STUDENT HANDBOOK 2021/2022 - Bridgend College

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STUDENT HANDBOOK 2021/2022 - Bridgend College
STUDENT
HANDBOOK
 2021/2022
STUDENT HANDBOOK 2021/2022 - Bridgend College
WELCOME                                                 CONTENTS                 YOUR DETAILS
    Thank you for choosing to study with Bridgend       5   OUR LEARNING COMMUNITY   Contact us                                         How to log on to your student IT account
    College. This Student Handbook contains lots of     6   CORE SKILLS              It’s important that we have your correct contact   If you are a returning student to the College,
    useful information that you’ll need as you begin                                 details so we can contact you in the event of an   your details have not been changed and are the
                                                        8   STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
    your studies. It will also be helpful throughout                                 emergency.                                         same as last year.
    the year, so please keep your copy safe.           10   SUPPORT FOR YOU
                                                       18   GET INVOLVED             If you move house, change your telephone           If you are new to Bridgend College, please use
    The way we are currently operating as a college    20   BC CONNECT               number or email address, please update us by       the following as your password:
    has changed slightly due to the COVID-19                                         dropping into Student Services:
                                                       22   CYFLEOEDD
    pandemic. Therefore, some of the services or                                     Monday - Thursday 8.30am - 5.00pm                  The first three letters of your surname with an
    initiatives contained in this handbook may be      24   SUCCESS CENTRES
                                                                                     Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm                             uppercase first letter, followed by a six-digit
    temporarily affected. All up-to-date information   26   DIGITAL                                                                     version of your date of birth in the following
    can be found on our website and the student        28   WELSH LANGUAGE           If you have any questions, call 01656 302 302      format: DDMMYY
    portal. We encourage you to regularly check your                                 or email: hello@bridgend.ac.uk
                                                       30   ENTERPRISE
    emails for updates, and to take guidance from                                                                                       Example:
    your Personal Tutor and teaching staff.            32   CATERING SERVICES
                                                                                                                                        Surname Smith DOB 13/05/02
                                                       34   TOTUM CARD                                                                  Your password would be: Smi130502
    If you have any questions, please get in touch     36   FINANCIAL SUPPORT
    using the contact details opposite.                                                                                                 Free wifi is available across our campuses.
                                                       39   REPORTING ABSENCE
    We wish you all the very best as you begin your    40   GOVERNORS
    journey at Bridgend College.                       41   IMPORTANT DATES
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STUDENT HANDBOOK 2021/2022 - Bridgend College
OUR LEARNING COMMUNITY
    We want you to feel safe and part of our community at Bridgend College. Our Student Citizenship
    Code sets out our commitment to you and what we expect from you in return.

    We expect all students to fulfil our learning behaviours:

    Be Ready
    Be Respectful
    Be Safe
    Please take some time to read our Citizenship Code; it includes important guidance on the use of
    social media and IT, and our behaviour expectations.

    It is important that you make the most of every learning opportunity during your time at Bridgend
    College so that you can achieve your potential and progress. We expect your attendance to be at
    95% or above.

    Smoking or vaping is not permitted on any of our campuses apart from in our designated smoking
    areas.

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STUDENT HANDBOOK 2021/2022 - Bridgend College
CORE SKILLS                                                                                                     Cymraeg

                                                                                                                    Welsh
                                                                                                                                       This skill is about using, applying and developing your Welsh language skills by never missing
                                                                                                                                       an opportunity (in college, the workplace, on placement or socially) to communicate in Welsh
                                                                                                                                       at the level you feel most confident.
    At Bridgend College, we have identified 9 Core Skills - you will use them when learning, in
    employment as well as more broadly as part of your day-to-day life.
                                                                                                                                       This can involve creating something new, original or unusual by broadening your mindset.
    We are committed to developing these core skills to ensure you are ready for your next steps.                                      This can happen inside or outside of the classroom.
    This may be university, work, an apprenticeship, setting up your own business or progressing to a
    higher level course at college.                                                                                 Meddwl yn
                                                                                                                    Feirniadol a
                                                                                                                    Datrys Problemau   This skill involves reflective thinking, and working through details of a problem to reach a
                                                                                                                                       solution. This can be an individual process or working with others.
               This is the ability to read, write, speak and listen in a way that lets us communicate effectively
               and helps us to make sense of the world.
                                                                                                                                       Personal effectiveness means making use of all the resources you have at your disposal
                                                                                                                                       (i.e. your talents, strengths, skills, energy and time) to enable you to achieve work and
                                                                                                                                       personal goals.
               This is the ability to use numbers and solve problems. It includes having the confidence and
               skill to use numbers and maths in all aspects of life.
                                                                                                                                       Planning and organisation help you set your priorities and will give you the confidence that
                                                                                                                                       you are following your own personal roadmap to your target destination.
               This skill is about knowledge, skill, attitudes and behaviours in the use of digital devices.
               Digital literacy includes learning how to find, sort, evaluate, manage, and create
               information in a digital format.                                                                     Gweithredu dros
                                                                                                                                       This is about caring for people and the environment so that they can flourish together. It is
                                                                                                                    Gynaliadwyedd
                                                                                                                                       about taking active steps to protect the world in which we live. It means acting responsibly
                                                                                                                    Action for
                                                                                                                    Sustainability     to reduce our environmental impact, and to protect our planet for ourselves and for future
                                                                                                                                       generations.
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STUDENT HANDBOOK 2021/2022 - Bridgend College
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES                                                                                   Bridgend College podcasts
                                                                                                            Tune into our very own podcast to find out more about life at Bridgend College. Our podcasts cover
                                                                                                            a range of topics, from digital wellbeing to student services, so check us out on the platforms
    Enrichment                                                                                              below - simply search ‘Bridgend College’.
    Students can get involved in a variety of educational and social events and activities throughout the
    year. This is in addition to attending training, learning new skills and gaining wider experiences
    whilst studying at College. We work with a range of local and national organisations and charities
    who can help you to be all that you can be.

    Societies
    We encourage and support students to setup and run their own societies to support the interests
    of others across the College. These provide opportunities to meet new people and share common
    interests.

    Annual awards ceremony
    Each year we celebrate the successes and achievements of our students. High achieving and
    inspirational individuals are recognised for their commitment and success.

    WorldSkills UK
    As a student at Bridgend College, we will encourage you to develop and excel in your vocational
    studies and provide opportunities for you to compete in regional and national skills competitions.

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STUDENT HANDBOOK 2021/2022 - Bridgend College
SUPPORT FOR YOU
     Personal Tutor                                         Childcare                                            Transport
     You will be assigned a Personal Tutor who will                                   We have a modern,          Bus passes are provided to all students aged
     be part of your course teaching team. Your                                       purpose-built day          16-18 who live 3 miles or more from their
     Personal Tutor will meet with you to check your                                  nursery on our             campus of study. Passes are provided by
     progress, set personal and academic targets                                      Bridgend campus.           the College on behalf of the following local
     and help you achieve your goals.                       If you have a child aged between 6 weeks and 5       authorities:
                                                            years, you can apply for a place at the nursery.
                                                            We may be able to support with the cost of           • Bridgend County Borough Council
     Additional Learning Needs (ALN)                        childcare. Please speak to a member of the           • Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
     If you have a learning difficulty, a disability or a   Student Services Team for more information or        • Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council
     medical condition, you may require additional          visit: bridgendcollegedaynursery.co.uk
     learning provision at college. If you think you                                                             Applicants from other local authority areas will
     may have an additional learning need (ALN)             Young carers                                         need to contact Student Services for specific
     and you haven’t already told us about this on                                                               advice.
     your application, please get in touch with the         We know that looking after other family members
     ALN Team, so we can make sure that we can              is a huge commitment. We have some great             Students aged 19+ may be eligible for either
     provide the right support for you, based on an         opportunities for students who are in care, care     a bus pass on one of our contract routes or to
     assessment of your individual needs. Contact:          leavers or those who look after someone else.        claim expenses (for public transport only).
     01656 302 302 ext. 335/664                             Don’t be afraid to talk to us or ask for help via:
     aln@bridgend ac.uk                                     wellbeing@bridgend.ac.uk
     bridgend.ac.uk/aln
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STUDENT HANDBOOK 2021/2022 - Bridgend College
SUPPORT FOR YOU                                                                                      Student Wellbeing Team
                                                                                                          In the life of every student, there comes a time
                                                                                                          when some advice and extra support is needed
     Student experience                                                                                   to perhaps solve a problem that is not going
     Students can be involved in a variety of different peer support groups and activities at Bridgend    away, or to get some advice so you can make the
     College. Our Active Wellbeing Lead and Student Engagement Leads enable students to setup             best decision for yourself. Across all campuses,
     groups throughout the College, for example, GRL Society (female empowerment group), BC Pride         our students can make an appointment or drop
     and The Cinema. We also organise cross-college physical activities like the Cycling Society, table   in to meet with a Student Wellbeing Officer.
     tennis tournaments and Mile a Day.
                                                                                                          We offer workshops for students to support
     You can be involved in events such as our Freshers’ Fair, Wellbeing Festival, the annual Hope Walk   them to develop and build their personal skills,
     and various other awareness raising events and activities. Come and join in!                         confidence, self-esteem and self-care skills, and
                                                                                                          to help them understand how and when to ask
     Follow the Bridgend College Student Experience Team on social media to find out the latest           for help.
     information and events:
                                                                                                          You can find our Student Wellbeing Officers in
                                                                                                          the Student Wellbeing Hubs at Bridgend and
         Facebook: BCStudentExp                      Instagram: @BCStudentExp                             Pencoed Campuses. We have drop-in sessions
         Twitter: @BCStudentExp                      Website: www.tiny.cc/bcstudentexp                    every day between 12 and 2pm.

                                                                                                                        Bridgend Campus
                                                                                                                        A Block, Room A1:09
                                                                                                                        Pencoed Campus
                                                                                                                        The Old House, OH0:12
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STUDENT HANDBOOK 2021/2022 - Bridgend College
SUPPORT
     FOR YOU
     Period dignity                               At the beginning of 2020, we launched a
                                                  brand new, sustainable initiative in a bid
     Bridgend College works with the charity
                                                  to tackle period poverty in the community.
     Wings Cymru to support those in need of
                                                  Funded by the Welsh Government and in
     free sanitary products. You can find out
                                                  partnership with Silly Panda and Wings
     where the sanitary stations are and how to
                                                  Cymru, the scheme is an eco-friendly,
     access them on the student portal.
                                                  innovative approach to promote period
                                                  dignity by giving students at the College
     If you need free sanitary products we have
                                                  access to sustainable solutions to
     both staff and students who are ‘Wings
                                                  sanitary products and breaking the stigma
     Ambassadors’. Look out for someone
                                                  surrounding periods.
     wearing a ‘Wings’ badge.
                                                  Bridgend College is proud to be the first
                                                  college in Wales to provide FREE
                                                  eco-friendly packs to students.

                                                  For more information, contact the Student
                                                  Wellbeing Team: wellbeing@bridgend.ac.uk

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STUDENT HANDBOOK 2021/2022 - Bridgend College
SUPPORT FOR YOU
     Safeguarding
     We want our college to be a safe environment to learn and develop. You can help us by wearing
     your college lanyard and ID card at all times, telling us if you are concerned or worried about
     something or someone else, and being mindful of your own behaviour and conduct.

     We are committed to safeguarding our students against radicalisation and extremism. If you
     have concerns about anyone displaying a change in behaviour, changes in dress, if someone has
     extremist literature or advocates extremist ideals, please tell us in the Student Wellbeing Team.

     You can identify a member of the Student Wellbeing Team by their purple top or lanyard.

     If you or someone you know is at risk of harm, please speak to a member of staff or contact:
     wellbeing@bridgend.ac.uk
     01656 302 302 ext. 488

     The Student Wellbeing Team is based in the Wellbeing Hubs at Bridgend and Pencoed
     campuses (see page 13 for further details).

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STUDENT HANDBOOK 2021/2022 - Bridgend College
GET INVOLVED
     There are many benefits of being involved in Learner Voice roles. Students can gain new skills      Bridgend College Ambassadors
     such as communication, problem solving, negotiation and leadership, and receive a certificate for   Event Ambassador
     the successful completion of the role which can enhance their CV.
                                                                                                         Being a Bridgend College Event Ambassador is a fantastic way to get involved in student life. You
     Learner Voice Roles                                                                                 will have great opportunities to support college events, including our Open Evenings, Freshers’
                                                                                                         Fair, awards evening and fundraising events.
               Student Academic Representative (StAR)
                 StARs are students selected by their peers to represent them on their course in         Active Ambassador
                 Learner Voice meetings. StARs help make sure the voices of students are heard and       In this role, you have the opportunity to promote physical activity across college and work with
                 feed back to the Class Representative on the outcomes of the Learner Voice meetings.    our Active Wellbeing Lead to organise and attend a variety of activities including laser tag, zorb
                                                                                                         football, yoga, table tennis tournaments and many more. There is also the opportunity to develop
                 Class Representative                                                                    your own activity, attend training and lead group sessions.
                 Class Representatives feed back to the StAR, sharing their opinions about their
                 learning experiences to enable the StAR to represent their peers in the Learner Voice   Welsh Ambassador
                 meetings with the College’s Senior Leadership Team.                                     By being a Welsh Ambassador you will help to promote the Welsh language throughout the College
                                                                                                         and the wider community. It will give you a fantastic opportunity to represent both Bridgend
     ‘Your Voice’                                                                                        College and Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol at a number of events, and to earn some extra money at
     ‘Your Voice’ helps us to improve your experience with us at Bridgend College. If                    the same time! You will work alongside the Student Engagement Leads to organise and facilitate
     you have an idea, a compliment or you think there is something we could improve,                    events while ensuring you promote the Welsh language in the process.
     please let us know!

     You can email us at: yourvoice@bridgend.ac.uk or visit: bridgend.ac.uk/your-voice
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BC CONNECT                                                                                         Month      Focus                                         Date and time

                                                                                                                   Engagement activities                         Thursday 28 October 2021
     For parents, guardians and carers                                                                  October
                                                                                                                   Resources available to support learning       11am - 12pm and 6 - 7pm
     We have an exciting new opportunity for parents, guardians and carers of our students to meet
                                                                                                                   Academic support                              Tuesday 23 November 2021
     with support teams on a monthly basis via Google Meet to discuss the information and support       November
                                                                                                                   Welsh opportunities                           11am - 12pm and 6 - 7pm
     available at the College. The sessions follow key points throughout the academic year, providing
     information that would be most useful at those times.                                                         Welcome back                                  Wednesday 26 January 2022
                                                                                                        January
                                                                                                                   Support available                             11am - 12pm and 6 - 7pm
     Please share this information with your parent, guardian or carer or ask them to visit                                                                      Thursday 24 February 2022
     bridgend.ac.uk/bcconnect to find out more.                                                         February   Entrepreneurship opportunities
                                                                                                                                                                 11am - 12pm and 6 - 7pm
                                                                                                                   Next steps                                    Tuesday 22 March 2022
                                                                                                        March
                                                                                                                   Future pathways (career/progression advice)   11am - 12pm and 6 - 7pm
     Month            Focus                                           Date and time
                                                                                                                   Exams and academic pressure                   Wednesday 27 April 2022
                      Transition to College                                                             April
                                                                                                                   Workload and deadlines                        11am - 12pm and 6 - 7pm
                      Introduction to campus                          Tuesday 24 August 2021
     August                                                                                                        Volunteering and employment opportunities     Thursday 26 May 2022
                      Learning support                                11am - 12pm and 6 - 7pm           May
                      Welsh opportunities                                                                          Active wellbeing                              11am - 12pm and 6 - 7pm
                      Finance and transport queries                                                                                                              Tuesday 21 June 2022
                                                                                                        June       Course completion and summer plans
                      IT systems                                      Wednesday 22 September 2021                                                                11am - 12pm and 6 - 7pm
     September
                      Safeguarding our students and Esafe             11am - 12pm and 6 - 7pm                                                                    Wednesday 20 July 2022
                                                                                                        July       Application and enrolment information
                      Settling in                                                                                                                                11am - 12pm and 6 - 7pm

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Cyfleoedd, meaning ‘opportunities’, is our College careers hub, which is an innovative and
     collaborative workspace that enables students and employers to connect. We work with students
     and employers to enhance careers education, promote work-related opportunities and enable
     talent pipelines to business.

     Cyfleoedd builds upon our wider College mission statement, enabling our students to ‘be all that
     they can be’ by preparing and supporting them to achieve, progress and gain meaningful paid
     career opportunities.

     Our careers team is able to support you with:
     • Careers advice and guidance
     • Searching for paid and voluntary opportunities
     • University and employment options or applications
     • Employer mentoring
     • Mock interviews
     • Building your CV
     • Work placements

     For more information, visit: cyfleoedd.co.uk​

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SUCCESS CENTRES
     The College Success Centres provide students with a welcoming environment for learning. You will
     find books, graphic novels, magazines, DVDs and a range of electronic resources to help you with
     your studies and assignments.

     There are also computer facilities, including Macs and Chromebooks and study areas, along with
     friendly and knowledgeable staff who can help you with resource finding, printing, photocopying,
     binding and proofreading assignments.

     You can email the Success Centre Team at bsc@bridgend.ac.uk or find them on Twitter and
     Instagram:

       @successcentres
       @successcentresbc

               Students can also access MyCirqa,
               our free Library App, and visit our Google Site.

                                                                                                        Success Centre, Bridgend Campus
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DIGITAL                                                                                                 BRIDGEND COLLEGE APP
                                                                                                             Get connected
                                                                                                             • Be the first to receive updates on student opportunities
                                                                                                             • Access wellbeing and support information
                                                                                                             • View your timetable
     Den01 is a dedicated innovation space at Bridgend College, aimed at providing training, workshops
                                                                                                             • See your assignment schedules and personal targets
     and taster sessions for students on all things technology. This includes a Tech Club, Gaming Club,
     Google Support drop-in sessions and Student Digital Champion opportunities, using state of the
     art equipment such as VR headsets, 3D printers, gaming laptops and robotics.
                                                                                                             To login for the first time, just use your student email
                                                                                                             address and password! Download our app by searching
     For more information on upcoming courses or to contact the team at Den01,
                                                                                                             ‘Bridgend College’ on the App Store. Available on Android
     visit bridgend.ac.uk/den01 or find them on the student portal.
                                                                                                             and Apple devices.

     Student Digital Champion opportunities
     As a Student Digital Champion, you will have the chance to develop and test new technological
     initiatives at the College. These could include virtual reality, 3D printing, 360° filming, vlogging,
     podcasting, programming, robotics, drones and more. You will also have the opportunity to create
     cutting-edge digital content for current and future learners and receive support towards achieving
     a nationally recognised digital certification.

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WELSH LANGUAGE                                                                                       Whether you’re a fluent Welsh speaker or a learner, we would like to encourage you to use as
                                                                                                          much Welsh as possible in college. To help you find other Welsh speaking students and staff, we
                                                                                                          use the Cymraeg Gwaith (Work Welsh) orange symbol on our lanyards, as shown opposite. If you
     We are committed to delivering a bilingual student experience and we strive to fulfil our duties     attended a Welsh-medium school or if you feel happy to communicate in Welsh, you’ll be offered
     under The Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 and the Welsh Language Standards.                      one of these lanyards when you enrol. We use similar lanyards for staff, so when you see the
                                                                                                          orange symbol, please feel free to speak to that person in Welsh.
     As a student, you have rights as part of these standards to have the following:
     • Letters in Welsh                                                                                   We also have a Student Engagement Lead and a team of Welsh Ambassadors sponsored by the
     • Student Handbook in Welsh                                                                          Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, who are here to help and support you to continue using your Welsh
     • Prospectus in Welsh                                                                                whilst you are at college.
     • Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor
     • Counselling service in Welsh
     • Meetings in Welsh
     • Certificates in Welsh
     • Forms in Welsh

     Plus you can submit written work in Welsh (this will depend on the examining body) and apply for
     financial support in Welsh.

     We have a range of Welsh activities running throughout the year, so keep an eye out on our student
     portal, Student Experience site and the digital screens around our campuses for details.

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ENTERPRISE                                                                                             Students Chloe Carter and Vanessa Hall set up their own business,
                                                                                                            ‘Because Animals Are Worthwhile’
     Support for starting your own business                                                                 Why did you set up your own business?
                                                                                                            We wanted to use our skills to be a part of the solution and not the problem in animal welfare and
     If you would like to work for yourself, either now or sometime in the future, there is a whole range
                                                                                                            the environment.
     of support available to you.
                                                                                                            What did you do to start a business while you were studying?
     Whether you would like to be a freelancer, start your own business, become self-employed or just       Our business was originally an idea thought up during a project management module within
     have an idea for a product or service you’d like to explore further, help is at hand. Some of the      our HND Equine Studies course. We then decided to set up as an official business that trades
     services you can access completely free of charge include:                                             sustainable products. We received lots of support from Ruth, the College’s Entrepreneurship
                                                                                                            Officer, who signposted us to a number of virtual events and workshops. We also attended the 5 - 9
     • Informal one-to-one meetings/virtual meetings for advice, guidance and signposting with              Club, a mentoring and networking club for entrepreneurs created by Welsh ICE, where we learned
       Ruth Rowe, Entrepreneurship Officer at Bridgend College                                              how to pitch our idea and about finance and social media.
     • Business advice and mentoring from Big Ideas Wales or Business Wales
                                                                                                            What are your future plans for the business?
     • Workshops and seminars at a variety of locations, including Bridgend College campuses                With all the support and mentorship, the future can take us
     • Online workshops                                                                                     anywhere. To be a household name would be the ultimate win.
     • Business bootcamp
                                                                                                            What advice would you give to entrepreneurs?
     To find out more or to make an appointment, please                                                     Seek and accept all the help you can. Have faith, keep focused and
     call or email Ruth on:                                                                                 follow your passion.
     01656 302 302 ext. 237 | rrowe@bridgend.ac.uk                                                          Chloe was recently crowned Welsh ICE’s ‘Rising Star of the Year’.
     or make contact via the Cyfleoedd website:                                                             To find out more about Chloe and Vanessa’s journey, visit: baaww.org
     cyfleoedd.co.uk

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CATERING SERVICES                                                                                  HYDRATION STATIONS
     Free breakfast and free fruit Wednesday                                                            With your free Bridgend College water bottle, you can access
                                                                                                        water from our hydration stations across our campuses.
     Every single student studying at Bridgend College is able to receive a free breakfast, served
     between 8.15 and 9.30am. Look out for our breakfast stations in Bridgend, Pencoed and Queens
                                                                                                        We are committed to reducing the use of single-use plastic
     Road refectories.
                                                                                                        across all our campuses. Help us to become a more
                                                                                                        sustainable organisation by using your free water bottle
     You can also help yourself to free fruit every Wednesday at Bridgend and Pencoed campus
                                                                                                        whenever possible.
     reception areas.

     Here’s some useful information about our catering outlets:
     • A range of hot meals and hot and cold snack deals are available at each of our campuses.
       We also serve hot and cold drinks, fruit and sweet treats

     • You can pay by card at all of our food outlets, with no minimum spend required

     • Theme days are often run in our refectories, offering a variety of different foods from around                                   Don’t forget to bring your
       the world                                                                                                                        water bottle into College
                                                                                                                                        with you!
     • Our Coffee Shops serve a range of hot drinks and hot and cold snacks, including paninis,
       pastries and cakes

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TOTUM CARD

     Who doesn’t love a discount? Sign up for a TOTUM card and receive over 300 fantastic discounts for
     just £14.99 a year, including:

     •   10% off at Co-op
     •   15% off at lookfantastic
     •   20% off at Virgin Experience Days
     •   25% off Odeon tickets
     •   30% off at Pizza Express
     •   Up to 40% off at Garmin
     •   Amazon Prime Student 6 month free trial
     Sign-up online at totum.com or at Student Services.

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FINANCIAL SUPPORT
     During your time at Bridgend College, you may be eligible for financial support to help with the     Welsh Government Learning Grants (WGLG)
     costs of studying. Access to financial support will depend on your household income along with       If you are 19 years or older and studying on a full-time course, you could get up to £1,500 or up to
     some other factors.                                                                                  £750 for a part-time course, depending on your household income.

     Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)                                                                You can apply for a WGLG if all of the following apply to you:
     EMA is a weekly payment to support 16-18 year olds with the costs of studying. Payments are made     • You are aged 19 or over on the first day of the academic year (1st September)
     directly to your bank account every two weeks providing you have met the attendance requirements.    • You meet the nationality and residency requirements
     EMA will not affect any other benefit payments you or your family already receive.                   • You live in Wales
                                                                                                          • You live in a household with an income of £18,370 or less
     You can apply for EMA if all of the following apply to you:                                          • You are studying and/or progressing on an eligible further education course
     • You usually live in Wales                                                                          • You are studying on a course which is more than 275 hours of study across the academic year
     • You are aged 16-18
     • You are studying at college for a minimum of 12 hours each week and your course is approved by     Please note: any of the criteria outlined in the financial support section is subject to change. For
       the Department for Education and Skills                                                            more information on EMA and WGLG or to download an application pack, visit:
     • You meet the nationality and residency requirements                                                studentfinancewales.co.uk/FE
     • You live in a household with an income of either £20,817 or less OR £23,077 or less and there is
       more than one young person who qualifies for Child Benefit in the household
                                                                                                          Application packs are also available for collection at reception on all our campuses.
     For more information or to apply, visit: studentfinancewales.co.uk/EMA

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Financial Contingency Fund (FCF)
     The FCF is open to all full-time students and is a limited fund. FCF can support students with
                                                                                                          REPORTING
     some of the cost of childcare, lunch, course equipment, cost of travel or a Disclosure and Barring
     Service (DBS) check. Eligibility for FCF is dependent on your household income.                      ABSENCE
                                                                                                          We expect all students to maintain at least 95%
     Travel costs: FCF can help towards the cost of a bus pass or expenses, dependent on your age and     attendance, but we understand that there are
     where you travel from.                                                                               times when you may be unwell.

     Childcare costs: you may receive a maximum allocation of £31 per day of attendance towards the       It’s important that you let us know if you’re
     costs of childcare fees, for one child only. You may use the Bridgend College Day Nursery, or a      unwell or unable to come to college.
     registered childminder or nursery.
                                                                                                          Please contact us and let us know before the
     Course-related costs: FCF can help towards the cost of essential equipment for your course.          start of the college day, your name, student
                                                                                                          ID number, reason for absence and when you
     Meal subsidy: if you’re 16-18, and either you or your parents/guardian are in receipt of eligible    expect to be back at college:
     benefits you can receive a daily meal allowance to the value of £3.50 per day.                       bridgend.ac.uk/absence
                                                                                                          absence@bridgend.ac.uk
     For more information or to apply for the FCF, visit: bridgend.ac.uk/student-services                 01656 302 302

                                                                                                          Attendance will affect payments of any financial
                                                                                                          support you receive from the College (EMA,
                                                                                                          WGLG, FCF).
     Please note, all information and eligibility is correct at time of print but is subject to change.

38                                                                                                                                                           39
GOVERNORS                                                                                               TERM DATES
     Bridgend College Board of Governors                                                                      Induction             Tuesday 31 August - Friday 3 September 2021
     The Governing Body oversees the strategic direction, educational character and mission of the
                                                                                                              Term One              Monday 6 September - Friday 22 October 2021
     College and is responsible for ensuring that resources are used efficiently and effectively. There
     are currently 20 members of the Governing Body, who come from a variety of backgrounds and               Half Term             Monday 25 October - Friday 29 October 2021
     bring a diverse range of skills and experience with them. The important distinction between the
     Governing Body and the leadership of the College is that the Governing Body ensures that the             Term One              Monday 1 November - Friday 17 December 2021
     College does the right things, for the right people in the right way. Put simply, governance ensures,    End of Term           Monday 20 December - Friday 31 December 2021
     leadership/management does. To find out more, visit: bridgend.ac.uk/governor
                                                                                                              Term Two              Tuesday 4 January - Friday 18 February 2022
     Student governors
                                                                                                              Half Term             Monday 21 February - Friday 25 February 2022
     Two student governors are elected annually to sit on the Governing Body
     in an election open to all students. Student governors are not elected to                                Term Two              Monday 28 February - Friday 8 April 2022
     ‘represent’ students; they are appointed in their own right as individuals.
     Student governors are actively encouraged to participate in meetings,                                    End of Term           Monday 11 April - Friday 22 April 2022
     using their knowledge and experience as students of the College and the                                  Term Three            Monday 25 April - Friday 27 May 2022
     communities in which they live to help shape discussions and decisions
     that will directly affect both current and future students. Student                                      Half Term             Monday 30 May - Friday 3 June 2022
     governors provide a perspective that no other governor can give. For
     information about becoming a student governor or to apply, visit:                                        Term Three            Monday 6 June - Friday 24 June 2022
     bridgend.ac.uk/governor or email: wellbeing@bridgend.ac.uk
                                                                                                             Please see page 42 for closure dates.
40                                                                                                                                                                                 41
CLOSURE DAYS
     (No students in College)

      Tuesday 7 December 2021
      Thursday 16 and Friday 17 December 2021
      Wednesday 2 February 2022
      Tuesday 15 March 2022
      Thursday 23 and Friday 24 June 2022

     IMPORTANT DATES
      Monday 8 - Friday 12 November 2021                         Global Entrepreneurship Week
      Wednesday 26 January 2022                                  UCAS Deadline

     Please note: all information contained within this handbook is correct at the time of print, but is subject to change.
     For the latest information, visit bridgend.ac.uk, the URLs contained within this handbook, student portal or speak with
     your Personal Tutor.

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