Grand Opening of Abingdon Media Suite: A New Era for Creative Learning

The Abingdon Media Suite officially opened its doors to an enthusiastic audience of colleagues, students and guests last night, marking a monumental step forward for Abingdon & Witney College. Spearheaded by Mel Coleman-Clements, Head of Faculty for Creative Industries, the new facility is set to revolutionise media education at the college and empower students to excel in their future careers.

State-of-the-Art Facilities for Cutting-Edge Learning

The journey to create the Abingdon Media Suite began with the introduction of the T-Level qualification in Media, Broadcast and Production. Recognising the need for purpose-built facilities comparable to those at the Witney Campus, the college embarked on this ambitious project.

The new Media Suite boasts an impressive range of facilities:

• Pre-Production Room: Equipped with new PCs and breakout tables, this space encourages collaboration and discussion during the initial stages of creative projects.
• Post-Production Room: Featuring high-performance editing PCs and large screens for reviewing work, this room ensures learners can refine their content to a professional standard.
• TV Studio and Control Room: The centrepiece of the suite, the studio is outfitted with state-of-the-art 4K cameras, an infrared tracking system enabling motion capture, and a green screen cove for experimenting with visual effects and CGI. The linked control room provides learners with experience working in a real-life multi-camera setting similar to broadcasting.

Access to these facilities is not limited to Media students alone. Learners in Games Design and Performing Arts will also benefit from the suite’s advanced technology, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovation.

From Aspiring Student to Global Professional: Celebrating Daniel Dorward’s Inspiring Journey

The evening’s celebrations were graced by guest of honour Daniel Dorward, a shining example of the opportunities that Abingdon & Witney College provides. Daniel’s journey began in 2012 when he joined the college to retake his GCSEs. From there, he pursued a Level 2 qualification, followed by Level 3 Media in 2014 and a Foundation Degree in 2016. After obtaining a first-class degree in Media & Digital Practice from Portsmouth University, Daniel embarked on an exciting career as a videographer and photographer. His work has taken him across the globe, cementing his place as an inspiration for future generations of learners.

Building Futures Together

The new Media Suite exemplifies Abingdon & Witney College’s commitment to equipping students with the tools and skills needed to thrive in the competitive world of creative industries. As Mel Coleman-Clements stated, these facilities will not only enhance learning but also pave the way for exciting career trajectories for all students.

With the Media Suite now open, Abingdon & Witney College looks forward to supporting the next wave of creative talent, ensuring that every learner has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.