DO you fancy learning Swahili? Gaining a qualification in plumbing? Or just going back to school for fun, to find out what goes on in classrooms these days? If so, Okehampton College is keen to hear from you. The college has just appointed a new community development leader, responsible for getting the public in through the doors of the college to take advantage of its facilities and resources. Science teacher Keith Webber has been chosen for the role. ?We really want to get the community in through the college doors,? he said. ?Whether that?s just for fun, to get more involved in their children?s learning, or for certified training like food hygiene qualifications or teaching English as a foreign language. There are such great facilities here at the college and so many hours when they?re not used.? Keith is keen to hear from members of the public to give him an idea of what sorts of courses and events people in the area would like to attend. ?We want to provide what the public want ? but only they can tell us that,? he said. Besides ?have-a-go? lessons and courses, the college is planning to hold fun community events over the coming year, such as a science night, with demonstrations and a buffet, and quizzes using its 300 new ?vote now? handsets ? as seen on TV gameshows. As well as hearing from people who would like to see certain courses or events offered by the college, Keith is also keen to hear from people living in the area who might be able to help teach continuing education courses which the college staff don?t currently cover. ?There?s all kinds of latent talent in the community,? he said. As part of his aim to develop more connections between the college and the community, he would also like to hear from businesses in the area who might be able to offer new work experience placements for students. The college?s new community projects will begin in September ? just what courses are run will depend upon the feedback the college receives. For more information, or to offer suggestions, please email Keith Webber at [email protected]">[email protected] or write to him at Okehampton College, Mill Road, Okehampton, EX20 1PW. Keith would also like the parents of pupils to sign up to his email news list, to receive information about forthcoming events directly, instead of via the less reliable medium of their children?s satchels.
