Testimonial - 2/18 - Derby College

Our Alumni

Welcome to Our Alumni, an exciting feature that lets you find out more about your fellow former students and see what they’re up to today. If you’d like to be included on Our Alumni, simply click the button below:

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Lara White

Subject: A Levels

"I would describe my time at college as a coming-of-age experience"

Liam Silver

Subject: Public Services

“We had some brilliant trips, and one which sticks out was a week with the Royal Marines.”

Sarah Booker

Subject: Equality and Diversity

"My favourite thing about Derby College was the choice of courses and the support from the staff."

Grace Draper

Subject: Apprenticeships

"An apprenticeship at Rolls- Royce is the best of both worlds. We get to work in all sorts of areas of the company, earning while we’re learning."

Anita Saunders

Subject: Business

"College definitely helped get me to where I am today"

Stephanie Davis

Subject: Teacher Training

"Every step of the way I've been supported by the college. I'm not a natural at English but the college has given been brilliant and helped my confidence no end."

Hannah Curley

Subject: A Levels

"I’d recommend Derby College – not just for A levels but for any course. It’s an ideal place to study if you’re a self-motivated person who is keen to get on and feels happy making a new set of friends."

Ryan Horsnall

Subject: Apprenticeships

"At Derby College I was taught a lot of skills such as target setting that has helped me be organised and realistic with work and learning."

Richard H.

Subject: Construction Management

"My time at college helped me to excel under pressure and increase my confidence."

Aimee Woore

Subject: Apprenticeships

"Taking the Derby College course has helped me massively in my job"

Reece Oates

Subject: MIG Welding

"“You’re never too old to qualify - keep at it and continue to learn."

Zahir Mahmood

Subject: A Levels

"Derby College helped me understand what type of career I can get with a law degree and it helped me understand what areas of law I can get into."

Simon DeMontfort

Subject: S.I.A licensing course

"My time at college helped me move forward in the world and in my chosen career."

Andrew Fretwell

Subject: Arboriculture

"I loved the course from start to finish. Every aspect of each section had somebody knowledgeable."

Joe Evans

Subject: Professional Construction

"My joinery side was the basis of where my construction knowledge began. The sky’s the limit really and the foundations came from Derby College."

Stuart H.

Subject: Engineering

"Derby College was the foundation for the rest of my life."

Robyn Humphries

Subject: Catering and Hospitality

"My course at Derby College was amazing. I wouldn't be where I am today without it!"

Kyra Woolley

Subject: Engineering

"My favourite this about going to Derby College was meeting new people and making new friends."

Ocean Hampson

Subject: BTEC in Art and Design

"I was always supported by my teachers with any idea I had, no matter how big!"

Craig Gavagan

Subject: Agriculture

"I love working with the livestock and machinery and I hope that the qualifications I gain as part of the apprenticeship will help me get a job after the programme finishes."

Kirsty Bowler

Subject: GCSEs

"My time at Derby College helped me to get the grades I needed to do my PGCE and further my career!"

Kieran Dixon

Subject: Professional Construction

"I was attracted by the fact that the job and the course together give you the chance to learn all the different trades."

Lauren Bamford

Subject: A Levels

"My time at college allowed me to prepare for not only university but also my current job role. The style of teaching and the lecture -style classroom taught me to successfully manage my own workload."

Jess Guest

Subject: Personal Training

"Steve, my college tutor, is really good. I’m assessed on site and he’s always very helpful and happy to give me advice whenever I need it."

Jack Bowler

Subject: Catering and Hospitality

"Derby College gave me the confidence to do what I’m doing now, and I owe my lecturers a lot."

Richard Auzins

Subject: Visual Merchandising

"The Derby College course helped me get the job and having a qualification in retail merchandising has made me more confident in sharing my ideas at work."

Paul Prime

Subject: Domestic Gas Foundation

"The course content and the quality of teaching was excellent – so much so that I’ve been back to the college since to talk to other people on the course about how it’s benefitted me and my business."

Katie B.

Subject: Education and Training

"I loved my course because of my teachers..."

Jack McDonagh

Subject: Light Vehicle Maintenance

"The best step to start a rewarding career!"

Callum Reeves

Subject: Horticultural Studies

“Without the help of the college I wouldn’t have got this nice job. I would have had no chance if the staff hadn’t been there to help me get my CV together.”

Suzanne Butler

Subject: Professional Construction

"The course is great and without the college I wouldn’t have had the chance to get a job with Morrison Design Agency."

Saffron Limb

Subject: Beauty Therapy

"The Beauty faculty at the Roundhouse is modern and well equipped and has everything you need to prepare you for a good job in beauty therapy."

Sukjevan Dhindsa

Subject: Motor Vehicle Engineering

"I wouldn’t be where I am now without Derby College."

Shareen Akhtar

Subject: A Levels

"Going to Derby College for my A levels is 100 per cent the reason why I’m now a qualified vet doing a job I absolutely love."

Angela Allkins

Subject: NEBOSH

"I loved meeting new people at college!"

Steph Lovely

Subject: Animal Management

"The course is really hands-on and that’s what I wanted."

Caroline Keeton

Subject: Teacher Training

"Caroline Friel, our lecturer, played a major part in my decision, and that of other students on my course, to go on and get a degree."

Carolyn Wild

Subject: PGCE FE and Skills

"I found Derby College to be an inspirational place to learn and develop my skills and career path."

Hitomi Ferguson

Subject: Engineering

"The Roundhouse is brilliant – it has everything you need. In the long term I’m hoping to get onto an apprenticeship which hopefully could lead to the start of a good career."

Yikai Shen

Subject: A Levels

"My biggest challenge at College was obviously the language but I worked hard and gained a lot of support from tutors at the College."

Jack O’Connor

Subject: Engineering

"I can honestly say that the course was brilliant and the lecturers were great."

Harj Dhanjal

Subject: Business

“I always wanted to do well in Business and Finance,”

Rachel Dennis

Subject: Beauty Therapy

"I was delighted to hear that Derby College ran a specialist course in the subject. Winning the Peak Award completed a fantastic year"

Dominic Saneria

Subject: IT Systems Support

"The most exciting part of my current role is training and developing new staff members, helping them to learn new technical process and learning transferable skills that can go across the industry."

Suman Zulifqar

Subject: BTEC Level 3 in ICT and Business

"My time at college helped me to become the confident person I am today!"

Simon Arnold

Subject: Business

My time spent studying at Derby College started me on a journey

Kyle Robertson

Subject: A Levels

"The transferable skills I learned at College allowed me succeed at University.”

Michelle Carlos

Subject: Fitness Instruction

"Without my sports qualifications I would never have set up Jumpz"

Hannah H

Subject: ECDL

"My favourite thing about Derby College was the great people I got to learn alongside."

Krystal Treadwell

Subject: Public Services

"I’m glad I went to Derby College as it set me up nicely for going in the army."

James Radford

Subject: Media Studies

"I would definitely recommend the Media Studies course to other people interested in a career in the creative industry."

Lee Jason Grimes

Subject: GCSEs

"I would describe College as being the best thing that has ever happened to me!"

Mark Hall

Subject: Arboriculture

"The wealth of information that was there throughout, from woodland management, to the practical side: you never felt you weren’t getting what you needed."

Zishan Fazel

Subject: Systems Support

"The support from lecturers was amazing, on completion of BTEC it enabled me to continue my education at degree level"

Joanne D

Subject: BSc Equine Science

"DCG helped me unlock my academic potential."

Alexandra Summerscales

Subject: Animal Management

"My favourite thing about Derby College was finally discovering what I wanted to do!"

Marissa Hunt

Subject: Hairdressing

"My tutors were very helpful and supportive. They knew I was ambitious and that I wanted to open my own salon and they supported me to achieve my goal."

Chloe Henchliffe

Subject: A Levels

"Derby College made me think that going to university was worth bothering with after all!"

Sophie Wright

Subject: A Levels

"College helped me to decide that exploring digital marketing was the right choice for me"

Rosie Dales

Subject: Fabrication and Welding

"I'm really enjoying the college work. The tutor is focussed on the students and I'm making good progress."

Phoebe Eley

Subject: Music Performance

"I will always remember the feeling that anything was possible after achieving my final grades and after performing in my final assessed performance."

Jessica and Lucy Sheldon

Subject: Health and Social Care

“The quality of the teaching in all our subjects was outstanding and the guidance and advice we received was fantastic.”

Luke Wilkins

Subject: A Levels

"The course covered everything from finance to marketing and equipped me well to study business at university. I really do owe a lot my success to my time at Derby College."

Alexandra Wood

Subject: A Levels

"You aren’t spoon-fed like you are at school and the independent reading you have to do prepares you well for university."

Daniel Ranby

Subject: Business Studies

"I always wanted to run my own business, and Derby College gave me the insight I needed"

Shannon Warren

Subject: Art and Design

"What a great experience and a good place to be! Staff were friendly and inspiring and the facilities were very good."

Gordon Kimberley

Subject: Union Learning Representatives Pathway

"I loved meeting the other students and hearing their stories and discussing solutions throughout the courses."

Steven Rimmer

Subject: Access to Teaching

"I want to emulate those lecturers who taught me on my access course and help other people like me get the chance to go on to university."

Joshua Horsley

Subject: Performing Arts

"I hope to be a professional dancer in the future but I am keen to gain behind-the-scenes skills too, which will stand me in good stead for my career."

Peter James

Subject: Health and Social Care

The most important thing is to listen to people,” he said. “Work with them, respect them and empower them./strong>

Maddie Kirkman

Subject: Professional Construction

"There aren’t that many women in construction but a lot of work is underway to get more trainees in. I think it’s changing gradually – I hope so, I think women have a natural eye for detail."

Janine T

Subject: English & Social Sciences

"My time at Derby College helped me to develop as a person."

David N.

Subject: Counselling & First Aid

"My first aid course helped me save a child's life."

Shannon Riley

Subject: A Levels

"As well as opening doors at First Response Finance, the whole experience at Derby College gave me independent learning skills and helped me to mature to be ready for the workplace."

Angela Ward

Subject: Painting and Decorating

"It has been a struggle to juggle College and home life but I have loved every minute of it. The Peak Awards were a lovely way to finish my Derby College experience."

Louise Rea-Allen

Subject: Teacher Training

"The college tutors are excellent, the quality of their teaching and feedback is always of a high standard."

Natalie Shardlow

Subject: Customer Service

“I got a great start in my job thanks to my apprenticeship and the course overall gave me all the background skills I needed.”

Sameer Hussain

My time at Derby College broadened everything I knew in regards to IT, such as software, graphic design and the likes

Gerald Namwaza

Subject: Health and Social Care

"I had a wonderful maths teacher and I’m thankful to all the lecturers who helped me throughout my course."

Monique Fowlke-Bosworth

Subject: Transitions

"My lecturers at Derby College couldn’t have been more supportive. They’ve helped me with my English, maths – in fact with all my subjects."

Tom Longdon

Subject: Agriculture

"Derby College made me want to carry on farming and made it possible for me get my 'tickets'"

Sam Mount

Subject: Social Media

"I’d always been interested in both the software and hardware aspects of computer technology"

Nigel Duffus

Subject: Professional Construction

"The college is very learner-friendly – you get access to all the support and facilities you need to help reach your goals."

Heather Shaw

Subject: A Levels

"My psychology tutors were great. Glyn Pickering was such a good teacher and I completely fell in love with the subject because of the way it was taught. At Derby College the tutors put us first."

Scott D

Subject: PTLLS

"A fantastic venue for enhancing the learning experience."

Jacob Holmes

Subject: Music Technology

"The tutors at Derby College are so helpful. They really care about the learners and their progress, which pushes you to work harder."

Andrew Jeffries

Subject: Maintenance and Repair

"College gave me the confidence to get to where I am now"

Lewis Cottle

Subject: Professional Construction

"At college the teachers show you the easiest and best ways to do a job. They really help if you are struggling with something."

Graeme Turner

Subject: Countryside Management

"Derby College gave me the qualifications to pursue a career as a ranger and ultimately secure a degree which led to further career advancement."

Aaron Ledster

Subject: Barbering

"You learnt a lot of customer skills and got used to being in a salon in a professional environment. It helps you when you get into the workplace because you’ve got that experience."

Zack M

Subject: Agriculture

"Amazing - the best time of my life."

Lauren Morley

Subject: Equine Management

"The course gave me a good understanding of yard management and equine health and there was always support available if you needed it. It was also very practical, which I liked."

Dean Wain

Subject: Plumbing

"I just look forward to coming to work; I don’t have that Monday morning feeling. I enjoy it here and I’d recommend anybody who gets the chance to become an apprentice to take it."

Rita Jansone

Subject: GCSEs

"Derby College has prepared me for life at university, and I was vital in my success in securing a place at university this time around."

Carla Davies

Subject: Dog Grooming

"When I heard about the job opportunities and support available through the REED NCFE team, I decided to go for it and was over the moon when I was offered the job."

Nile B

Subject: Performing Arts

"A brilliant stepping stone for setting me up for university and further education."

Sarah-May Anderson

Subject: Floristry

"The course appealed to me in the first place because it gave a lot more than just floristry – it was quite detailed."

Isaac Fowler

Subject: Professional Construction

"The lecturers have both come from construction and they really know what they are talking about."

Joyin Li

Subject: Professional Construction

"It’s set up a bit like university; they give you the resources and tell you what to look at, tell you what you need to know to pass an assignment, and let you get on with it."

Sam Gilleard

Subject: Professional Construction

"My college experience has been so positive that I’ve already recommended the professional construction course to other people."

Josh Randall

Subject: Public Services

"Leading a team when you're only 16 is a big ask, but the Derby College course gave me confidence and was great experience."

Anthony Lockett

Subject: First Aid

"I loved being able to have a laugh with my teacher and classmates at the same time as learning something new."

Zack M

Subject: Agriculture

"Amazing - best time of my life."

Sarah Wall

Subject: NNEB

"A fantastic college that provides a very different and interesting way to learn!"

Luke Orme

Subject: Travel & Tourism

“I had great tutors at Derby College who motivated me and kept me on course.”

Alan Dunn

Subject: Retail

"Derby College helped me get the skills I needed to further my career."

Samuel Oluwa

Subject: Customer Service

"I found Derby curriculum to be broad in every aspect of teachings in various departments."

Harry T-C.

Subject: A Levels

"You learn that the world is larger than the boundaries of your secondary school."

Danielle Fretwell

Subject: Hairdressing

"I go to college on day release every Monday work in the salon the rest of the week. It’s a good course and I put into practice what I’ve learned at college when I’m at work."

Danny Shooter

Subject: A Levels

"Derby College was very important to me, without it I wouldn’t have had the confidence to go to acting school. They recognised my abilities, encouraged me and were really supportive."

John Mann

Subject: Professional Construction

"The lecturers have been very supportive and know their stuff – what you learn at college you can bring back to work."

Sonia Meakin

Subject: Nursing and Midwifery

"It’s tough to return to education but Derby College makes it so easy and it is a very structured and supportive environment, which is just what you need."

Elizabeth Spinks

Subject: Education and Training

"The lecturers were really good. They kept me really interested, especially after teaching full-time all day, and then going in during the evening: I imagine it’s quite hard work to motivate people."

Aaron Curd

Subject: Business

"The course narrowed down what I wanted to do and set me up for my job."

Jacqui Heath

Subject: TESOL

"I think the most important thing I left with was the confident thumbs up from the excellent teaching staff."

Helen D

Subject: GCSEs

"Derby College was instrumental in my ability to gain a university place."

Jamie Holmes

Subject: Art and Design

"When I first started at College, I was really lacking in confidence but I had so much help and support that I really found myself and I am looking forward to making the most of university."

Nathanael Confaloni

Subject: Horticultural Studies

"The lecturers were absolutely brilliant – all of them."

Karl M.

Subject: Access to Nursing

"Derby College prepared me for university..."

Leo Kokoszko

Subject: Countryside Management

"My college teachers have been so supportive – not just about my coursework but personally too. Their teaching style is informal – but in a good way."

Nadia Di Tullio

Subject: Floristry

"I was determined to move away from a conventional career and dedicate my working life to creating something I love."

Carly Baxter

Subject: Hospitality Management

"It's my ambition to open my own fine dining restaurant but to do that I need to know everything that's involved, not just the cheffing side."

Rachel C

Subject: Retail

"A good place to study..."

Maria Warren

Subject: Marketing

“Studying part-time for my CIM qualifications at Derby College has given me the knowledge and skills to progress in my marketing and communications career.”

Jordan Green

Subject: Catering and Hospitality

" I really want to be working in fine dining and to learn from the best in the industry. Hopefully winning this award will help me at the start of my career."

Katy Morten

Subject: Sports Coaching

"I knew I could get nationally recognised qualifications more quickly on an apprenticeship"

Luke Mahon

Subject: Public Services

"I was drawn to Derby College because the staff there treat you like an adult and trust you to make your own decisions."

Jazmine Greenaway

Subject: A Levels

"Derby College really prepared me to be organised and also improve my time management."

Craig Shore

Subject: Professional Construction

"I’m glad I went to Derby College and gained on the job training at the same time as studying for my foundation degree."

Emma Hatton

Subject: Dog Grooming

"Derby College for me was a great place to meet new people with the same interests while also achieving the knowledge I needed to start my dream job!"

Ian Palmer

Subject: Gas Service Engineering

"The staff at Derby College were very dedicated and knowledgeable in their field"

Paul Whysall

Subject: GCSEs

"Derby College is an excellent learning environment!"

Zoe Longdon

Subject: Dog Grooming

"I started in business last summer. Now I’ve got 85 clients and I’m going from strength-to-strength. I’ve achieved my dream and I’m loving every day."

Ashley Slater

Subject: Agriculture

"The two courses gave me the qualifications I needed and helped me build on what I already knew. Some of the teachers have their own farms and they really know what they are talking about."

Jonathan Barcz

Subject: Professional Construction

"I’m so pleased that I joined the Derby College Employment and Skills Academy which opened so many doors for me"

Eleanor Holt

Subject: Floristry

"The college gave me what I needed to do the job I’m doing now."

Jane Finch

Subject: Childcare

"When you return to education, you become hungry for more: my life and career are going from strength to strength since I went back to Derby College."

Louise Herrington

Subject: Nursing

“The skills I learnt at Derby College were invaluable in helping me to achieve my goals!”

Helen Clark

Subject: Multimedia

"The BTEC course was like an introduction to the real world and how people work in the industry."

Amy Parry

Subject: A Levels

"Derby College undoubtedly helped shape my career"

Emma Johnson

Subject: Travel & Tourism

"I would describe my time at Derby College as a great learning experience!"

Emily Sheldon

Subject: Professional Construction

"Everytime I sit down and learn something, I can use it the next day at work. It’s all that instant. I can do my job with much more confidence."

Emma Dyson

Subject: Aromatherapy / Reflexology

"All the tutors were really brilliant. Very welcoming, helpful and you could use all their knowledge to help yourself."

Daniel Johnston

Subject: Cabin Crew

"When I first joined Derby College, I saw the Diploma as a qualification which could probably lead to a job a few years down the line. Then I got a job before I’d even finished College!"

Kyle Yeomans

Subject: Music Technology

"Derby College is a modern and well equipped place to learn. The support from teachers and the staff is unlike any other education provider I've experienced."

Jamie Rushton

Subject: Motor Vehicle Engineering

"I’ve always wanted to be around cars and I know I always will. I’ve carried out some quite demanding jobs since I started my apprenticeship."

Stuart Thom

Subject: Horticultural Studies

"Derby College was invaluable, and I wouldn’t be where I am now without it."

Samantha Duffield

Subject: Childcare and Education

"I would describe Derby College as a resourceful learning environment."

Pavandeep Tiwana

Subject: Transitions

"The course has given me a taste of what the world of work is like. I’m enjoying my studies and I feel like I’m on the road to a job I enjoy."

Christopher Stevenson

Subject: Welding

"My favourite thing about my time at College was that all the classes I did helped me to improve my practical knowledge in my chosen course"

Cinzia Corleto

Subject: Access to Teaching

"I’m loving it. They told to me to expect the most intense year of my life - and it really is intense but it’s really good."

Jordan Richards

Subject: Professional Construction

"I am enjoying my placement with GF Tomlinson and I learnt a lot over the course of just a year."

Pete Szabo

Subject: Mechanical and Production Engineering

"For me, college was great. I was painfully shy at that stage and it helped me grow as a person"

Rehmat Ramzan

Subject: A Levels

"I am so happy. As soon as the exams are over, you start fretting about the results but now that is all over and I am looking forward to university life."

Elizabeth Chambers

Subject: Retail

"I loved my course as it gave me real work experience and a good understanding of the retail world."

Ewelina Wisniewska

Subject: Travel & Tourism

"At college, I gained organisation skills and was therefore able to make sure that I always handed my university work in on time – this has been a huge factor in my success at university."

Sukhveer Singh Dhadwal

Subject: Business Studies

"Going to Derby College has helped inspire me. Unlike sixth form college you’re encouraged to take more responsibility for yourself."

Francesca Ruth Roome

Subject: Extended Diploma in Animal Management

"Derby College was a fantastic place to meet new people and learn together! I also really enjoyed learning about my different potential career paths."

Brad-Owen Knight

Subject: Barbering

"It’s quality. I absolutely love it. In the future I’d like to open more shops and maybe go international. Dream big."

Robyn Y

Subject: Animal Management

"It was fun, engaging, and friendly!"

Danielle H.

Subject: Social Care

"Everyone was supportive in helping you to achieve your best and to go forward with you careers."

Tayla Barnes

Subject: Travel & Tourism

"I enjoy college. The staff are really good – they’re always there to help us and the course content is great. I’ve learned so much, particularly about the business side of the travel industry."

Annie Dowell

Subject: Animal Care

"I loved absolutely every minute of my course and wish I could do it all again. I'm always recommending Broomfield to our dog walkers, who are young and keen to get into animal care."

Harley Jackson

Subject: Complementary and Holistic Therapies

"College has honestly given me a life that I wouldn’t have even dreamt of"

Helen Towle

Subject: Countryside Management

"The practical conservation and ecology parts of my course were the ones I enjoyed the most. The teaching at Derby College was great. Our tutors were so knowledgeable."

Emma Jarrett

Subject: A Levels

"Coming from Ripley it did me good to break out of a small town and meet new people from different backgrounds. It took me out of my comfort zone."

Katie Weeds

Subject: Hairdressing

“Taking an apprenticeship gave me the hands-on training I needed to be able to qualify as a hair stylist and open my own salon.”

George Wright

Subject: Business

"If I’ve got any questions on my course I can email my lecturer Nicola Dean and she comes back to me within the hour with help and advice. Hopefully I’m progressing well at work, I’m enjoying it."

Carrie Hallsworth

Subject: Professional Construction

"I was really nervous at first about going back to college in my thirties, but the lecturers were great – very supportive."

Lauren Cooper

Subject: Animal Care

"Taking the decision to come to Broomfield Hall was a no brainer. I loved everything about the level 3 course and I’m really enjoying the higher education course I’m on now."

Melissa Shanker

Subject: Horse Care

“Taking the course at Broomfield gave me the qualifications I needed to pursue my chosen career as an Equine Veterinary Nurse.”

Luke B.

Subject: IMI Level 1 2 & 3

"Lots of opportunities and resources to help improve knowledge."

Liam A

Subject: Access to Teaching

"The College kept me on track and was very open to helping me respond to any challenges."

Ricky S

Subject: BTEC L1 Introduction to Business

"A place to meet like minded people."

Rhiannon Elliott

Subject: Teacher Training

"Derby College has offered me lots of support throughout my course... However, the College has kept me on track and has been very open to helping me respond to any challenges."

Alex Holmes

Subject: Public Services

"Most of my competitions are during the summer which involves me travelling around the country most weekends to get the scores I need to qualify for England and GB."

Aisha Kirby

Subject: Equine Management

"The wonderful lecturers at Derby College encouraged me to achieve the best I could."

Joanne Bollands

Subject: Animal Care

"College helped to get where I am today"

Charmaine Simpson

Subject: Teacher Training

"The teaching staff are very helpful and if I run into difficulties I can talk to Jo, my student tutor."

Shannon O’Hagan

Subject: A Levels

"My time at Derby College helped me learn that I am responsible for my own future."