Creative sixthformers show off their skills

Future sixthformers got to show off their skills when they created Easter hats at a taster evening at Barrow Sixth Form College this week.

Around 100 Year 11 students attended the Spring into Sixth Form event at Furness College’s Rating Lane campus.

The aim of the event is to help students settle into college and meet their fellow peers before they start in September. The challenges are designed to be fun and informal to give them a taste of what college life is like.

There were 12 teams on the night with students from local secondary schools all taking part including those from: Chetwynde, Dowdales, Furness Academy, Millom School, St. Bernard’s, UVHS and Walney School.

Students were tasked with a Treasure Hunt Challenge where they picked up clues which led them to different rooms around the college. They picked up equipment on the way which they would later use for their Easter hat design.

Jake Brown, Widening Participation Manager at Lancaster University was also in attendance to give students a presentation on university life and help advise them on their future options as they think of applying for university.

Helen Gibson, Head of Sixth Form, said it was a great event with a brilliant atmosphere.

“This year’s Spring into Sixth Form we added in the Treasure Hunt Challenge to give students a chance to explore our campus and the clues added the fun element to it. The tasks meant communication was key as they had to work out where the clue would lead them.

“We know it can be a daunting experience starting college as it is a different environment than students will be used to. However, this event shows how college can be fun and exciting whilst educating them on the courses we offer and opportunities available for them.

“We hope they have more confidence and feel settled for when they start with us in September.”

The winning team created a fantastic hat which resembled that of a birthday cake.

Applications to sixth form are open now: https://www.furnessapplications.co.uk/