My first year at Taunton's
Students review their first year at college. Read their comments...
Stephanie Williams
(Hampshire Collegiate)
A levels in Physics, Chemistry and Further Maths
I’ve been involved in an enormous selection of musical activities in my first year. I’ve sung in the choir, played cello with the string quartet at the Houses of Parliament, was in the orchestra for a performance of Mozart’s Cosi fan Tutti and also played in private functions with the quartet.
I enjoyed taking part in the Engineering Scheme project where we worked with the Royal Navy and I also went on a trip to the Medical Physics department at Southampton General Hospital.
As part of my AS level French course I did an exchange trip to southwest France which I really enjoyed and it certainly helped with my knowledge of the language.
The teaching at Taunton’s is of a high standard with the staff communicating their knowledge well and being suitably enthusiastic about their subjects. The teaching is pitched at the right level but it also stretches you. I’ve achieved good exam grades so far at Taunton’s and I feel well prepared for them.
It’s easy to make friends here and everyone no matter where they come from fits in. I’m planning to study either Maths or Engineering at Oxford or Cambridge.
Tomasso Bendoni
(formerly Cantell)
International Baccalaureate
The IB group is really nice and friendly and everyone is very supportive. We also get lots of excellent support from the teachers. You can tell they really understand what they are teaching and that they are trying to get the best out of you. You can always ask them for help and they really understand our needs.
The course has been a lot of hard work. The jump from GCSE to an international programme of study takes some getting used to but it’s worth it as it is very rewarding. There’s plenty of individual work and projects to get done. I’ve been working on my extended essay for Biology about fish behaviour and it’s been so interesting be able to research a topic of your own choosing. I’m hoping to study Marine Biology at university so this will be good preparation.
I’ve also had the chance to go to Tanzania this summer, and we spent all year fundraising. This academic year I’m focusing on university applications. It was good that we had mock exams last summer so that we can see how we were progressing half way through the course.
The college is small and friendly and everyone tends to get to know each other. I know lots of people from other courses as well. The library is good and the staff are helpful and approachable. There are lots of computers and places for quiet study. I’ve also had the chance to take advantage of the good sports facilities here by playing tennis and basketball.
Rachael Murray
(Regents Park)
A levels in Art and Design, Sport and PE and Biology
I like doing sport at Taunton’s. I am a member of the Trampoline Academy and I also attend the training sessions at the Netball Academy. I’ve taken part in several trampoline competitions here including when we cam second in the national college championships. I feel that I have improved a lot since I have been in the Academy.
I like the way you can be more individual in the way you study at Taunton’s. You can arrange your free time how you want, so I spend a lot of time doing extra work in the art studio or going to the college library which is good to work in. I want to go to university but I’m not sure about the subject I’ll be studying as I need to decide between the caring professions or art.
The staff are helpful here and they have confirmed my interest in going on to higher education. They have given me a taste of what it will be like to study at degree level. My tutor is very encouraging and is always offering advice about universities.
I went on a trip to Tate Modern and Tate Britain in London and found this very interesting. The staff are easy to get on with here and they don’t mind staying after lessons to help you by giving their time. They trust you and they are happy to lend you books.
Tom Bower
(Upper Shirley High)
A levels in Biology, PE and Chemistry
I’m a member of the Basketball Academy where I receive excellent coaching. The team did well last season but we are expecting to win the majority of competitions this year as we have a very strong team. I play also for Solent Stars.
I have made some good friends through sport at college as I found the Academy to be a welcoming group with great team spirit. I have also played in a college table tennis competition.
My AS year went well even though the courses were challenging. With hard work you can accomplish a lot. The teaching is absolutely superb here and the staff respect you as an individual. Every class I was in was good, with a friendly but hardworking atmosphere which helped me to get good grades.
In my spare time I use the library or I play more basketball. I am planning to go to university when I leave Taunton’s, possibly to do a science degree. This is why I have chosen to do my Extended Project related to Biology.
