City of Oxford College and University Centre will host an open event on May 6, from 4.30pm to 7pm, offering a chance to explore GCSEs, A-levels, T-levels, BTECs, and apprenticeship programmes.

The college, part of the Activate Learning group, will open its doors to prospective students, parents, and carers, providing a first-hand look at student life and study options in the heart of the city.

Visitors will be able to tour the facilities, meet current students, and attend the Introduction to College presentation, led by the group director of City of Oxford College and University Centre.

Khalid Rahmati, a student who progressed from the college’s GCSE Science Pathway to an Access to Higher Education programme, said: “The teachers provide you with lots of support at college.

“They are always so clear with their instructions, resources and everything.”

T-level tutors and the Apprenticeship team will be available to answer questions and discuss vocational pathways.

Hands-on demonstrations will include beauty therapy, hairdressing, and media make-up, as well as tours of the care suite and art and design, media, music and performing arts facilities.

Staff will also be on hand to talk about bursaries and financial support, improving your English skills, and special educational needs support.

Attendees will be able to submit applications on the night.

Registration for the event is open now via the Activate Learning website.

The City of Oxford College and University Centre is located in Oxford’s city centre.

The Falcon Boat Club received the boat from Jeff Bethray, the bursar of OMBS Oxford, a private school offering a post-A-level alternative to a university course.

Based at Donnington Bridge, the Falcon Boat Club provides free rowing training to pupils from local state schools, aiming to broaden the local appeal of what is often considered an elite sport.

This six-seat sculling boat is more commonly seen on European rivers rather than the Thames.

OMBS expressed their pleasure in supporting the venture, which gives pupils a chance to engage in a non-contact sport they might not otherwise have access to.

Greyfriars School pupils and Falcon coaches were present at the handover.

The club hopes to introduce rowing, thought of as an elite sport, to a wider local audience.

Members of the Oxford Youth Musical Theatre (OYMT) transformed Oxford’s train station and Westgate Shopping Centre into the streets of 19th-century France with theatrical performances from Les Misérables School Edition.

The spontaneous displays were a lead-up to the group’s sold-out show at the Amey Theatre in Abingdon, which ran from April 16 to 18.

One performer said: “The two flash mobs were a way for us to share our work with the local community in a vibrant, spontaneous way, outside the rehearsal room and the theatre itself.”

Led by Debbie Rose for the past 17 years, OYMT is known for developing young talent and delivering high-quality musical theatre.

The group is part of Oxfordshire County Music Service and is open to performers aged 12 to 18.

Many alumni have gone on to perform in the West End and with national opera companies.

Each year, OYMT holds auditions in July and mounts one major production, alternating between venues such as the Oxford Playhouse.

The group also welcomes students interested in stage management.

Rehearsals take place on Monday evenings from 6.45pm to 9.15pm at the Centre for Music on Bayswater Road in Oxford, with an additional Saturday session each month.

For more details or to join the waiting list for the 2025-26 season, visit oxfordshire.gov.uk/youthmusictheatre.