CHILDREN and teenagers across the county are taking their first steps at a new school or college this month – and it can be a giant leap for some.

The prospect can be quite a daunting one. New building. New teachers. New lessons and new expectations.

While many can – and do – take it in their stride, there are always going to be some aspects that they are not sure about.

College is a huge step in anyone’s life, with the transition from pupil to student and the added responsibilities both in terms of timetable and social life.

At Worcester Sixth Form College in Spetchley Road, student services administrator Lynne Matthews helps youngsters find their feet and get fully involved in college life.

Through a scheme set up a few years ago which has teenagers already at the college volunteering to be student ambassadors, the transition from high school to college can be made a lot smoother.

The college’s student services can help with what youngsters should do next, give advice on quitting smoking and sexual health and help to involve students fully into college life.

The student ambassadors help by offering a friendly welcome to newcomers and answering the questions which they may feel uncomfortable talking to a member of staff about.

Mrs Matthews said: “For those volunteering, it is great for their CVs and is also good for them to do something outside academic life.

“At the end of the first year, we start to recruit our students to take on this voluntary role, which is basically a student helper.

“They will then be here for the course confirmation days, when the new intake comes into college to sign up for courses, and our student ambassadors are there to help out.

“But this is just the first of a number of events throughout the year when we might need them and we also find it really helpful to have them at the freshers’ fair later on in September.

“It is great to have them here.

They can advise students and even just be a friendly face to speak to or go for a coffee with.

“But for the ambassadors themselves, it is a great confidence booster. We have had some students who are quite shy, but by the end of having this role, they are professionals at greeting people and making them feel more comfortable.”

This year, the college has 28 students signed up for ambassador roles.

Kate Strong, aged 18, who recently picked up an A* in biology, A* in chemistry and A in maths, was a student ambassador in her second year.

She said she got a lot out of being able to help the new students.

She said: “It wasn’t just about showing them around.

“Some students found it hard to talk to members of staff, so they could ask us.

“When we are around and they know who we are, we would be able to show them where they could go, either for lessons or other help.

“Most of the questions we got at the open evening were because they were worried about getting lost or not being able to fit in, so we could put their minds at ease.

“I have really enjoyed being a student ambassador. You also manage to make friends yourself through it. It has really helped me.”

A similar scheme is operated at Pershore High School, where the more seasoned pupils are “buddied”

up with new year seven pupils to help them find their way around.

Headteacher Clive Corbett said the scheme was started so that children starting at the school from primary or middle schools would be able to feel more comfortable with the transition – and it was also a good responsibility for the children taking on the role.

James Manning, aged 13, said: “We are going to be helping the new intake on the transition days.

When I came to this school I found them really useful.

“When I started here I had a few worries, but as soon as I was here I realised that there was nothing to worry about.”

He said some of the worries that new pupils faced included timetables and also getting lost.

He said: “My best advice for new pupils is to take part in as many things as possible and that way, you start making many more friends.

There are so many activities going on, so get involved.”

Katie Baston, 13, is also helping the new intake.

She said: “Being able to help them, I think it means that they are able to settle into school life a lot quicker.

“A lot of them come and say they don’t know if they will make friends or will get lost going to class.

“So to be able to be there for them and show how it works, where everything is and to be a friendly face is a great feeling. The induction days help too.”