6th August 2024
At The Cornwall College Group, we pride ourselves on delivering top-quality education to all our students, and it’s extremely rewarding to see them thrive and succeed after their journey with us comes to an end.
Stephanie Jones’ journey from Stanchester Academy to becoming a standout student at Bicton College is nothing short of inspiring.
Choosing the right educational path is crucial, and for Stephanie, the decision to pursue a vocational course over A-levels was pivotal.
“I chose Bicton College because I’m a visual, active learner, so a vocational course was much more beneficial for me than A-levels would be. It was just the toolkit that I needed,” she explains.
This decision has clearly paid off, as Stephanie’s experiences at Bicton have equipped her with a unique set of skills and confidence that she will carry forward.
Living on campus has also been a transformative experience for Stephanie. “I’m a residential student and live on-site at Bicton College. I moved out at 16, I do my own laundry, cooking, cleaning and more. This experience has boosted my independence to live independently and has given me the skills that I now need for university moving on. It makes me feel less nervous for university and it’s made me feel ready for adult life.” 
Managing daily responsibilities has not only prepared her for university life but also fostered a sense of readiness for adulthood.
Stephanie’s day-to-day activities at Bicton College are immersive and hands-on, aligning perfectly with her learning style.
“My day-to-day college life consists of hands-on husbandry and animal management practices, high to our zoological standards. We feed, clean and look after all the animals on campus, with a particular focus on enrichment and the welfare of all our animals, who have their own daily health check diaries and records.” This practical approach has given Stephanie, and all of our Animal Management students, invaluable experience, ensuring that the animals receive the highest standard of care.
One of Stephanie’s most significant achievements is her acceptance into the Veterinary Medicine Surgery programme at the University of Nottingham.
Reflecting on her time at the College, she says, “Thanks to my time at Bicton, I was able to use my practical skills and scenario-based experience to put my knowledge into practice, as the animal industry values experience over how long you’ve been in education. So, being hands-on means you can put the practices into your day-to-day life and learn on the job.”
Practical skills and real-world experience have made her a standout candidate, ready to excel in the competitive field of veterinary medicine.
Stephanie’s insights into animal management highlight the importance of hands-on experience. “You can learn from textbooks, you can learn what could be wrong with the animal – but until you know the animal and have seen it for yourself, you can’t fully understand or conclude what it’s going through.” This direct interaction with animals has been crucial in developing her understanding and empathy. 
“Bicton College has taught me how different animals act by allowing me to experience their behaviour first-hand, and be able to recognise what the animal could be going through.”
Stephanie Jones’s story is testament to the power of vocational education and the profound impact of hands-on learning. Bicton College wishes Stephanie best of luck at university and we look forward to seeing her achievements in the future.
To find out more about courses available at Bicton College, visit the website.
Watch Stephanie’s video interview here.
