Stratford upon Avon Blog

Robin Millar, one of Britain’s most successful record producers, is coming to Stratford upon Avon College to open a new music production suite.
On November 2nd 2009, Robin Millar will be officially opening the digital and analogue recording studios and a suite of music practice rooms at the college.

Robin Millar’s productions have sold over 55 million copies and have won most of the major global music awards including Brit and Grammy Awards. He has over 40 numbers 1s to his credit, produced Sade’s iconic ‘Diamond Life’ album and is the only British person to have produced an Olympic Games ceremony. Robin was awarded an Honorary Professor in 2007 at Thames Valley University and for the last 15 years has been a visiting lecturer and professor at The Royal Academy of Music, London College of Music, Surrey University and The University of Modena in Italy. www.robinmillar.org.uk

James Maiden, music lecturer at the college, commented, “The music department is thriving like never before and have recently introduced new Music Technology and Higher National Diploma courses. With growing student numbers and their success rates higher every year, these fantastic new facilities give us the opportunity to provide a higher level of teaching that gives our students the chance to really shine. We are all very proud to work as part of Stratford upon Avon College’s music team and to have such a highly respected and successful musical figure as Robin Millar coming in to open the new rooms and interact with our students. It is an honour and a great opportunity that both staff and students are all incredibly excited about.’

The ceremony will take place at Stratford-upon-Avon College on Monday 2nd November at midday.
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Last week Stratford upon Avon College held its annual week-long programme of events to emphasise the dangers of driving to young people. This was a hard-hitting campaign to encourage young people to take greater care on the roads.

The college's road safety awareness week ran from the 19th – 23rd October and included a variety of films, lectures and discussions in partnership with Warwickshire County Council, Warwickshire Police and Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service.

This year, a daily presentation was given covering issues such as: distraction, defensive driving, drinking and illegal substance use, general safety and speed. Undoubtedly the most powerful and influential element of the presentation was when relatives of young people (killed in a traffic incident) spoke of how the lives of the families and friends had been affected. On Thursday 22nd, Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service demonstrated how they would cut a victim from a crashed vehicle.

Road accidents in this country account for over 3,000 deaths per year – a third of these from the 17 – 25 age group. This group is at the greatest risk due to lack of experience, as well as other factors such as speeding, intoxication through drink or drugs, or recklessness. Becoming a good driver is not just a matter of learning how to control a car and pass a driving test, but about driving with the right attitude, gaining experience and recognising possible hazards or dangerous situations on the road.

Leading the campaign, Ian Lumley, Duty Officer at the College, said: “Isn’t it about time that the government introduced life-saving legislation? We are sadly lacking behind many other countries in this respect. There is no justification for the number of deaths and serious injuries that occur relentlessly, on our roads.”
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Stratford upon Avon College is proud to announce it is a member of the newly formed Studley High School Trust.

The Trust is a collaborative partnership between the college, Studley High School, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, New Century Theatre and Arrow Valley Brass Band. These links will provide tangible and exciting vocational career opportunities for the school’s students in the future, offering them ‘real world’ experiences and widening their awareness of further and higher education.

Ceri Cunningham, Head of Drama at the school said, “The rationale for acquiring the Trust is to create opportunities to maximise personal learning to enhance the experience and aspirations of learners, the expertise of teachers and thus raise standards and achievement. We also aim to strengthen the school’s specialisms, Humanities (English and Drama) and Music through formal links with a wide range of partners and positively develop the impact with all stakeholders.”

Martin Penny, Stratford upon Avon College Principal and Chair to the Trust commented, “We are proud to be working closely with Studley High School and the other Trust members. The Trust will enable us to work more closely with the local community and businesses to provide a unique opportunity of bringing together a variety of different organisations in the shared goal of creating a better future for our learners. In particular, students from the school will have access to the wealth of facilities here at the college for their performances and can tap in to the independent advice and guidance from college staff.”

The Trust will be launched on 21st October at Studley High School at the production, “Night at the Musicals” which is an evening of dance, drama and music, inspired by a range of musicals from different eras; musicals as diverse as the ever popular “My Fair Lady” and “Newsies” based on the strike by New York’s paper boys in the 1890s. Over 40 pupils from Years 7 to 11 are involved in the performance which will be preceded by a reception to launch the Studley High School Trust.

Studley High School, based in Studley, Warwickshire, is a Humanities (English and Drama) and Music Specialist School offering education for 11 to 16 year olds.
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