PARENTS' GUIDE www.weston.ac.uk/parents - Weston College
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WELCOME WELCOME I am delighted to welcome you to Weston College. We are an Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ College committed to delivering the very best teaching and learning to our students. We thrive on creating the very best learning opportunities and are delighted that your son/daughter has chosen us as their next place of learning. Our College vision is ‘creating brighter futures’ and we aim for all our students to leave us as well-rounded individuals ready for further study or the world of work. To complement the curriculum there are activities and events that take place throughout the year to encourage students to develop in all areas, not just academia. We encourage all parents and carers to join with us to support our students in their studies and in celebrating all of their successes. The assistance you provide is essential to their progress. This guide provides information that enables you to ensure your son/daughter gets the very best from Weston College and the course they are studying. My colleagues and I look forward to working with you to ensure that your son/daughter achieves their full potential, maximises all opportunities available to them and enjoys their time here at the College. Weston College’s outstanding resources and reputation mean that this is the very best time to join us. We have recently built two new centres of excellence for our learners and have also been named as a Centre of Excellence for mathematics. That - combined with national awards including the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Further and Higher Education, the Association of Colleges’ Beacon Award for Mental Health and Wellbeing. We have recently been informed that two of our learners have won places to compete at World Skills 2021 in Shanghai - further demonstrating the we are able to work with our learners to ensure they achieve success and have a very bright future. We look forward to working with you and your son/daughter during their learning journey with us. Dr Paul Phillips CBE Principal and Chief Executive 2
INSIDE THIS GUIDE INSIDE THIS GUIDE YOU WILL FIND: Our mission Our values 5 Our partnership with you 6 How do we keep you informed? 7 Student code of conduct 8 How can you help your son/daughter at college? 9 Support for students at college, including: Personal Tutors 11 Student welfare and pastoral support 13 Learning support 15 Work Experience and Industry Placements 17 Careers advice and guidance 19 Travelling to College 20 LibraryPlus 21 Futures Academy 22 Microsoft Office at Weston College 23 College calendar 24 Frequently Asked Questions 25 Useful contacts 27 3 4
OUR MISSION OUR OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH YOU ‘Creating Brighter Futures’ is the underpinning mission and purpose of the PARTNERSHIP WITH YOU Weston College Group. It is driven to achieve this for all its students and staff through the development of a learning and working culture that is inclusive, aspirational and focused on assuring success and progression. OUR VALUES We know how important the partnership Alongside this, we will take every is between the College and you in making opportunity to celebrate your son/ your son/daughter’s time with us a success. daughter’s successes. We have many events where parents/carers and We believe that communication between staff can appreciate students’ work. home and College is vital to their Events are also open to members of progression and achievement. Therefore, the public such as the Creative Arts We will put the Learner first. we will contact you if there are any Summer Show. concerns about attendance, punctuality, We will be Entrepreneurial in approach and innovative in our thinking. effort or behaviour. In line with current child protection, We will be Ambitious and aspirational. safeguarding and data protection We also welcome contact from you if you legislation, we will not pass information have any concerns or queries about your We will value Diversity and celebrate success. on to anyone who has not been son/daughter’s progress. identified at enrolment as a student’s We will Enable collaboration and work in partnership. You can give feedback via your child’s next of kin. If you have any queries personal tutor in the first instance, or about this, please contact us by using We will be Responsive to the needs of individuals, business and the community. by contacting the relevant faculty. the ‘useful contacts’ page at the back We will provide a Safe and sustainable place to study and work. of this guide. If you’d like more information about the We will be LEADERS in our field and have a reputation for excellence. support we can offer, contact one of our student welfare and support contacts (see pages 13 and 14). 5 6
HOW DO WE KEEP READY TO LEARN: READY TO LEARN YOU INFORMED? STUDENT CODE The College will contact you by email or phone if we have any concerns about your The first takes place in the first half term of the academic year and provides you OF CONDUCT son or daughter’s academic progress or with an opportunity to meet your child’s attitude to learning. Personal Tutor, review how they have settled into the College and discuss any The College is committed to developing Safeguarding and child protection We have high expectations of ourselves areas of concerns you might have. the academic, technical, personal and and for our students. We expect students social skills that are needed to prepare All schools and Colleges have a legal You will be provided with the contact responsibility to work with outside to attend all learning sessions linked to their details of your child’s Personal Tutor as young people for the world of work. We study programme, be prepared for theory expect students to develop and exhibit agencies, for example Social Care, to part of the letter inviting you to this event safeguard a young person’s welfare. and practical sessions and engage with and a copy of your child’s timetable. You behaviours that are representative of a their learning. professional working environment. The College also has a legal duty to can find faculty contact details on the back prevent students from being drawn Attendance is critical to learning and cover of this guide. We promote a culture of Ready to Learn at into terrorism. progress, missing just 5% of lessons across Later in the year you will receive a progress Weston College where we ask students to the course of the academic year equates commit fully to their programme of study, Weston College has clear protocols, report for your child and an opportunity to systems and approaches to ensure to losing 30 hours of learning time. All attend a meeting to review their progress at the same time ensuring they respect unexplained absence will be followed up themselves, other people, the environment students are safe. A team of Designated on their study programme. Safeguarding Officers and First by the Personal Tutor or a member of our and others right to learn. Students are Welfare and Retention Team. This normally takes place between February required at all times to adhere to the College Response Officers are in place to deal half term and the Easter break. ‘code of conduct’. Students who contravene with safeguarding issues. All staff Students are required to contact the faculty the code of conduct will be subject to our receive annual update training on absence hotline before 8.30am if they are If you have any worries or concerns about safeguarding and PREVENT. disciplinary policy and procedure. unable to attend College for any reason your child’s progress, please contact us (absence hotline number can be found at the earliest opportunity. All the key Our safeguarding of children and adults at the back of this guide). contact numbers can be found at the back at risk policy and procedure can be of this guide. downloaded from the College website. You will be invited to a minimum of two parent/carer meetings per year. 7 8
HOW CAN YOU Attendance, punctuality HOW CAN YOU HELP and attitude to learning We expect students to attend all sessions HELP YOUR on their study programme. Maths and English is a mandatory part of a student’s study programme if they have not SON/DAUGHTER achieved a grade 4 at GCSE. Punctuality is critical. It is an important employability skill. Students who are late will miss key learning time and disrupt the AT COLLEGE? learning of others. The College has a clear policy and procedure regarding attendance and punctuality. Unexplained absence will be followed up with Parents/Carers as will persistent lateness or behaviour College encourages students to be more Personal organisation that suggest a poor attitude to learning. independent and develop the personal Students who are unwell or have a genuine Students will have different equipment organisational skills needed for modern reason for absence must contact the and kit requirements dependent on the day life. The College recognises that faculty absence hotline (see back cover academic or technical area in which they making the transition from school to of this guide for details). are studying. These will be made clear College is a big step for some students. to students at both welcome days and Each student will have an Electronic Getting to College, getting used to the through our correspondence to students Learning Plan (eILP) which they can College environment, meeting new people, about their enrolment to College. Students access online. Students can access their understanding expectations will require need to ensure they have the right kit attendance records, targets, tutorial support from both the College and you as and equipment for each class. Their records, assessment outcomes and Parents/Carers. Here are just a few ways in participation in the class and subsequent timetable. Encourage your son/daughter which you can help us to support your son/ progress may be hindered without the right to share this with you so you can review daughter whilst at College: kit and equipment. their progress and performance with them and proactively raise any concerns you Time management Students will be required to complete might have with the College. homework, assignments and assessments The College day typically operates from on a regular basis. Students will be provided Course and career progression 9.00am-5.00pm for full time students. A with an assessment plan. Students will have student’s timetable will generally require access to resources online. Students will be The Careers Advice team is available to them to be in College to attend up to 20 provided with a planner to record work set provide advice and guidance. This includes hours of timetabled classes each week. and key assessment deadlines. Students will information on College courses, including Students will have gaps in their timetable or quickly find their progress and attainment changing course, future careers and ‘free periods’ which they can use for private is impacted if they do not keep up with employability advice and university options. study or independent work. The College has the work set by their teacher. We would outstanding facilities to support independent ask Parents/Carers to gain an awareness Find out more about the Careers Advice study and students are encouraged to make of the study programme requirements and team on page 19. use of LibraryPlus facilities for this which are assessment schedule so they can help their available on all sites. son/daughter keep on top of their college We will give you access to a copy of your work. Parents/carers should contact the son/daughter’s timetable and we would College if they would like more information welcome your support in ensuring that they or clarity on assessment schedules and/or attend all classes and are ready to learn. programme requirements. 9 10
PERSONAL PERSONAL TUTORS TUTORS Every student has a Personal Tutor who Pastoral support is responsible for their academic and pastoral support. They are the first point •C heck that your son/daughter feels safe of contact for students and are responsible and secure in the College environment, for the delivery of the collegiate tutorial giving due regard to the College’s programme and associated scheme of Safeguarding Policy work. They will oversee the student’s •D iscuss with students any issues relating whole learning experience. to their progress and achievement, and Your son/daughter’s Personal Tutor will where appropriate, refer them to the support them in the following ways: Welfare team for specialist support or Careers Advice team for guidance on Academic support careers, university and changing course •S et and review SMART (Specific, •L iaise with parents/carers where Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, appropriate to ensure positive outcomes Time-bound) and challenging targets, are recognised and areas of concern are ensuring your son/daughter makes highlighted. progress and achieves at least their Administrative support minimum grades for their chosen course of study •E nsure all tutorial records are complete and up-to-date, using the eILP •D evelop career action plans, stimulate ambition and support your son/ •L iaise, as appropriate, with other members daughter’s progress of the teaching team, student support services and management to ensure • Monitor and review attendance and attitude that all students in their tutor group are to learning, interviewing where appropriate. enabled and empowered to achieve their potential at Weston College. 11 12
STUDENT STUDENT WELFARE WELFARE AND PASTORAL SUPPORT SERVICES Welfare Counselling Welfare offers learners the opportunity to Counselling offers an opportunity to talk access information, advice and support for about personal issues in a private and a wide range of issues which could impact relaxed setting with someone who plays no on learning including - relationships, low other role in a learner’s life. Counselling is thoughts & emotional worries, substance confidential and could help with relationship misuse, attendance concerns. The service is issues, self-esteem, personal loss, anxiety/ available daily on a drop-in or appointment stress, decision making and moving on. basis. Service available by appointment only, to book please see the campus Welfare Officer Knightstone Campus (Kate/Emma) or contact admin. 01934 411 595/648 South West Skills Campus (Heidi/Ellie) 01934 411 506 01934 411 750/184 Counselling Loxton Campus (Denise) Providing specialist mental health support 01934 411 623 to learners who have been diagnosed with a Health and Active Living Skills Centre mental health condition, or to those whose (Emma/Ellie) mental health is impacting severely upon 01934 411 648/184 their lives. welfare@weston.ac.uk 01934 422 769 MHReferrals@weston.ac.uk Healthcare Healthcare Advisors offer support and Additionally, every learner’s weston.ac.uk guidance to learners with medical healthcare email address provides them with free 24/7 plans, sexual health advice, support to stop access to Big White Wall. This is an online smoking and First Aid mental health support service, which is approved by the NHS and provides support Knightstone Campus (Luci) and information. 01934 411 535 www.bigwhitewall.com South West Skills Campus (Victoria) 01934 411 658 Loxton Campus and Health and Active Living Skills Centre (Charlotte) 01934 411 640 healthcareassistants@weston.ac.uk 13 14
LEARNING Accessing learning support Support options LEARNING SUPPORT To access learning support, a referral will Once the initial needs assessment SUPPORT FOR need to be made to our learning support has been completed, our specialist team and an initial needs assessment will practitioners will work with the be completed to establish the exact student and their tutors to provide support required. an individualised support STUDENTS WITH programme, which could include: A referral to discuss potential additional support can be made at any of the • Specialist teaching and in-class ADDITIONAL following stages: support •E ducation Health and Care Plan • Small group workshops Consultation • Specialist equipment and assistive NEEDS/SEND •S chool referral/educational health and technology support care plan • Mentoring • Pre-entry identification (during interview) • Diagnostic assessments • Applications/enrolment/admission • Exam access arrangements • Parent or carer referral Weston College’s innovative and unique We offer support in a wide range • Note taking specialist support model ensures staff of specialist areas, which include: • As part of a transition programme have the specific skills and knowledge • Screening assessment • Communication support • Assistive technology they need to deliver high quality and • Self-referral • Differentiation personalised support to empower • Autism spectrum student’s independence. • Deaf and hard of hearing • Tutor referral • Speech and language therapy Ofsted says that our support for students • Behaviour 4 learning (EBD/ADHD/ADD) • Professional referral. • Extensive transition plan is “outstanding”, and that our support workers are “highly experienced and • Mental health • Weston Bay, our residential training very well qualified, with specific areas of facility for students on the autism • Specific learning difficulties expertise.” Our staff work closely with the spectrum. faculty teams to assess our students’ special • Speech and language therapy educational needs and disabilities (SEND), • Visual impairment and to then implement a wide range of • Profound and complex learning difficulties. support programmes which meet the requirements of our students’ education, health and care plans (EHCP). 15 16
WORK EXPERIENCE WORK EXPERIENCE AND INDUSTRY PLACEMENTS Your son/daughter will gain work • Level 1 - an ‘individualised’ approach experience as part of their study based on learner readiness programme at Weston College. • Level 2 – Minimum of five days Work experience, and longer industry or 37 hours placements, bridge the gap between • Level 3, year 1 – Minimum of five days education and employment, and or 37 hours help students: • Level 3, year 2 – Minimum of 315 hours • Make decisions on potential careers over 45-60 days. • Prove themselves to employers (These expectations apply only where • Develop attitudes and behaviours work experience is not a mandatory part expected at work of a student’s technical qualification.) • Apply the personal and social skills At Level 2, work experience does not they need in the workplace necessarily need to be related to the student’s course – although this is • Broaden their understanding of a preferable. particular industry or job role At Level 3, the placement must be with • Apply theoretical and technical skills a business or organisation that is directly they develop at College related to student’s course. • Find out what career opportunities are The longer-term industry placements available within a particular sector. can be spread out over a number of weeks, or completed in a ‘block’. Ideally, We are fully committed to helping students it will fit around the student’s timetable, find and secure an appropriate placement. but can also take place during evenings, However, students are expected to take weekends or in holidays. some responsibility for researching, identifying and applying for relevant If a ‘block’ placement is the only option, opportunities. we can also make arrangements for a student to make up for any lessons or We also understand that parents and carers learning they miss. often have contacts with employers through their own personal and family networks. With Students must also consider the logistics that in mind, we encourage you to support of any work placement, as they are your son/daughter and, where possible, help expected to make their own way to the them identify an appropriate employer with placement and bear the cost however whom to gain work experience. some support may be available to students for this. Students are expected to undertake a minimum ‘amount’ of work experience, For more information please depending on the level of their study contact the work placement team on programme: workplacementteam@weston.ac.uk 01934 411 411 17 18
CAREERS, TRAVELLING TRAVELLING TO COLLEGE ADVICE TO COLLEGE AND GUIDANCE By bus Weston College offers a subsidised bus By train All 16 and 17 year-olds in education pass to all full time students. Students are can get a new railcard that offers The College’s Careers and Advice team entitled to one subsidised pass per term significant discounts of up to 50% off offer advice and guidance on future (three term year). Bus passes are available train travel. We will release details of careers, university options and College for purchase from the online college shop this as soon as they are confirmed. courses. and all Weston College receptions. Throughout the year they run events There are two types of bus pass and advice sessions for Weston College available depending on where you students on the following: travel from and which service you use. • 1 :1 careers guidance and tutorials All information on our routes and which vailable for drop-ins regarding career one you’ll need can be found at options, CV structure and much more www.weston.ac.uk/bus-routes-and-timetables • Choosing a course an offer information, advice and guidance for school students making a decision First bus pass Bakers Dolphin bus pass about their College pathway, and for current College students wishing to change Weston College use the First Bus mTicket. The College puts on its own coach direction What students need to do: service via Bakers Dolphin, travelling to each of the College’s campuses •C areer Fest •P urchase bus pass voucher code from from the below locations. Exact an opportunity for students to speak Weston College details of stops again can be found to employers, universities and training • Download First Bus mTicket app on the College website. providers, as well sit on a number of talks so thy can make an informed choice on •C reate mTicket account and link voucher • Portishead their next steps code to your account and use the QR • Clevedon code on the app when boarding a First •U CAS support • Nailsea tutorial sessions which focus on how Bus service. • Bridgwater to apply for university through UCAS, There are currently three types university funding, personal statements First Bus passes available to full • Blagdon and surrounding villages and 1:1 appointments. We also take time students: students to annual UCAS conventions Five Day Pass Five Day Pass Monday to Friday term time only: •H igher education and employer visits Monday to Friday term time only: £70 per term we offer the opportunity to meet and visit £70 per term education institutions and employers to get a taste of what university and work Seven Day Pass life is like Monday to Sunday including half term More information on the College’s careers (but not Christmas and Easter holidays): programme can be found on the website £110 per term Apprenticeship Bus Pass Monday to Sunday (valid for a 17 week period): £70 19 Accurate at time of print (February 2020) 20
LIBRARYPLUS FUTURES FUTURES ACADEMY LibraryPlus is the College’s award-winning vibrant learning space, with a welcoming ACADEMY team of specialist support staff to help students access the resources they need. The LibraryPlus team offers a wide variety The Futures Academy programme is an Individual Development (I.D) Our students will find a wide range of of study support to students at Weston, important part of your son/daughter’s Programme technology available to hire and use, including: Level 3 qualification at Weston College. All provision types need to design a including drop-in PCs, tablet devices and • One-to-one study, research and revision The programme brings together ways of curriculum which develops the whole digital cameras. guidance working digitally on various course and learner. Developing the character of LibraryPlus offers a comprehensive industry-related activities. It also provides a learner will better prepare them • Assignment support selection of books, DVDs, magazines and students with opportunities to demonstrate for their next steps, society and will course specific resources, all available for • Technology help and support their digital expertise – for example, the impact positively on their academic loan from any campus. Online resources Microsoft Office Specialist Certification. progress. The College’s I.D Programme • Basic IT tuition including Microsoft 365 are also available including eJournals and will focus on developing three core guidance. As part of the programme, students will get eBooks with guidance on how to access skills for all learners on Level 2 to meet guest speakers working in industry these provided by the LibraryPlus team. For more information: programmes: and establish relationships with potential library@weston.ac.uk employers. • Time management 01934 411 493 • Communication Learning Mentors will also be on hand to help students improve their study skills and • Personal behaviour management. provide one-to-one support with course In addition to the core skills, curriculum requirements. areas will determine a set of skills, behaviours and attitudes required to support learners to progress onto their intended destination within their subject area. These skills are threaded through all aspects of a learner’s programme. 21 22
STUDYING WITH COLLEGE COLLEGE CALENDAR MICROSOFT TEAMS CALENDAR AND OFFICE 365 September The College may in some instances finish earlier than Start of term: Monday 7th September 2020 the dates listed here. Get ready to go digital! Need help? October At the time of publishing, the At Weston College, our learners will use Help and advice for using Microsoft Office Half term: Monday 26th October 2020 College has not yet confirmed Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Office 365 and Teams is available through the exact term dates for the 2020-21 365 apps to access course resources, Weston College Learning Technology team December academic year. Once done so, communicate with their course tutor, work End of term: Friday 18th December 2020 these will posted on our website learningtech@weston.ac.uk www.weston.ac.uk with other students on their course and much more! January Not feeling confident? Students can book Microsoft Teams and Office applications a one-to-one IT Basics session with a Start of term: Monday 4th January 2021 including Teams, Word, Excel and LibraryPlus Learning Advisor February PowerPoint can all be downloaded for library@weston.ac.uk FREE! For the duration of their course, Half term: Monday 15th February 2021 Weston College learners can download Microsoft Office applications on up to Get certified! April five personal devices (including Windows, Weston College learners have the End of term: Friday 1st April 2021 Android and Apple). opportunity to complete a range of Microsoft Certifications during their Start of term: Tuesday 20th April 2021 Learners can login at www.office.com with time at Weston College. The Microsoft their unique Weston College email address May Office Specialist Certification is a way of and password to find a wide range of tools demonstrating your proficiency in using the Half term: Monday 31st May 2021 and features, including: Microsoft applications Excel, PowerPoint July Microsoft Teams – For accessing course and Word 2016. resources, submitting homework, End of term: Friday 9th July 2021 communicating with tutor and other learners on the course OneNote - For digital notetaking OneDrive – Online cloud storage Outlook - Email and calendar 23 24
FREQUENTLY FAQS ASKED QUESTIONS Can my son/daughter withdraw from For advice and guidance on changing course, Can I get a copy of my son/daughter’s College without my consent? or if the four week deadline has passed timetable? and they feel they need to make a change, If aged 18 and under, we will inform you if They will be issued with their timetable students should contact the Careers Advice your son/daughter has decided to withdraw during induction week. team (details on the back of this booklet). from College. In 2015 the Government raised the participation age (RPA) meaning Their timetable can also be accessed Can I take my son/daughter on holiday in students have to stay in education, training electronically on the eILP via their log term time? or employment with training until their 18th in. Alternatively, you can contact their We do not encourage or authorise holidays faculty to request a copy. birthday. taken in term time; your son/daughter will How will I be kept informed of my son/ be marked absent and will miss out on vital A copy will also be provided by the daughter’s progress? learning time. faculty as part of the letter providing key information, including your opportunity You will receive progress reports up to Can my son/daughter get careers advice at to attend a ‘meet the tutor’ evening in twice a year and have the opportunity to College? October. meet your son/daughter’s tutor and subject We have a specialist staff in our Careers teachers at our parents’ events. You can Advice team who work with students to also log onto your son/daughter’s eILP to ensure they get the best support possible see this information. The portal displays with applications for employment and higher information regarding students attendance education. and attainment. Students receive a suite of tutorials on topics Who do I contact if I am concerned about such as UCAS, careers and progression, my son/daughter’s progress? and have access to highly qualified careers Always contact your son/daughter’s Personal advisers who can help them choose the best Tutor first if you have any concerns about progression route for them and their career. progress, unless it is safeguarding related in which case reception can direct your enquiry My son/daughter has a learning difficulty. to an appropriate member of staff. Can they get help and support at College? We have an experienced team which works If your son/daughter’s Personal Tutor is with students with learning support needs. unavailable please contact the relevant Students who need an assessment for a faculty, contact details can be found on the specific learning difficulty, exam concessions, back of this guide. equipment or specialist support can access Can my son/daughter drop or change a this through the College’s Additional subject/course? Learning Support team. We do not encourage students to drop Will my son/daughter have access to the subjects as it can have a negative impact resources they need to achieve on their on their ability to progress. However, if they course? really do wish to make a change, we will We have excellent, state-of-the-art, facilities understand and support them. As long as they identify their desire to change course in for our students to use, to ensure they the first four weeks it should be possible to get the most out of their College course. change. For example, our industry standard Grove Restaurant, Hair and Beauty salons, our Health and Active Living Skills Centre and our brand new facility out at Puxton Park. 25 26
USEFUL CONTACTS Reception Loxton Campus 01934 411 411 Creative Arts enquiries@weston.ac.uk 01934 411 669 www.weston.ac.uk CAD.student.absence@weston.ac.uk Sixth Form Student Services 01934 411 666 01934 411506 TACE.student.absence@weston.ac.uk English and Maths South West Skills Campus 01934 411 545 Advanced Engineering and Computing 01934 411 194 AEC.student.absence@weston.ac.uk Knightstone Campus Building Automotive and Civil Engineering Professional Studies, Access to HE and 01934 411 792 Animal Science BACE.student.absence@weston.ac.uk 01934 411 567 07910 686 628 PSAA.student.absence@weston.ac.uk Health and Active Living Skills Centre Service Sectors Health Science 01934 421250 01934 411 520 SS.student.absence@weston.ac.uk HSSC.student.absence@weston.ac.uk Inclusive Practice Sport 01934 411 697 01934 421 251 07773 969 344 Sport.student.absence@weston.ac.uk IIP.student.absence@weston.ac.uk Apprenticeships 01934 411 751 Disclaimer: All details correct at the time of going to print. It is advised to check the website WC_MAC_27 for the most up to date information. © 2019 Weston College Group
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