Burnley College students join NHS medics in on-going battle against Covid-19

The students, who have completed the acclaimed East Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Cadet Nurse programme, are coming to the end of their two-year Advanced Vocational Health and Social Care studies.

Student Chloe Ashcroft, (18), a former pupil at Unity College, said: “Thanks to the Cadet Nurse scheme, we’ve all gained amazing experience over our time at College and had a head start on other bank staff as we had already completed many of the requirements to work as health care assistants.

"Although we appreciate this is a challenging time for the NHS, my classmates and I are all eager to get working and helping out.”

Chloe is joined by others from her class starting duties in the NHS, including:

- Eleanor Cocker (18), from Cliviger, a former pupil at Unity College, Burnley

- Chloe Sullivan (18), from Burnley, a former pupil at Blessed Trinity RC College, Burnley

- Esther Clegg (19), from Oswaldtwistle, a former pupil at St Christopher’s CE High School, Accrington

- Sophie Baird (18), from Clitheroe, a former pupil at St Augustine’s RC High School, Billington

- Maheen Parvez (18), from Brierfield, a former pupil of Sir John Thursby Community College, Burnley

- Georgia Riley (18), from Accrington, a former pupil of All Saints’ High School, Rossendale

- Lucy Martin (18), from Burnley, a former pupil at Shuttleworth College, Padiham

Chloe added: “I’ve always wanted to be a nurse and my experience both at college and on the cadet nurse scheme has given me a great start. I’m now able to gain invaluable experience in the NHS at a time when they need the help, the most – and I’m earning some money, which will be a real benefit when I start my degree studies in Children’s Nursing, at the University of Salford, in September.”

Burnley College Sixth Form Centre students have a proud record of success in the volunteer Cadet Nurse programme with East Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust where, as part of their Advanced Level studies, they gain experience in a range of ward and clinical settings.

In 2019 Hannah Firminger was named Cadet Nurse of the Year across the Trust, following in the footsteps of Emily Speirs, who earned the award in 2018. Both are now studying Nursing at the University of Central Lancashire.

Principal Karen Buchanan said: “We’re very proud of our students who are joining the NHS at this time to help in the continued battle against Covid-19. The skills, knowledge and experience they have gained at Burnley College and on the Cadet Nurse programme will ensure they can play a valuable role in whatever healthcare setting they find themselves.

“Our reputation as a leading College for providing the health professionals of tomorrow with the essential qualifications, support and experience they need to take the first step towards successful careers grows year on year.

"Our A Level and Advanced Vocational students alike progress to degree courses at some of the UK’s leading universities and will achieve their dream careers in medicine and nursing.

"We are also proud to offer new T Levels in Health and Healthcare Science, which will start in autumn 2021: this will be a new way of learning combining academic excellence with workplace experience – led by our outstanding Tutors and making use of our unrivalled facilities, including university-standard laboratories and bespoke training suites.

“It is this holistic focus on creating the individualised pathway each student needs to make their career dreams come true that has led to Burnley College being recognised as the number one College in England in the latest, official Government achievement tables.”