WITH the summer holidays approaching, our reporter paid a visit to Worcester Sixth Form College before the students break up. The school won this year’s College or post-18 Education and Training Provider at the Worcestershire Education Awards.

THE school, in Spetchley Road, was praised in a nomination and was described as providing a “lovely atmosphere.”

During my time there, I visited the AS Level students while they were taking part in their last lesson of the academic year, Philosophy and Ethics.

Class teacher, Sally Johnson, welcomed me into her classroom.

Mrs Johnson, teaching and learning co-ordinator, said: “We try to inspire the love of learning. A Levels can be difficult, so it is important to give the students easier ways to learn.

“The students are engaged in their learning and are prepared to go that extra mile. They’re a really fun bunch and a lovely age to work with.”

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Mrs Johnson, who has been working at the school for 12 years, added: “It’s creating that culture of getting the balance of learning and making friends with the students.”

This classroom was one of the happiest I have ever been in. It may have been because it was the students' last day at school, however, despite this the students were cheery and there was constant engagement and chatter amongst the group and Mrs Johnson.

Lysia Williams-Tettey, aged 17, said: “Sally is basically our mum and she is very inclusive. I find Sally’s classes really interesting. She is enthusiastic, and we always learn so much. She loves the subject, which helps because she makes it so fun to be in her class.”

Ella Hughes, who would like to go into Zoology, aged 16, said: “I love Sally -she’s ace. I like the subject; it’s my favourite and you never get bored.”

Katie Byrd, 17, who aspires to be a child’s nurse, said: “Sally gets us involved and there is always room for discussion in her classes. We all bounce off each other. I don’t feel like we are at school. we get so much independence here but there’s also lots of support.”

Maya Taylor, aged 17, who wants to be an English teacher, said: “I’ve definitely been inspired by the teachers here. The teachers and lessons are very organised and there is plenty of support to students doing their A Levels.”

In preparation for A-level exams, the students were primarily focusing on re-jogging their memories and recapping on topics they had previously learnt throughout the academic year.

One of the major initiatives at the college is Mindset – with its key principles being Vision, Effort, Systems Practice and Attitude.