At Reading College we pride ourselves in giving learners extra skills by running events and activities. We believe that college is about more than your course that it should prepare you for the world of work and for progressing onto higher education. We aim to ensure that Reading College students become active, responsible members of the community.

Events in 2010/11 included:

• a range of sporting activities across the year, including basketball, football, table tennis and street dance
• a volunteering exhibition in June 2011 to provide students with information about volunteering opportunities
• an evening for students and parents with information about progressing onto higher education, including information about the application process and funding.

Get involved

Our focus at Reading College is to develop skills that make you employable. All students need to gain skills and experience that make them attractive to employers whether they are on a college course leading directly into work or whether they want to go to university first. We try to make it easy for you to get involved in a wide range of opportunities at the college. Some activities are open to everyone whilst others are course-specific. All students need to do is take advantage of what’s available so they can experience and explore new areas. The

Students’ Union

Being a student involves joining in, having fun and having your say. Once registered, you automatically become a member of the Students’ Union. Students can take part in the wide range of teams and societies – from sports to cinema – or seek advice. You can also become a student representative and have your say in college decisions and give other students a voice. There’s plenty to get involved with whilst you’re a student at the college.

Student representation and mentors

Each year we invite our course representatives to work with us to improve the college experience. If you are a student representative you will get involved in many activities including our College Learner Forums to feed back on what is already good and what could be better. Student mentors are appointed and trained each year to work with course tutors and provide peer support to new students who may need some help or just want somebody to talk to.

Trips – at home and abroad

Some subjects organise trips abroad so that you can experience new sights and cultures such as the annual A2 Philosophy trip to Athens. Many of the trips are course-related so students can boost their knowledge in relation to their studies. Art and Design students go to London to visit museums and galleries such as the V&A. In addition to local study trips, students are also given the chance to boost their personal development.

BTEC Business students attended an Outward Bound Teams and Leaders residential course at Ullswater in Cumbria. Trips involving team and confidence building activities are often arranged.

Exploring your next steps – work or study

A number of employers visit the college to discuss career options with students. Previously, John Lewis, Boots, Prudential, KPMG and Kaplan have visited the college. An employment and careers fair also takes place annually, allowing students to meet employers and discuss their options. Trips to information fairs and open days at universities are arranged for those students interested in higher education and we host a higher education information evening for students and their parents in the autumn term.

Getting competitive

Students often have the chance to take part in competitions – both locally and nationally. For example, students have taken part annually in the Skillbuild competition to demonstrate their trade expertise. Our partnership with Reading Rockets offers selected students specialist basketball training in an England Basketball Academy. Those chosen can learn training methods and techniques and represent the college in competitions.

Giving something back

We work with a number of volunteering organisations to enable students who wish to take part to contribute to the local community. Many find voluntary work worthwhile and helpful in their personal development as well as in building a strong CV. Students have volunteered at Reading College as well as for London Irish Rugby Club, St. John’s Ambulance, Meadway Football Club, Oxfam, the British Red Cross, NACRO and the Thames Side Church Ministry.