TEENAGE students from Waltham Forest are taking part in summer courses that give them a taste of life in higher education.

Waltham Forest College is working alongside the council and the Waltham Forest Youth Advisory Service in running a Summer University for two weeks, which offers lessons in art, fashion, childcare, journalism, and special effects make-up.

By the end of the course at the college in Forest Road, Walthamstow, each teenager will have earned a nationally recognised qualification for the two week course.

The programme started last Monday and is entering its final week.

Claudia Mota, 15, of Winchester Road, Highams Park, has just completed the Special Effects course.

She said: “I really enjoyed this course and it has helped me to decide what I want to do in the future.

"It has shown me what it is like to be at university. It's not as formal as I thought it would be.

"I want to do something in the fashion industry at the moment.

"I am usually into design and style but I can also take what I've learnt doing make-up.

Stella Photis, course tutor, said: “The special effects make-up course is designed in order to give students the opportunity to know how the TV and Film industry creates its special effects.”

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