This impressive figure is 14% up from last year. The number of students progressing to university has increased year on year which is excellent news for our local students. Not only that, according to DfE (Department for Education) figures, the College has increased the number of points they leave College with, per subject and per student year on year for the last four years.

19% of students chose to stay in the local area for many reasons including: “not wanting to go so far to study”, “not being able to afford to go” and so forth. A massive 81% of students went farther afield.

College Principal Mark Vinall said: “520 students progressing to university is 520 success stories and we are proud of all of them.”

Ex-student Charlotte Woods said: “I am currently studying at Kings College London and have the College to thank for the fantastic results I achieved. I received invaluable support from all my teachers as well as the Careers Service.”

Ex-student Emily Fry said: “I obtained 3 As and 1A* and am currently studying Economics at the University of Kent. I chose to stay on at a local university because I wanted to be close to home and wanted to get a good experience from a recognised university in the South East.”
 

Palmer's College is organising it very own 'Have a Go' community event to provide members of the community a variety of free bite-sized taster sessions in different sporting careers.

So if you've thought about being a Sports Instructor, Physiotherapist, Personal Trainer, Sports Coach, PE Teacher, or even a Sports Reporter

This is your chance to 'have a go' and see what it's like doing the job you've always dreamed of or thought about doing!

The event will host a number of 45-minute workshops and is open to all members of the community.  It will take place on Thursday 9th February 2012 at the Palmer's Sports & Fitness Centre, from 4pm - 6.30pm. For more information please email: sports@palmers.ac.uk  Attendees are advised to wear warm suitable clothing as some practical sessions may involve outdoor activities.

There will also be careers advice at hand from the College's award-winning Careers Service and lots of freebies!

WorldSkills 'Have a Go' is part of the WorldSkills London competition and enables a fun, interactive, engaging way of getting people involved across the UK. WorldSkills London 2011 is the world’s largest, international skills Competition where young people from across the globe compete to become the best of the best. At stake – the honour of being the greatest in the world at their chosen skill.

WorldSkills 'Have a Go' provides 'Bite-size’ tasters of a new skill, trade or profession.  It also provides an exciting, engaging way of promoting and demonstrating skills used in the workplace and the jobs needed in the future and offers a great way to ignite a passion to learn, and to provide expert information, advice and support needed to get on at work and in careers.
 

The event was organised by Aaron Thompson who has been raising funds all week in aid of Handicap International - taking action in situations of poverty, exclusion, conflict and disaster. The total collected has been confirmed at £146.19.

Great job Aaron!

Take a look at the short video of some of the acts by clicking this link.

bit.ly/vTN0ZC

These are the acts that took part:

Kieran Eldridge, Aaron Thompson, Carrina Ball, Lisa Davies, Terri Anne Hall, Liam Wilkins and Massi Dendani.