Coleg Llandrillo, Coleg Menai, Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor and Busnes@LlandrilloMenai logosColeg Llandrillo, Coleg Menai, Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor and Busnes@LlandrilloMenai logos

1000s of Students Return to the Classroom

Thousands of students across Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s twelve campuses are delighted to be returning to their classrooms and getting the opportunity to see their friends again, after months of virtual isolation and uncertainty.

Many courses are full to capacity, but senior managers report that there are currently limited places available, so it’s still possible to find a course if you contact your local college.

Staff have noted an “air of optimism” from learners, as they return to the ‘new normal’ and continue to navigate their way around the one-way systems. Their compliance with the college group’s request to still socially distance and wear face coverings in communal spaces where possible, has been extremely encouraging.

The start of a new academic year at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai normally sees thousands of new recruits enjoying the annual Freshers’ Fair at each campus, where they meet staff and other students, and speak to representatives from local and national businesses, clubs and charities, who help them make the most of their opportunities whilst at college.

Due to current circumstances, this was not possible. But, this year’s cohort didn’t miss out on the annual event, as the college group organised a virtual Freshers’ Fair for all Coleg Llandrillo, Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor and Coleg Menai students. Here they were able to find information on the college’s services and activities as well as information and activities from external organisations.

There was information available on Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s Students’ Union - winners of the NUS Wales FE Students’ Union of the Year title in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Students could also glean information on: Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s official charity of the year for 2021 / 2022 (the North Wales Wildlife Trust); welfare and well-being; the colleges’ numerous sporting academies; careers guidance; learning resource centres and enterprise…to name but a few.

Sophie Davies from Llandudno Junction is returning to college after a six-year break, and will now be juggling her studies with looking after her eighteen-month-old child. Sophie - who previously studied Business and was awarded the title of college’s ‘Business Achiever of the Year’ - is now studying Sports as she wants to become a PE Teacher.

Cai Williams from Llanrhaeadr, near Denbigh was both excited and a little nervous to be starting his college course, City & Guilds Level 1 Diploma in Introduction to Professional Cookery. He hopes to progress onto Level 2 once he has completed the initial 12 months. He has a passion for baking and his career goal is to one day open his own eatery.

Mother to both a two-and-a-half-year-old and a sixth month old, Manon Roberts from Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor has enrolled on the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) course. She will be combining both these herculean tasks with her job as a Radiographer! She says that she “loves having access to coffee on campus as it will support the sleepless nights!”

Throughout the pandemic, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai has prioritised the welfare of staff and students. The organisation is planning for the next phase carefully and with caution, as thousands of learners and members of staff return to college grounds.

Even though the national guidelines have eased somewhat, the Grŵp has gone above and beyond, working hard over the summer period to continue its implementation of a number of measures designed to keep everybody safe, and to ensure that it remains as a ‘Covid-secure’ organisation in the months to come.

For more information on the limited places still available, please visit the website at www.gllm.ac.uk or contact the course advice lines on 01492 542 338 for Coleg Llandrillo, 01758 701 385 for Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor, and 01248 383 333 for Coleg Menai.

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