Past Students
Leyton Bracegirdle
Leyton Bracegirdle was a Media Student between 1993 and 1995 - he was our first subject prize winner. Leyton continued to gain a first class honours degree in Media Studies. He now works as Group Music Scheduler for the Capital FM Network in London, alongside the likes of Chris Tarrant, Johnny Vaughan and Neil Fox, scheduling the music for all 7 Capital stations.
"Studying Media at A-Level gave me invaluable 'hands-on' experience in a very competitive area. This helped me get a head start in an increasingly competitive media industry. Learning radio techniques such as editing, interviewing and producing was invaluable in allowing me to further these skills at degree level and then take them with me into the “real world"
Marsha Thomason
Marsha Thomason was one of our first Media students at the college from 1992 when it first opened, until 1994. Marsha has had a successful acting career since leaving the Sixth Form, starring in notable dramas and series such as Prime Suspect, Playing The Field and Where the Heart Is. Marsha won an award in September 2002 for Best Female Performance in Film for her role in the US movie Black Knight alongside Martin Lawrence. Her latest role is character Naomi Dorrit, in Channel 4’s popular drama, “Lost”.
"I learnt so much at the Sixth Form - it was where I got my first break. Without somewhere like that, how was a girl from Manchester going to become a Hollywood actress?"
David Bates
David Bates was a media student at the College from 1994 to 1996, and went on to study a degree in Multi-Media Technology at Leeds Metropolitan University. Dave always enjoyed the practical aspect of the A-Level course and made a great music video of Columbia by Oasis (you'll have to bribe him to show you!). He now works as an E-Learning Technician, based at Oldham City Learning Centre.
“I work closely with staff in Secondary Schools across Oldham to produce, update and maintain web-based interactive learning resources (mainly using Flash, Photoshop and Illustrator), for pupils to use at home or in school. My time studying Media at college helped me gain a plethora of skills, both hands-on and theoretical-based, and these gave me the confidence to go on to university, and then into the job I enjoy so much today!”
Dean Straffon
Dean Straffon was a Media and Film student between 1999 and 2001. Having left College, he studied for a BA Hons in Television and Radio. While completing his degree at Salford University, two films he shot went on to win prestigious prizes in competitions as far afield as New York. After completing his degree, Dean worked on a range of exciting projects for television and film, most notably as Second Camera Assistant on the award winning feature film ‘The Allotment’ and now as First Camera on the successful Hollyoaks.
“I owe in no small part my success, to undertaking Media and Film at OSFC. By far and away the most rewarding academic courses I have ever studied. They managed to instill the traits vital to those going to survive in an already over-crowded industry. The belief, dedication and commitment of the teaching staff inspired me; I doubt there is a better course nationwide.”
