College Connect December 2022 by Bolton College

T Levels work!

Chief Executive of the company, Tim Kilroe, said the experience has been so positive, that Bethell are hoping to take on further candidates next year!

Life in the fast lane!

Earlier this year, some of our Level 1 Motor Vehicle students were assigned a very special task – working on a racing car belonging to the fastest blind man on land!

Mike Newman is a nine-times world record holder and he entrusted our talented body repair students with his pride and joy - his racing car.

Our full-time students buffed, polished and brought the car back to life, ready to navigate the fastest racing tracks in the UK – an amazing experience for our students and an outstanding achievement to add to their CVs!

Part of the University of Bolton Group

Apprentice scales the heights of success

Bolton College apprentice roofer Ben Jones has been named runner-up in a prestigious national competition.

Ben reached the finals of SkillBuild, dubbed the ‘skills Olympics’, which gives apprentices a chance to be crowned winner in their chosen trade.

After winning the regional heat, where Ben was tested on his technical abilities, time management, character and commitment, he travelled to Edinburgh for the UK finals, where he narrowly missed out on first place.

Matt Timby, a member of the judging panel, said:

‘The competitors were set a challenging task which was designed to take them out of their comfort zone. Each competitor took the task head on and came out with extremely good results.

‘It was great to see them all apply themselves with such determination. They should all hold their heads high as shining ambassadors for the industry.’

Part of the University of Bolton Group

Share this step-by-step guide to support your son/daughter throughout our application and enrolment process.

Guide to Application & Enrolment

1. BOOK YOUR INTERVIEW

You’ve applied - we’ve texted you a link so it’s time to book your interview. Log in to your Learner Hub account, set up when you applied, then follow the instructions to book your interview. If you have any issues logging in, email learner.hub@boltoncc.ac.uk

2. ATTEND YOUR INTERVIEW AT DEANE ROAD CAMPUS

3. CONDITIONAL PLACE OFFER

You may be offered a conditional place, dependent on getting the necessary GCSE grades and a good school reference. In the unlikely event you’re not offered a place don’t panic, you can still join us! We’ll put you in touch with our friendly Careers Team who’ll chat with you about options; you’ll then be offered a conditional place on a course that’s right for you.

4. KEEPING IN TOUCH

Throughout the year, we’ll keep you informed about any events or updates via text or email.

5. TIME TO ENROL!

You’ve got your conditional place, now you’re ready to enrol! We’ll contact you with instructions, usually around Easter.

6. GSCE RESULTS

Once you’ve got your GCSE results, it’s time to turn your conditional place into a firm offer. Upload your results via Learner Hub. If you haven’t got the results you were hoping for don’t worry, we’ll still have a course for you - contact our Student Services Centre for support.

Part

of the University of Bolton Group

Admissions Frequently Asked Questions

What happens after my son/daughter has applied for a course?

When we received your son/daughter’s application, we texted them a link asking them to book a slot on one of our Interview Evenings. If you prefer they can book this over the phone by calling Admissions on 01204 482 155

How frequent are interviews?

Interview Evenings are twice a month and you’re welcome to attend with your son/daughter.

My son/daughter has a conditional offer, what’s this? This is a promise to provide a place on their chosen course, provided your son/daughter achieves certain criteria such as particular GCSEs, a good reference or suitable work placement. The conditional offer is always confirmed in writing.

When can my son/daughter enrol?

Enrolment starts around Easter which means it’s likely your son/daughter will enrol before they get their grades; their offer will remain conditional until proof of their grades is uploaded in the summer.

My son/daughter hasn’t achieved the grades expected, what do we do?

Don’t panic, we have courses at different levels! Tutors will be happy to discuss these options with your son/daughter. We also offer impartial information, advice and guidance about options via our Student Services Centre; call them on 01204 482 182 or email studentservices@boltoncc.ac.uk to book a meeting with a Careers Guidance Specialist.

We need to change our contact details, how do we do this?

Your son/daughter can change their email address and phone number by logging into their Learner Hub account via www.bit.ly/LearnerHub or they can email their name, date of birth and new contact details to admissions@boltoncc.ac.uk

Any more questions?

Call our Admissions Team on 01204 482 155 or email admissions@boltoncc.ac.uk

Part of the University of Bolton Group

Supporting you with finance

Worried about the cost of College? Contact our Student Services Centre on 01204 482 182 or email studentfinance@boltoncc.ac.uk

College Offers

Bolton College offers a wide range of:

• Free sports and recreational activities at lunchtimes and after College

• Savings on food in our eateries

• Discounted rates at The Academy, our hair & beauty salon, and our onsite Fitness Suite

• Subsidised trips and visits.

Discretionary

Bursary

If your household income is less than £30,000 per year, funding is available to support your son/daughter with the cost of studying.

The Discretionary Bursary is awarded for help with the cost of travel to and from College.

Student Support Allowance

This bursary can help learners with the costs of College if they:

• Are in care or are a care-leaver

• Receive Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance/Personal Independence Payment in their own right

• Receive Income Support in their own right

• Receive Universal Credit, paid in place of Income Support, in their own right.

Care to Learn

If your son/daughter is a young parent, aged 19 or under, they may be eligible for financial assistance from the government’s Care to Learn scheme. The scheme provides help with the costs of having a child looked after at an Ofsted registered nursery or childminder whilst they study. Learn more at www.gov.uk/care-tolearn

Part

of the University of Bolton Group

FREE College Meals

To receive a free College meal, your son/daughter must be in receipt of, or you must be in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• Support under part VI of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999

• The guarantee element of State Pension Credit

• Child Tax Credit, provided they/you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190 as assessed by HMRC

• Universal Credit with net earnings not exceeding the equivalent of £7,400 per annum.

Your son/daughter is only eligible when they, or you as a responsible adult on their behalf, have made a successful application once enrolled.

*For students who meet eligibility criteria. These details refer to the support available in 2022-2023. Visit www.boltoncollege.ac.uk/ financial-support

Part of the University of Bolton Group

Our promises to you

It’s important to us that we deliver high-quality education that meets the needs of your son/daughter, as well as you as a parent/carer, so here are our promises to you:

• Regular progress reviews

• At least one Parents’ Evening each year

• To be contacted by tutors if there are any issues relating to your son/daughter ’s progress which are causing concern

• The opportunity to provide feedback on the College both informally and by participating in the annual parental survey at Parents’ Evenings

• To be asked to encourage appropriate conduct and hard work at all times.

During their course, your son/daughter can expect:

• A high-quality learning programme

• Regular meetings to discuss progress

• Opportunities to express views about their course and College

• Written work and assignments to be returned promptly, with written feedback

• Opportunities to take part in enrichment activities

• Access to confidential counselling and welfare services

• Help with careers information, advice and/or guidance.

10. Part of the University of Bolton Group

What we ask of you

You play a huge role in the success of your son/daughter at College so we ask that, as a parent/carer, you:

• Attend parents’ evenings so that we can keep you updated on the progress of your son/daughter.

• Keep track of your son/daughter’s progress in College via your Parent Portal account – learn more on the next page.

• If a work or industry placement is part of your son/daughter’s study programme, ask them to think about where they’d like this to be, that way they’re prepared when they join us – read more on page 14.

• Encourage your son/daughter to think about plans for the future; what’s next after College - university, employment, a higher Apprenticeship?

• Lastly, check in with your son/daughter to ensure that they’re happy here and are making the most of college life.

We ask that your son/daughter:

• Makes the most of the opportunities available here.

• Works hard to achieve their potential.

• Comes prepared for learning.

• Attends classes on time.

• Shows respect to others. Part of the University of Bolton Group

11.

Our College Charter details our promises to you in full. To read more click here

Part of the University of Bolton Group

12.

Portal As a parent/carer of a young person attending Bolton College you’ll have access to our Parent Portal system, an interactive online service you can use to review your son/ daughter’s progress during their time at the College. Parent Portal contains information on: • Personal details • Timetable • Attendance and punctuality • Subject reviews and SMART targets • Progress being made in all courses • Upcoming assessments • Times and dates of meetings • Intended progression details. If your son/daughter joins us we’ll send you instructions on how to register when they start in September.

Parent

Learning & Development Mentors (LDMs)

If your son/daughter joins us, they’ll be assigned their very own Learning & Development Mentor (LDM) who’ll support them throughout their time at College.

Weekly tutorials with their LDM will be part of your son/daughter’s study programme, and their LDM will also be their key point of contact in College. They’ll also be yours too so if you have any issues or concerns, pick up the phone and they’ll be happy to help. Your son/daughter’s LDM will also:

• Help them to stay on track with their course

• Encourage them to explore further study, career and university options

• Ensure they’re prepared to succeed in the world of work

• Support their time at College so they’re successful and happy

LDM Case Study

Kyle’s one of our former students who loved it here that much, he returned to become a Performing Arts LDM!

Kyle knows what he’s talking about when it comes to show business; outside of College he’s appeared in numerous TV shows including Coronation Street, Ridley Road and Cilla.

In College, Kyle shares his experiences with his students, giving them an authentic insight into how the TV industry works.

13.

Part of the University of Bolton Group Check out Kyle’s Whistle Stop Tour of Bolton College.

Preparing for Work Experience at Bolton College

It’s likely that your son/daughter will undertake external work experience as part of their study programme. This will be for a minimum of 30 hours, depending on the course they’re studying, and needs to take place outside of their normal days in College. Work

Preparing for Work Experience

out more about the industry they want to work in.

14.

helping them

•

experience is a great opportunity

to:

Develop their skills

Have a better understanding of the world of work

Find

Part of the University of Bolton Group

Our digital students recently completed a placement at Hewlett Packard – learn more on page 16.

Plan during summer

Encourage your son/daughter to start thinking about what they’ll do for work experience when they join us.

The Work Experience Team

The team will support your son/daughter’s work experience but please encourage them to have a placement in mind when they join us in September. Tell your son/daughter to think about…

WHAT THEY WANT TO DO

This needs to be linked to their studies so they need to approach companies they know are in the business they want to be in.

PEOPLE THEY KNOW

Maybe you have family connections or friends that can put your son/daughter in touch with a suitable placement.

THEIR APPROACH

This will be their first impression with any prospective work experience providers so remind them to be polite, keen and clear about what they’d like to do.

Work Experience will give your son/daughter:

• An understanding of the work environment and what employers expect of their workers

• An opportunity to explore possible career options

• Increased self-understanding, maturity, independence and self-confidence

• Increased motivation to continue study and/or undertake further training

• An introduction to workplace practices

• Enhanced opportunities for part-time and casual employment

• The opportunity to include the employer’s work experience evaluation in future job and course applications

• Opportunities to develop work-related competencies and acquire skills

• The chance to ‘try out’ a workplace.

For any questions about work experience please email: workexperience@boltoncc.ac.uk

15.

Part of the University of Bolton Group

T Level Industry Placements at Hewlett Packard

One of the big benefits of a T Level is a 45-day Industry Placement, giving our young professionals on-the-job experience in the sector they aspire to work in.

Some of our Digital T Level students have been making an impact at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, immersing themselves in the latest digital technologies, learning about networking and discovering the different functions that drive the business – just the experience to kick-start a career in the digital sector.

Click here to learn more about T Levels.

Part of the University of Bolton Group

16.

Industry-Expert Masterclasses

We’re keen to bring your son/daughter’s learning to life with masterclasses from industry experts!

Here are just a few of the professionals we’ve welcomed into College this year…

• Katie-Ann Tracey, a former Bolton College student, popped into College to chat to our travel and tourism students about her success as a Virgin Travel Agent.

• North West Design Studios is one of the top advertising and marketing agencies in the North West – Director Paul Hilton shared his recipe for success with our business students.

• A LinkedIn masterclass with Katie King, a PR, marketing, business and AI expert, who helped our T Level students create show-stopping online profiles, ensuring that when it comes to finding work, employers will sit up and take notice!

• There are plenty of careers to pursue in the Uniformed Public Services and to prove it our students received a visit from Royal Navy chefs, giving them a taste of career opportunities out on the open sea.

• Uniformed Public Services students learnt all about careers in the UK Border Force from Officer Andy Whitehouse.

17.

Part of the University of Bolton Group

Applying for university; writing a personal statement; sitting a job interview – in these situations, participation in our enrichment programme will prove that your son/daughter is successful and well-rounded, with professional and technical skills outside of the classroom.

Your son/daughter will benefit from two types of enrichment:

DEPARTMENTAL ENRICHMENT

This is specific to the curriculum they’re studying, enhancing your son/daughter’s classroom learning. Activities include inspiring trips, meetings with industry experts and visits to leading companies in their sector.

CROSS-COLLEGE ENRICHMENT

This is where your son/daughter will mix and make friends with students from other departments via activities and sports that improve health, wellbeing and confidence.

Quizzes, online or in College, and more. Meeting other students for sessions that aim to relax and ease stress, for example Colour & Chill sessions.

Volunteering and fundraising opportunities.

Fitness sessions, football, dance and more.

Tasters, workshops and visits to enhance your learning.

College’s