Sunlight breaking through the trees in the New Forest
Sparsholt College, which will be hosting an Open Evening on Wednesday 27 April 2016, is urging parents and would-be students to consider all their options post 16, including vocational courses as a meaningful pathway to university of direct into employment.
Principal Tim Jackson explains: “We offer a huge range of advanced vocational courses which are the equivalent to A Levels and students studying on these programmes often progress to Higher Education and beyond. It also makes sense to get a head start if you plan to follow the same line of study at University. Vocational courses are just as rigorous and highly regarded as A Level providing early specialist knowledge that universities and employers value.”
Former Sparsholt student Chloe Eberhard always wanted to be a vet and rather than follow the traditional A Level sciences route, she opted for the Animal Management Extended Diploma (equivalent to A Levels) as she was keen to immediately start working with animals. Chloe’s decision paid off as she is studying at the Royal Veterinary School in London on the Veterinary Gateway Programme which once completed will mean Chloe is a fully qualified Veterinary Surgeon.
Commenting on the value of taking this route Chloe said: “There are so many aspects of my course which were very once I got to the Royal Veterinary School. I gained lots of animal handling experience, scientific know-how and nursing skills so already know different ways of treating and dealing with animals.”
Chloe is just one of numerous students each year who successfully complete a vocational course and progress on to university. Every Level 3 vocational course offered at Sparsholt College has a pathway to university be it Animal Management, Fishery Studies, Horticulture, Arboriculture and Forestry
Tim Jackson concludes: “Vocational courses offer tremendous opportunities to students. Gaining advanced technical skills underpin higher level study and ensure students are better prepared for industry.”
Doors open 4.00pm to 7.00pm on Wednesday 27 April 2016.
