Open Day 2013

Posting by Bev Bishop, Marketing Co-ordinator

The College opened its doors to prospective students and parents on Saturday as we staged our annual Open Day and it was great to see so many people there.

We had students from more than 90 different schools visit us on Saturday! Hard to believe there are that many schools in the region! They were all present to see what we can offer to young people in the way of post-16 education.

We had teachers available in all curriculum areas and they all reported a busy day, answering questions from our visitors. Thank goodness for our current students, who helped out on the day. Not only were they dotted around the campus to help people find their way around, but they were also in subject areas to help teachers answer questions when there were more visitors than teachers available to speak to them! We are so grateful to our wonderful students. They tell us how much they enjoy their studies at the College and it’s that enthusiasm which encourages the next cohort of students to apply to the College.

We’re also very grateful to Centro and to the four universities who attended Open Day. Representatives from Aston, Birmingham, Leicester and Warwick were all there and they were kept busy all day talking to parents and students. In particular, they were able to advise young people what subjects they need to study at A level with a particular career or university course in mind, which makes it easier for them to know what courses they should apply for at college too.

Thankfully, the rain held off for most of the day and it was quite warm for October. Nevertheless, special thanks must go to the hardy students and staff who worked outside on Open Day. One of the biggest challenges we face on a day such as this is to avoid traffic and parking problems, but thanks to the dedication and hard work of our staff and students traffic kept flowing and parking was managed well.

We know that not everyone who is considering applying to the College was able to make it to Open Day on Saturday and that’s why we have more events coming up:

Open Evening
Thursday 14 November
5.00-8.00pm (last entry at 7.30pm)

Information Evening
Thursday 14 November
5.00-8.00pm (last entry at 7.30pm)

Open Evening in November is much like this recent Open Day, in that the whole campus is open. However, the Information Evening in February is a smaller scale event.

Pre-registration for the November event is open now at http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/87538UWJDV.

EXPAND YOUR PROSPECTUS

Posting by Bev Bishop, Marketing Co-ordinator

This year, the prospectus for The Sixth Form College, Solihull includes the tagline 'Expand Your Potential'. One of the ways we are asking prospective students to do this is to expand their prospectus by use of something called Augmented Reality.

So, what's augmented reality? It's an app that can be downloaded onto compatible smart phones or tablets and used to bring printed materials to life. We are using an app called Aurasma, which is available free of charge on Apple and Android smart phones and tablets. When downloaded, the app will allow the user to scan trigger icons throughout the prospectus to access videos, podcasts, photos, additional text and web links. We are using it to link to student testimony, parental testimony, information from the Principal and much more.

Why are we using augmented reality? We want to utilise new media as much as possible to deliver information in new and exciting ways. There is still a place for a printed prospectus, but there is so more information about the College available online and by using this app, we can link directly to this information, making it easier than ever to find out all that a prospective student needs to know before they make an application. It means that students can read up on all our courses, pre-register for Open Day and make an application, all from their smart phone.

Any prospective student or parent who wants to try out this app needs to get a copy of our prospectus. They will be handed out to all visitors at our Open Day on Saturday 19 October (open 9.30 am - 3.30pm, last entry at 2.30pm). They will also be available at Open Evening on Thursday 14 November (open 5.00pm - 8.00pm, last entry at 7.30pm). They are also available by post by telephoning 0121 709 7803.

Instructions of how to download the app are on page 2 of the prospectus. Users must download the app, follow the College's Aurasma channel and then it is ready to use.

For a demonstration of how the app works, check out our new YouTube video at http://youtu.be/_uqvjGovqz0.

To pre-register for Open Day to visit the College, talk to teachers, see our facilities and pick up a copy of the prospectus go to http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/87538UWJDV.