Students flying high at Bedford College

Students and staff from Travel and Tourism are to feature in a series of films following them on a cabin crew training day at Monarch Airlines and studying at Bedford College.

The films, commissioned by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, will offer on-line support to those delivering the new Diploma in Travel and Tourism for students aged 14+ from 2010. The new diplomas are designed for students aged 14-19 and are set to become one of the three main education choices -alongside GCSEs, A levels and apprenticeships.

Susie Addison (Advanced Practitioner for Travel and Tourism and Diploma Line of Learning Lead at Bedford College) explained that students attending a one day training course for cabin crew with Monarch Airlines had gained valuable experience and said:

“Our students had to work to professional industry standards on a mock-up of a full sized airline cabin and were faced with a number of emergencies that put their knowledge, reactions and ability to work under pressure to the test. Emergencies included rescuing passengers from smoke filled cabins and evacuating from the rescue shoot of the aircraft.

“We are delighted that they performed well and as a result have been chosen to feature in films showcasing the new diploma at national level.”

Bedford College has a well established range of full and part time courses in Travel and Tourism, offering students the opportunity to gain the qualifications they need to go on to study at degree level or take up careers in hospitality, leisure, event management and travel and tourism. Part time study is an attractive option to people who want a career change or have been faced with redundancy and use that as an opportunity to study and boost their qualifications.

Students at Bedford College also have the advantage of teaching staff with industry experience, bringing first hand knowledge and expertise to courses, combined with strong links with the Travel and Tourism industry.

Work experience is a vital part of courses and placements give students at Bedford College a real taste of working life in the fast lane of airlines such as Monarch, Easyjet, British Airways and Thomas Cook, travel operators such as Thomas Cook and Thomson, travel agencies and hotel and leisure companies.

Susie Addison added:

“This is a good time to join Bedford College and study towards an exciting career in Travel and Tourism. We are well placed near to international airports, head offices of travel operators and to the Olympics in London with career opportunities in tourism and event management.

“Students aged 14+ will now have the opportunity to study Travel and Tourism with the new diploma that will be available from September 2010. We will be working as part of the mid and north Beds School Consortium that includes Biddenham, Mark Rutherford, Wootton and Sharnbrook Upper Schools.

“With well established courses, links with industry and working with our local upper schools, we are ready to extend our expertise and incorporate it into the diploma to be launched from September 2010.”

“The idea is to give students from 14 years old the chance of studying for a diploma that will give them a platform into further study or careers in this vibrant industry.”

A Diploma Roadshow on 8 and 9 December at schools in the county will give upper school students in year 9 the opportunity to find out more about what is on offer and speak to students in year 2 of their studies in Travel and Tourism.

To find out more about courses in Travel and Tourism see www.bedford.ac.uk or ring 01234 291000.

* Anyone interested in getting a flavour of the Travel and Tourism course as well as the college, can join a Student Experience (Buddy Day) to shadow someone already on the course. You get a 'goodie bag' which includes a £2 voucher towards lunch in the college refectory.
These days can be offered individually or as part of a group running into 2010. Details from Ellen Punter Schools and Community Liaison Officer at Bedford College.

Editors’ notes

1. Issued by Manners PR for Bedford College.

2. For more info contact Sue Gough at Manners PR on 07921 514 940.

3. Photographs available.

4. For more about Bedford College see www.bedford.ac.uk

5. For more about Specialist Schools and Academies Trust see www.ssatrust.org.uk