Matty Taylor

Matty enrolled onto the National Diploma in Sport (Performance and Excellence) at Oxford and Cherwell Valley College. As a keen footballer Matty enrolled onto the Football Development Centre and represented the College in the Football Conference Youth League under the Abingdon United FC banner.

In his second year Matty was invited to trial at Oxford United and was rewarded with professional contract which is now in its second year; while completing his studies at the college. Having previously been released by United at 16 Matty thought his chance had gone but he flourished during his time on the Football Development Centre at the College and the guidance from Mickey Lewis and Des Buckingham.

Garath McCleary

Garath also enrolled on our BTEC National Diploma in Sport (Performance & Excellence) within our Football Development Centre and has now in his second season as a Nottingham Forest, holding down a 1st team starting place.

Garath is still one of the most talented youngsters to come through our courses and worked hard at both training and also his college work. His attitude and determination have seen him reach the level he has and we are sure that he will be one for the future.

Andy Ballard

Andy joined our National Diploma Sport & Exercise Science Diploma through our Football Development Centre and is has made three appearances this season for Eastbourne Borough in the Blue Square Conference Premier; after helping secure promotion from the
Conference South last season.

Andy was an ideal student both in the classroom and on the pitch, successfully leaving with an overall Merit grade from the course and having trails with many league sides
during his time with the College.

Amy Breslin, Beauty Therapist

"My name is Amy. I'm a facialist onboard the new P&O ship, Ventura. I have been working on cruise ships for over a year and my first ship was Ocean Village 2. It is such a great way to earn and save money, you have free food 24 hrs and you don't pay any rent!

I love waking up somewhere different every day with new places and amazing sights to explore on your days off. And then on the days that I am working I have a treatment room that has a window so I can look at the sea all day! The work itself can be very tiring as the hours are very long but I don't mind as I'm doing what I enjoy, if you are a hard worker and can put the hours in you reap the benefits. My decision to work on a cruise ship has been my best career move yet."

Pamela Stevens

Pamela Stevens is a mature student who has made a complete career and lifestyle change since she celebrated her 50th birthday in 2005.

Pamela was a secretary and PA in the legal and accountancy world for many years but became very disillusioned. One day Pamela saw an advertisement in the Banbury Guardian for a course in Holistic Therapies. The rest, as they say, is history.

"From the first day of the course in September 2005 I knew that I had made the right decision. I had been a little worried that my age would be a problem with my fellow students and tutors, but I never felt anything but welcomed and encouraged right from the start.

I enjoyed the experience so much that I could not believe, in June 2006, that a year had passed and I had been voted Student of the Year. Having completed this course I decided that I would like to study Beauty Therapy, Level 2, as I felt it would really complement my holistic work, and in September 2006 I returned to study again and gained my certificate in 2007.

After consultation with my tutors it was agreed that my Level 3 Diploma qualification in Holistic Therapies would allow me to bypass some modules for Level 3 Beauty Therapy and the following year I completed some practical Level 3 modules, on a part-time basis, and I am now a fully qualified Holistic and Beauty Therapist. I found this flexibility on the part of the college invaluable as I also have many home and family commitments that take up a lot of time.

I am now running my own holistic and beauty therapy studio in my home. The future is a little scary as I have never run my own business before but I am taking that feeling of trepidation in both hands and going forward with more confidence and job satisfaction than I have ever had in my life, and at almost 53 years old that is a wonderful feeling. I can't thank Val Wood Beauty Therapy department enough for all their help and guidance and for passing on to me their professionalism and passion for the subject."

Students Learn Chinese Therapy Techniques in Hong Kong

As part of an ongoing partnership between OCVC and Esther Beauty & Fitness College (based in Hong Kong), two students studying Beauty Therapy were selected to go on a one-week scholarship trip to Hong Kong after winning ‘Students of the Year’ awards.

The students, Ann Landau (studying at Oxford) and Lizzie Robinson (studying at Banbury) who are both on the NVQ Level 3 course, embarked on the trip to Esther College in Kowloon (an island just off the coast of Hong Kong) with Banbury Programme Manager, Val Wood.

The students and staff at the college were extremely welcoming and friendly, providing an interesting and varied programme of training and displaying fascinating skills and techniques.

Ann and Lizzie were trained in a Chinese Shiatsu massage technique that, using very deep pressure, follows energy lines in the body. They were also able to perform a lymphatic drainage treatment, which takes place whilst a hollow candle is held in the ear of the client, burning a gentle flame to create an updraft which improves hearing and equalises pressure behind the eardrum. Other demonstrations that they were able to participate in included ‘cupping’ which involves placing glass suction cups on the back of the client and running them over the area to soothe aches and pains and disperse toxins.

The trip also offered some time for the students to undertake some sight-seeing and to soak up local culture as part of their extraordinary prize.

The end of the visit saw Ann and Lizzie presented with certificates at Esther College, recognising their new skills and achievements. It is hoped that the fantastic experience had by both students will motivate an inspire current students a OCVC to continue to work hard and hopefully be considered for the amazing opportunity of the scholarship prize in future years.