Enrichment Activities

Enrichment Courses

Whilst studying at Nelson and Colne you will get the opportunity to participate in a wide selection of enrichment activities. Wednesday afternoons are kept free in all students’ timetables so that new activities and experiences can be explored. It is hoped that these activities will help to enhance your experience of the College as well as preparing you for future success.

The College offers a wide variety of activities from the various sports teams to drama to music as well as much, much more. Higher Education institutions actively seek students who have participated in a wide range of activities at College including both academic and extra curricular so participation is encouraged.

Enrichment List

5-a-side Football
This activity takes place in the College gym and is a very popular activity on the enrichment programme. This runs throughout the College year.
Acting Skills
Budding actors are taught the tips of making their way to the top in this 10 week course.
Astronomy
10 weeks, 1 hour per week. A basic introduction in to Astronomy for anybody interested in the subject or thinking about taking it up as a hobby. See amazing pictures from the Hubble Telescope.
Badminton
Takes place in the College gym and runs throughout the College year. The College enters a team into the British Colleges Sport ( BCS ) competition every year and it is an sport we have been successful in.
Basketball
Played in the College gym, this activity attracts a lot of interest. We again enter into in to the BCS competition annually.
Beauty Tips & Techniques
10 weeks, 2 hours per week. All students welcome. A wide range of topics and skills covered including make-up demos, eye brow shaping and nail art to name a few. Activities are student led.
Big Band
All term. This is a large ensemble playing jazz, swing and funk. All instruments welcome.
Chess Club
Chess Boards available at Student Services all term. Join one of the most successful activities from last year's programme! Friendly, relaxed atmosphere…..until the chess tournament takes off!
Cartoon and Caricature Drawing
You will have great fun in making charicature's of different people (but not your teachers, of course).
Choir
All term. Compulsory for Music students but all students welcome. You will be involved in several annual concerts, the first one is at Christmas.
Climbing Club
For the novice to the more experienced. In good weather you will visit local quarries & other climbing areas such as Ingleton. In bad weather, local indoor walls will be used at a small cost of approx £5. Parent consent forms must be completed before you can climb.
Conservation Group
Are you interested in conservation and natural history or just being outdoors? Then the Conservation Group is for you!
Creative Writing
Would you like to develop your creative writing skills? Join this group and you could be writing articles for the College's Student Bulletin or possibly be a part of launching the very first N&CC student magazine!
Cricket
Played in the summer term against other local Colleges on a friendly basis. A chance to take your indoor skills to the outdoor version of the game and get out in the sun on a Wednesday afternoon.
Indoor Cricket Tournament
A hugely successful activity on the enrichment programme played every Tuesday and Thursday evening throughout the year. A round robin tournament precedes a semi-final and then there is a finals day. The winning team may then face a staff select team.
Dance Workshop
10 weeks, 1 ½ hours per week. All types of dance and movement offered. A great way to stay fit and have fun at the same time.
Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award
A hugely popular activity. Students work towards five different areas of the award and this involves work in the community as well as expeditions in areas such as Pendle Hill and the Forest of Bowland . For further details, please read the students account of their experiences on the D of E programme.
First Aid Appointed Person
2 weeks, 2 hours per week. Become a qualified first aider. Gain a nationally recognised and nationally sought after qualification.
Football
The College runs three very successful football teams competing in the British Colleges league against other local Colleges. After playing in a league, the top team then progresses into the quarter finals against Colleges across the country. N&CC recently reached the semi-finals and are always looking to build on their success. This activity takes place every Wednesday and trials are held in the first couple of weeks at College so keep your eyes out for the dates on the Enrichment board.
Fresh Start Challenge
Open to all Fresh Start students. Get involved in different challenges throughout the year. It's great fun. Speak to your Fresh Start Tutor for more details.
Hair Tips and Techniques
10 weeks, 2 hours per week. For the novice and the more experienced. Learn basic skills of hair care and styling or enhance your existing skills and develop them in order to complete a competition style.
Hockey
Although N&CC do not play in a hockey league, sessions are run indoors throughout the year. The College then enters a team in the BCS competition where we have been very successful in the past.
Leisure Centre Card
Access to all of Colne Sports Centre's facilities any time of the week. £15 for 10 credits (1 credit per week). Cards can be purchased from Student Services.
Media Group
Students in the Media Group learn the basics of video production from storyboarding to full recording and editing.
Netball
The College plays in a league system against other local Colleges before going on to compete nationally in the BCS competition if successful in the league. Games are played every Wednesday afternoon and trials are held at the beginning of the first term so keep your eyes on the Enrichment board for details.
Philosophy Group
This group meets to discuss many areas of Philosophy and is always a popular group. Open to anyone with an interest in Philosophy, you don't need to be studying the subject to join the group.
Print Making
Would you like to design and make your own print works? Then come along to the Print Making Club!
Repair your own P.C.
Learn how to repair your own P.C., install and update software, test for problems and recover data.
Robotics
Maybe you would like to create your own robot. Learn the basics of robot control and how to plan, design and build one in the robotics workshop.
Rock, Pop and Jazz
This is a very popular activity and is open to all students at the College whether you study Music or not. All instruments welcomed so come along for a jam!
Rugby
The College enters the BCS competition each year and trials and training takes place after Christmas – keep your eyes out for notice on the Enrichment board.
Self Defence
Open to all College students. A professional instructor comes into College for 2 hours every Wednesday afternoon to teach basic techniques of self defence. Very popular and really useful.
Spanish
10 weeks, 2 hours per week. Basic Spanish for the complete beginner. Survive your holidays and converse with locals.
Sports Drop in Sessions
A number of sports on offer throughout the year for drop in sessions including hockey, table tennis, badminton and many more.
Table Tennis
Students can take part in drop in sessions throughout the year and we enter the BCS competition each year. We have had representatives at the national finals in Loughborough in 2006 and 2007 and it is a very successful area for the College.
Textiles
Would you like to develop your appreciation of textile materials? Then come along to the Textile Club.
Trampolining
Another drop in sports session run on Wednesday afternoons. All students are welcome to come along and take part whatever your level of trampolining experience. N&CC have been represented at the national finals in Loughborough in 2006 and 2007 and it continues to be a very successful sport for the College.
Volleyball
Open to all students no matter how much previous experience they have of Volleyball. The College enters a team in the BCS competition each year and it has been an area of success in the past. A fun and exciting sport so come along and give it a try.
Voluntary Work Experience
Students are welcome to sort out their own work experience on a voluntary basis to count towards their enrichment. This can be very good for your personal record and shows an interest in your chosen career. Can be very helpful when applying to University.
War Games
Students organised themselves and met weekly to take part in Role Playing Games. Dungeons and Dragons was very popular last year.
Web Page Design
Web page design and flash animation. 10 weeks, 1 ½ hours per week. Create and manage your own web page. Create animations using Flash.
Women's Football Team
The women's football team in the past, has been very successful. Competing in friendly games against a number of local Colleges, the team has done very well. A hugely popular sport on the programme.

Summer Term Sessions

Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science
For those student's wanting to enter a career in the above, the college runs a six week programme in the summer term. Sessions include study support for gaining those all important grade A's, University application processes, production of personal statements and work experience.

One Day Sessions

  • Asian Music Workshop
  • National Blood Service
  • Arrive Alive Workshop
  • Year in Industry
Sports Day
Traditional sports day activities – students are encouraged to enter in teams from their curriculum areas as they battle for bragging rights – especially if they beat the staff team!

Subject Specific Enrichment

Science

Biology – trip to NOWGEN – new genetics park in Manchester . DNA / PCR /Electrophoresis

Chester Zoo – conservation

Ecology field trips to Ainsdale/Wycoller/Gawthorpe

Chemistry – analytical chemistry competition

Visiting Speakers

Physics – Salford Uni

Christies Hospital

Applied Science – Moorhouse Brewery

McBrides

Maths
Annual trip to the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester for a series of three talks run by an organisation called Maths Inspiration. The speakers are internationally known and the talks have concerned the Mathematics and Juggling (with demonstrations), the ‘maths of producing rides that frighten but don't kill' at places such as Alton Towers , Chaos Theory and the Electric Guitar.
Spanish
Trip to a specially prepared Tapas evening at the Courtyard Restaurant.
French
Trip to Manchester University (seminars and presentations)
Theatre Studies
At least three theatre trips per year
English Literature
Visit from St Martin 's lecturer
Catering
Annual visits from :
  • Blackburn Football Club as part of an induction working with Northcote offsite
  • The 3 Fishes Restaurant, Mitton
  • Michael Quinn – head chef Savoy Hotel, London on effects of drugs and alcohol
  • Army Catering and Territorial army catering for blue light services
  • Guest Chef from Devonshire Arms

Annual visits to:

  • NEC Good food show – demos from Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsey
  • One week visit to France
  • Students demonstrating European cookery to local schools

Events at College:

  • Fundraising events incl Red Nose Day, Children In Need
  • Competitions: Nestle Toque D'or, Covent Garden Soup competition
  • Question of Catering working with local industry
  • Host to Young North West Chef of the Year