Runshaw College - Leyland Campus - Leyland

Khadija K.

Left here 2 years ago. The college is great. Heather Nelson not sure if she still works here anymore sociology teacher ruined my experience at runshaw, she was a bully who specifically targeted me, was horrible and felt the need to always pick on me and embarrass me, she gave me terrible anxiety coming in to my sociology lessons every day which led to me taking days off or missing sociology.

Rushan K.

I studied A-Level Maths, Physics and Design Engineering here from 2019 - 2021.

Start by saying the college itself has a pretty nice campus feel. The place definitely shaped me as a person; it's like a mini university and you'll meet a lot of interesting people from all over the north-west. Lots of random table tennis tables dotted around and sports courts. That said, it is in the middle of nowhere and apart from Worden Park there's not much to the area. Tesco is a 20 minute walk away and that's about it. The burgers in Mardale are exquisite and I still think about them years later.

Maths was great. I had George L as my maths teacher and can't rate him highly enough. I didn't do well, but the fault was not his. He tried and tried and tried. Lots of support available, very understanding and very friendly. Explained things very clearly and did his best for his students. Handled COVID pretty well too.

Physics was a bit more of a mixed bag. When I started I had a teacher who I don't think had previously taught in front of a class before which kind of three off the first term of learning as he was very poor and eventually sacked. Ended up getting a better teacher for the rest of Year 1. In Year 2, it would sometimes feel like my teacher didn't want to be there, she was far too quiet and unable to explain things well. She was trying but it was hit or miss.

Design Engineering was another mixed bag. My former teacher no longer teaches here but learning objectives and what was required of us was consistently unclear. I got 3 A*s and 1 A in my exams. My project got a U. As a mechanical engineering student, reflecting back on that project, no way was that a U and it was never explained where that mark came from and why I was given an U. My average got dragged down and I was robbed of a higher grade but didn't appeal which is my own fault. When asking my teacher for more info about how to prepare for resits, he ignored me several times and left me on read or seen and actually never got back to me despite promising me he would.

Pastoral support was great, Tracy and Martin S were two of the most empathetic and kind-hearted people I've met. Martin in particular was always so full of positivity and optimism, and always had time to advise me. Thank you to them. Some staff were not always so friendly and did not always bother to understand the context of personal situations, but mostly, it was great.

Overall, my experience was obviously tainted by COVID, but I think it depends on what you're studying. Teachers are hit or miss. Pastoral was for the most part great. Food is amazing. Not the best place if you're looking for a lively environment surrounding the college, but pretty good if you're going to stick within the "campus". Lots of interesting people. Hard to say whether I recommend or not, best advice would be to go to an open day and see for yourself.

Aneta

I don't recommend the IT course, the teacher wasn't even teaching us anything she kept talking about her own personal stuff that we didn't want to listen to. She also gets really angry when we ask her for help and complains about it. Even saying horrible things about us outloud. We had to come back to college during our summer break to finish our incompleted task that she had to check at the very last minute.

The communication is very poor, they didn't tell us that the IT results will come in late

The campus looks alright, but the inside has loud music and people must talk really loud by shouting

Also the wellbeing hub doesn't solve your problems at all

I wont be recommending this college at all

kieron M.

In regards to the paramedic access course.
This is a very full on course which requires true dedication. However, there are some amazing teachers and a great purpose led support network which really helps. I would recommend this course to anyone and everyone seeking a career in the paramedic field. The great staff and support truly outweigh any difficulties 🙂

Shaun B.

Hi I'm currently a student at runshaw and it's a great campus the course leader is brilliant I just want to say thanks. However, I getting bullied by other student (witch is older) so I shown evidence and say that the my best friend is getting bullied beacuse I'm ignored the student as my progress mentor said but the student is still doing it and she said the same thing over and over even though it's not helping it's affect me and my best friend. It's a good college as course leader and teacher assistant are very lovely though.
Updated: hi again this is my second year the department in the course I'm in are brilliant. However, I'm still having the same issues as last year so it's affected my mental health and I got a learning disability and I had a fall out with someone so the staff at als (which does social skills) had a chat with me and she said that I taught you how to get alone with people and I don't want to go to your pm again like I did with the old one so you have to sort out your self even though I don't know how but she wanted to do it my self this is unbelievable. Also my voice is not Heard as I told the principal about last year and she took me to my progress mentor and he said that in the old progress mentor defence she didn't know what she was doing so they missed lead me for their bullying policy as they didn't report it to safeguarding or head of progress mentor. If you don't want this hassle then don't come here

Aaron

Serious (serious) bullying problem. Whole college uses snapchat. Who bullies people in college? Surreal.

Chelsea H.

Hi my name is Chelsea Houlihan I think this college is the best one to go to for sure. All of the staff including the wellbeing hub support you mental and physical health and needs and when ever I have a problem or have stuff I want to talk to someone about there is alway someone I can talk to. I love this college and highly recommend to other students

Mr M.

DO NOT COME HERE IF YOU NEED MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT. The counselling is basic and counsellors have limited knowledge on mental health issues. I found myself spending the 50 minutes of my session educating the counsellor. As an autistic student i need extra support and despite me having a support plan put in place, Teachers don’t take the time to read it and get it wrong frequently. The head of my studies has also got this wrong and seems to be a lot more concerned about the overall figures of the college than student well-being. I have multiple friends at the college who have also experienced this treatment. The college seem to express concern then give multiple warnings and threaten to kick out disabled and mentally ill students when their symptoms show. There needs to be a lot more teaching given to staff (including head of studies) covering disabilities and mental conditions as there seems to be a very archaic understanding of these issues. They will threaten you when you show symptoms and accuse you of being a risk to yourself or others. Accusing autistic students of “not being fit” to study at college when they need extra time away from class due to issues like sensory overload. Don’t brand yourself as an inclusive college when this is what students with extra needs face.

Don’t get me wrong I have some amazing tutors and have received some good support from the study support department of college. However, what use is this when my place at college is being threatened over things I cannot control. I know i’m not the only student that has experienced this either.