Nescot students shine in the new Community Zone at the Epsom Derby Festival

Nescot students showcased their talent at the world-famous Epsom Derby Festival, gaining real-world experience with community partnerships with The Jockey Club and Epsom Downs Racecourse.

Students from Performing Arts, Music, Creative Media, Art & Design and Hair & Make-up from North East Surrey College of Technology (Nescot) supported the Derby’s new Community Zone initiative, re-engaging younger audiences with the iconic sporting event.

The opportunity was made possible through Nescot’s strong employer and community links, led by Principal and CEO Julie Kapsalis MBE, whose involvement with Epsom Downs Racecourse helped open the door for students to gain hands-on experience in a live, high-profile environment.

At Nescot, students benefit from a holistic approach to education that recognises not everything that can be learnt in a classroom. Live industry projects, employer partnerships, and community collaborations play a vital role in developing confidence, employability skills and career readiness.

The Derby Festival provided an ideal setting for students to apply their learning, engaging with the public and contributing to a large-scale live event.

Students from Performing Arts, Music, Creative Media, Hair & Beauty and Art & Design worked together to create an unforgettable experience for Derby visitors in the new Community Zone:

• Performing Arts students captivated crowds with an Alice in Wonderland-inspired flash mob and immersive games
• Music students created a vibrant festival atmosphere with live bands and DJ sets
• Hair & Beauty students ran a pop-up experience for racegoers and delivered professional stage make-up for our performers
• Creative Media students captured the event from across the racecourse, producing social media reels and digital content from The Hill
• Foundation students refurbished the Pat Eddery memorial bench in the Parade Ring
• Art & Design students created and installed phase one of a new mural in the racecourse underpass
• The students also proudly waved flags to welcome The King and Queen to Epsom Downs

Experiences like the Derby Festival give students the chance to see how their skills translate into the real world, build confidence, professionalism and ambition. We’re incredibly proud of how our students represented themselves, the college and the local community.

Nescot is proud to have supported the Epsom Derby Festival’s Community Zone initiative and already looking forward to next year!