Student Voice

We believe all students should have the opportunity to include enrichment activities within their programme of study to learn new skills, broaden experience and meet new people. You may wish to start up a club that is not listed here. Get in touch and we will help you get it off the ground! Contact: student-union@nptcgroup.ac.uk

Here are some of the activities that are currently on offer.

Student Union

The Student Union is run by the students, for the students. Their role is to make sure that student voices are heard at senior management level, listening to students from across the colleges, holding events and campaigns all year round, help you meet new people, and creating an inclusive and friendly student community. 

Get Active

Whether you wish to compete in a specific sport or try out something new, we have something on offer for everyone. You can join one of our sports teams, use the College fitness suite to keep you fit, happy and healthy – you don’t have to be studying sport to take part or use the facilities.

Students at Neath College have transport provided from Banana Island at 12.30pm to Llandarcy every Wednesday afternoon for the following team training/classes:

• Netball (2 teams)
• Rugby Men’s (2 teams)
• Rugby Ladies
• Football Men’s (2 teams)
• Football female
• Crossfit/fitness
• Basketball Men’s & Mixed
• Cricket
• Golf
• Cross Country
• Athletics

Get Active also delivers a wide range of tailored activities for students during tutorial sessions. 4-6 week programmes are offered (but not limited to) the following activities:

• Yoga, Pilates
• Badminton, volleyball
• Indoor cricket
• Indoor football
• Indoor tennis
• Indoor tag rugby
• Dodgeball
• Bench-ball
• Boxing, boxercise
• Circuit training
• Multi-skills sports
• Table tennis
• Spin class
• Cycling, indoor mountain climbing
• Boogie bounce
• Multi-sport Festival
• Golf
• Cross Country

For the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Combined Cadet Force, cricket, cross country, athletics and golf, training takes place at certain periods within the year (on a Wednesday) but not every week.

For any of the Get Active activities in Neath, Afan, Pontardawe, Llandarcy, or Swansea contact: lindsay.piper@nptcgroup.ac.uk  or helen.owen@nptcgroup.ac.uk  for Brecon and Newtown and they can signpost you to the Wednesday afternoon activities.

Creative

You don’t need to be taking Art, Drama, Dance or Music in order to enjoy these activities either!

Orchestra

Concert Band

Funk Band

Chamber Ensembles

Jazz and Cajun Band

Brass Ensemble

Camera Club

Dance

Mondays from 4pm until 6.45pm is Music Centre-this is orchestra, concert band, funk band and chamber ensembles. This is open to comprehensive school students too!
Tuesdays from 4pm -Jazz and Cajun band (open to comprehensive students-must be at least Grade 4 standard-saxes, trumpets, trombones)
Wednesday from 12noon - choir
Thursday from 12:30pm - brass ensemble

For more information on Music activities contact: carolyn.davies@nptcgroup.ac.uk

DANCE

LIFT Dance Company

Founded in 2005, this exclusive youth dance company provides students from Neath College an annual opportunity to work intensively with the lecturing choreographers towards creating new and innovative dance works ready to be performed at the Taliesin Arts Centre in Swansea.  Students are invited to audition and those lucky enough to be offered a place will commit to an extra 2-4 hours of studio rehearsal time per week.  Choreographers have included Craig Coombs (Company Director), Saydi Jones, Elise Addiscott, Vicky Burroughs, Nia Collier, Stacy Panico, Terry Michael, Natalie Partridge, Matthew Howells and Amelia Cunliffe.  The company have also collaborated with One Vision Dance Company and performed with Ballet Cymru, Powys Dance, Jermin Productions and at the National Dance Company Wales’ Youth Dance Platform. 

LIFT Associates Dance Academy

Founded in 2006, this invites young dancers aged 14-16 into the college from local secondary schools to experience dance training and to advance their skills in dance before committing to a full-time dance course at College.  Craig Coombs (Subject Leader and Course Coordinator for Level 3 Dance) holds weekly dance classes focusing on a range of technical dance approaches, whilst developing choreographic and performance skills.  The academy dancers also get the opportunity to perform alongside LIFT Dance Company in the Taliesin Arts Centre in Swansea every year.  Tutors on this course have included Craig Coombs (Academy Director), Caryn Pritchard, Abbie Bassie, Matthew Howells and Vicky Burroughs.

Fairy Tale Productions

Founded in 2015, this is an inclusive dance opportunity for any student who wishes to take part in a Christmas dance production.  Once auditioned, students are invited to a weekly 3 hour extra-curricular rehearsal (more if in a leading role), to work towards creating an original dance production which is performed at the Nidum Arts Centre.  This project invites students to develop their skills in all dance styles and foster their theatrical story telling skills through dance too.  In previous years the productions have included ‘Nutcracker’, ‘Neverland’, ‘Wonderland’ and ‘Emerald City’.  This opportunity is also offered to LIFT Associate Dance Academy students and has links with dancers from local secondary schools and private dance schools.  Choreographers have included Craig Coombs (Artistic Director), Elise Addiscott and Saydi Jones. 

Summer Dance Festival

Founded in 2014, this is a one week long festival for dance which takes place annually (in June) and is open to all students across Neath College.  The festival invites dance industry professionals to teach dance workshops and masterclasses to all that take part.  The festival also sets up university links for the Level 3 dance students and allows time for advanced skills development.  Professional classes led by Matthew Gough, Gwyn Emberton, Ballet Cymru, National Dance Company Wales, Harriot Eton, Gregory Sage, Michael Williams, Robyn Stack, Daniella Powell, Jalisa Andrews, Guzel Atymtayeva, Shakara and Deavion Brown. 

Professional Training Placements

Level 3 Dance students (BTEC and A Level) are encouraged to organise professional placements at suitable times throughout the year.  This is designed to better prepare them for the industry, higher education and professional dance training courses.  Student placements have included time with Ballet Cymru, National Dance Company Youth Wales, Trinity Laban, Arts Educational Schools, Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, Jermin Productions, Neath Amateur Operatic Society, National Youth Dance Wales, Ovation Musical Theatre Company, Impact Musical Theatre Company, Motion X County Youth Dance Company, Northern School of Contemporary Dance, The Urdang Academy, London Studio Centre and London School of Contemporary Dance,

Professional Dance Work Experience

Dance students on the Level 3 BTEC and A Level Dance courses are often provided with the opportunity to work professionally whilst studying at college.  Opportunities can be varied year by year but have included dance performances with; The Black Eyed Peas, Bright Light Bright Light, Ballet Cymru, Wow Productions, Dynion Dance Company, TAN Dance, Mariinsky Ballet and Gwyn Emberton Dance. 

Specialist Personal Tutor Programme

Founded in 2006, Craig Coombs (Course Coordinator for Level 3 Dance) offers specialist tuition designed to prepare all Level 3 BTEC Dance for auditions in higher education and training courses in Dance related study; musical theatre; contemporary; ballet; choreography; commercial; jazz and tap.  This course is designed to practically prepare students for foundation, diploma, professional and degree level courses, offering support with interview and audition techniques, alongside guidance into writing applications and applying for student funding. 

For more information on Dance activities please email craig.coombs@nptcgroup.ac.uk

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Personal development enrichment allows you to enhance your skills in an academic subject, or develop new skills in an area that interests you and includes the following:

• Duke of Edinburgh Award
• Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) Club

• Combined Cadet Force (CCF)
• LGBTQ Society
• Enterprise and Employability
• STEM ambassadors
• Student ambassadors
• Gifted and Talented Excellence Programme (GATE)
• Student Union

GATE

As a member of the Sixth Form Academy, you may be eligible to apply for our Gifted and Talented Excellence (GATE) programme.  This is a structured specialist programme of support for those learners with exceptional GCSE results (mainly 3A*/4A* and mostly As gained at GCSE). Those applying to competitive universities, particularly those in the Russell Group, Oxford and Cambridge, will receive personalised support through our Gifted and Talented Excellence programme. Application to competitive universities is about more than excellent grades. You must make an informed choice regarding the subjects you want to pursue, understand the competitive selection process and systems, submit a polished application and excel at interview.

While on the GATE programme, you will be placed into a specific tutorial group which will cater to your needs and aspirations. The aim is to broaden your horizons beyond your chosen subjects and to promote analytical reasoning and discussion. This is invaluable preparation for university interviews.

The GATE programme will also give you the opportunity to further enhance your skills through additional qualifications and competitions

These include:  Cambridge Pre-U:  This qualification will lead you to: write an independent research essay; sit a critical thinking exam; make a 15-minute presentation; produce an academic report on a topic related to  your studies. All these elements are externally marked. The academic skills will be invaluable in the transition to university. You will also have the opportunity to compete in national competitions such as the Biology and Chemistry Olympiads, Senior Maths Challenge and more. You will also have the opportunity to attend presentations delivered by guest speakers, e.g. Royal Society of Chemistry, Cardiff Medical.

ENTERPRISE AND EMPLOYABILITY

The Enterprise and Employability team can help you write that perfect CV and application and prepare you for interview.  They also want to give all those aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to realise their business dreams and have a dedicated centre that provides a professional, supportive environment for students who are setting up their own business

The team is also offering a new initiative to help students get ready for the world of work.

Career Ready delivers employability sessions to students to ensure they are fully equipped with the skills they need. College students, will also be supported with: Work experience placements; CV writing; Application forms; Interviews and even help in finding a part-time job to fit around your studies.

For further details, contacts: 01639 648657