A LOOK around a local educational establishment.

HOW MANY STUDENTS: The centre has 300 full-time and 450 part-time students. The part-time students are made up of day release Modern Apprenticeship programmes and a vast number of evening courses which include aromatherapy, reflexology, wine and spirit and bar courses.

History Lesson: Hairdressing, catering and bakery have been offered in the present Feilden Centre since it opened in 1964. Prior to that, they were in the Victoria Centre. Since opening, it has grown immensely to offer many additional courses including BTEC hotel management, beauty therapy and many complementary therapy courses. In the last two inspections, held in 1996 and 1999, the departments earned the highest possible grades.

STAR STUDENTS: Beauty Therapy student Amanda Hill, who left the college in July 2000, is now travelling the world working as a therapist on the Royal Caribbean Disney, one of the largest cruise ships in the world. Former student Nigel Smith, now executive head chef at the Feildens Arms in Mellor Brook, has made several television appearances and has his own cookery slot on the radio.

OUT AND ABOUT: Many students get involved in demonstrations and talks in the community. Last year, they attended Little Harwood, Darwen and Bangor Street community centres as well as the Beardwood School Open Day. This year, they have already been involved in the Beardwood School Family Learning Festival and a health awareness day at Blackburn Central Library. Granada Television has filmed three times in the catering department.

SOMETHING TO BRAG ABOUT: So far this year, students in hair and beauty have had outstanding success in both local and national competitions. In addition to individual awards within the team, two of our students hold area trophies. Debbie Fox is a Lancashire champion, and Janet Partington is the Cheshire and Yorkshire champion. The catering section currently holds 30 national trophies and the pinnacle was when the food department came first in a European competition held in Denmark, and third in Hungary.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH £100,000? We would open and equip more specialist rooms to cater for the demands of local industry to include a gymnastic area for the sports therapy students. We would also fund student exchanges abroad to widen their experience and include more technology in the curriculum.