Shuttleworth College 2023/2024 Prospectus

Shuttleworth College Prospectus

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WELCOME TO OUR SHUTTLEWORTH COLLEGE PROSPECTUS

Deciding what to do after GCSEs is a big decision and it’s important to make the right choice for you. We aim to give you the best possible learning experience while you’re with us and the best preparation for when you leave us, whether that is for university, an apprenticeship or work.

OPEN DAYS

We can’t wait to meet you and show you around! Choose a date (or two) from the list below and come along to:

• Take a tour

• Talk to tutors and current students

• Get careers advice from our team of advisors

SATURDAY

12 NOVEMBER 2022 9.30AM - 12.30PM

SATURDAY 14 JANUARY 2023 9.30AM - 12.30PM

THURSDAY 20 APRIL 2023 5.00PM - 8.00PM

Dr. Catherine Lloyd Vice Principal of Shuttleworth College

WHY JOIN US?

FANTASTIC EDUCATION

Ofsted rates us ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ features, so you’ll receive the very best education to ensure your success.

WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS

Our vast range of study programmes and apprenticeships ensure you will find a career pathway you love, opening up more choices, opportunities and experiences.

LEARN FROM THE EXPERTS

Many of our tutors work, or have worked, in the industry they teach – what better way to learn about the real working world than from people who have experienced it.

FANTASTIC FACILITIES

From our working farm to lakes and woodland as well as our equestrian centre, walled garden and Zoological Education Centre.

PERSONALISED SUPPORT

You will be assigned your own Personal Achievement Tutor to assist and support you throughout your college experience.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Participate in the perfect work placement for you thanks to our links with thousands of top employers. This real life on-the-job experience will enhance your CV and prepare you for employment.

SUCCESS GUARANTEED

We are so confident you’ll achieve your qualification with us that if you don’t we’ll give you £100 or refund any fees paid.*

GUARANTEED PROGRESSION

All full-time students can progress on to the next level with us, right up to degree-level.*

* Visit: www.bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk/policies-procedures

Shuttleworth College

IT’S THIS EASY TO GET TO SHUTTLEWORTH COLLEGE...

We have great transport links to our Shuttleworth College campus, provide a subsidised bus service, and help with travel costs for those that need it. Find out more below.

BUS

We provide a part-subsidised College-run bus service from local towns and villages in the surrounding area depending on demand. In 2022/23 the cost was £100 per year with a bursary if you had a household income of £35,000 or less and £800 per year for a household income over £35,000. These costs are subject to review and can change. Visit our website for more information. Find out more in Student Services or at: www.bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk/financial-support/ You can find out where our bus service stops on the page.

MOTOR VEHICLE

We are located just off of the A1 with easy access from Biggleswade, Sandy, St Neots, Hitchin and Stevenage, as well as Bedford. There is plenty of free car parking on-site.

TRAIN

Biggleswade station is a 10 minute bus journey, using our College bus, or taxi ride from our campus. The station is served twice-hourly by the Peterborough to London Kings Cross Northern line, stopping at nearby towns. *Please

Full-time students aged 16-18 and living more than three miles from College may be entitled to subsidised travel from their local authority. If your local authority is unable to help, and you have a household income less than £35,000, the College has a Travel Bursary worth up to £500 which you may qualify for.*

Aged 19 or over with a household income of £40,000 or less? If you’re not eligible for other transport support and have applied for an eligible study programme, you will also qualify for the Travel Bursary.

OUR FACILITIES

FREE PARKING

There is free parking available for our students.

FISH FARM

Our Aquatics Centre is filled with diverse species from around the globe, so whether you are interested in advanced fish keeping or studying conservation on marine corals, we have it covered.

KINGSHILL FARM

Kingshill Farm is our working farm and estate. The farm demonstrates commercial viability whilst also acting as a teaching resource for our Animal Management and Land & Environment students.

LAKES, RESERVOIRS AND BUSH CRAFT

We also have an on-site lake and reservoir, bush craft woodland area and open fields.

LIBRARY

Our Library is the place for you to spend time studying outside of classes, with spaces for both individual and group study, and over 30,000 resources. You can also access computers including PCs, Macs and Netbooks, or make use of our free WiFi.

MECHANISATION CENTRE

The Mechanisation Centre is used for training students in operating and maintenance of land-based machinery.

MOUNT PLEASANT EQUINE CENTRE

Our fantastic equine facilities at Mount Pleasant are equipped with covered stabling, two indoor arenas, classrooms and a student common room.

MUNCH & MOCHA

Our restaurant and coffee shop is the ideal place to debate your last class over a coffee or savour a delicious lunch with friends.

WALLED GARDEN

Our Walled Garden boasts three poly tunnels, propagation benches and a large garden area for practising horticultural tasks such as landscaping and growing plants.

WOODLAND, PARKS AND CONSERVATION AREA

Our Shuttleworth campus is located in a large conservation area of about 500 acres with vast areas of parkland.

ZOOLOGICAL EDUCATION CENTRE

Our £4m “Eden Project style” Zoological Education Centre (ZEC) boasts a tropical Biome, species from across the world and brand new teaching facilities.

ACCOMMODATION

Our halls of residence offer you a stepping stone to living independently in a safe and secure environment, and are particularly useful if your study programme involves you getting up early or finishing late. Many of our students say the friends that they make in halls are like a second family, so you are sure to make friends for life. Our halls fill up really quickly, so get your application in early if you are considering living on site.

Priority is given to students without easy access to our bus routes.

THE HALLS OF RESIDENCE:

• Self-contained campus in the grounds of Shuttleworth College.

• Five residential halls split according to age and gender.

• Single study bedrooms with access to a modern common room complete with kitchen facilities, dining area, comfy chairs, sofas and plasma screen TV.

• Laundrette and gym nearby.

• Student Services and Warden teams on site at all times including an out-of-hours warden during the evenings and overnight.

• Three meals a day, five days a week, from Munch & Mocha, our restaurant and coffee shop.

If you are on one of our full-time courses you can apply for a residential bursary which can help with meeting accommodation costs.

Details of this scheme are available from Student Services on 01234 291276 or visit: www.bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk/halls-of-residence

ANIMAL SCIENCES

We are proud of our award winning Zoological Education Centre (ZEC), which is the first of its kind within the state education system.

Our ZEC houses a biosphere along with a wide variety of animal and plant species enabling our students to have a fully immersive learning experience with the natural world. The ZEC brings the Amazon and the Outback to the Shuttleworth College campus, transporting students and visitors into the wild to create a truly immersive experience, allowing students to engage with the modern learning environment and develop hands-on skills with a range of species. The ZEC is one of the only of its kind, within a further education setting, to offer a state-of-the-art tropical biome which houses a wide variety of species – including birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals – in environments that replicate their natural habitat.

Our tutors have industry experience, as well as a real passion for their students and what they teach.

Our Equine Centre is the perfect space for our students to learn their practical skills and increase their confidence handling a range of horses, preparing them for working within the industry.

We have two indoor areas, and have taken part in many competitions over the years, allowing our students to gain real hands on experience within a commercial setting.

LAND BASED

Agriculture, Countryside Management, Fisheries and Fish Management, Horticulture and Gardening.

Shuttleworth gives you access to almost every kind of habitat. The estate itself has a working farm, a shoot, a fishery with several well-stocked lakes, a site of special scientific interest, ancient woodland, a country wildlife site, and formal parklands with county specimen trees, all in addition to a huge range of learning resources.

Kings Hill Farm is Shuttleworth College’s working farm and estate. We are proud of our working farm. Our students help produce and cultivate combinable crops such as sugar beet, wheat and peas. As well as looking after our livestock which include Red Poll Cattle and ewes. Some of our academic calendar highlights are cultivating, lambing, conservation work and so much more! We have a fleet of tractors, cultivators and farm machinery.

We have established lakes and reservoirs as well as production ponds where our fish species are managed. Throughout the year students have the opportunity to attend advanced aquaculture programmes. We have strong industry connections, and have an approved fish farm, where

our students are involved in breeding fish for national organisations which help to stock waters hit by pollution.

Our Horticulture and Gardening students, have entered a number of competitions in the past such as the Ideal Home Show and Woburn Abbey Garden Show. Shuttleworth college has a beautiful walled garden which includes established borders and plants, access to our glass houses and polytunnels including specialist machinery.

Our students get hands on practical experience from day one, all our tutors are passionate about their teaching, and have a wealth of industry experience to share.

www.bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk/shuttleworth-college

If you enjoy sailing, kayaking and climbing; are interested in learning the practical and theory side, and want to pursue a career, Shuttleworth College can help you.

OUTDOOR

ADVENTURE

We have on site lakes and reservoirs ready to help you develop your outdoor adventure skills.

As well as our own facilities and lakes, we regularly use external venues such as Grafham Water and Sailing Club, Big Rock Climbing Centre, and the local footpaths and waterways.

Throughout the year students have the opportunity to attend trips, both residential and abroad.

Life Student

College is not just about studying –you also have the chance to get involved in lots of enhancement activities, events and clubs.

We aim to give you the opportunity to access free LIFESTYLE, INVOLVEMENT, VOICE and ENHANCEMENT activities that will broaden your horizons, help you to develop new skills and contribute to your personal and social development.

STUDENT LIFE

LIFESTYLE INVOLVEMENT

SUPPORT AND INTEREST GROUPS

A great way to meet students with similar interests is through the Support and Interest groups. We have a variety of student led groups from The Q Agenda (LGBTQIA+) and Transform (Trans support). These groups offer students a chance to share experiences while the Black Culture Club looks at celebrating and supporting culture and history across our campuses and the Disability Awareness Group - ENCOMPASS – works to champion students of all abilities.

WELL-BEING ZONE

If you are looking for information on healthy eating, budgeting, exercise, sexual health, smoking, drugs or wider health issues, the Wellbeing Zone is the place for you. Specially trained staff can help answer questions and give you information and advice. Our College works with local professional organisations to provide you with the best services in the area.

Talks

We provide the opportunity for students to listen and talk to speakers in a range of areas. Talks take place throughout the year, here are just a few we deliver:

• Bedfordshire Police talking about knife crime and gangs

• Drag Race UK contestant Vinegar Strokes talking about LGBTQIA + lifestyles

• Mind BLMK talking about Mental Health Reliance. Themed activities

Throughout the College calendar we run a number of themed activities to help share key information that affects students’ lives and include for example:

• Black History Month

• Equality & Diversity Month

• Freshers’ Fairs

• Health & Well-being Month

• International Men’s Day

• International Women’s Day

• LGBT History Month

• Safer Internet Day

• Wear it Pink Day

• World Environment Day.

Sports and activities

You will have a chance to try your hand at sports and activities during your breaks and down time. All of these sports and activities are student led, including badminton, football, tennis and more.

Workshops

Our team of experts can deliver a range of workshops and sessions for your groups or peers, including:

• Alcohol and drugs support

• Body image and confidence

• Gambling and addiction support

• Mental health resilience

• Stop smoking

• Stress and anxiety.

AND

COUNCIL

ENHANCEMENT

BROADEN YOUR COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

Enhancement is a key part of your study programme, giving you the opportunity to broaden your College experience. Taking part in trips and visits, as well as having guest lecturers and speakers, all give you the chance to meet new people; it may make a difference between getting a job or being accepted into university.

THE STUDENTS’ UNION

The Students’ Union works in partnership with the College, striving for outstanding teaching, learning, services and facilities. The Students’ Union has a passion for participation and a drive for diversity, with equality and diversity officers leading the way in innovation. To find out more, speak to our Student Services team.

TOTUM CARD – STUDENT DISCOUNT

STUDENT SUPPORT

WE’RE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU...

Additional support

We have specialist support staff for those with an identified learning difficulty and/or disability.

Equal opportunities for all We believe that the unique experiences, abilities and backgrounds of each individual adds to the overall learning experience.

Careers service

Our professionally qualified Careers Advisers provide impartial, confidential advice and guidance to help you:

• decide what you are going to do next

• find out more about your options in education, training and work, both at College and beyond

• get support with job searches and with your university application (UCAS)

• put your plans into practice.

If you are looking for information or have a quick query, you can drop into the Student Services office where an Adviser may be able to help you immediately, or you can book a longer appointment.

Pastoral support

Your Personal Achievement Tutor (PAT) will support you with personal development, progress on your course and career planning. As a full-time student you are entitled to at least three individual tutorials per year, plus regular group tutorials. Within the first six weeks of your course your Personal Achievement Tutor will meet with you for your first initial one-to-one tutorial to make sure you are settling in and are on the right course.

Safeguarding and well-being

We are committed to keeping you safe at all times and we offer a dedicated counselling service if you need someone to talk to.

Financial advice

You can speak to our Student Services team for all money matters relating to College.

Fees&Funding

FEES & FUNDING

IF YOU ARE A SCHOOL

LEAVER AGED 16-18

on 31 August 2023 the Study Programmes in this prospectus are FREE.

ARE YOU AGED 19 OR OVER?

All full-time Level 2 programmes are now FREE for everyone to study.

If you are looking to study a Level 3 qualification (equivalent to three A-Levels), your course could still be FREE if you’re aged 19-23 and studying your first full-time Level 3 qualification.

Other financial support

You may have to pay for specialist textbooks, uniforms or equipment, as well as trips and visits that boost your understanding of your subject. You can find out if there are any additional costs by viewing your study programme on our website.

A range of financial support packages are available, which include help with essential costs, travel and meals.

Visit our website and search:

STUDENT SUPPORT 0345 658 8990

Speak to our Customer Contact Team: Funding changes regularly.

For up-to-date information visit the website.

www.bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk/course-fees

Love them or hate them, English and maths are essential for work, education, and day-to-day life. Whether it’s problem solving, communicating effectively or just being confident with numbers, these skills are needed for wherever your life leads you. Many jobs and courses require their applicants to have GCSE English and maths at grades 9-4.

Our English and maths courses are built around the principle that no one is born able to pass English and maths; it’s all learned. There may be obstacles to overcome; perhaps from bad experiences studying English and maths in the past, maybe you’re just tired of trying and anxious about failing, or maybe you just don’t see the point. Our team has vast experience in both delivering the key content of these subjects and motivating our students to show them what they can achieve if they work hard and commit to giving it their best.

WHAT ARE T LEVELS

T Levels are a brand new, two-year qualification that will give you a head start towards the future you want.

T Levels are ideal if you have finished your GCSEs and want the knowledge and experience to get straight into employment, an Apprenticeship or Higher Education.

You will spend 80% of your time in the classroom and 20% on a high quality placement with an employer to give you the knowledge and skills companies look for.

CREATED WITH BUSINESSES

T Levels have been designed with leading businesses and employers to give you the knowledge and skills you need.

QUALIFICATIONS THAT COUNT

When you pass your T Level, you will get a nationally recognised certificate showing the overall grade you achieved – Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction*. It will also give details of what you learned on the course.

LEARN YOUR WAY

T Levels involve more classroom study than apprenticeships, which means you can experience an industry while you continue your studies.

Like BTECs and A-Levels, there are no tuition fees to study a T Level if you start before you are 19 as of the 31st August 2023.

GET AHEAD IN YOUR CAREER

T Levels give you the chance to learn what a real career is like while you continue your studies. Your industry placement will last for at least 45 days over the duration of your course.

AWARDED UCAS POINTS

Your T Level will be worth a number of UCAS points –a T Level Distinction* is worth the same as three A-Levels at A*– and will be recognised by universities and other education providers.

www.bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk/t-levels

We are committed to helping you and guarantee your progression on to the next level of study with us.

We can support you to progress all the way from Level 2 up to Level 6.

LEVEL

When I finish College I want to get into garden design and landscaping; I’m currently doing some landscaping work for a company outside of College. I’ve also designed a garden in College for the Woburn Garden Show and am now working on the build with my team.

Sid

(9-4)

Typical Entry Requirements*

One year programme

• 3 GCSEs grades 9-3 OR equivalent

Two year programme

• 3 GCSEs grades 9-1 OR equivalent, and a keen interest in the subject

• Other relevant levels of qualification or experience will be considered

Study Programmes available

• BTEC Certificate and Diploma

Apprenticeships available

• Intermediate Level Apprenticeship

* Some of our study programmes have additional entry requirements, visit the specific study programme pages on our website to find out more.

LEVEL

A-LEVELS EQUIVALENT LEVEL

Typical Entry Requirements*

• 4 GCSEs grades 9- 4 OR equivalent

Study Programmes available

• BTEC Certificate and Diploma

• Access to University

Apprenticeships available

• Advanced Level Apprenticeship

Typical Entry Requirements* • A–Levels OR • Level 3 qualification OR • Related industry experience Qualifications available • Higher National Certificate (HNC) OR • Higher Level Apprenticeship

I didn’t even consider university because I knew the tutors at Shuttleworth and how everything worked here. I knew studying the Foundation Degree would help me on my way to a career change and I’m also considering topping up to the full BSc degree at the end of the course.

Typical Entry Requirements* • Level 5 qualification OR • Related industry experience Qualifications available • Top-up Degree Level 6

Studying at Shuttleworth College will give you all the skills, qualification and hands on experience you need for the next step. Whether that be the next level or into work, our tutors and Student Services are on hand to help you get to where you want to be.

Details of Higher Education programmes are available in our Bedford College Group Higher Education prospectus. You can either apply online or if you don’t have access to a computer, give us a call on 0345 658 8990.

Flexible study options

More support

COUNTDOWN TO COLLEGE

Open Days

Why not attend one of our Open Days to find out more about our campuses and courses. Book your place at our next Open Day (check our website www.bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk/events for upcoming events).

Receive an offer

We will arrange an interview or information, advice and guidance session with you so you can find out more about your course. You will have the opportunity to chat with a tutor who will make you a course offer.

Shortlist your favourite Study Programmes

Visit our website for the full list of our Study Programmes.

Apply online

Apply for your chosen Study Programme. If you do not have access to a computer you can contact us for help with your application.

Attend your Welcome Day

You will be invited to attend a Welcome Day on Thursday 22 June 2023 where you will get a taste of College life, meet your tutors and make new friends.

GCSE Results Day

(Thursday 24 August 2023)

Good Luck!

Don’t worry if you don’t get your grades, you can get advice at our GCSE Advice Days.

Enrolment

You will be invited to enrol on to your Study Programme on GCSE Results Day.

Induction

Join your classmates at your induction in September. Find out where you are going and what you are doing before you start full-time.

Start your Study Programme!

Term starts in September 2023.

APPRENTICESHIPS

APPRENTICESHIPS ARE A FIRSTCLASS WAY TO START YOUR CAREER.

As an apprentice you will gain the knowledge, skills and personal qualities needed to obtain the right level of training and competence for a specific job role. We are the largest apprenticeship provider in the South East Midlands which means whatever career path you are interested in we will have an apprenticeship to suit you.

What is an Apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a programme of work-based learning. To be enrolled as an apprentice, an organisation must have offered you a contract of employment and agreed to pay your wage and support you throughout your training. Your job role must include a range of work relevant to the apprenticeship qualification you wish to undertake.

How long does it take?

Apprenticeships take between one and four years to complete depending on the type and level undertaken.

How will I spend my time?

The part-time study element of an apprenticeship fits around the job commitment, and will be agreed with the employer. You might attend one day per week (day release), or in blocks of a week or more (block release), or 100% work-based delivery.

The Benefits

You’ll need enthusiasm and commitment to study and work in a particular industry, but the rewards will be significant:

• Get the best of both worlds by earning as you learn

• Choose from a wide range of practical trades and jobs

• We will help you find an employer from our excellent links with hundreds of top employers

• Gain industry-recognised qualifications, Functional Skills and specialist techniques that could see you progress to high-level jobs in your chosen sector

• Learn from valuable job experience and time spent developing your skills on a day-to-day basis.

Here are your steps to success

To start an apprenticeship you will need to be living in England, not in full-time education and must be aged 16 or over before 31 August 2023.

DO YOU ALREADY HAVE AN APPRENTICESHIP?

YES NO

I HAVE BEEN OFFERED AN APPRENTICESHIP I AM LOOKING FOR AN APPRENTICESHIP

1. If you have already been offered an apprenticeship, you or your employer will need to contact our Business Development team on 01234 291666.

2. A member of the Business Development team will then contact the employer to confirm that they have offered you an apprenticeship.

3. We will contact your employer to discuss your apprenticeship training needs and will then develop a training programme to suit you.

4. You will be invited to discuss your apprenticeship with a member of our Apprenticeship Recruitment Team.

5. We will invite you to the College and we will enrol you.

1. We have hundreds of vacancies each year, visit our website to find your perfect apprenticeship at www.bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk/ apprenticeship-vacancies/

2. Once you have found an apprenticeship you are interested in, check you meet the criteria and complete the online application form. If you need help completing the application form, contact our Apprenticeship Recruitment team by calling 01234 291666 or by emailing apprenticeships@bedford.ac.uk

3. You will be allocated an Apprenticeship Recruitment Adviser who will support you with your application and help you prepare for interviews and employment.

4. Our Recruitment Team will keep you updated with any other suitable vacancies and support you with any queries you may have.

5. Following a successful interview with the employer you will then be enrolled and start your apprenticeship.

apprenticeships@bedford.ac.uk 01234 291666

LOOKING FOR A-LEVELS?

If you want to study A-Levels, The Bedford Sixth Form is the place for you. We offer a sixth form experience that will make you stand out from the crowd.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE BURSARY SCHEME*

MORE CHOICE, MORE OPPORTUNITIES

At The Bedford Sixth Form you have the chance to study unique combinations of A-Levels in more than 35 different subjects and a range of Diplomas.

EXCELLENT PASS RATES

In 2022 our students were awarded a 93% pass rate with 63% of A-Level grades being A* to C and 86% of diploma grades awarded at Merit and Distinction

A PLATFORM FOR SUCCESS

We’re fully focused on helping you to achieve the academic success that secures your place at university, a higher apprenticeship or employment. Many of our students go on to the university destination of their choice, including many prestigious Russell Group institutions such as Oxford University. You may qualify for an academic excellence bursary if you achieve five GCSEs grades 9-7, including English Language and maths.

To find out more or book onto one of our open days: www.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk

* Please note that this scheme is subject to review and can change, visit our website to get the latest information. Terms & Conditions apply.