Cardinal Newman College - Preston

Marty Arr

Brilliant.
I'm 56 and yet with a found lanyard and a rucksack and wearing some pants that were obscenely too tight I was able to pass myself off as a student for a month.

Honestly they live the best life.
Wi-Fi.
Warm classrooms.
A kebab shop over the road.
And get this... They have a refectory.

I don't know why students complain so much about the work they have to do.

I've since joined some social clubs and am the bass guitarist in a band now formed up of second year A level sociology students.

Rushan Kadri

I resat my second year of A-Levels here in 2021/22 following very COVID affected exams and can honestly say it's a great learning environment. Lots of study spaces, a lot of greenery, peaceful places to relax, great support staff and a general environment that encourages learning.

Was thrown a lifeline by the principal Nick Burnham when I asked a month into the academic year if I would be allowed to resit here after my previous college declined me. He said he'd help me any way he could, let me enrol and it helped me get my academic life back on track.

I did physics and maths here and without a doubt met some of the best teachers I've ever had that run so many "extra" revision and exam sessions just to help support students in any way they can.

For physics: Chris, Kate and Dan were my main points of contact. Chris and Kate made me love physics again after I was convinced it wasn't for me when it became clear they actually genuinely liked the subject themselves and wanted to help others love it too. Dan very enthusiastically helped me revise all the Year 1 content for the time I was there alongside without so much as a judging glance. Amazing department with amazing people.

For maths: Rachel, Faye and Ollie were my go-to's. I was pretty slumped when I enrolled and had lost faith in my maths ability but these guys, especially Rachel, did not give up trying to motivate me and help me understand the content. A great group of individuals that made me realise I was still capable.

Can also say pastoral support is great, shoutout to Gary N in English. What a legend.

Ended up going from essentially UUU to ABB in the course of 9 months and completely altered what I could do with my life academically and has shaped what I'm doing now. I think all the teachers I mentioned, as well as a couple whose names I've forgotten, should get a raise. 100% recommend.

Lois Turley

Good college, was very happy with my experience here. Walking distance to bus station and parking available for students. Wide variety of subjects available to study with supportive members of staff. Couple coffee shops on campus and a good library, but could sometimes struggle to find seats during breaks.

SI

Went to this college 3 years ago now and still have many fond memories of it. Very nice and clean, spacious and beautifully decorated. The staff are friendly and I made some great friends there. It’s a beautiful atmosphere with amazing people who go above and beyond to support you. Love the online system and use of Office 365. All the areas are well equipped including Mac computers in the library and quiet study zones. Only wish there were more study zones with computers as they always seem to be packed out. I also would have liked to have more information on places and prices for lunch within campus, events going on, etc.

Harry Leatherland

I studied at Cardinal Newman College from 2016-2018 and have nothing but good words to say about this college. The staff are; kind, helpful, friendly and outgoing. I studied a, Level 3 extended diploma in ICT software development and finished with top grades, all thanks to the great staff in this department. Throughout the college all the staff are trying to help you from your form tutors, to RE teachers. So overall I would say Cardinal Newman College is a fantastic college, and I would highly recommend it. The time flew by, in those amazing 2 years!

Charlotte Ferguson

Excellent college. I attended from 2007-2009. fabulous supportive teachers and a friendly atmosphere.

NostalgicMusicPosts

Quite a good college but I find some of the staff in the foundation learning part in St Augustine's are quite mean and weird, like they have a go at me when I haven't I haven't done anything wrong. Plus they treat me like I'm back at primary school well I'm adult now grow up!

thor

Not a helpful college.
Firstly, the teachers are excellent generally, with some exceptions. Most provide excellent teaching facilities and offer one to one caring advice to help.
But the overall college experience was at a very low standard.
Firstly, there is a lack of correct resources, with very few rooms being accessible and quiet to revise in. Especially as during the second year, it is very difficult to find places to revise, with many of the computers being taken up for AS tutor groups, leaving students with no other options of revision in college.
Secondly, the facilities for seating in busy times at college is also inadequate, constantly changing. It is often difficult to find seats in costa and the terrace, leaving groups with no option but to sit outside (often in the cold) or with food on laps, again leading to discomfort.
There is also the issue in second year of tutorial. which although is useful at the start of the year for UCA's, often becomes repetitive and unnecessary, especially when it takes up a large fraction of revision time and is practically useless for many students who do not need to go (after finishing their UCA's ect.)
There is also the major disadvantage of study leave, where students of A level examinations weren't able to claim study leave. This provides students with no option but to attend lessons, in a very difficult time when they often are useless and unhelpful by such a late point in the year, or get in the way of exams that might be taking place on that or the next day. Younger AS students were also afforded greater study leave in my second year which, although they tend to have more exams, seems an unfair advantage to give to students who have less content to revise.
It is evident that there are benefits of Newman, such as some teachers being high in success rates, but the question remains as to whether it is actually worth going. Had an excellent first year and a terrible second.