A GROUP of past and present ophthalmic dispensing students, specialising in the study of the eye, have been treated to a unique workshop at Bradford College.
Contact Lens Certificate students were invited to bespoke training by Ian Sexton from No7 Contact Lenses.
The session focussed on specialist lenses called ‘sclerals’ - large-diameter gas permeable lenses that rest on the white of the eye (the sclera).
Both current and former students were invited to the workshop, which involved detailed discussions on specialist lenses, including Ortho-K, before a hands-on fitting workshop involving mini-sclerals.
Participants were given the opportunity to handle, insert, remove, and observe the fitting of the specialist lenses in the workshop and discuss their findings.
Dean Dunning, Programme Leader for the Contact Lens Course at Bradford College, said “We are extremely grateful to Ian and No7 Contact Lenses for coming to Bradford and running the workshop.
“Our students are all fitting contact lenses in practice but get minimal opportunity to see specialist lenses such as mini-sclerals in their day-to-day contact lens clinics.
“This workshop was invaluable in giving them the confidence in being able to discuss and fit more specialist lenses within their clinics in the future. It is certainly something that we intend to continue to run regularly in the future.”
Bliss Rycroft, trainee Contact Lens Optician for Boots Opticians in Keighley, attended the workshop after recently taking her final Contact Lens Practical Examinations. She said: “The workshop was really insightful and informative into what other contact lens options are available out there for the patients that I see in practice. The session has made me feel really excited for my future as a Contact Lens Optician.”
Ian Sexton, Professional Services Manager at No7 Contact Lenses, said: “It was a real pleasure to come to Bradford. They were a great group, and I really enjoyed spending the time with everyone at the college.”
* For enquiries regarding the Contact Lens Certificate course at Bradford College, contact Dean Dunning at d.dunning@bradfordcollege.ac.uk
SINCE she began studying at Bradford School of Art in 2017, Yvonne Jennings has never looked back. Formerly a teaching assistant, Yvonne decided to study for a BA (Hons) Visual Arts degree. She said: “I have always had an interest in art but I didn’t get a chance to go any further educationally at that time.”
Yvonne followed her passion for art when her daughter went to university. She continued to a Masters Degree using the subject of witches as her unusual source of inspiration, drawing on themes of death and the fragility of life with egg shells among her materials. Said Yvonne: “I’ve had such good fun. I’m even thinking about running my own business but also paying it forward to the School of Art by volunteering here.”
Find out about flexible Bradford College Degrees, Higher Professional, and Technical Qualifications starting in September. Places available for students entering Clearing this week.
BRADFORD College is to host an Apprenticeship Open Day designed for students collecting their GCSEs this summer.
On Friday, August 26 (the day after GCSE results are released), the event will be open from 10am-4pm for would-be apprentices.
The College offers Apprenticeships in healthcare, professional services, construction, engineering, dental, motor vehicle, early years, teaching and more. It has over 30 years of experience delivering apprenticeships and works closely with over 700 employers within Bradford and the wider Leeds City Region. Using high-quality training facilities, industry-specialist staff offer in-demand hands-on vocational training.
College staff will be on hand to offer advice and guidance at the event and explain the application process. Applicants should bring their GCSE results if they collect them the day before.
STUDENTS from Bradford School of Art took centre stage when they performed at the three-day Deer Shed festival in North Yorkshire.
Thousands of music lovers headed to Baldersby Park in Topcliffe to see festival headliners Django Django, Nadine Shah, and John Grant, as well as comedians including David O’Doherty, Paul Foot, and Maisie Adam.
Music and Performing Arts students studying at Bradford College also featured on the cracking line-up, due to a partnership with the Festival organisers.
The students gained invaluable work experience setting up, sound-checking, and performing in front of ticketholders.
Lisa Edwards, Head of School (Further Education) at Bradford School of Art, said: “Not only did the festival have some amazing performances from our students, our Media Make-Up students also applied festival make-up to attendees at the event.
"This was a fabulous work placement for our students.”
* For more about courses at Bradford College, go to www.bradfordcollege.ac.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here