North Shropshire College (NSC) students recently took part in an exhilarating Drone session and UniFy residential programme talk.

The session involved a selection of students from different courses across the College, and was organised by Higher Horizons, a national collaborative outreach programme consisting of ten universities and colleges, along with Jill Cawthray, access co-ordinator at NSC.

UniFy, which involves universities including Harper Adams, Chester, Staffordshire and Keele, provides a unique and free opportunity for college learners to experience student life at university.

This includes a series of seminars based on UCAS applications and personal statements, a taste of social events at university and an opportunity to spend time talking to current students and university lecturers.

After a talk from Lizzie Whalley from Higher Horizons, the students were organised into teams and tasked with coding a drone to make a small geographical survey, with the help of Dominic and Liz Surry from Skill Supply.

The teams were given two five minute sessions to test, plan, code and execute their given task and thoroughly enjoyed controlling the drones with the iPads provided. The students were then assessed on their overall accuracy, completion of the task, their team working and problem solving skills.

Jill Cawthray, access co-ordinator at NSC said: “The session was thoroughly enjoyed by the students, and provided them with a unique way to learn more about the UniFy programme and how it can aid their progression to university.

"I would like to thank Lizzie Whalley from Higher Horizons for coming to talk to the students, and Dominic and Liz from Skill Supply for their fantastic drone session.”