Afternoon tea thank you for Newbury College testing volunteers

VOLUNTEERS who gave their time to support the lateral flow testing at Newbury College earlier this year have been rewarded with an afternoon tea to thank them for their contribution.

Schools and colleges returned to in-person teaching from March 8 as part of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, but on-site testing for vulnerable students and staff members working on campus began in early January.

Principal Iain Wolloff said: “I would like to extend our gratitude to all of those who gave their time to help our students return to learning. Their contribution has made an incredible impact on processes that enabled students to return safely and achieve their qualifications.”

The event took place, following government guidelines, in a small garden area next to The Restaurant. The student-run enterprise provides those studying catering programmes with an opportunity to gain real-world experience in a professional environment, which would, under normal circumstances, be open to members of the public for lunches and private bookings.

Restaurant coordinator Cathryn Millward said: “Students on these courses have had limited opportunities to develop their skills in the hospitality service elements of their qualifications during the Covid-19 restrictions. They have been keen to practise their service skills with genuine clientele and are already demonstrating a high level of competency.”

Newbury College offers a career-focussed curriculum that provides work and industry experience across a wide range of vocational subject areas. To find out more, visit www.newbury-college.ac.uk.