CHICHESTER COLLEGE A GUIDE FOR PARENTS

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1 CHICHESTER COLLEGE A GUIDE FOR PARENTS

2 A GUIDE FOR PARENTS CHICHESTER COLLEGE CONTENTS WELCOME 02 OUR PEDIGREE 02 choosing a course 03 course options 04 our facilities 05 learning resources centres 05 entry policy 06 application process starting college how you can support 10 your son/daughter/ward chi-xtra 11 chi-su 11 how WE can support your son/daughter/ward financial assistance 13 what next? 14 travelling to college 15 contacting us 15 WELCOME FROm OUR principal A very warm welcome from Chichester College, the No.1 college in Sussex. Here at Chichester College we are committed to giving every student a stimulating and motivating learning experience in a friendly and supportive environment where they can flourish and are challenged to excel. We aim to help our students make the change from school to college as smoothly and pleasurably as possible. We set high standards for behaviour and expect our students to act responsibly and with respect for all students and staff in the College. In return we treat them as adults whilst supporting them with excellent teaching, advice and guidance. We hope you will find this guide for parents and carers useful. We have included information we think you will find useful, from helping your son/daughter/ ward to choose the right course for them, through to application, enrolment and their time at college. If you have any questions at any stage we are here to answer them. We believe Chichester College offers a great place to study and we look forward to welcoming your son/daughter/ward here. Best wishes, Shelagh Legrave, Principal Consistently Outstanding or Good in Ofsted Reports Queen s Anniversary Prize Winner 2005 Beacon Award Winners 2005 & 2008 OUR PEDIGREE We are proud of our proven record of excellence in education and training. Our continued commitment to our students has been rewarded with many prestigious awards spanning the full range of our educational provision. 02

3 CHICHESTER COLLEGE A GUIDE FOR PARENTS CHOOSING A COURSE THE RIGHT COURSE Every young person is different and it is important that they feel comfortable and motivated by the type of course, method of learning and place they choose after school. To help your son / daughter / ward make the right decision encourage them to: Research different jobs and what qualifications they need to succeed in that career the College offers free access and support in using Career Coach, our online careers programme Research different colleges and sixth forms where those courses are offered Visit as many of these as possible. Ask lots of questions. Of course results are important but so are other factors such as what support is available, what help is available with university or job applications, what are the entry requirements, where do students go on to, what facilities are there and what else is available from the college outside of the classroom Consider what type of learner your son/daughter/ ward is. Do they enjoy academic work and can they work well in an exam situation or are they better working in a hands on situation, or completing assessments. Many parents think A-levels are the only and the best qualification, but there are other options which may be more appropriate and are equally well recognised by employers and University. Make sure the type of course chosen suits your child s abilities and preferred methods of learning as well as their career and further education aspirations. Many vocational qualifications are more practical and less reliant on exams and also offer a route to higher education Some students may prefer to earn while they learn by doing an Apprenticeship so encourage them to explore this option too Check transport routes and if financial help is needed find out about help available Encourage them to attend any Taster Days that are offered as this can help confirm their decision So they (and you) have collected all the information needed, checked out the practicalities, experienced the atmosphere, talked to the staff and tried out the facilities. All that is left is to apply. 03

4 A GUIDE FOR PARENTS CHICHESTER COLLEGE COURSE OPTIONS to explore We hope you and your child will choose Chichester College for their next period of study. We offer a range of qualifications suitable for year olds. They are offered at different levels according to the qualifications and knowledge the learner has on entry but they largely fall into three categories: type of course Vocational Courses level Entry Level, Levels 1, 2 & 3 Apprenticeships Level 2 & 3 A-levels Level 3 Apprenticeships Apprenticeships are a great way for a young person to get a qualification, learn a skill and get paid, all at the same time. Some Apprenticeships are delivered wholly in the work place, some involve a block release period in college and others involve day release. The range of occupations we offer Apprenticeships in includes: Accounting Business Administration Brickwork Carpentry & Joinery Care Childcare Cookery Customer Service Dental Nursing Electrical Installation Electroctechnical Services Engineering Equine Food Preparation Fabrication & Welding Floristry Furniture Hairdressing Horticulture IT Intruder Alarms Management Motor Vehicle/Cycle Oral Healthcare Painting & Decorating Play Work Plumbing Retail Sport & Recreation Team Leading Turf Management Veterinary Nursing Vocational courses We also offer a wide range of vocational courses. Examples of subjects offered in college include: Agriculture Animal Care Art & Design Beauty Therapy Brickwork Business Care & Childcare Computing Conservation Dance Drama Electrical Engineering Equine Floristry Furniture Hairdressing Healthcare Horticulture Hospitality & Catering Landscaping Media Motor Vehicle Motor Cycle Music Musical Theatre Photography Plumbing Sports Public Services Science Travel & Tourism A-levels at a glance Accounting Art: 3D Design, Product, Interior & Architecture Art: Fine Art Art: Graphic Design Art: Photography Biology Business Studies Chemistry Classical Civilisation Communication & Culture Dance Drama & Theatre Studies Economics English Language English Language & Literature English Literature Film Studies French Geography German History Human Biology ICT Law Mathematics Pure/Further Media Studies Music Music Technology Physics Psychology Sociology Spanish Sport & Physical Education 04

5 CHICHESTER COLLEGE A GUIDE FOR PARENTS OUR FACILITIES The College is very well resourced. We hope that during visits to the College you will have the opportunity to see some of the fantastic facilities we have that make learning at Chichester College a really enjoyable experience. Our facilities have been developed to support the subjects we teach, For example: Travel & Tourism students will learn in classrooms equipped with check-in facilities, on board our 737 plane section or in our real live travel agency Hair and Beauty students train and work in one of the 16 salons that make up our Oasis Salon and Spa area Our restaurants are open to the public where delicious food is cooked and served by students Equine students learn in a real yard and stables Agriculture and Animal Care students work on our farm which breeds its own animals and produces its own milk Theatres and studios are our classrooms and the stage for real performances for our Performing Arts, Dance and Drama students Well equipped workshops replicate garages, plumbing areas and other practical working environments Learning Resources Centres (library & IT) Both campuses have learning resource centres containing a wide range of textbooks, papers journals, audio materials, private study space and lots of IT facilities. Students are encouraged to continue their learning and assignment preparation outside of the classroom in one of the learning resource centres. 05

6 A GUIDE FOR PARENTS CHICHESTER COLLEGE ENTRY POLICY APPLICATION PROCESS As a guide most Level 3 qualifications require a minimum of 5 GCSE grades A*-C including Maths and English. However some Level 3 courses have other specific requirements such as a portfolio of an appropriate standard for Art, Spanish GCSE for a Spanish A-level, or the ability to dance or act in order to get onto a related course. These are indicated in our prospectus and will be further confirmed at our consultation evenings (A-levels) and interviews (other subjects). For Level 1 and Level 2 courses entry criteria are lower and depend on whether the course is academic vocational or practical vocational. Our Admissions Team can advise on entry criteria for specific courses or you can check our prospectus or the website. In order to ensure your child is on the right level of course for their ability we are strict about entry criteria so it is important that your son/daughter/ward is encouraged to work as hard as possible when doing their GCSEs to get onto the best level course. The process for applying for a course is very simple. Just follow the steps below. Decide on A course and apply Applications can be made online using the Apply Now link in the Courses section of the website: Alternatively, complete the application form in the back of the full-time prospectus. Post it to us or drop it in to our Reception. Depending on the time of year, your son/daughter/ ward should have an acknowledgement of their application within two weeks and be invited to come in for an interview or to a consultation evening on a date within 5 weeks. During busy times of the year interview and consultation dates happen much more frequently Correspondence will be sent to your son/ daughter/ward but do call us if they haven t heard or you need to change the date The Interview Parents or guardians are encouraged to attend interviews with their son/daughter/ward. Questions and discussions will involve your son/daughter/ ward but there will be the opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have Some courses will require an audition or to see a portfolio as well as having the opportunity to discuss the course in an interview situation At the end of the interview a verbal offer will be made subject to certain conditions, usually these are exam results The offer letter Your son/daughter/ward will receive a written offer of their place requesting they let us know when they have received their results this will confirm their place on the course or we can suggest an alternative for them to suit their results During the summer a letter will be sent explaining start dates and arrangements for Induction. This will also include any information not previously given out about uniform, equipment and any additional costs (which will have been explained at interview). This letter refers to the course they have been offered a place on but will not be valid if they fail to meet the entry criteria for the course 06

7 CHICHESTER COLLEGE A GUIDE FOR PARENTS Please Note: Many courses have taster/ transition or early enrolment days throughout the summer. Your son/daughter/ward may therefore receive correspondence about these events too but it is important not to confuse it with the letter about their start date as this is their official first day in college and contains their person code they need to register their GCSE results with us online. Results Day! Results day is a big moment in a students life if they have the right results let us know. However, if not, don t worry we will find them the right course. Results need to be recorded with us on ChiOnline, our web based Moodle platform. There will be a link on the home page of the website taking students though to the page they can enter their results Places on courses cannot be confirmed until this activity is complete Your son/daughter/ward comes along to Induction and enrols for their course. They are then a Chichester College student and will be issued with an NUS student card which they can use to get discounts in some shops, restaurants and travel. 07

8 A GUIDE FOR PARENTS CHICHESTER COLLEGE STARTING COLLEGE This can be strange at first as students are used to knowing their school and all the teachers. Coming to a new college they have to make new friends, get to know new teachers and find their way around a strange building. We try to make this experience as fun and as easy as possible whilst settling them into their course quickly. First Days: Induction & fresher s activities Activities will be arranged in each area to help students settle in and introduce them to their course and peers for the next 1-2 years. Some of these activities are specific to the subject(s) chosen and some are college wide, for example: All students attend the Big Welcome when they get to meet key people in College, hear about facilities, enrichment and how to get the best out of life at college All students attend the Fresher s Fair and the Big Sports sign up. At this event they can get everything from discount vouchers for food at the college restaurants, information about bank accounts, information about activities and trips, sports activities and clubs. All students are invited to the Fresher s Ball which is usually held about a month after the start of term so students have begun to make good friends Within individual classes there are team building activities, sessions on study skills and time management, relevant visits and many more There will also be the opportunity to meet the Student Tutor who will be the main contact for your child/ward during their time on the course Tutorial system Our Student Tutors provide structured and excellent support for all young people who are and on full-time courses at Chichester College. Your son/ daughter/ward will be introduced to their Student Tutor in their first days in college and they will be their guide, mentor, supporter and motivator during their course. Student Tutors work closely with teaching teams and other members of staff so they have valuable information to share with all learners. To summarise their role is to: Work closely with the young person through one-to-one meetings to review and record progress and achievements Agree and set SMART targets to help them reach your future goals Offer confidential and experienced advice to support general welfare Contact with parent/carers of pupils aged Student Tutors: Your son/daughter or ward s Student Tutor is their first point of contact at college and is also your main contact. You can access our ChiOnline website to find out about tutoring at college and also identify the relevant Student Tutor for your child s course (if they haven t already told you of course). Communication: We believe contact with and support from parents and guardians is critical to giving a student the best chance of success so we are happy to talk to you at any time. As part of the College experience we communicate directly with the young people in the first instance however we are very happy to supply information on progress and attendance with parents and guardians. If any problem arises then you will be informed and invited to participate in resolving the issue to a positive conclusion. Parents Evenings: These are held throughout the year. Course Leaders will organise these events and you will be contacted via your son/daughter/ward as to dates and times. If these are not convenient then we ask you to call the relevant Student Tutor to rearrange. STUDY PROGRAMMES From September 2013, the government have changed the way in which they fund courses for students aged They now provide funding for a programme of study rather than the qualifications. This means that every year old will study their chosen qualifications such as a vocational course or A-levels but their timetable will also include maths, English, work experience and enterprise. Learners are expected to reach a certain level of ability in maths and English (GCSE grade C). Depending on the level and type of the course and the qualifications the learner has when they start their course, they may be enrolled to take one 08

9 CHICHESTER COLLEGE A GUIDE FOR PARENTS delivered as separate classes which are included in your son/daughter/ward s timetable. GCSE maths and English is delivered as stand-alone classes for students working to upgrade from a D grade to a C. It is important to us that our students gain the skills and qualifications for successful progression into employment, further education and training or university. Learning environment We provide a safe, focussed and positive learning environment on two beautiful campuses. We are lucky to have good facilities and extremely dedicated staff. At our recent student conference all student representatives reported they felt Chichester College is a safe and friendly place to study. Our policy of mutual respect between staff and students, supported by a supportive referral system to help students through any problems, as well as a positive behaviour management process, means we have a calm and effective approach to learning. If there are any problems which involve your son/daughter/ward then you will be invited to be part of any discussions to resolve the problem. Not all learning is in the classroom, learning also takes place on ChiOnline, our VLE (virtual learning environment). Here teachers upload resources as well as uploading information and setting assignments and interactive tasks. Throughout the College we also have Green Learning Zones which offer quiet WiFi study points. We use Facebook in a positive way to enhance learning and to enable staff and students in a particular class to give information, get feedback, exchange ideas, complete group work and get advice. Each year the College invests in new equipment in each area of learning as well as the general environment. Our most recent capital investments are in a new state-of-the-art Construction Technology Centre at the Chichester Campus and The Copse, the new Animal Care and Floristry Centre at our Brinsbury Campus. Attendance & punctuality Our aim is always to maximise a learner s opportunity to succeed and there is a proven link between good attendance and good results. We will follow up on learners whose attendance falls below 90%. Attendance is fully monitored. If your son/daughter/ ward is late (obviously not just a one off occasion) or has unauthorised absences, their Student Tutor will speak with them and will also contact you. Attendance is recorded electronically and Student Tutors monitor this vigorously and produce regular reports which feed into the tutorial process. We use a traffic light system on our electronic registers to identify any concerns so any problems are identified and rectified early. Punctuality is also important as lateness means missed learning opportunities and also disrupts other learners. Learners have to appreciate how their actions can impact on others. We are also trying to build good habits which students need when they go out to the working world when poor attendance and lateness will not be tolerated. Academic progress Each learner has a Personal Learning Plan which is agreed between the student and the Student Tutor. This learning plan includes the SMART targets agreed in tutorial which are designed to stretch and challenge the learner. Progress is monitored by Student Tutors and assessment and homework results are recorded by teachers. Everyone involved in a young person s learning will have access to their tracking and progress recorded including the young person themselves. They are encouraged to monitor how they are doing and to use this to assess how they are performing against their learning plan. Any concerns about a learner s progress are addressed by the Student Tutor with the student but may also involve other members of staff and parents/guardians. 09

10 A GUIDE FOR PARENTS CHICHESTER COLLEGE How you can support your son / daughter / ward Attendance Encourage your son/daughter/ward to attend college regularly so they can get the best out of college. They should call their Student Tutor if they cannot be in for some reason Holidays Please avoid planning family holidays during term time Planning their time Once at college learners need to start planning their time in a way they have probably never done before. At college there are no bells ringing to tell them when to go to their class and the people they are talking to in the cafe may not have the same class next so they can t rely on them. Student Tutors support learners to get into the pattern of college life and their new timetables. You can help by getting to know their timetable so you know when they should be in college too Out of College learners need to work out their travel time, the time needed to complete their homework and how much time they have available for part-time work Homework Planning: Encourage your child to allocate enough time to complete their homework (this will vary but for any course that is largely academic they should allow around 4 hours per subject per week) Identify a study space and pc access where possible Strike a balance between time for college work and time for part time work. We encourage students to learn about the world of work and to manage their money they earn but there needs to be a realistic time allocated for part-time work and college work The student s responsibilities Learners have responsibilities too. These include: Regular and punctual attendance Switching off mobile phones in class (unless being used as part of the learning process) Behaving respectfully to staff and other students Behaving responsibly in class Looking after the College facilities and environment Behaving safely Abide by the Student Code of Conduct Take a pride in their achievements Ask for help when needed Complete homework and assessments on time Abide by the College s internet policy The College will not tolerate: Disregard for health & safety Aggressive, intimidating and bullying language or behaviour either in person, online or by phone Substance misuse of any sort including drink and drugs Any bigoted or hate crime behaviour eg racism, sexism, discrimination towards disabled people or of certain religions or homophobia. Theft, fraud or damage to college property or equipment Misuse of college computers We organise timetables so wherever possible there is a free day each week available for out of college study, leaving weekends free for work or pleasure Encourage your child to get the best out of college by participating in activities and events available outside the classroom Possibly the most important support you can give is to encourage your son/daughter/ward to talk about their course and to listen to them. Make sure they know asking for help is not a sign of weakness Call the Student Tutor if you have any concerns or family or health issue we should be aware of in order to support your son/daughter/ward 10

11 CHICHESTER COLLEGE A GUIDE FOR PARENTS Chi-Xtra Chi-SU ChiXtra is the name of the College s enrichment programme. Being at College is not just about what happens in the classroom it is also about the other opportunities available. We therefore have a full enrichment programme your son/daughter/ward might wish to get involved in. This includes: Sports activities and academies recreational or playing in one of the College teams (national champions in a number of sports). The College is a centre of excellence for Sport Keeping fit lunchtime cycling, discounted swimming at Westgate Leisure Centre, doing the trim trail or working out in the gym Overseas trips in the last couple of years students have been to Sri Lanka (orphanages), Kenya (supporting a village), Italy (Eurosport), Disneyland Paris (Fun), New York (fun and educational), India (work in an animal sanctuary) and France (skiing) Other trips to theme parks or theatre visits Developing skills eg Spanish, writing for the Journalist Club, organising events, debating, joining the Youth Parliament, go to Mathletes or the Science Club Extra qualifications Extended Project for A-level students, sports coaching awards, IT, travel courses, Photography (some at extra cost), Volunteering and charity work Pure enjoyment play music, Xmas Factor, Christmas pantomime, join the Dance School or the choir. And much much more Chi SU is the College name for the Students Union. All students automatically become a member of the NUS (National Union of Students) when they join the College. This means your son/daughter/ ward can claim discounts at many shops and restaurants. Chi SU is run for students by students and represents the student voice in college. There are opportunities to be Class Reps, members of the Student Executive or to be a Student Ambassador all things which are great on a UCAS application and which help to develop confidence and communication skills. Every learner has a right to have their voice heard and Chi SU makes sure they have the opportunity to do just that. Many improvements in the College have come about because of the learner voice being heard. 11

12 A GUIDE FOR PARENTS CHICHESTER COLLEGE How WE CAN support your son / daughter / ward Welfare We believe every student matters and the physical and mental wellbeing of our students is extremely important to us. To support this there are a number of services we provide: First Aiders are always on duty The College has an on site nurse at the Chichester campus and runs various clinics on healthy living that any students can attend There is a Counselling service for those who need confidential support and advice There is a College Chaplain who is a Church of England priest but who can offer support to people of all faiths. There is a multi faith prayer room on campus Information on healthy eating and other health matters is given at cross college events as well as in tutorials Safeguarding The College has a Safeguarding Policy and designated Safeguarding Officers at both campuses. Every member of staff is trained in safeguarding which helps ensure learners are safe and protected from all forms of abuse. Essentially the policy puts the welfare of the learner at the centre of all we do. Support for students Additional Support for Students Students with Disabilities Gifted & Talented Students Financial Support Help with Learning Additional Support Additional support needs are identified through initial assessments, through what parents and learners tell us at interview and from any statements that have been submitted. There are various types of additional support available from in class support to one to one out of class support. Support can help on developing maths and English skills, time management, managing behaviour or could be help needed because of a disability. If you would like further information on any aspect of additional support please check out the website, contact us to ask for an additional support guide or arrange to come in to talk to us. info@chichester.ac.uk Safeguarding is covered in tutorials so students know what to do if they have an issue themselves or know of someone else in danger. If you would like to see a copy of the policy please contact the relevant Student Tutor or staysafe@chichester.ac.uk Equality & Diversity The College prides itself on being inclusive and is positive about students from other races, cultures, religions and those who have disabilities or particular sexual orientations. Our day to day environment encourages working together and mutual respect; our tutorial subjects encourage discussion on equality and diversity issues and promotes equality of opportunity and tolerance to all learners. If you would like to know more about our Equality & Diversity policy please info@chichester.ac.uk 12

13 CHICHESTER COLLEGE A GUIDE FOR PARENTS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Students with disabilities Many students have disabilities, some of these are obvious but others such as dyslexia, heart problems or epilepsy are not always immediately obvious. When you come with your child to the interview they will have the opportunity to discuss their needs and identify what support is needed. Some learners may require one to one support all the time because of their disability, others may be okay and we just need to know from a safeguarding point of view about medication. Whatever the disability that learner will have a specific plan devised that is individual to them which will help us ensure they are safe and well looked after at college. They will also have appropriate support available to them from the start of the course. If you would like further information on any aspect of support for a disabled learner please check out the website, contact us to ask for an additional support guide or arrange to come in to talk to us. info@chichester.ac.uk Gifted & Talented Just as some students need extra help others need extra challenge. The government has recently reduced the money allocated to financial support for students. However, Chichester College recognises that some learners find it difficult to afford the costs associated with going to college, even if these are minimal for learners aged To support these learners there are a number of financial support options in place. These include: Chichester College Learning Support grant which can help support travel, equipment and other essential expenses Bursaries for those who are really struggling and may need to help the course without some financial help Opportunities for reduced price weekly or monthly travel with an NUS student card If your son/daughter/ward needs information or advice on financial support, please check out the website or contact our Student Funds Team on ext 2119 In all classes the teachers will have extension activities designed for those students who have the capacity to do more. Our Gifted and Talented students are not always academic students. Some of our students talents lie in practical skills. These students are mentored and have extra training to reach competition standard and the last four times WorldSkills has taken place Chichester College has had a student in Team UK representing the country. In 2013 George Callow, our Furniture Apprentice, won the Gold Medal and Best in Nation. Your child/ward could be the next UK-Chichester College winner! We have specific clubs and projects for Gifted and Talented students such as Mathletes, Science Club, Debating Society, Sparks Media project with ITN, Oxbridge support group and much more. We have had many gifted and talented sports students who have received support for equipment, travel to competitions, sponsored kit and coaching help. 13

14 A GUIDE FOR PARENTS CHICHESTER COLLEGE WHAT NEXT? How to apply to university is covered at the Higher Education Fair held each year, in tutorials and through our Positive About Futures careers team. Extra mentoring and support is available for Oxbridge candidates to help with applications and interview preparation Visits to universities are organised, especially to universities we have links with such as Portsmouth University, the University of Bath or local universities such as Brighton, Sussex or Chichester with whom we have a learning accord ensuring offers to students in the Sussex area Internal opportunities for moving onto the next level of course or onto one of our higher education courses are publicised to every learner during our Progression Week activities in the Spring Term, in individual and group tutorials and through the careers centre Speakers and representatives from local employers and universities come into college to talk about career options Jobs are advertised on the Positive About Futures board in the Student Centre We want our students to move on and be successful whether they want to progress in the College or externally and whether they go to university or into work. We have many examples of ex students who have done exceptionally well having completed their learning at Chichester College 14

15 CHICHESTER COLLEGE A GUIDE FOR PARENTS TRAVELLING TO COLLEGE CONTACTING US How to get to Chichester The bus and train stations are both a 5-10 minute walk from our Chichester campus Buses come from Brighton to Portsmouth and north to Midhurst Trains come from Horsham, Brighton and Portsmouth Learners can cycle there are many secure cycle racks Although we are committed to sustainable travel and encourage learners not to drive we recognise that some learners need to travel by car and they can park in our car park at a charge of 50p per day How to get to Brinsbury By bus from Pulborough/Billingshurst/Worthing the bus stops outside the door By train to Pulborough station the College has a bus service which collects and delivers learners to the station By car same as Chichester (above) Call us on: Check out our website at: Check out ChiOnline: studenttutoring Check out your Student Tutors contact number on ChiOnline us at: info@chichester.ac.uk Drop in to see us, Reception is open from Other staff are usually in college until Follow us on 15

16 CHANGING LIVES THROUGH LEARNING Chichester College, Westgate Fields, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1SB Brinsbury Campus, North Neath, Pulborough, West Sussex, RH20 1DL t f e info@chichester.ac.uk