they have made the switch to a new way of working.
College staff switch to 3D printing face shields to protect COVID-19 key workers
Tuesday, 7 April 2020
Demand for protective equipment has seen staff at Northampton College manufacture face shields for key workers on the frontline of the fight against COVID-19.
With Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in short supply, Electrical Installation and Engineering assessor Tony Thompson has personally produced 50 face shields for Leicester Royal Infirmary, staff at a care home in Corby and a food distributor in Peterborough.
Northampton College student pays tribute to NHS staff in fashion project
Friday, 3 April 2020
A Northampton College fashion student has paid tribute to the heroes of the NHS by designing an outfit based on the history of nursing.
Flo Baverstock, aged 18, has created the piece as part of her Final Major Project (FMP) and is currently putting together the finishing touches at the family home in Wales, where she is also helping to home school her younger brother, aged 10 and her 11-year-old foster cousin, while her parents, who are both nurses, help out in the fight against coronavirus.
Northampton College donates vital equipment to care home
Wednesday, 1 April 2020
A care home hit by a shortage of vital equipment needed in the fight against coronavirus has hailed the donation of masks, gloves and hand sanitiser by Northampton College – saying it will ‘help keep staff safe’.
Balmoral Place, in Kingsthorpe, hit national headlines at the weekend when it was revealed staff were facing a ‘critical’ shortage of equipment as they continued to deal with the Covid-19 outbreak.
Blog: Remote working during the coronavirus outbreak
Click the links below to read our blog posts written during lockdown, which outline the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and how we’re overcoming them as a college.
