Gifted and talented A Level Maths and Further Maths students at Cronton Sixth Form have achieved Gold awards in the prestigious national Senior UK Maths Challenge, and are celebrating after qualifying for the next round. 

The brain teasing competition included a series of tricky questions and problem solving activities that were carried out under exam conditions. To recognise the highest performers, the top 60% of participants are awarded a Gold, Silver or Bronze award depending on their final score.

An outstanding 71% of participants from the College passed the competition, resulting in nine Bronze, nine Silver and two Gold awards being presented. After collecting their exceptional Gold awards, students Alistair Eason and Jasveer Bains were invited to take part in the Senior Kangaroo follow-on round having placed within the top 6,000 participants in the competition.

Mathematics Tutor at Cronton Sixth Form, Mike McCormick said, “This year’s results for the UK Maths Competition are fantastic, it is a very difficult test, so to see so many of our students pass is brilliant.

“Competitions like these are so important for the development of students’ knowledge and skills, which is why we try to get involved in as many as we can. Finally, I would just like to wish Jasveer and Alistair the best of luck in the Kangaroo follow-on round.”

Awards:

Jasveer Bains – Gold Award
Alistair Eason – Gold Award
Louis Roberts – Silver Award
James Capewell – Silver Award
Jack Meredith – Silver Award
Rebecca Sheppard – Silver Award
Jemma Clarke – Silver Award
Lewis Stacey – Silver Award
James Chesterman – Silver Award
Phoebe Diprose – Silver Award
Thomas Karalius – Silver Award
Emily McMahon – Bronze Award
Drew Giliker – Bronze Award
Rowan Cooke – Bronze Award
Ciara Owens – Bronze Award
Matthew Connor – Bronze Award
Evie Hall – Bronze Award
Robyn Bonnar – Bronze Award
Kate Wheatley – Bronze Award
Megan Doughty – Bronze Award

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The IDEA Centre at Cronton Sixth Form has been a hub for STEM activities since its opening and has recently played host to the North West regional finals of the VEX Robotics competition, Tower Takeover.

The competition saw nine teams of students from four colleges put their STEM skills to the test in a series of tricky robot challenges for the chance to compete at the national heats in London, followed by the VEX Robotics World Championships in April.

Competitors at this year’s event were teams from Cronton Sixth Form, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, UTC Sheffield OLP and Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School. The students put their knowledge and skills to the test as they were tasked with designing, building and programming their own robot as a team, before placing them into battle in the Robot Wars arena.   

Level 3 Engineering student at Cronton Sixth Form, Benjamin Roberts said “I have had a fantastic time at the VEX Robotics event, it has been a really interesting day. I’ve loved putting the skills that I developed in class to the test in a real life situation.”

Jo Hall, Head of Engineering at Cronton Sixth Form said, “Events like these are amazing for our students, it gives them the opportunity to work in a fast paced scenario as part of a team, using the knowledge and skills they have developed themselves. We are really looking forward to see what next year’s event brings.”

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Energetic students at Cronton Sixth Form have just returned from a wintery trip to the glorious French Alps for a weeklong skiing trip at the fantastic La Plagne ski resort.

The annual ski trip is a favourite event for students at the College in which they can enjoy many exciting activities as well as spend the days tackling the slopes and developing their skiing techniques. Surrounded by breath taking scenery, the students participated in skiing tuition classes with local instructors before taking to the slopes themselves and exploring everything that La Plagne has to offer.

After returning to the hotel from a day of skiing, the students had the opportunity to enjoy some local cuisine and get involved in a range of activities including laser tag, bowling, ice skating, ice hockey and quiz nights.

Engineering Tutor at Cronton Sixth Form, Katie Peacock said, “We all had such an amazing time on the trip, it is brilliant that we can give our students such wonderful opportunities to visit places like La Plagne. The feedback we have had from the students has been fantastic, we already can’t wait for next years trip!”

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Abigail Lee, a former Level 3 Engineering student at Cronton Sixth Form is thrilled after landing a dream job at CERN in Switzerland, one of the world’s largest and most respected centres for scientific research.

Abigail dreamed of working at CERN after a Cronton College trip in 2017 where she was able to tour the facility, meet scientists and see the Large Hadron Collider, the world’s largest energy particle collider and largest machine in the world.

“I really enjoyed the trip and dreamed of working there one day. I decided to apply for job positions at CERN and when I wasn’t successful at first I started to think working at a place like that wouldn’t happen for me.”

The former Penketh High School pupil was then unexpectedly contacted on LinkedIn by the CERN team who were impressed with her application and thought she would be perfect for their ‘Technician Training Experience (TTE)’ programme which provides fully paid invaluable work experience at the world famous facility and opens up a host of career opportunities.

Abigail said, “I didn’t think the message was real at first but after speaking with them I realised this was an opportunity I just couldn’t miss. After careful thought, I decided to accept the position and will begin in May. CERN have been very helpful with finding accommodation in Switzerland and I am really looking forward to starting.”

Abigail’s talents in Engineering were clear, she finished her course with Triple Distinction Star grades and was even awarded Engineering Student of the Year at Cronton for her outstanding effort.

 She said, “The support I received at Cronton was outstanding. I initially studied A Levels at another college but after my first year I decided A Levels were not the right path for me. I was impressed with Cronton’s IDEA Centre facilities and decided to enrol on their Level 3 Engineering course which was definitely the right choice.

“I think for anyone looking to start a career, setting up a LinkedIn profile is really important because of the connections you can make all over the world. I am really excited to start working at CERN, it has felt very surreal and a little bit scary but I know this is a life changing opportunity that I couldn’t turn down!”

Sonia Tandon, Abigail’s Engineering Tutor at Cronton said, “Abigail was always a focussed and contentious learner who had creative ideas and demonstrated industry standard capabilities in everything she did at College. She would not only excel in her work, but also helped and supported her peers. The whole team at the IDEA Centre are extremely proud of her achievements and wish her the very best at CERN and in all her future endeavours.”

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Information for Students and Parents regarding Coronavirus

Please be reassured that the College is monitoring information regarding Coronavirus very closely and you can find any updated information here on our website and social media.

Our priority is to safeguard our College community and therefore we are following the advice from Public Health England and the Department for Education and are taking the following actions:

• Additional hand sanitisers and hand wipes have been placed around the College, particularly in computer rooms and LRCs – please do use them
• Posters have been placed around College reminding people of the best action to take and to raise awareness of the importance of washing our hands
• The Estates team are undertaking additional cleaning in high traffic areas throughout the day
• Students are being updated through tutorials, but please take every opportunity to reinforce the messages regarding personal hygiene, please see Personal hygiene guidelines
• Updating student contact details to ensure we can communicate effectively via email and phone if needed.

If you are travelling or have been to the affected areas, please ensure that you follow the Government guidance for returning travellers. 

For more information on the virus and how to protect yourself, please see the NHS Guidance.

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Guidance for Students & Parents on Accessing Solar & Microsoft Teams

The College will use Microsoft Teams and Solar to:

• Set work for learners to complete
• Communicate via a text chatting service
• Allow work to be submitted online

You can access these services through Office 365.  This is free for all learners.

Many devices can access these services such as PC, laptops, tablets and smart mobile phones.

Click here to view instructions on how to access Office 365, including the application Microsoft Teams as well as accessing our own virtual learning environment ‘Solar’.

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Following this evenings announcement from the UK Government the College buildings are now closed until further notice.

Students should continue to communicate with tutors as per the guidance on our website.

The post COVID-19 News Update 23/03/20 appeared first on Cronton Sixth Form College.

Mental Health Info Point            

Halton Borough Council’s online mental health info point has practical tips on how to manage worry or anxiety linked to the coronavirus situation. If you’re finding it hard to cope, visit www.halton.gov.uk/mhinfopoint.

The site has tips for looking after your mental wellbeing, as well as details of mental health support services.

If you are self-isolating or working from home, remember to look after your mental wellbeing, as well as your physical health.

Men’s Mental Health Helpline

CALM run an anonymous, confidential helpline and webchat service for men every day from 5pm-12am. Call 0800 58 58 58 or visit www.thecalmzone.net if you’re finding things tough.

Health Improvement Team (HIT): Infant Feeding

If you are breastfeeding and worried about coronavirus, Public Health England are providing advice and support. If you have any concerns or questions about breastfeeding, please call the Halton Infant Feeding Team on 0300 029 0029, Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm or email hit@halton.gov.uk.

HIT: Stop Smoking

The Chief Medical Officer and Health Secretary have both highlighted that smokers are at increased risk from coronavirus. Smoking harms the immune system, reducing the bodies’ natural protection against infections like coronavirus. For help to quit smoking, call the Stop Smoking Team for advice and support on 0300 029 0029, Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm or email hit@halton.gov.uk

HIT: Fresh Start, Exercise on Referral, Age Well Exercise

The Health Improvement Team can provide you with diet and exercise support over the phone by calling 0300 029 0029 or email hit@halton.gov.uk.

HIT: Age Well / Sure Start to Later Life

If you are over 55 and in one of the vulnerable groups who are being asked to self-isolate or if you are self-isolating due to symptoms and need support, please call Sure Start 2 Later Life, Monday to Friday,  9am-5pm on 01928 569498.

Affordable Warmth

Spending more time at home and/or financial difficulties as a result of COVID-19 can make it more difficult for people to keep their home warm to protect their health and comfort.

Energy supply companies have agreed with the government that they will support those in financial distress and struggling to pay their fuel bills to manage debt and stay connected. From 19 March, anyone who cannot top-up their pre-payment meter should contact their supplier to discuss options to keep them supplied. More details are available here https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-agrees-measures-with-energy- industry-to-support-vulnerable-people-through-covid-19

Free individual support for those struggling with fuel bills or heating their home is available in Halton through Cheshire Green Doctor on 0808 1683547 or by emailing cheshire.greendoctor@groundwork.org.uk, or via the Energy Projects Plus Save Energy Advice Line on 0800 043 0151. The teams can advise on tariffs, switching, fuel debt management and the Priority Services Register.

Loneliness

The HaltOnLoneliness toolkit is available to provide advice and support on preventing loneliness. If you are feeling lonely, please visit the website for further information about resources and the HaltOnLoneliness campaign: https://www4.halton.gov.uk/Pages/health/hit/Campaigns.aspx

Alcohol Support

This is a stressful time for everyone and we all have our own ways of coping. If you find yourself reaching for a glass of wine or a beer, make a change and keep plenty of non-alcoholic drinks in the house. Alcohol can affect your sleep and it’s important we all get plenty of rest. If you are really struggling with anxiety and worry, check our Mental Health Info Point for details of local and national helplines who can help you: www.halton.gov.uk/mhinfopoint

Keeping Active

Keeping active is important for your mental and physical wellbeing, now more than ever. Try to go for a walk in your local area every day. While we all need to practice social distancing and protective hygiene measures, we still need fresh air and exercise. You mustn’t meet up with friends or family, other than those you live with. If others are out, make sure you keep a distance of at least 2 metres between you.

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Annex to Cronton College Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Response to COVID-19, April 2020

There have been significant changes within our setting and within the UK in response to the outbreak of COVID-19.

This annex sets out some of the adjustments Cronton College is making in line with the changed arrangements in the college and following advice from government and local agencies.

The current position is that, following the Government announcement, all college sites are closed and timetables have been postponed.

Despite the changes, the College’s Safeguarding Policy is fundamentally the same: the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults always comes first, staff should respond robustly to safeguarding concerns and referrals should continue to be made in line with our established safeguarding procedure. However, due to the current crisis all staff have been briefed to use emergency services as required for immediate risk to harm.

The pressures on children, young people and their families at this time are significant. There will be heightened awareness of family pressures for a variety of reasons including, having to stay within the household, through financial hardship or health anxiety. These areas should be considered in terms of setting any work for students to undertake at home (including recognising the impact of online learning and ability to access on line resources). Staff may be aware of the mental health of both students and their parents or carers, and should refer to safeguarding about any emerging concerns.

We have undertaken a scoping exercise to identify the most vulnerable students and individual arrangements have been made with either students, parents/carers and/or social care who have an attached social worker and those with an EHCP. We are working in partnership with the local authority to contribute to the wider picture, which involves daily updates to Milorad Vasic, Director for People, Halton Borough Council.

For students subject to a Child Protection Plan and Child In Need Plan, and who have an allocated social worker:

Contact will be made by the safeguarding as agreed with the family and social worker. Where families have requested this to be specific times per week, this has been discussed and agreed with the allocated social worker.

For students who are Looked after Children and recent Care Leavers:

Contact will be made by the health and wellbeing team who will make contact as often as agreed with the student, carer and social worker.

For students with an EHCP:

Support Workers and Learning Support Advisors will maintain regular contact as agreed with student and parents / carers. Support can be delivered through individual arrangements based on curriculum activity.

For students on the edge of social care involvement or pending allocation of a social worker, or identified as high risk:

Contact will be made by the health and wellbeing team once per week for a welfare check.

NB Contact will be made remotely through email/Microsoft Teams/telephone calls/social media or other appropriate methods.

Reporting arrangements:

The college arrangements continue in line with our Safeguarding Policy.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead is:

Thalia Bell – thalia.bell@riversidecollege.ac.uk

The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead is:

Donna Elston – donna.elston@riversidecollege.ac.uk

The Safeguarding Officers are:

Anna Hopwood – anna.hopwood@riversidecollege.ac.uk

Vicky Jones – vicky.jones@riversidecollege.ac.uk

Jayne Barker – Jayne.barker@riversidecollege.ac.uk

We will be operating during normal business hours, 9am – 4pm (Mon – Friday)

We have confirmed the arrangements to contact the LADO at the local authority remain unchanged. For more information on this please contact HRUnit@riversidecollege.ac.uk

Staff will continue to follow the safeguarding procedures and advise the safeguarding leads immediately about concerns they have about any child, whether in college or not. COVID-19 means a need for increased vigilance due to the pressures on services, families and young people, rather than a reduction in our standards.

If you have access to STAR please continue to log confidential comments as you normally would. If you do not have access to STAR to log confidential comments please email concerns to safeguarding@riversidecollege.ac.uk where a member of the safeguarding team will respond to the concern and log on ProMonitor. This email address is monitored by all safeguarding staff.

Normal safeguarding procedures apply for referrals to children’s services. This contact will go through a member of the safeguarding team (listed above) who will follow appropriate measures in seeking the appropriate and necessary support.

Should a child or young person be at risk of significant harm and local agencies are not able to respond, the college will immediately follow the safeguarding children partnership escalation procedure.

Allegations or concerns about staff

With such different arrangements in place, young people could be at greater risk of on line abuse. We remind all staff to maintain the view that ‘it could happen here’ and to immediately report any concern, no matter how small, to the safeguarding team.

Any agency staff or volunteers working with students during college closure will complete an induction to ensure they are aware of the risks and know how to take action if they are concerned.

New staff or volunteers

All new starters must have an on line induction. They must read the college Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, the Positive Behaviour Policy, the Whistleblowing Policy and the staff Code of Conduct. The DSL or deputy will ensure new recruits know who to contact if worried about a child or young person and ensure the new starters are familiar with the child protection procedure.

All new starters or volunteers need to confirm that they have read Part I and Annex A of Keeping Children Safe in Education

Peer on peer abuse

We recognise the potential for abuse to go on between young people, especially in the context of a college closure or partial closure. Our staff will remain vigilant to the signs of peer-on-peer abuse, including those between young people who are not currently attending our provision. Extra care should be taken where groups have mixed age, developmental stages, are attending other education establishments as an interim measure and similar. When making contact with these families our staff may ask about relationships between learners.

Risk online

Young people will be using the internet more during this period. The College may also use online approaches to deliver training or support. Staff will be aware of the signs and signals of cyberbullying and other risks online and apply the same child-centred safeguarding practices as when students are learning at the College. The College continues to ensure appropriate filters and monitors are in place. The College has taken on board the guidance from the UK Safer Internet Centre on safe remote learning and guidance for safer working practice from the Safer Recruitment Consortium.

It is extremely important that professional boundaries do not slip during this exceptional period and protocols for on line working have been issued. Staff need to refer to current college policies in relation to this (see below)

Acceptable Use Policy

Communications and Social Media Policy

Students accessing remote learning will receive guidance on keeping safe online and know how to raise concerns with the college, Childline, the UK Safer Internet Centre and CEOP. This guidance is available on our College website.

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/internet-connected-devices/

Mental Health

Restrictions to movement and contact with other people means pupils are more likely to be at risk of mental health problems. Individual academies should make pupils and their families aware of where further support can be found. The Department for Education have produced guidance to support parents:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-supporting-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-and-wellbeing/guidance-for-parents-and-carers-on-supporting-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-and-wellbeing-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak

The following organisations can also provide support:

www.kooth.com – Free online emotional wellbeing and counselling with self-help articles

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helping-someone-else/

Calm Harm App – A phone app providing help for those who use self-harm as a coping strategy; https://calmharm.co.uk/

Parents and Carers

Parents and carers will receive information about keeping students safe online with peers, the College, other education offers they may access and the wider internet community. We have set out the College’s approach, including the sites students will be asked to access and set out who from the college (if anyone) their student is going to be interacting with online. Parents have been offered the following links via our College website:

• Internet matters – for support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online
• Net-aware – for support for parents and careers from the NSPCC
• Parent info – for support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online
• Thinkuknow – for advice from the National Crime Agency to stay safe online
• UK Safer Internet Centre – advice for parents and carers
• Free additional support for staff in responding to online safety issues can be accessed from the Professionals Online Safety Helpline at the UK Safer Internet Centre

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Staff from Cronton Sixth Form’s IDEA Centre are supporting FabLab Warrington and supplying frontline NHS workers all over the country with PPE to provide essential protection in the fight against COVID-19.

So far, hundreds of 3D printed PPE visors have been produced using equipment from the College’s IDEA Centre, a unique learning facility specialising in STEM subjects.

The 3D printed batches are being sent to Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital.

The Engineering team from Cronton have also responded to enquiries from healthcare workers and frontline staff across the country, who are struggling to source vital PPE equipment.

Using a laser cutter and sheet material, hundreds of visors have been dispatched to Wales, London and Manchester using material donations from the College and other local companies.

Jo Hall, Head of Engineering at Cronton said, “We hope these visors will help to bring some support to our brilliant NHS workers across the country. We are honoured to help FabLab Warrington and will continue to support the frontline in any way we can.”

The IDEA Centre at Cronton Sixth Form is a state-of-the-art learning facility which houses advanced manufacturing & CAD workshops, 3D printers, process control equipment, robotics, virtual reality facilities and health & fitness suites.

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Shannon Sweeney, a talented A Level Literature student at Cronton Sixth Form, is celebrating after her fantastic poetry piece ‘On Things That Should Be Dead’ was longlisted for the University of Oxford’s prestigious Tower Poetry Competition.

The Tower Poetry Competition is the UK’s most valuable prize for young poets that sees 16-18 year old students put their literature skills to the test as they create a poem from scratch based on a given theme. The theme for this year’s competition was ‘Trees’.

Shannon is an avid member of the Creative Writing Club at Cronton Sixth Form and used this time to begin work on her piece for the competition. The former Wade Deacon High School pupil put in many hours both during the extra curriculum sessions with tutors and at home which really paid off.

This is the second time this academic year Shannon has celebrated creative writing successes, as she was recently shortlisted for the Frank Moran Young Writers Award which is still currently ongoing.

English Literature Tutor at Cronton Sixth Form, Stephanie Power said, “I am so proud of Shannon and what she has achieved so far during her time at Cronton with the Tower Poetry Competition and the Young Writers Award.

“She always works extremely hard both in class and during extended learning hours, she is an absolute pleasure to teach.”

On Things That Should Be Dead by Shannon Sweeney

Divinity, smoked and sickly, roams the slow-flowing
Blood of those with limbs strong enough to carry
Them through the wreckage of cedar-stained memories.

The world, still hot with exhaustion – still weeping,
Will, in a loop of twenty days lived over again,
Perpetuate the cruelty, deny the relief gifted by cold
Waxen leaves on fresh shoulder wounds.

Not a single cursed lash, that grew long and darkened in the sun,
Will fall from the jealous eyes of those who see the final twitches
Of the last butterfly’s wings, stretched thin and
Crushed against the rotten stump
Of a memory long-dead.

The seamless horror of a jade-dipped early morning – with stitches
Tiny and tucked tight – that pushes the window ajar
To feel the sharp, singing, sting, of a living breeze on
Half wilted veins.

It would seem there is no salvage for such
Shrivelled souls.

The never-revered willow stands, garroting
On roots ran dry. The bright blink of bloodshot eyes have taken
The place of the larks that used to sit.

Etch it into yourself, carve against the grain of your core,
Let the rings beneath your pupils
Tell the number of years you have not known how to breathe.

Do not give way to a symposium of grief, because
Things are better without the burden of fickle tear
Against loveless cheek.

Deer with cracked hooves, thorn-torn and frozen blue,
Will tell you of the despair that could not be escaped by
Those who spent too long wandering through forests, those
Who got lost in the trees.

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With this year’s annual Race For Life being postponed due to the current global pandemic, we are asking that you still stay involved by taking part in our virtual ‘Thrive for 5’ event to raise money for Cancer Research UK!

As our originally planned Race for Life was a 5k event, we are asking you to please complete an activity based around the number 5. This could be your own 5k whilst out on your daily exercise, maybe a walk, jog, run or cycle! You could do 5 minutes of hula hooping or skipping. How many press ups/sit ups can you complete in 5 minutes? You can do anything as long as it is to do with the number 5!

Get your family, friends and neighbours involved too. Just record a short clip or take a photograph of yourself completing your ‘Thrive for 5’ and send it in to us. We will put together a short video to show what we have all still managed to accomplish!

Send your images and video clips to marketing@cronton.ac.uk

Please complete the below registration form to let us know you are taking part:
Click Here to Register

All we ask is that you still donate your £5 as you would have done for the Race for Life so we can continue to raise money for such a worthy cause.

Your donations can be made via our JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/raceforlife-2020

Many Thanks
Cronton Sixth Form

Download a Pledge Form below which you can print off and display during your activity!

Download Pledge Form

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Staff and students at Cronton Sixth Form and Riverside College together organised an exciting virtual ‘Thrive for 5’ activity in place of their originally planned Race for Life, raising an amazing total of £3,215 for Cancer Research UK.

Thrive for 5 was created as a virtual event in place of the cancelled Race for Life which was originally planned to take place at Victoria Park, Widnes. As the Race for Life was a 5k run, Thrive for 5 encouraged participants to do an exercise activity of their choice at home or during their daily hours exercise based around the number 5.

The response was overwhelming, with images and videos being sent in by participants supporting the worthy cause. Some activities chosen included their own 5k run, some chose 5 minutes of hula hooping and some chose to see how many press ups they could do in 5 minutes.

Generous donations came in through the College’s JustGiving page by supporters. Currently, the JustGiving total stands at £2,345. Offline donations, money raised through a ‘Zumbathon’ event and a College football tournament earlier this year were tallied up to make a total of £3,215 raised for Cancer Research UK which is incredible considering the current circumstances.

Donna Elston, Head of Student Support, said, “It was such a shame that this year’s Race for Life event couldn’t go ahead but it has been amazing to see how many people have taken part in Thrive for 5 and donated to the cause during these challenging times. A big thank you to everyone who took part to make this a success!”

If you would like to make a donation for the cause, you can so via the JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/raceforlife-2020

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May Half Term Update 22/05/20

Dear students, parents and carers,

We hope that you and your family are safe and well.

Following on from the Government announcement regarding the possible opening of schools and colleges, we wanted to update you on the College’s position and what changes are being made to work towards reopening the campuses.

For the time being, the College will remain closed for most students. We ask that students continue to complete their work through our online systems Solar and Microsoft Teams.

Our Health and Safety team have started working on a plan for a possible phased reopening from Monday 1^st June, looking at the practical work needed to ensure the college campus is safe to reopen.

We would like to reassure you that any reopening will only be done when we are clear that we can provide a safe learning and working environment for students, staff and all our families.

We are not expecting to be able to run a normal college timetable or campus until the autumn term at the earliest. Our tutors are working hard to continue to develop new and innovative ways of learning through our online learning platform Solar and providing virtual contact through Microsoft Teams.

All tutors and support staff are still working remotely to help guide, support and advise students through this time of uncertainty and would encourage any students who need extra support to contact our Programme Management team through Microsoft Teams.

Kind regards

Leeann Bellfield
Head of Cronton Sixth Form

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Artists in Residence is now live!

AIR is an online exhibition to showcase and to celebrate artwork produced by our talented students and staff this academic year and during this challenging period of lockdown.

Click the button below to view:

View Artists in Residence

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We are Ofsted OUTSTANDING

Following an inspection in early March, Riverside College, including Cronton Sixth Form College, has been given the highest possible rating by Ofsted who have judged the college to be OUTSTANDING.

This makes us the only Further Education College in the North West to achieve OUTSTANDING under the new Ofsted Education Inspection Framework (EIF).

After a meticulous review of the College, Ofsted inspectors made the following judgements:  

Principal, Mary Murphy, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that this glowing report recognises the tremendous efforts of our dedicated teaching and support staff who over a number of years have worked incredibly hard to consistently deliver high quality education and training.

“I am also delighted that the inspectors acknowledged the motivation and exemplary behaviour of our wonderful students, who we cannot wait to welcome back to the College as the lockdown eases.

“However, this achievement is also attributed to all the people of Halton including Halton Borough Council, Halton Head Teachers, partners, employers, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the young people and their parents/carers who have supported the College on our journey to outstanding over the last decade. We have never wavered from the belief that we could be outstanding and together we have made this happen.”

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “I have long thought that Riverside College was outstanding and I am glad that Ofsted agrees! We have invested almost £2m in the College to help our young people get the best possible start in life. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of staff and students alike, we are definitely seeing that happen.

“Being the only ‘Outstanding’ rated FE college in the North West under the new framework is an amazing achievement and I am delighted to see our region leading the way once again.”

OFSTED praised Riverside College students by reporting:

• Learners and apprentices are exceptionally well motivated and demonstrate extremely positive attitudes to learning
• Relationships between learners, apprentices and their teachers and assessors are excellent
• Learners and apprentices develop their confidence, resilience and strong independence skills

OFSTED was impressed by the teachers and assessors at Riverside College. The report highlighted:

• Teachers and assessors use especially effective teaching and assessment strategies.
• Staff at all levels have high aspirations for their learners and apprentices. Consequently, learners and apprentices who study here do exceptionally well
• Teachers and assessors help learners to achieve high grades and produce work consistently to a very high standard
• Teachers and trainers are well qualified and benefit from high-quality professional development that develops their subject knowledge and expertise

OFSTED gave Grade 1 Outstanding to the leadership of Riverside College. The report showcased:

• Senior leaders and governors are very ambitious for their learners and apprentices
• Senior leaders and governors promote especially high standards in all aspects of the college
• Governors have high aspirations for their learners, apprentices and staff

OFSTED underlined the strong links created by Riverside College and the local/regional stakeholders. The report emphasised:

• Learners and apprentices enjoy a wide range of courses that meet local and regional needs exceptionally well
• Leaders have exceptional links with local employers and regional business groups
• Assessors, in conjunction with employers, ensure that apprentices benefit from excellent and well planned on- and off-the job training

Riverside College has a diverse enrichment programme, work experience and career support. OFSTED stated:

• Learners on advanced level programmes greatly benefit from the ‘prestigious universities’ programme that facilitates successful applications to universities. Consequently, most progress into higher education with a significant number going to the best universities
• Learners experience a wide range of work experience opportunities and, as a result, they develop higher-level interpersonal skills
• Managers, teachers and staff provide learners and apprentices with excellent and impartial careers information, advice and guidance before and during their programmes

More Information

Please find a link to the Ofsted report here: https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50151820

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ACE Team – Results Service

The Advice, Careers and Employability team will be available “online” to provide students with information, advice and guidance in relation to university applications; UCAS Adjustment, Clearing and Clearing Plus.

Whether you are a student who attends Kingsway or Cronton campus ALL students who wish to speak to our ACE staff should email: acecronton@riversidecollege.ac.uk

One of the team will then call you to answer your question or provide information, advice or guidance over the phone (or email /teams system if you prefer).

For more information in advance about how Clearing will work this year, you can follow the link below to the UCAS website:

https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/results-confirmation-and-clearing/what-clearing

• UCAS Adjustment is available from 8.00am on 15th August until 31st August.
• Clearing will run until the 20th October 2020

If you find yourself in a position to adjust and improve on your offers, or if you have been automatically entered for clearing, it’s important to seek support from the team, gather information and get help in making informed decisions about the future.

In the meantime, enjoy the summer break and good luck!

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We are immensely proud of the Class of 2020 and would like to take the opportunity, in these unusual times, to congratulate them all on their A Level and Vocational results. 

Results day at Cronton Sixth Form is a wonderful time to celebrate the hard work and success of our students and we feel this year, more than any other, it is important to do this. Our students have worked extremely hard during their time at Cronton and we don’t want the current situation to overshadow their effort and success during their past two years with us. 

Our students have shown their resilience and determination with many going on to secure places at some of the top universities in the country including: 

Natalia Wcislo – Saints Peter and Paul Catholic College
Destination – University of Cambridge, Law

Sam Kaye – Saints Peter and Paul Catholic College
Destination – University of Oxford, English Literature and History 

Samuel Clayton – Wade Deacon High School
Destination – Durham University, Physics  

Isabel Griffiths – Penketh High School
Destination – University of Birmingham, Medicine 

Louise Carter – Great Sankey High School
Destination – University of Bristol, Medicine 

We are sorry we have missed you all today, if you have any photos, we would love to see them! Please tag us on social media or send them to marketing@riverside.ac.uk

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Following today’s announcement, A Level students will now be awarded the grades predicted by their teachers.

Cronton A Level students can access these grades now via their SOLAR account.

For more information go to https://www.cronton.ac.uk/results-2020-info/

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Congratulations to all students who have received GCSE results today!

You may have lots of questions about starting college and we will hopefully be able to answer them all at your enrolment appointment.

For your safety and the safety of our staff, please only come to college at your appointment time, in the meantime you can find answers to some FAQ below:

I have just received my results and I haven’t got what I needed for the course I want to do, what can I do?

Firstly, please try not to panic, we are running enrolment by appointment only for your safety and you will need to stick to your original enrolment appointment.

Our Advice and Guidance team will be on hand at your planned appointment and you will be able to discuss all your options with them.

We understand this can be a stressful time and if you feel that you need to ask any questions prior to your appointment, please call us on 0151 257 2022.

I want to change my course

If you have changed your mind and would like to change your course, you still need to stick to your original enrolment appointment. Please tell us when you arrive at college and you will be able to discuss your course change with our Advice and Guidance Team and ask any further questions from the college tutors before you enrol on a new course.

My enrolment appointment isn’t until next week, can I come today/will it affect my chances of getting onto the course?

No, please don’t come straight to college, the date of your appointment will not affect your place. Some of your friends may have already had their appointment and enrolled at college but please don’t worry, we have reserved your place and are holding it for you!

Only come to college at your allocated enrolment appointment. The appointment system has been put in place to ensure we can keep students and staff safe and adhere to social distancing.

I haven’t applied for college yet or I did apply but didn’t go to my interview and haven’t got an offer of a place, what can I do?

Our September 2020 courses are now closed for 16 – 18-year olds, if you call us on 0151 257 2022 we can take your details and add you to the wait list for your chosen course. In the meantime, we would advise you to look at alternative colleges and options as unfortunately there is currently no guarantee we will be able to offer you a place. We would like to wish you luck in your future studies.

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