Get Communicating

This course offers an excellent opportunity for students who enjoy writing about local, national and international stories to develop their journalistic skills and share their work with a real audience. Alongside contributing to a bi-termly, in-house magazine, students also have the option to join the Young Reporter Scheme, run by Newsquest Media. his exciting scheme gives students the chance to work as real journalists over an eight-month period, with all articles published on the Colchester Gazette website. Students are encouraged to explore the wide range of stories already available: https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/young-reporter/

In addition to having work published online, students who complete the scheme receive a letter of recognition from the regional editor and the opportunity to compete against hundreds of students nationally for prizes and places at a media awards ceremony. There are also frequent opportunities to apply to interview celebrities or attend performances and events in order to write reviews. Students benefit from mentoring sessions delivered via Microsoft Teams by the scheme organiser, offering practical advice and insight from someone working within the journalism industry. This experience provides valuable, hands-on work experience that can be used to strengthen CVs and UCAS applications, and is particularly beneficial for students considering a future career in journalism or the media.

Debating is a challenging and engaging course that supports academic development, spoken communication skills and future progression. It gives students the opportunity to explore current and relevant issues while developing confident oracy through structured discussion, argument and active listening. Each week, students debate topical issues, working collaboratively to research ideas, present viewpoints clearly and respond to others using reasoned, evidence based points. Topics may include social issues, ethical questions and current affairs. The emphasis is on clear expression, attentive listening and adapting responses appropriately, reflecting the expectations of public speaking and oracy‑based qualifications. The programme builds spoken confidence in a supportive environment, helping students organise ideas, sustain contributions and communicate effectively for different purposes and audiences. These skills also support preparation for interviews, presentations and university‑style discussions. Public speaking opportunities are encouraged but not compulsory, and students may choose to participate in optional local or national speaking or debating competitions. Debating develops a range of transferable skills valued by universities and employers, including verbal communication, critical thinking, teamwork and confidence. These skills are useful across many pathways, particularly in subjects or careers where clear and effective communication is important.

Mainly for ESOL students who need to learn:

Punctuation & word terminology and rules

Figures of speech

Language features

Writing techniques for emphasis

Basic sentence structure

Basic paragraph structure

Especially useful for those who are studying for English GCSE/basic A-Level requirements

For ESOL students who already have English GCSE 4 or above. Mainly for students who need to learn:

Higher level sentence structure

Essay planning techniques

Paragraph structure

Analysing questions

Higher level reading essay comprehension

Summarising / expanding information techniques

Proof reading techniques etcetera…

For short term ESOL support (1 ~ 4 weeks). Seen through referral from the student/tutor/teacher, in discussion with the ESOL teacher (David P) and Learning Support (Alison D). Mainly for students who need support with one or two specific issues to do with their language. Times arranged according to timetable free periods.

See “get qualified

Would you like to learn another language without having to worry about an exam? Hoping to go to Europe travelling or on holiday to France or another francophone country? Want to look more impressive when ordering food in your favourite French restaurant? Or you might wish to build informally upon French you have learnt before. This is the additional study for you. No experience in French is necessary, although some previous study of a foreign language or a GCSE in French would be helpful. 

Would you like to learn another language without having to worry about an exam? Hoping to go to Europe travelling or on holiday to Germany? Want to look more impressive when ordering food in your favourite German restaurant? Or you might wish to build informally upon German you have learnt before. This is the additional study for you. No experience in German is necessary, although some previous study of a foreign language or a GCSE in German would be helpful. 

Would you like to learn another language without having to worry about an exam? Hoping to go to Europe travelling or on holiday to Italy? Want to look more impressive when ordering food in your favourite Italian restaurant? Or you might wish to build informally upon Italian you have learnt before. This is the additional study for you. No experience in Italian is necessary, although some previous study of a foreign language or a GCSE in Italian would be helpful. 

Would you like to learn another language without having to worry about an exam? Hoping to go to Europe travelling or on holiday to Spain or South America? Want to look more impressive when ordering food in your favourite Spanish restaurant? Or you might wish to build informally upon Spanish you have learnt before. This is the additional study for you. No experience in Spanish is necessary, although some previous study of a foreign language or a GCSE in Spanish would be helpful. 

Our Introduction to British Sign Language (BSL) is the perfect first step on your British Sign Language BSL journey. The Introduction to British Sign Language course is designed for students who want to gain a foundation in BSL and learn about the deaf community. This is ideal for anyone who is curious to learn the basics of British Sign Language. Sessions are fun, practical and designed for all students. Do you want to know how to sign your name? Learn the BSL alphabet and key signs in various topics such as weather, food and drink and hobbies and interests. This course will give you the key skills in sign language, teaching you all the fundamental signs that form the basis of British Sign Language.

Anime? Would you like to speak Japanese? Japan for a gap year? If you are thinking about learning Japanese then this course is for you! There`s lots of fun while you are learning. Topics to be covered include, introducing yourself, speaking, listening and writing, shopping, origami, how fun & mindful an activity it is, writing calligraphy in Japanese, and learning Japanese culture & history. Do you know there was an African Samurai in the 16th century and English Samurai in the 17th century in Japan? For those who really enjoy the course there will be an opportunity to continue their studies into their second year.

This is a one-year course, one lesson per week. You need no previous knowledge of Latin or of the ancient world, although a general knowledge of the world of ancient Greece and Rome would be useful. If you are studying another language or History, English or Classical Civilisation, Latin would be a useful complement to your studies. Apart from enjoyment, there are many benefits of learning basic Latin. It will make you think about your own language, e.g. what is the origin of words like television, fax, birth by caesarean section, habeas corpus, Colchester? Where do expressions like e.g., i.e., NB, PS come from? It will also help you improve your knowledge of English grammar. You will learn something about an ancient culture and the way they lived. You will be able to put it on your UCAS form and the subject is particularly relevant for students considering applying to Oxbridge.

Are you interested in Chinese culture and language? Are you thinking of travelling or taking a gap year? Are you fascinated by Chinese characters? The course will enable you to greet people, introduce yourself and your family, buy things and identify objects. The focus is on spoken & listening skills, but will also cover basic character recognition. No previous knowledge of Chinese is needed.

Storm Radio is the sound of The Sixth Form College. Student volunteers present three shows a day, guided by experienced second year producers. You will gain presenting skills, confidence and experience with broadcast equipment. As well as playing music, we record podcasts, review new releases and organise live DJing events using a Numark Omni controller. Several volunteers have gone on to senior positions at university radio stations across the country.