Students get study skills support

Students coming onto the College's Culinary Arts programme from a practical background have been getting a taste of the academic requirements for studying at degree level.

Just as those arriving on the course after A levels take part in a summer bridging programme to bring their cooking skills up to scratch, students with an NVQ Level 3 qualification take part in a mini assignment to boost their project management skills.

The five-day programme, which the College has been running for the past seven years, consists of supporting study skills sessions combined with independent study through the week.

The students were tasked with creating and costing a restaurant theme night, and the culmination of the week took place when they handed in a formal report and give a presentation on their findings.

Lecturer Holly Bamunuge said "Any previous academic work they have carried out is likely to have been at school and the academic bridging course kick-starts those skills back into action ready for the CAM course proper.

"Students have found it very useful in the past as it provides them with an opportunity to get used to working at HE level and make use of the college resources before they are subject to the full demands of the course.

"They also appreciate the opportunity to get used to independent study and meeting and working with some of the other members of their course."

The students will now begin studying on the full course in October.