Together We Changed

96% of Art and Design learners are satisfied with their course and studying at Newcastle College.

• You asked: Can we have extra support with our academic modules? L4-Academic study skills and Contextual Studies. L5-Contextual Studies. L6-Project Proposal, Project Planning, Research and Dissemination.

• We changed: We now have a resident Academic Learning Coach in the Mandela Building where students can drop in for one-to-one support and group sessions.

• You asked: For improved Wi-Fi and IT facilities.

• We changed: In 2021 we implemented a new Wi-Fi system into the Mandela Building and installed over 100 new Macs.

• You asked: For more time in and greater access to studios.

• We changed: We’ve adapted and streamlined our timetables to 100% face-to-face delivery. This provides more time in studios and further one-to-one opportunities.

96% of Business students are satisfied with their course and with Newcastle College. 

• You asked: Can we have more engagement with employers and opportunities to network?

• We changed: We have scheduled an Industry Week in March 2022 which will bring together local businesses to offer guest speakers and workshops to our Business students, highlighting current business issues.

• You asked: Can we have more off-campus enrichment opportunities as so much was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic?

• We changed: We have a full timetable of off-campus enrichment events for 2022, from outward bound activities to 5-a-side football - there’s something for everyone to get involved with!

98% of learners said they were happy with their course.

• You asked: For more opportunities to develop skills needed for the workplace.

• We changed: We held a Christmas party for children at a local nursery.

• You asked: For more opportunities to develop skills needed for the workplace.

• We changed: 100% of Level 3 students have been allocated a nursery placement.

99% of learners say their teachers encourage high standards of behaviour and work. 

• You asked: For more electrical bays for practical skills training.
• We changed: We built more practical bays in our second workshop for Electrical Installation learners. 

• You asked: For more up to date
  IT equipment.

• We changed: We purchased 30 laptops for students to use in class and for exams. 

• You asked: For more on-site visits for apprentices.
• We changed: We appointed a new Skills Trainer in Plumbing to arrange and oversee on-site visits.

93% of Digital Arts students say they are challenged to develop their skills. 

• You asked: Can we continue to hand in projects digitally?

• We changed: All programmes now have completely digital project submissions using Teams Assignments.

• You asked: Can the IT facilities and Wi-Fi in the Mandela Building be improved?
  
  
• We changed: September 2021 saw a new Wi-Fi system introduced and 100 new Mac computers installed in the Mandela Building.
  
  
• You asked: Can Microsoft Teams continue to be the primary means of communication and project submission?
  
  
• We changed: Microsoft Teams has been rolled out with all programmes for use in classes as well as for independent work for all communications and resource sharing and submission.

98% of Digital Technologies learners agreed that they felt prepared and ready to learn. 

• You asked: Hybrid working is common in this sector. Can our curriculum reflect this?
• We changed: Tutorial and Work Experience sessions are now delivered online for approximately
  15% of your timetabled sessions.
  
  
• You asked: Can the IT facilities and Wi-Fi in the Mandela Building be improved?
  
  
• We changed: September 2021 saw a new Wi-Fi system introduced and 100 new Mac computers installed into the Mandela Building. 
  
  
  
• You asked: Can we have more variety in the methods we use for formal assessments?
  
  
• We changed: All modules should now include at least 33% of alternative assessment methods (such as podcasts, presentations, guided discussion, demonstrations etc.).

In the induction survey 100% of Energy students agreed that they understood their responsibilities as a student, and what Newcastle College expected of them. 

• You asked: For more practical skills sessions to be embedded into the curriculum.

• We changed: We purchased three 3D printers, a large plasma cutter and further pneumatic equipment for the Energy Academy.

• You asked: For more information about the Energy sector apprenticeships available to you.

• We changed: We created an Energy LinkedIn group to post new apprenticeships, and a Skills Trainer came in to give presentations about the relevant apprenticeship opportunities for you.

• You asked: For a bank of calculators to be available for exams in case you forget yours.
  
  
• We changed: We bought a class set of scientific calculators for the Energy Academy. 

93% of Engineering students agreed that their programme has prepared them for the next steps in their career. 

• You asked: Can we have more information on sector-related jobs?
  
  
• We changed: We invited industry partners onto campus to discuss their industries, including MSP Ltd and F1 Team Alpine Racing.

• You asked: For more resources for practical lessons.

• We changed: We have invested £440,000 in industry-related equipment, including a new CNC, Metal 3D Printer and digital resources.

• You asked: For more practical skills lessons.

• We changed: We have increased the amount of practical lessons that take place real working environments.

91% of Foundation Learning trainees wanted more trips as part of their course. 

• You asked: Can we have extra English and maths sessions to help us achieve our Functional Skills qualifications?

• We changed: Extra tuition sessions are available every day in the Trevelyan Building for learners to book.

• You asked: For more trips and visits to employers.

• We changed: Every programme has trips
  and/or employer experiences planned for the final terms. 

• You asked: Can we have access to Newcastle College Sports teams?
  
  
• We changed: Newcastle United Foundation and Newcastle Falcons are now on campus each week to facilitate wellbeing activities. 

100% of Hair, Beauty and Make-Up students said they feel safe in Newcastle College.

• You asked: For your lunch break to be later in the day.
  
  
• We changed: We reviewed your timetable and implemented the change so your lunch break was later in the days. 

• You asked: Can we have more practical training sessions on campus?

• We changed: We introduced additional real working experience sessions and introduced bespoke competition lessons.

• You asked: For more information on target grades.

• We changed: Tutors revisited possible target grades and EPA grades you could achieve this year.

100% of Health and Care learners feel that the course induction was effective and made them feel confident studying at Newcastle College. 

• You asked: Can we have some more support with exam units?

• We changed: Catch-up sessions focusing on exam units have been scheduled. 

• You asked: Can we have more practical sessions in the simulation rooms and labs?

• We changed: We have designed a six-week program where you can build on practical skills outside of lesson time.

• You asked: Can we have lunch at a different time as it is too busy?

• We changed: We reviewed the timetables and altered adult lunch times to avoid peak times.

100% of Hospitality and Catering students agreed that their teachers encourage a high standard of behaviour and work.

• You asked: For wider teaching around a diverse range of foreign cooking/dishes - to learn within the curriculum for practical sessions covering Thai, Eastern Europe and the Far East as examples.

• We changed: Our practical schemes of learning
  now cover more diverse practical sessions, including authentic Indian cooking, Thai dishes and Oriental cuisine masterclasses, as well as individual and group projects around diverse cooking skills and knowledge within theory classes.

• You asked: For us to introduce more high-quality
  tools and cookery elements to the basic knife set that is purchased as part of course enrolment. This includes scissors, piping bags and nozzles, spatulas, small kitchen knives and thermometers.
  
  
• We changed: We used our new funding to provide additional kitchen equipment, cookery books and knives.

• You asked: For more work placement opportunities.
  
  
• We changed: 90% of all our Level 2
  Professional Cookery and Patisserie students have been attached to an industry establishment work placement as part of their weekly timetable. We also provide extra real working environment openings for any students who do not feel that they are ready for industry. 

• You asked: Can Music students at Newcastle College University Centre have
  their own area for mixing and mastering?
  
  
• We changed: We have invested £6,000 in
  a state-of-the-art mixing suit on the ground floor in the Performance Academy for Level 4, Level 5 and LEvel 6 Music students only.
  
  
• You asked: Level 4 Musical Theatre asked
  for more Jazz sessions.
  
  
• We changed: We invited industry practitioners in for eight weeks to deliver specialist Jazz classes.
  
  
• You asked: For salsa classes.
  
  
• We changed: We booked in an eight-week course of salsa sessions. 

• You asked: For your own PPE.

• We changed: By providing all students with their own lab coat and goggles.

• You asked: For extra support on your most difficult subjects.

• We changed: By offering catch-up sessions at the end of each working day on campus.

• You asked: To be able to continue with practical work remotely using digital tools.

• We changed: By introducing simulated experiments that can be done remotely.

94% of Sport, Law, Policing and Protective Services students say being part of the Sport Development and Enrichment programme added to their study experience. 

• You asked: Please can we have more extra-curricular sport opportunities on campus?

• We changed: We created Turn Up and Play sessions, clubs, volunteering opportunities and social sport sessions for student groups including LGBTQ+, Care Leavers and ESOL. 

• You asked: Please can we have access to more trips and opportunities?

• We changed: We have provided a five-day sailing trip, several day trips around England and two-week work placements in Italy and Malta.

• You asked: Can we make Tutorials more
  interactive and engaging?

• We changed: We updated our delivery structure to try
  and give focus to key tutorial staff who
  contextualise the SOL. 

98% of Travel, Tourism and Aviation Operations learners feel they understand their responsibilities as a student and what Newcastle College expects. 

• You asked: For more resources uploaded to Microsoft Teams to support with your lessons. 

• We changed: Programme Leaders now upload session details and extra support to enhance the your education. 

• You asked: For more interactive online technologies.

• We changed: We adopted a new system called Mondrago to allow students to access real working environment systems to develop skills and knowledge. 

• You asked: for more enrichment on Level 3.
• We changed: All Level 3 Certificates have visited London to enrich their programme.