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We can’t wait to see you at the St Austell Experience Day
An exciting day of interactive sessions and fun activities at your local outstanding college
Explore College Life
Experience College Life for a Day
Experience a fun, hands-on day at Cornwall College St Austell, made especially for Year 10s. Try out real taster sessions, meet our team, and get a feel for college life, as well as inspiration for your future!
Try Something New
Try out new subjects like motor vehicle, marine biology, beauty, and games design. Get hands-on and discover what you enjoy most!
Meet Our Staff
Chat with our tutors, ask about courses, and get real insight into college life – straight from the people who teach it.
Learn about our amazing new campus
Get a sneak preview of the revolutionary new campus where you could be studying.
Lunchtime Mini Festival
When it’s time for a break, enjoy our lunchtime mini festival, including tasty street food, live music, fun activities, and good vibes with friends.
Choose 2 Sessions
From over 20 at St Austell
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Health & Social Care
What will you do?
Working in our fully-resourced Care Academy clinical suites, you will practice providing care to individuals living in their own home, using supportive equipment such as hoists, elevated beds and assistive resources whilst maintaining the person's dignity.
Our specialist staff will be on hand to help and answer any questions you might have, as well as sharing their own experiences of working in the sector.
What do you need to bring?
Nothing in particular, just yourself
CLOSE WINDOW
Working in our fully-resourced Care Academy clinical suites, you will practice providing care to individuals living in their own home, using supportive equipment such as hoists, elevated beds and assistive resources whilst maintaining the person's dignity.
Our specialist staff will be on hand to help and answer any questions you might have, as well as sharing their own experiences of working in the sector.
What do you need to bring?
Nothing in particular, just yourself
Engineering
What will you do?
Design, build and test an air cannon to fire a range of objects at targets, with prizes for most accurate and longest range
Try your hand at using our CNC machines to fabricate a part to take home and keep. #manufacture
Melt some metal in our intro to welding opportunity #fire #danger
What do you need to bring?
Besides your enthusiasm and sense of humour, you should be prepared to work in an environment where clothing is likely to get dirty (dust/grease marks), sturdy footwear should be worn (no open toed footwear).
CLOSE WINDOW
Design, build and test an air cannon to fire a range of objects at targets, with prizes for most accurate and longest range
Try your hand at using our CNC machines to fabricate a part to take home and keep. #manufacture
Melt some metal in our intro to welding opportunity #fire #danger
What do you need to bring?
Besides your enthusiasm and sense of humour, you should be prepared to work in an environment where clothing is likely to get dirty (dust/grease marks), sturdy footwear should be worn (no open toed footwear).
Film, Television & Content Creation
What will you do?
Perfect for anyone who wants to work in television, film, journalism, advertising, radio, web design or animation
Take a tour of our television studio with a full 3 point black magic studio camera setup, control room and production space, not to mention our bespoke Foley sound studio and edit suites.
We've got loads of professional film and television equipment for you to try, including canon cameras, cranes, drones, gimbals and our Adobe creative suite software
What do you need to bring?
Nothing in particular, just yourself
CLOSE WINDOW
Perfect for anyone who wants to work in television, film, journalism, advertising, radio, web design or animation
Take a tour of our television studio with a full 3 point black magic studio camera setup, control room and production space, not to mention our bespoke Foley sound studio and edit suites.
We've got loads of professional film and television equipment for you to try, including canon cameras, cranes, drones, gimbals and our Adobe creative suite software
What do you need to bring?
Nothing in particular, just yourself
Photography
What will you do?
Learn about the 'camera obscura', an ancestor of the modern photographic camera, and work with your friends to create a giant version that you can actually step inside.
Next up, you'll learn to take amazing portrait photos on our professional cameras or even on your own phone!
Learn to set up various lighting scenarios, ranging from using natural light or lights you'd find around the house, to taking portraits in a full professionally lit studio
What do you need to bring?
Nothing in particular, just yourself
CLOSE WINDOW
Learn about the 'camera obscura', an ancestor of the modern photographic camera, and work with your friends to create a giant version that you can actually step inside.
Next up, you'll learn to take amazing portrait photos on our professional cameras or even on your own phone!
Learn to set up various lighting scenarios, ranging from using natural light or lights you'd find around the house, to taking portraits in a full professionally lit studio
What do you need to bring?
Nothing in particular, just yourself
Boatbuilding
What will you do?
Let our knowledgeable and experienced staff help you navigate through the ebbs and flows of your journey to a future career in boatbuilding and the marine industry.
Rowing race - Compete as an individual and on behalf of your school - the top six scores from each school will be accumulated and a prize awarded to the overall winner.
Hammer Time! - How many hits does it take you to sink a 4 inch nail.
Take on the FMS knot challenge - Learn to tie specialist knots and test yourself against the clock.
Get your hands on some traditional boatbuilding tools and see if you can guess their use.
Steaming demonstration - Watch a demonstration of timber being steamed and bent into some crazy shapes.
View one of the boats built by our students.
What do you need to bring?
Nothing special, just an eagerness to get involved and try something new.
Maybe wear some sensible shoes for rowing!
CLOSE WINDOW
Let our knowledgeable and experienced staff help you navigate through the ebbs and flows of your journey to a future career in boatbuilding and the marine industry.
Rowing race - Compete as an individual and on behalf of your school - the top six scores from each school will be accumulated and a prize awarded to the overall winner.
Hammer Time! - How many hits does it take you to sink a 4 inch nail.
Take on the FMS knot challenge - Learn to tie specialist knots and test yourself against the clock.
Get your hands on some traditional boatbuilding tools and see if you can guess their use.
Steaming demonstration - Watch a demonstration of timber being steamed and bent into some crazy shapes.
View one of the boats built by our students.
What do you need to bring?
Nothing special, just an eagerness to get involved and try something new.
Maybe wear some sensible shoes for rowing!
Childcare
What will you do?
Have fun creating forest friends, willow structures and houses for critters using natural resources. You'll interact with our computerised babies and pregnancy bumps and get messy with sensory play and learning.
Our specialist staff will be on hand to help and answer any questions you might have, as well as sharing their own experiences of working in the sector.
What do you need to bring?
Nothing in particular, just yourself
CLOSE WINDOW
Have fun creating forest friends, willow structures and houses for critters using natural resources. You'll interact with our computerised babies and pregnancy bumps and get messy with sensory play and learning.
Our specialist staff will be on hand to help and answer any questions you might have, as well as sharing their own experiences of working in the sector.
What do you need to bring?
Nothing in particular, just yourself
Games Design
What will you do?
Broken into two sections, you'll explore the games design process, creating a basic First Person Shooter (FPS0 level in the game Unreal Development Kit (UDK)).
Learn how to draw and map and plan the layout ready to be created in the game engine. Then use this map to build your basic level, adding textures and 3D meshes to create your own environment.
The second part of the experience focuses on the concept and application of QA testing for video games.
Learn why it's important for companies and how it benefits the consumer by playtesting and producing simple bug reports using a template sheet. From checking spawn points, clipping issues and more, all the basics of how to playtest a game will be covered.
Our passionate team will be on hand to answer your questions, talk about your favourite games with and share their knowledge of creating a video game through practical environment building using 3D development software.
What do you need to bring?
Nothing in particular, just yourself
CLOSE WINDOW
Broken into two sections, you'll explore the games design process, creating a basic First Person Shooter (FPS0 level in the game Unreal Development Kit (UDK)).
Learn how to draw and map and plan the layout ready to be created in the game engine. Then use this map to build your basic level, adding textures and 3D meshes to create your own environment.
The second part of the experience focuses on the concept and application of QA testing for video games.
Learn why it's important for companies and how it benefits the consumer by playtesting and producing simple bug reports using a template sheet. From checking spawn points, clipping issues and more, all the basics of how to playtest a game will be covered.
Our passionate team will be on hand to answer your questions, talk about your favourite games with and share their knowledge of creating a video game through practical environment building using 3D development software.
What do you need to bring?
Nothing in particular, just yourself
Performing Arts & Dance
What will you do?
Love to dance? - Love to Perform? - take part in sessions on choreography and dance, warm up and stretch, improvisation and storytelling through movement.
What do you need to bring?
Comfortable clothing, water bottle, trainers, no jewellery.
CLOSE WINDOW
Love to dance? - Love to Perform? - take part in sessions on choreography and dance, warm up and stretch, improvisation and storytelling through movement.
What do you need to bring?
Comfortable clothing, water bottle, trainers, no jewellery.
Art & Design
What will you do?
Let your imagination run wild, learn about design techniques through practical exploration and show us how inventive you can be with paper and a glue gun.
What do you need to bring?
Nothing in particular but maybe don't wear your best "I mustn't get paint or glue on these" clothes!
CLOSE WINDOW
Let your imagination run wild, learn about design techniques through practical exploration and show us how inventive you can be with paper and a glue gun.
What do you need to bring?
Nothing in particular but maybe don't wear your best "I mustn't get paint or glue on these" clothes!
Carpentry
What will you do?
Introduction to carpentry tools and processes
What activities will you be holding in the session - Creating a tic tac toe board from scratch using hand tools and power tolls
What can the student expect to learn - Measuring, marking out, cutting, drilling
What do you need to bring?
Please bring boots with you. Everything else will be provided by the college and the carpentry department.
CLOSE WINDOW
Introduction to carpentry tools and processes
What activities will you be holding in the session - Creating a tic tac toe board from scratch using hand tools and power tolls
What can the student expect to learn - Measuring, marking out, cutting, drilling
What do you need to bring?
Please bring boots with you. Everything else will be provided by the college and the carpentry department.
Professional Cookery
What will you do?
During this experience you make create and present (and eat of course) amazing dishes all produced in our award-winning restaurants and kitchens.
You'll have the opportunity to discuss salaries, entry routes and requirements, you'll also hear how college can help you get exactly where you want to be, working as a chef.
What do you need to bring?
Sensible shoes.
CLOSE WINDOW
During this experience you make create and present (and eat of course) amazing dishes all produced in our award-winning restaurants and kitchens.
You'll have the opportunity to discuss salaries, entry routes and requirements, you'll also hear how college can help you get exactly where you want to be, working as a chef.
What do you need to bring?
Sensible shoes.
Bricklaying
What will you do?
Working as a team, you will construct a replica of the Loch Ness Monster
We'll teach you how to properly lay a brick as you bring the mythical Scottish lake-creature to life in our industry-standard brick-laying workshop using practical hands-on skills.
What do you need to bring?
You should be prepared to work in an environment where clothing is likely to get dirty, old clothes or overalls are best and sturdy footwear should be worn.
CLOSE WINDOW
Working as a team, you will construct a replica of the Loch Ness Monster
We'll teach you how to properly lay a brick as you bring the mythical Scottish lake-creature to life in our industry-standard brick-laying workshop using practical hands-on skills.
What do you need to bring?
You should be prepared to work in an environment where clothing is likely to get dirty, old clothes or overalls are best and sturdy footwear should be worn.
Hairdressing
What will you do?
You'll experience sectioning techniques, foiling, perming, pin curling, setting, and plaiting.
You'll also take part in an extension task using electrical equipment to create a hair-up style.
What do you need to bring?
Nothing in particular, just yourself
CLOSE WINDOW
You'll experience sectioning techniques, foiling, perming, pin curling, setting, and plaiting.
You'll also take part in an extension task using electrical equipment to create a hair-up style.
What do you need to bring?
Nothing in particular, just yourself
Motor & Electric Vehicle
What will you do?
Our 'pit stop challenge' is waiting. Dyno test run cars in our fast fit workshop before taking part in vehicle lift and team task on an HGV truck test your skill operating the Hydraulic crane.
What else? How about trying out airbrush painting & car graffiti in our Body and Paint workshop?
Overall, this experience is a valuable insight into working in the automotive industry, covering new and emerging electric vehicle technology, Basic hand skills, as well as vehicle technology and safety.
What do you need to bring?
Besides your enthusiasm and sense of humour, you should be prepared to work in an environment where clothing is likely to get dirty (dust/grease marks), sturdy footwear should be worn (no open toed footwear).
CLOSE WINDOW
Our 'pit stop challenge' is waiting. Dyno test run cars in our fast fit workshop before taking part in vehicle lift and team task on an HGV truck test your skill operating the Hydraulic crane.
What else? How about trying out airbrush painting & car graffiti in our Body and Paint workshop?
Overall, this experience is a valuable insight into working in the automotive industry, covering new and emerging electric vehicle technology, Basic hand skills, as well as vehicle technology and safety.
What do you need to bring?
Besides your enthusiasm and sense of humour, you should be prepared to work in an environment where clothing is likely to get dirty (dust/grease marks), sturdy footwear should be worn (no open toed footwear).
Plumbing
What will you do?
Get an insight into how to become a plumber, use all the tools and get to grips with the processes.
What activities will you be holding in the session - creating a bespoke desk tidy including plumbing materials. What can the student expect to learn - Measuring, marking out, cutting, drilling soldering.
What do you need to bring?
Please bring Boots. Everything else will be provided by the college.
CLOSE WINDOW
Get an insight into how to become a plumber, use all the tools and get to grips with the processes.
What activities will you be holding in the session - creating a bespoke desk tidy including plumbing materials. What can the student expect to learn - Measuring, marking out, cutting, drilling soldering.
What do you need to bring?
Please bring Boots. Everything else will be provided by the college.
Electrical
What will you do?
Take part in some practical activities ranging from completing a circuit to trying out electric generating fitness machines.
What do you need to bring?
You should be prepared to work in an environment where clothing is likely to get dirty; sturdy footwear should be worn (no open toe footwear).
CLOSE WINDOW
Take part in some practical activities ranging from completing a circuit to trying out electric generating fitness machines.
What do you need to bring?
You should be prepared to work in an environment where clothing is likely to get dirty; sturdy footwear should be worn (no open toe footwear).
Beauty
What will you do?
You will learn the importance of having a good skincare routine and how this is the foundation of having a fabulous make up look.
You will be able to identify the different skin conditions and skin types whilst getting hands on and creative with different makeup looks including special effects.
What do you need to bring?
Nothing in particular, just yourself But please make us aware of any known allergies you have. Hair must be tied up and no jewellery to be worn.
CLOSE WINDOW
You will learn the importance of having a good skincare routine and how this is the foundation of having a fabulous make up look.
You will be able to identify the different skin conditions and skin types whilst getting hands on and creative with different makeup looks including special effects.
What do you need to bring?
Nothing in particular, just yourself
But please make us aware of any known allergies you have. Hair must be tied up and no jewellery to be worn.Nail Care
What will you do?
At this session, you will get to experience the wonders of making and using your own signature bespoke hand scrubs.
You will discover the wonders of exfoliation on your hands and nails, by making your own bespoke signature hand exfoliants which you can recreate at home for your family.
What do you need to bring?
Nothing in particular, just yourself But please make us aware of any known allergies you have. Natural nails without enhancements or polish. Hair up and no jewellery
CLOSE WINDOW
At this session, you will get to experience the wonders of making and using your own signature bespoke hand scrubs.
You will discover the wonders of exfoliation on your hands and nails, by making your own bespoke signature hand exfoliants which you can recreate at home for your family.
What do you need to bring?
Nothing in particular, just yourself
But please make us aware of any known allergies you have. Natural nails without enhancements or polish. Hair up and no jewelleryMarine Biology & Conservation
What will you do?
Get ready for a fascinating look at life in our oceans, as you explore different creatures and environments.
Find out why our marine life and oceans have evolved into the environments that we know today.
What do you need to bring?
Nothing in particular, just yourself
CLOSE WINDOW
Get ready for a fascinating look at life in our oceans, as you explore different creatures and environments.
Find out why our marine life and oceans have evolved into the environments that we know today.
What do you need to bring?
Nothing in particular, just yourself
Marine Engineering
What will you do?
Why not try to beat the teacher at our 'Bolt Buster Challenge'? It's trickier than you think.
You'll also get to interact with our cutaway engines and learn the fundamentals of an internal combustion engine as you do.
During the experience, there'll be a chance to inspect a wide variety of marine mechanical components and learn how they work.
We've even got 'home made' R.O.V underwater vehicles to take a look at.
What do you need to bring?
Nothing in particular, just yourself
CLOSE WINDOW
Why not try to beat the teacher at our 'Bolt Buster Challenge'? It's trickier than you think.
You'll also get to interact with our cutaway engines and learn the fundamentals of an internal combustion engine as you do.
During the experience, there'll be a chance to inspect a wide variety of marine mechanical components and learn how they work.
We've even got 'home made' R.O.V underwater vehicles to take a look at.
What do you need to bring?
Nothing in particular, just yourself
Independence & Progression
What will you do?
Take part in a range of interactive tasks including cooking, art, gardening and design. Have fun den building, problem solving and team building.
Foundation Learning sessions must be booked for both the Morning and Afternoon.
What do you need to bring?
Clothes you don't mind getting dirty.
CLOSE WINDOW
Take part in a range of interactive tasks including cooking, art, gardening and design. Have fun den building, problem solving and team building.
Foundation Learning sessions must be booked for both the Morning and Afternoon.
What do you need to bring?
Clothes you don't mind getting dirty.
eSports
What will you do?
There are plenty of career opportunities within Esports including coaching, health & fitness in the Esports industry, business, Esports events management, practical gaming shoutcasting and many more!
During this session you will also experience the world of Esports events through competitive gaming, have a go at shoutcasting and look into Esports events. Come and show off your gaming skills!
What do you need to bring?
Nothing in particular, just yourself
CLOSE WINDOW
There are plenty of career opportunities within Esports including coaching, health & fitness in the Esports industry, business, Esports events management, practical gaming shoutcasting and many more!
During this session you will also experience the world of Esports events through competitive gaming, have a go at shoutcasting and look into Esports events. Come and show off your gaming skills!
What do you need to bring?
Nothing in particular, just yourself
Choose your sessions
Book your place
What to expect
During Your Experience Day
Fun stuff
Before Experience Day
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Experience Days?
Experience Days are a fun day filled with hands-on sessions that give you a sneak peek into college life. You’ll try out different activities, explore various courses and see what future career paths might look like for you. Plus, there’s a mini festival at lunch with food, music and fun activities!
Where is it happening?
The event will take place at our Cornwall College St Austell campus.
How do I get there?
You will be picked up from your school in the morning, and brought back at the end of the day.
Do I need to bring anything?
Just bring yourself, your curiosity, and maybe a water bottle. We’ll provide all the materials you need for the activities.
What kind of activities will there be?
From science experiments to creative arts, and tech explorations, there’s something for everyone. You’ll get to try your hand at activities related to different courses offered by the College.
What’s happening at lunchtime?
After a morning of exploration, take a break with a light lunch, some background music, and a chance to chat with fellow visitors. It’s a relaxed way to recharge and connect with others.
How do I sign up?
Easy! Enter your details on the Registration Form above and choose a session for the morning and afternoon. It takes less than a minute!
Do I need money for anything?
The event itself is totally free, including the food at lunchtime, so there’s no need to bring additional money.
Do I need to wear anything specific?
Some of the sessions may require you to wear protective footwear or particular clothing. Click on a session above to find out more.
