Come and see our new look! BIRMINGHAM METROPOLITAN COLLEGE Advertisement feature.

BIRMINGHAM Metropolitan College, which was formed as the result of a merger between Sutton Coldfield and Matthew Boulton Colleges, is holding its first open day on Thursday, October 8. Parents and pupils from school years 10 and 11 can visit the Sutton Coldfield Campus, Matthew Boulton Campus or the James Watt Campus, Great Barr, and see at first-hand the stunning learning facilities created.

The college boasts its own operating theatres at the Matthew Boulton Campus, an industry standard interactive games and media suite which has the "wow" factor at the James Watt Campus and the Sutton Campus's refurbishment has provided outstanding learning spaces for students across all curriculum areas. All campuses are easily accessible and located on main travel routes.

WHY CHOOSE BIRMINGHAM METROPOLITAN COLLEGE? The results speak for themselves!

The colleges celebrated 100 per cent pass rates in 31 of their A-level subjects from the summer 2009 series of examinations - last year it was 23 subjects. The results also showed an overall pass rate of 96 per cent across all A-level subjects.

More than 1,000 candidates entered the AS examinations and the number of candidates achieving a pass increased by seven per cent, which was an excellent achievement for the college. And 1,300 students progressed to Higher Education.

Josie Lacey, from Erdington, achieved A grades in English literature and maths, as well as a B in psychology. She said: "I've now gained a place to study English literature at the University of Birmingham, which I'm really looking forward to.

"I'm really happy with my grades - my A-levels were hard work at times, but I had some brilliant teachers who set up some great revision sessions and these really helped me get through my exams."

Ishwinder Singh Dhupar has just started his Degree in Computer Science at the University of Birmingham after achieving an A grade in computing and B grades in maths, English language, history and general studies. "The college atmosphere and learning environment were excellent," he said. There are stunning learning spaces across all the campuses.

Refurbishments at the Sutton Coldfield and James Watt campuses, as well as at the Erdington Skills Centre, have meant hundreds of new learners are set to enjoy new facilitie s.

The James Watt Campus has been rejuvenated during the summer break to house games development and multimedia studios, along with new dance studios. The campus is also home to public services, hairdressing and beauty therapy courses.

The Learning Resource Centre has also undergonea complete refurbishment to cater for the volume of students on campus.

The Erdington Skills Centre was refurbished during the summer and now includes booths containing mock building environments where students can be trained in practical applications , su ch as electrical installation, plumbing, and painting and decorating. These will provide them with the skills to gain sustainable employment in the co nstruction industry.

An unrivalled selection of courses is available.

Part of the appeal of Birmingham Metropolitan College is its ability to provide a wider choice of subjects and courses than those available in schools. The A-levels offered, which include archaeology, dance, electronics, philosophy and film studies, along with the more traditional A-level subjects of the sciences, mathematics and English, provide students with more choice, so they can focus on particular subject areas, which can help motivate them in their st udie s.

A wealth of vocational and Apprenticeship programmes are also available at the co lleg e.

VOCATIONAL EXCELLENCE The College boasts the Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) status in business, management, finance, law and marketing, computer integrated manufacturing, adult care, design and print and entrepreneurship.

Enrolment continues at Birmingham Metropolitan College for HE learners, as well as 16-19 and adult learners, until next Wednesday, September 30.

For further information visit *www.bmetc.ac.uk or call 08 45 155 0101 or 0121 503 8850.

CAPTION(S):

Happy: Ishwinder Singh Dhuparsaidthe learning environment was'excellent'. Help: Josie had 'brilliant teachers'.