PARENT S / CARER S FUTURE. Guide to Tresham CREATE YOUR OWN. Train with Tresham.

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1 PARENT S / CARER S Guide to Tresham Train with Tresham

2 WELCOME to TRESHAM 98% of parents feel that their son/ daughter is well supported at Tresham CONTENTS Why consider Tresham? 98% of parents say that their son/ daughter knows what to do to be successful on their course 2 We understand that choosing what to do after GCSEs is an enormous decision and we want to do everything possible to help you and your child consider all of their options and make the best decision for them. This booklet has been designed to answer some of the frequent questions that we get asked by parents about Tresham and Further Education Colleges, but if you'd like any other information then please just give us a call on and we will be delighted to help you. Why consider Tresham for your son or daughter? 3 The main differences between studying at college and sixth form 4 What can my child study at Tresham? 4 FAQs 5-6 Applying to study at Tresham 7 At Tresham we understand that you only want the best for your son or daughter. These are some of the many reasons why we think you should consider Tresham: Our students are successful Our long term success rates are the best for all general further education colleges in the East Midlands and we were placed 9th out of 230 national colleges for our results with year olds. Our students are safe and supported The safety of our students is of paramount importance and the college operates a Safeguarding Young People policy to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our students. Our students get the widest choice of subjects If your child is clear about their career goals then one of our vocational courses may be the best option; however, if they are looking for more academic or general qualifications, our A Level courses offer many subjects not available in schools. We give them the best preparation for university or work We actively encourage our students to take responsibility for their own development and performance. They are respected as the individuals they are. This mature learning environment is a great way to prepare your child for life at university as well as in the workplace. We offer expert support and guidance Our award winning Customer Services Team are always available to offer support and guidance on everything from buses to UCAS applications to lost ID badges! For those students who need more practical support with their studies, our dedicated Additional Learning Support Team provide a range of services including communication support workers, specialist equipment, one-to-one tutorials and extended learning and teaching times. Our facilities are first class Our excellent facilities for either vocational or academic courses are all part of ensuring that all of our students achieve their full potential. Recent investment means that we have industry standard workshops, IT equipment and facilities. We are focused on their future Our College Works Team are located at each of our campuses and provide information on the latest job opportunities and apprenticeships in the local area. They also offer advice on CV writing and interview skills to increase your child's chance of job seeking success. 3

3 What are the main differences between studying at college and sixth form? Frequently Asked Questions At Tresham we pride ourselves on providing a mature learning environment where our students are treated as the individuals that they are, creating a culture of independence and mutual respect. Some young people do not thrive in a school environment and college studies offer a real change for these students. There are also smaller class sizes in college so each student can receive more guidance to help them focus on their learning. What can my child study at Tresham? We offer a wide range of vocational and academic study courses from Entry Level right through to Level 3 (A Level and equivalent). BTEC and City & Guild Qualifications Vocational courses such as BTEC and City & Guild Diplomas are more practical with less emphasis on final exam assessment. As well as being recognised by employers, a Level 3 Advanced Diploma also gains UCAS qualification points and many of our students progress through to university from these courses. A Levels For students who prefer a more academic study programme we offer a wide range of A Level courses from our dedicated 6a Sixth Form Academy at our Windmill Avenue campus. Our 6a students get the full benefit of our excellent facilities together with all the additional opportunities and activities that Tresham has to offer. Apprenticeships Apprentices earn a wage in a real job and work alongside experienced staff to gain job-specific skills. Off the job, usually on a day-release basis, they will receive training to work towards nationally recognised vocational qualifications. Apprenticeships can take between one and four years to complete depending on the level of Apprenticeship and the industry sector. If you or your child needs any more information about the different options available then why not contact our award winning Customer Services Team on who will be pleased to discuss the different routes with you. How do I know which level my child can study at? Entry requirements for each level of study differ between courses. Once your child has decided which subject area they are interested in, then their level of entry into that subject will be dependent upon their GCSE grades and ability. What support is available if a child has any problems or concerns? All students are assigned a Personal Development Coach who they can go to at any time. We also have Customer Service Centres at each campus and a free, confidential counselling service for all of our students. College will be a big change after school. How will you help my child to settle into his/her new course? We understand that it can be very daunting for some students to move out of school and into a college environment. In the summer term we run "Taste of Tresham" events which we encourage all 'soon-to-be' students to attend. Enrolment day and Freshers' Week also help new students to settle into Tresham as quickly as possible. My child is unsure about which course they want to study. What if they change their mind during the course? It is important to us that our students are happy and have made the correct choice. They can contact their Personal Development Coach at any time and review meetings provide an opportunity to discuss if they are on the right course, at the right level for them. How will I know if my child is attending college or not? At Tresham we expect 100% attendance on each course. We will monitor your child's attendance and should there be an issue we will let you know. Will someone ensure that my child is not falling behind with their work? Each student at Tresham is assigned a Personal Development Coach who has regular meetings with them to discuss their progress and learning goals going forward. If your child is under the age of 18 we will send you two Progress Reports during the year and invite you to attend Parents' Evenings to discuss your childs' progress. Does the college help with travel arrangements? The college operates a transport scheme which provides access to public transport bus services. If students are struggling to pay for their transport into college, help may be available through the Learner Support Fund. Please speak to our Customer Services Team if you have any concerns. 4 5

4 Do students have to be in college when they do not have formal lessons? As part of our culture of independent and mature learning, we do not insist that students are on campus when they have no formal lesson scheduled. However, students are expected to supplement their class time with individual study or group work and we find that many of them use our well-equipped Learning Resource Centres, IT suites and study areas for this purpose. Does the college organise any events / excursions as part of the course? Enrichment activities are organised throughout the year by both tutors (to support studies) and the Students' Union as part of a social activity schedule. We firmly believe that these types of activities are a major part of college life that help our students to develop their social skills. My child has additional learning needs. How will they be supported at Tresham? We have a dedicated Additional Learning Support Team who provide a range of services for students to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to reach their potential. Support available includes Learner Development Assistants, Communication Support Workers, specialist equipment, one-to-one tutorials, small groups and extended teaching and learning time. Is there any financial support available to help with costs whilst my child is at college? Some students may be eligible for financial support to assist with the essential costs of coming to college such as transport, books, equipment and uniforms. If you are concerned about the cost of coming to college, please speak in confidence to one of our Customer Services Team who can advise you about our Learner Support Fund. My child has completed an application form what happens next? A full explanation of the application process can be found on page 7 of this guide. Where can I find out further information? If you require any assistance or clarification with any aspect of your child attending college then please do not hesitate to contact our Customer Services Team on % of parents say that their son/daughter feels very safe and secure at college Applying to study at Tresham The first stage is to look through our school leavers prospectus. You can find this online at Brand new for this year, we have introduced a personalised prospectus service so that your child can receive all of the information that they need in their very own course guide! Once they have decided which course to apply for, the easiest thing to do is complete an online application form. Alternatively they can pop into any one of our campus locations and complete an application form in person. What happens next? If your child submits an online application they will receive a confirmation notification thanking them for their application. We will then process their form and send them a letter inviting them to attend an interview and guidance session. What if my child does not achieve the grades they expected? Many of our offers are conditional upon achieving certain grades at GCSE. However, if your child fails to meet these requirements please do make contact with us to discuss the different options available. Will I have to pay for my child to study at Tresham? Students aged years old, who attend college full time, are not required to pay any course or exam fees. Some courses incur specific costs such as books, uniforms, special materials and equipment. Students 19 or over will be required to pay for the cost of the tuition for each year of the course, plus any relevant exam and registration fees, although 24+ Learning Loans are available for some courses. What is an interview and guidance session? These sessions are informal discussions led by the tutors of the course. Your child will be given additional information about the course that they have applied for and then an interview will be held to check that your child has the necessary entry requirements for the course. If your child is yet to sit their GCSEs then this discussion will be based upon their predicted grades. After this session, providing that your child meets the entry criteria, they will be offered a place at Tresham. They need to complete the acceptance slip and return this to the college. When does my child enrol on their course? Enrolment takes place during August and September, and full details about these arrangements will be sent to you during the summer term. Some course programmes also organise a welcome event during July. 98% of parents say that their son/daughter enjoys their learning experience at Tresham 6 7

5 The best thing about Tresham is... The variety of teaching styles - I always learn in different ways in every lesson. You re treated with respect and more like adults. Tutors treat you more like an adult and allow you your independence. They give you the support and help needed if you are struggling with work or some of the materials. It is a pleasant environment to be a part of and learn in. I like the responsibility given at Tresham as I think it gives you a different learning experience to school. There are a wide range of courses to choose from that are not offered at schools. The study areas are easy to access and the library is well stocked and very useful. Source: Student survey // info@tresham.ac.uk /treshamcollege /treshamcollege treshamcollege