New minister visits College
Posted on Thursday 6 November 2008
Sarah McCarthy-Fry visited Farnborough Sixth Form College today to see the new Diploma in action.
Minister sees new IT Diploma in action
The new Minister for Schools and Learners, Sarah McCarthy-Fry MP, visited Farnborough Sixth Form College today. Mrs McCarthy-Fry was appointed to her ministerial position by the Prime Minister in September and she is visiting a series of outstanding schools and colleges across the country to see examples of excellent practice. She was particularly keen to visit the College because of its national reputation and because of its pioneering work in introducing the new IT Advanced Diploma. She was greeted by Student President, Theo McCusker, 17, of Frimley, and Vice President, Stewart Rowland, 17, of Camberley. Theo said, “The Minister was very interested in the role of the Students’ Association at the College and our involvement in the strategic-planning of the College, especially as governors”.
The Minister opened the College’s new Recording Studio, viewing a live recording which was simultaneously transmitted to the students in the specialist teaching area by video link. Head of Music Technology, Julien McKenzie, said, “The new recording studio is fitted with state of the art equipment which enables students to use industry standard equipment as part of their Advanced level studies”.
The Minister then visited the new IT Diploma course where students presented their research on a project to provide a new IT suite to a school in Ghana. Matthew Baldwin, 16, of Aldershot, who is investigating the processes of exporting computers to Africa, described to the Minister how the group proposed to overcome import controls in Ghana by appointing an import agent. Matthew said, “It was quite daunting describing our project to the Minister who is actually in charge of the entire Diploma scheme but she seemed really impressed by our work!”
Speaking of her visit, the Minister said, “This was one of the most informative and enjoyable visits to a school or college I have made since my appointment. For the first time I have seen the new advanced diploma in action and it was very exciting”.
Mrs McCarthy-Fry added, “I want to congratulate the Principal and his staff for creating at Farnborough Sixth Form College the atmosphere where wonderfully committed groups of students are actually enjoying their studies and learning to manage their time in a mature and sensible way – this is what we mean by embedding employability skills into learning”.
Principal Dr John Guy said, “It was an honour to respond to a request from the Minister to visit the College and we were delighted to demonstrate how students respond to excellent teaching when given responsibility and support in a sixth form college environment”.
