Phil Stacey

Tell us a bit about yourself, your background etc?

My names Phil, I study here at the Automotive Academy and I’m 17 years old. I play football on the weekends, and I love college very much. Originally, I wanted to study pluming at the Construction Academy but I never got the grades, but I’ve always been interested in cars from being young and so I decided to study in Automotive for my first year.

How did you hear about Newcastle College? Did you attend an Open Day prior to starting at the College? If so, did you find it useful?

I heard about Newcastle College from my Secondary School, they would talk about the different local colleges in our area (Tyne Met, Newcastle College and Gateshead College) and we went on class visits and I just thought Newcastle College was best suited to me.

Yeah I came to an Open Day and I found it really useful, the tutors were welcoming and gave us a tour so we knew exactly where we would be going.

What made you decide to come to the college and enrol on the course you selected?

My first impressions were that Newcastle College was really good college and that they genuinely wanted to help you and get you to where you wanted to be in life and help you get to your chosen career path.

How would you describe the advice and support you received from college and your tutors? Have you had any support for our Central Support Team – Pastoral support?

If you ask for help the tutors would go out of their way to help you and give you support. They will keep pushing you to your limits because they know you can achieve it and they just want you to do well.

Do you have any tutors who have industry experience? If so, how has this helped you?

Yeah all of our tutors have industry experience. It’s good because it shows you what you’re going to come across, its not like when you’re in school when you have a business teacher who has no experience, they’ve actually been out in the industry and I think you can understand and trust them more.

Did you look into financial support available from the college? If so what were they and how did they help?

No, I didn’t.

Have you overcome any challenges while on your course? If so how has the college helped you?

I was struggling with revising and my tutor would keep sending me notes and messages encouraging me to study. It really helped me and its helped me achieve the grades I need.

What do you/did you enjoy most about your course?

I think I enjoy the people I’m around and the jokes that you can have with your friends – no one ever takes it too far and its just a really nice environment.

How do you feel that the course has/is benefitting you?

After I’ve completed my Level 1, I can go and study plumbing like I first wanted to because I’ve got the grades to be accepted onto the course now, which I’m looking forward too. I’ve thought as well, if that doesn’t work out I’ve still got my Level 1 in Automotive so I can go and work in a garage which I’d enjoy too.

Have you done any work experience or a work placement as part of your course?

We’ve had Mercedes visit and a local body and paint company came in to talk us through how to tint windows and stuff. That was really interesting because it helped us all understand what its like to work in industry.

What would you like to do when you finish your course? Would you consider studying a degree at Newcastle College University Centre?

When I finish college I want to be plumber in the Army because my grandad was - he used to tell me all of these amazing stories. I want to travel around the world and see all of these incredible countries.

What would you say to anyone thinking of studying a course with Newcastle College?

Be prepared for a lot of written work and pay attention in practical classes because you’ll learn a lot from it. You’ll learn about engines and how to replace one, spark plugs, how to remove airbags – if you want to be a mechanic it’s a great route to go down.

Top tips

Turn up on time for college

Don’t muck about in class

Pay attention

Listen to tutors

Don’t waste your time!