Supporting Students To Succeed
Care, support and guidance were graded ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. The College has always been very proud of the support and guidance it offers. All students have a personal tutor and the support of the Academic Mentor and Student Counsellor. There is a highly structured student monitoring programme which ensures any issues, either academic or wellbeing, are identified early and addressed effectively.
Academic Support
Students meet with their Personal Tutors regularly to have the opportunity to discuss their personal aspirations, set targets to help achieve both short and long term goals and receive general guidance. Academic Tutors regularly review progress and attainment targets, offering positive support, praise and encouragement.
All students can call on the help of the Academic Mentor, who is always on hand in the Main Study Area to offer advice on topics such coping with personal workload, UCAS applications and exam preparation. The Academic Mentor also offers one to one support to help students develop the study skills necessary for success in Further and Higher Education.
Student Care
Personal Tutors play an important role in the care, support and guidance of individual students. There is also a programme of group tutorials where students have the opportunity to explore a wide range of issues relevant to their personal wellbeing and understanding of the world. Topics include health matters, financial advice, planning for the future and discussions on current issues and world events.
The College also provides a counselling service where students can access confidential help and advice, should they need to. There are good links with external agencies and referrals can be made if required.
The College has a clear commitment to inclusion for students with disabilities or Special Educational Needs. The College will make all reasonable attempts to provide any specialist support required and this is continuously monitored and reviewed to ensure all needs continue to be met.
Help with moving on
The natural progression after Sixth Form College is to move on to Higher Education or employment. Therefore, it is essential that high quality advice is available to help students make informed choices before they take the next step.
Personal Tutors have a central role in offering advice and helping students to plan ahead at every stage of the application process to either education or moving into the world of work. Their role underpins and supports the formal programme of events which College organises in order to provide students with information and advice about progression to the next stage.
The programme includes:
- Higher Education Evening – University tutors and College staff give advice to students and their parent/carers on all aspects of the application process as well as related topics such as university fees
- Higher Education Day – Graduate students and University staff, including Oxbridge Tutors, are available to advise on applications, individual subject choices and general topics such as preparing for a gap year
- Job Seekers Day – Experienced local employers and Careers Personal Advisors are available to give advice to students who wish to progress to employment
- Individual and group visits to Colleges and Universities
- Attendance at National Conferences, Careers Conventions and Higher Education Fairs.
There is also support on all aspects of the Higher Education application process, from the initial research, finding the right course and deciding where to apply, the online application process, mock interviews, through to accepting an offer and applying for finance and accommodation.