Bedford College Parents' guide 2015

Bedford College & Shuttleworth College Parents’ Guide 2015/16

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BEDFORD COLLEGE & SHUTTLEWORTH COLLEGE PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015-16

Welcome

1, 2 & 3. Cauldwell Street Campus 4. Outside South Bank Arts Centre 5. Shuttleworth College Campus 6. Cauldwell Street Campus reception

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Here at Bedford College and Shuttleworth College we are dedicated to getting our students to where they want to be. We provide a great education in an environment that mirrors the working world and 91%1 of our students go straight on to further study or into employment after their course.

We understand what an important part parents and guardians play in our students’ academic lives. You are there to help guide them in the decisions they make, and support them throughout their studies. This guide has been written to introduce you to Bedford College and Shuttleworth College, to outline how we work and indicate where you can help and encourage your son or daughter during their time with us.

1 Source: Bedford College Destinations Survey 2013

Day to day life in college is a great experience, and the college way of life is so different from school. It’s a more mature environment and students feel much more independent as they start to manage their own learning with our award-winning support teams never far away.

We hope you find this guide helpful, and if there is any additional information you would like, please don’t hesitate to contact us via phone or email, or drop in to our main reception in Bedford at our Cauldwell Street campus or at Shuttleworth. We look forward to meeting you soon.

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OFSTED GRADED GOOD Our latest Ofsted inspection was in March 2014. Graded Good, with Outstanding features, Ofsted’s recent report has reinforced our position as one of the best colleges in the UK. You can read the full report at www.bedford.ac.uk/ofsted.

Comments from the report include: “Teachers have excellent links with industry and use these effectively to develop high levels of industry-related skills, which prepare students skilfully for the world of work”; “Many students progress well on to employment or apprenticeships. Progression into higher-level courses both internally and to higher education institutions is high”; and “The college provides an excellent environment for learning and resources are very good”.

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“Many students progress well on to employment or apprenticeships. Progression into higher-level courses both internally and to higher education institutions is high.”

– Ofsted 2014 report

APPLYING FOR A PLACE AT BEDFORD COLLEGE There are a few important steps between your son or daughter submitting their application and then joining us the following September. Here we outline the key stages to enable you to keep track of the whole process: 1. Application submitted 2.Your son or daughter will hear from us, usually within five working days, inviting them to attend an interview with one of our team who will be able to give expert advice and guidance. This is a chance to ask any questions and find out more about our courses and the facilities.

3. Within two weeks of the interview, your son or daughter will hear whether they have been successful. If they have, we’ll offer them a place at Bedford College starting September 2015.

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with a tutor or careers adviser.

Don’t forget though; we are open all summer, so are available to answer any questions you may have at that time.

4. They will then be invited to attend our special welcome event on 30 June 2015. This is a great chance to meet fellow students, tutors and get to know the College.

6. During the summer holidays your son or daughter will receive an induction letter detailing everything they need to know, from course information to dress code, as well as key dates to enrol on the course.

5. If results are better or not quite what you expected on GCSE results day, the College will be open on the day (20 August 2015) so you and your son or daughter can talk through their options

7. Term starts on 14 September 2015. Your son or daughter will have a skills diagnostic assessment to determine what level of support they may need during their time with us.

TERM DATES FOR 2015-2016 College term dates do not always coincide with local school holidays, so please be aware of the following:

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Autumn Term 2015 Monday 14 September 2015 – Friday 18 December 2015 Half-term: Monday 26 October 2015 – Friday 30 October 2015

STUDENT EXPERIENCE DAYS Our Student Experience days are a chance for students who have already applied to buddy up with a fellow student for the day in College, take part in their class and get a real feel for what it’s like to be a Bedford College student. If your son or daughter would like to attend, they can contact Ellen Punter, our Schools & Community Liaison Manager on 01234 291303 or via epunter@bedford.ac.uk

Spring Term 2016 Monday 4 January 2016 – Thursday 24 March 2016 Half-term: Monday 15 February 2016 – Friday 19 February 2016 6

Summer Term 2016 Monday 11 April 2016 – Friday 17 June 2016 Half-term: Monday 30 May 2016 – Friday 3 June 2016 Taking holidays during term time is not acceptable and students should not arrange for events like driving lessons, appointments or part-time work at any time when they may be required to be in classes, tutorials or study time.

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BEDFORD COLLEGE & SHUTTLEWORTH COLLEGE PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015-16

Life at College

7. South Bank Arts Centre 8. Art room in South Bank 9. Munch & Mocha 10. Learning Resources Centre

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As you know, college life is different from life at school.

It’s a stepping stone between school and work, as students start to learn in working environments and take control of their own futures.

Here we outline what you need to know in order to support your son or daughter on a day-to-day basis.

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THE STUDENT DAY Your son or daughter will be issued with their individual timetable once they start at College. Each student’s timetable is unique to them and will include lessons for the subject they are studying, sessions with their personal tutor and any classes in English, Maths and Functional Skills (see page 6) that they are taking alongside their main qualification.

Students on full-time programmes spend approximately three to four days per week in College. When they are not in College, they will have work to complete in selfstudy time, as set by their tutors.

Apprentices will attend College once a week or on block release for a couple of weeks at a time, depending on their employer.

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POLICIES Classes do not start before 9.00am. There is a morning break from 10.30am-10.50am and lunch is typically from 12.15pm-1.15pm. Classes usually end by 4.30pm, but can finish later, depending on the study programme.

Attendance will be monitored by your son or daughter’s personal tutor and action will be taken for any absence without explanation, or if a student is regularly late.

There are no bells to inform students of class timings, so they are responsible for their own timekeeping.

Absences should be reported to your son or daughter’s Personal Tutor by phone or by text.

We have numerous policies in place including Anti-bullying, Safeguarding, Equality & Diversity and Student Involvement, to ensure that your son or daughter can study with us in a safe and secure environment. All policies are available to read in full at www.bedford.ac.uk/downloads 9

CODE OF CONDUCT The College has a code of conduct, which sets standards of behaviour so that all students know what is expected of them, from respect, attendance and punctuality, to safety, consideration of others and hard work. The code of conduct is printed in our student handbook available at www.yourspaceonline.net.

Students are also sent a copy with their offer letter, so when they accept the offer of a place they are also confirming that they will abide by our expected standards.

Every student will be made aware of the handbook when they begin at College, and given a pocketsized version to keep with them for essential information.

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11. Springs Sport & Leisure Centre at Cauldwell Street 12. Bicycle parking at Cauldwell Street 13. Cauldwell Street main reception 14. The greenhouses at Shuttleworth

ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES College is not just about studying – your son or daughter will have the chance to get involved in lots of events and clubs outside of lessons. The programme changes each year and in the past has included sports, including football and netball, photography, student magazine and yoga. Activities take place at lunchtimes or at the end of the day at the Shuttleworth and Cauldwell Street sites.

Your son or daughter may also be interested in becoming a Student Ambassador. Student Ambassadors help out at events and fairs during themed weeks, take tours at Open Days and take part in focus groups to help make an impact on how the College operates.

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GUIDANCE ON PRIVATE STUDY Subject tutors will regularly set work for private study, which should be completed in free study periods at College or at home.

If they wish to stay on site, all students can use the study spaces in the Learning Resources Centre at Shuttleworth or Cauldwell Street. We have many facilities for students to access, such as computers and other e-learning resources. There are printers and photocopiers, which can be used for a small cost, by the student topping up their ID card with cash.

PARENT/TUTOR COMMUNICATION

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Part way through the term you will be invited in for a parents’ consultation evening, where tutors will discuss your son or daughter’s progress with you.

This is both an opportunity to celebrate success and identify any causes for concern. You will also receive a student progress report twice a year.

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TRAVEL Parking is free at our Shuttleworth campus and the Technology Centres in Kempston.

Limited parking is available at our Cauldwell Street campus for £1 per day, but parking enforcement measures are in place. Students also need a permit to park at the Cauldwell Street Campus (issued for free stating which days they are in College). Please note that the permit is not a guarantee of a parking space.

TIME BETWEEN LESSONS Students are free to come and go off site between their timetabled lessons, tutorials and workshops.

Alternatively, there are student common rooms in which to spend time onsite; YourSpace at Cauldwell Street and The Washbox at Shuttleworth.

MEALS IN COLLEGE

There are regular public buses to Kempston. The nearest bus stop is located on Woburn Road.

The parking at Kempston is on-road parking.

Both Cauldwell Street and Shuttleworth have a large canteen on site, plus smaller vending units for drinks and snacks. Here students can purchase hot and cold meals, along with snacks and beverages, either to eat in or take away.

There is a varied menu each day including a meat and vegetarian meal of the day and at least one alternative, plus sandwiches, salads and jacket potatoes. Your son or daughter can top up their student ID card with money to use in the restaurants, rather than carry cash. Smaller outlets and vending machines are available in other College buildings.

See page 6 for information about our travel bursary.

See page 6 for information about our meals bursary.

There are excellent bus links (www.stagecoachbus.com) and train links (www.nationalrail. co.uk) into Bedford and a College-run bus service to and from Shuttleworth. The pick-up points are listed online at www.shuttleworth.ac.uk/travel

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BEDFORD COLLEGE & SHUTTLEWORTH COLLEGE PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015-16

Student Support We have an excellent support network here at Bedford College and Shuttleworth College. Here is an overview of our support staff, what they can help with and how to contact them.

Additional Support team We understand that learning difficulties such as dyslexia bring their own particular demands when studying. If required, this team can help your son or daughter develop specific skills, provide specialist equipment they may need to complete work, make special arrangements for taking exams, and provide support in accessing facilities.

Contact our Additional Support team on 01234 291905.

Financial Support All full-time courses are free to study for 16-18 year olds, but there may be costs relating to books, trips or specialist clothing and equipment. We will give you information about this in advance.

Our student finance team are here to provide practical advice on student bursaries, travel costs, higher education funding, grants and much more. We also have a range of financial support packages available to help with essential costs, as well as bursaries for vulnerable students or those in severe financial hardship.

Contact our Student Finance Advisers on: • 01234 291470 • 01234 291943 • 01234 291674

Our Student Services team are Matrix accredited

TRAVEL BURSARY

JOB SHOP

Full-time students may qualify for a travel bursary worth £450 a year to help with the costs of travel. In 2014/2015 the bursary was available if the student was:

We have a Job Shop to help students who are looking for work or Apprenticeships.

This includes part-time work to support their studies or employment at the end of their course if that is their chosen path.

• aged 16-18 • On a full-time course • living over three miles away from College • not eligible for support from their local authority.

For the latest information and up to date terms and conditions for 2015/2016 please visit www.bedford.ac.uk/travel Application forms will be available from June 2015 and applications close Friday 18 December 2015.

Early application is advised.

MEALS BURSARY Your son or daughter may be able to receive free meals at College if they are aged 16-18, and you have a household income of £16,190 or less and are in receipt of specified benefits. Please visit www.bedford.ac.uk/finance for information on our meals bursary. Application forms will be available from June 2015 and applications close Friday 23 October 2015. Early application is advised.

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Careers Advice Our careers advisers can provide impartial advice and guidance on everything from education, training and work prospects to support with UCAS applications, CVs and interview preparation.

Contact our Careers Advisers on: • 01234 291423 • 01234 291933 • 01234 291446 Personal Tutors All students benefit from their own personal tutor for one-to-one support, through tutorials to support their academic and personal progress. Students have at least three individual tutorials per year as well as regular group tutorials focusing on career and personal development, as well as news and updates about College life.

Safeguarding We aim to ensure all our students feel safe and secure throughout their time at College. If your son or daughter has any concerns about the safety and wellbeing of themselves or another student, then they should contact their personal tutor, Student Services or use the “stay safe” button on Moodle. We have a specially trained safeguarding team who are there to help.

If information shared with any member of staff at the College causes concern that a young person may be at risk of significant harm, then the safeguarding team may have a duty to take further action to ensure all young people are safeguarded.

Personal Counsellors Our counsellors are available to help if personal difficulties are getting in the way of your son or daughter’s studies. We provide a quiet space where they can talk through their problems with a counsellor, and work towards making them easier to handle.

Other useful contacts: Reception – Cauldwell Street • 01234 291000 Reception – Shuttleworth • 01767 626222 Admissions Help • 01234 291202 Enquiries & Guidance • 01234 291000 (select option 1) Student Services • 01234 291934 Learning Resources Centre • 01234 291230

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Qualifications guide

15. Student Services at Cauldwell Street 16. Quiet study area in the Learning Resources Centre 17. South Bank Arts Centre 18. Enquiries & Guidance, Cauldwell Street

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When your son or daughter starts a full-time course with us they’ll be given a study programme, encompassing all the skills and knowledge they’ll need to prepare them for a career in their chosen subject area. So as well as a relevant Level 2 or Level 3 industry-recognised qualification, they’ll spend time improving their personal and employability skills to complement their main studies.

In short, their study programme will provide them with: • A nationally-recognised qualification • English and maths skills • Personal development skills • Study skills • Employability skills • Work experience • And possibly additional vocational learning and qualifications, depending on the course they choose.

Along with all of this, our students gain a wealth of other attributes, including: communication, self-esteem, teamwork skills, problem solving, adaptability, self-motivation, time management and more.

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Progression Opportunities We have excellent links with employers and work with hundreds of organisations across the region, including Avon, Cancer Research Cambridge, General Motors – Vauxhall; John Lewis Partnership, Lockheed Martin, Marshall Aerospace; Network Rail and Nissan, opening up opportunities beyond the classroom. As a result, your son or daughter will keep up to date with what’s happening in industry and become known among local employers.

We also have a dedicated Careers Advice team, who will help students with all aspects of the move into employment, or further training, such as an Apprenticeship. Our new Job Shop works closely with local employers to provide employment opportunities for students. The team can also help to equip students with the tools they need to assist in their job search and succeed in today’s competitive employment market.

Many of our students go on to higher education at university or college. An integral part of higher education preparation is the UCAS application process and we are here for your son or daughter every step of the way. Their personal tutor and our Student Services team will help with the online application process and any questions they may have.

UCAS points table Most of our Advanced full-time and Apprenticeship programmes have a UCAS points value. UCAS points are required for entry on to higher education programmes, but some universities and colleges may still take the qualification content and any work experience into account if UCAS points are not allocated.

Here is an outline of how many points each qualification type can be worth: Level 3 Diploma – Up to 280 points Level 3 Extended Diploma – Up to 420 points For more information visit www.ucas.com

A platform for success After completing their course with us, our latest student destinations survey shows that 91% of our students carried on developing their career skills by progressing on to further study, or directly into employment in the industry. 2 346 of our students went on to study degree subjects at almost 75 universities across the UK in 2013, including: 3

So how is our class of 2013 doing now?

91%

Studying full-tim (degree-level e or be or in paid employm low) en part-time or as an t (full-time, apprentice)

d Unemployed an k or w seeking

6%

King’s College London London School of Economics

1%

Unpaid employ ment (internships or volunteering)

Cardiff University University of Leeds

Taking a gap year

1%

University College London University of Manchester University of Sheffield

1%

Other

University of Southampton University of Warwick University of York

Bedford College Cauldwell Street, Bedford MK42 9AH 01234 291000 info@bedford.ac.uk www.bedford.ac.uk

www.bedford.ac.uk

01234 291000

Shuttleworth College Old Warden Park, Biggleswade 01767 626222 enquiries@shuttleworth.ac.uk www.shuttleworth.ac.uk

2 Source: Bedford College Destinations Survey 2013 3 Source: Bedford College UCAS Destinations Report 2013