City of Westminster College students were invited to put their athletic, team building and endurance skills to the test at a Personal Development Course held at the Army’s ATC Pirbright training centre near Woking, Surrey.

 

A group of around 40 students studying BTEC Introductory, First and National Diplomas in Sports and Sports Science, along with students from Fresh Start and BTEC Level 2 in Public Services, donned Army fatigues and successfully undertook a set of mental and physical challenges similar to those faced by new recruits.

 

Under military conditions, they tackled logistical problem solving and command exercises, mountain biking and paintballing. They also carried and cooked their own army rations and finally – toughest test of all – completed the grueling and sometimes wet and muddy Pirbright Assault Course.

 

Warrant Officer Keiran Fortune says: “It was a pleasure to host City of Westminster College who always come to the Personal Development course at Pirbright with the right ‘can do’ attitude. The key to success when working as a team is always ensuring that the slowest or weakest link is looked after. The students and staff enjoyed the day and were able to view each other in a different light to the normal College environment. College staff led from the front and encouraged the students by example - which impressed us all, even if some did crash and burn on some of the more ambitious obstacles on the Assault Course. I look forward to working again with City of Westminster College students and staff.”

 

Lecturer Susannah King, who helped organise the event, says: “Everyone (including accompanying tutors) had their fair share of press-ups to contend with, but smiles and laughter were shared by students, staff and Army personnel. We’d like to extend our thanks to the ATC Pirbright team, including Warrant Officer Keiran Fortune for making the placement happen, and Colour Sergeant Pat Hanlon and the other members of the team for their advice, good humour – and press-ups!”

 

City of Westminster College offers BTEC Introductory, First and National Diplomas in Sport, and Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science. It also provides CYQ certification in Fitness Instruction. BTEC Public Services qualifications – which build skills for careers in the security, armed forces, event and people management industries – are available at levels 2 and 3. Students on all these courses benefit from excellent facilities, including a Sport England-specification sports hall and well equipped gym/fitness suite. 

 

Photo caption: Students and staff were put through their paces at the Army training centre in Pirbright.

 

Further information:

 

 

 

• City of Westminster College is a leading London further education college with three centres in central London – Paddington Green Campus, Queens Park Campus and the Cockpit Theatre – and a range of outreach centres. The College offers over 200 vocational and academic courses. Specialisms include Sport, Digital Media, Engineering, Music Technology and Science.
• City of Westminster College is an associate of Middlesex University and University of Westminster. It is also a Founder College of the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills and a member of Westminster Skillset Media Academy with the University of Westminster.
• The College’s Paddington Green Campus opened in January 2011 and is a flagship for the Further Education sector. It features outstanding facilities, including specialist workshops and laboratories, a large sports hall, gym/fitness suite, dance studio and theatre.