4 Real
Course Handbook 2013 – 2014
Boston College 4 Real Course Handbook
Welcome
The 4 Real programme provides a variety of choices to learners who study from one to five days a week at College. You will study a variety of subjects including Functional Skills. Other areas of study may cover a variety of vocational subjects including: Hair & Beauty, Construction, Motor Vehicle, Young Apprenticeship in Sport or Hair. In addition to these you will also study supplementary qualifications including BTEC Certificate / Diploma in Vocational Studies. These qualifications could lead to employment opportunities or further study at post 16. Please note your ability to choose a vocational course (underlined) will depend on your start date on the 4 Real course and your assessed ability. In your first week at Boston College you will have a full induction which will lead you through all of the important aspects of the course and College life. Your tutors will be there to answer any questions you may have, but we hope that this handbook will help to answer some of your questions. This handbook is to be used with the Boston College Learner Handbook which will give you more general information about what will be available to you as a student at Boston College. Further information can be found on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) which you will be able to access after induction Staff Head of Curriculum: Michelle Hoole Programme Area Manager: Ashok Kumar Lecturers: Matt Daniels, Kirsty Garwell, Emma Hill, Jan Sawyer
Your personal Tutor and Individual Learning Plan Tutor
All 4 Real learners will have a Personal Tutor. Your tutor will introduce you to the College, help you to settle in and generally be there to give you help and information. Your Tutor is usually your first point of contact with the College and a source of help. You will meet your Tutor every week, usually as part of a Tutor Group but sometimes for a one to one discussion or review of your progress on the course. You will meet your Tutor at your College induction. The induction is designed to introduce you to your Tutor, other members of your group and other teaching and support staff. Below are a range of qualifications that you may study and their GCSE equivalent Qualification Aims Qualification
Grading system
BTEC Certificate in Personal and Social Development BTEC Certificate in Engineering (L1) Functional Skills Maths Functional Skills English BTEC Level 1 Diploma in Construction Certificate in Vocational Studies (L1) BTEC Level 2 Extended Cert in Sport Hair & Beauty
Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
Functional Skills ICT (Pass) Level 1 = D to G at GCSE Level 2 = A to C at GCSE 20% = 1 GCSE
Course Framework During this course you will complete several qualifications, most of which are split into units. To achieve each qualification you must pass all units. To pass each unit you will complete an assignment which will be assessed. You will be given support when completing the assignments. You may attend the 4 Real course for up to 2 years depending on when you start (year 10 or year 11) There is a possibility that you can attend work experience, this will be arranged by College or your school, whichever is applicable.
Teaching The teaching is carried out by qualified and experienced professionals. In the classroom the teaching is a mix of formal lessons and individual research; role plays, discussion and group work.
PROGRESS REPORTING Parents Evenings Parents are invited to visit the College regularly to find out more about your course, how you are progressing, options after your course has finished routes and any other details. There will be an opportunity to speak to key staff as well as your Personal Tutor. Progress Parents are encouraged to visit the College with or without their son/daughter to discuss progress with your Personal Tutor and teaching staff. Reports All College learners are assessed by the course team at the end of November to confirm continuation onto the full programme. If there is any doubt as to suitability to continue, learners and parents will be consulted in December.
ATTENDANCE As a learner you are required to attend all classes and tutorials, if you are unable to attend College, due to sickness for example, a parent or carer should call and inform College on your behalf. Make non urgent appointments for doctors/dentists etc out of College hours wherever possible. Your attendance is monitored by registration at the start of each lesson. Learners on the 4 Real programme are not allowed to leave the College site unless permission is given by parents or carers, a letter of consent must be given for each occasion. Boston College has a legal duty of care to Key Stage 4 learners meaning that we must know where you are at all times.
Punctuality and organisation You must be punctual for all classes and bring all equipment/work etc for lessons. PLAGIARISM The use of other people’s work and the submission of it as though it was your own is known as plagiarism (plagiarism means theft of other people’s ideas). Any work forming part of an assignment, project, test or other assessment must be your own and must not contain any plagiarised material. Evidence of plagiarism will result in failure of the assessment. Any new assessment arrangement will be given with a strict completion date. You will also be subject to the College’s disciplinary proceedings. If you wish to quote material from a textbook or other source then this should be referenced in your assignment. Your subject lecturer or Personal Tutor will show you how to do this.
4REAL CALENDAR 2013-2014 W/C 02-Sep 09-Sep 16-Sep 23-Sep 30-Sep 07-Oct 14-Oct 21-Oct 28-Oct 04-Nov 11-Nov 18-Nov 25-Nov 02-Dec 09-Dec 16-Dec 23-Dec 30-Dec 06-Jan 13-Jan 20-Jan 27-Jan 03-Feb 10-Feb 17-Feb 24-Feb 03-Mar 10-Mar 17-Mar 24-Mar 31-Mar 07-Apr 14-Apr 21-Apr 28-Apr 05-May 12-May 19-May 26-May 02-Jun 09-Jun 16-Jun
MON
TUES
WEDS Week Number
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19
15 16 17 18 19 20
20 21 22 23 24 25
21 22 23 24 25 26
26 Holiday 27 28
27 28 29 30 31
29 30 31
32 33 34
1 2 3 4 5 6 Half Term 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Christmas Christmas 15 16 17 18 19 20 Half Term 21 22 23 24 25 26 Easter Easter 27 28 29 30 31 Half Term 32 33 34
THURS
FRI
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1 2 3 4 5 6
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
16 17 18 19 20 21
14 15 16 17 18 19
22 23 24 25 26 27
20 21 22 23 24 25
28 29 30 31 32
26 27 28 29 30
33 34 35
31 32 33
COLLEGE CALENDAR 2013/2014 2013 September 2nd September 3rd September 26th October 3rd October 8th October 10th October 16th October 21st – 25th October 29th October 30th & 31st November 5th November 7th November 14th November 15th December 19th
Autumn term starts. Learner Services Induction week Spalding Enrolment Higher Education Fair at BCUC HE Parents’ Briefing ‘Going to University’ BCUC Spalding College in Action Boston College in Action Volunteer Fair at BCUC Half term HE Open Event Parents’ evenings School Taster day Boston College in Action Spalding College in Action Closing date for UCAS applications (internal) End of Autumn term
2014 January 6th January 23rd February 6th February 11th February 17th - 21st March 3rd - 7th March 4th & 5th April 4th April 22nd May 5th May 26th June 10th June 12th June 26th
Spring term starts HE Open Event Boston College in Action Spalding College in Action Half term for learners Careers week Parents’ evenings End of Spring term Summer term starts Bank Holiday Bank Holiday Spalding Open Event (Information) Boston Open Evening (Information) Summer term ends
Note Any learner taking holidays outside of holiday periods will be considered absent from the course. Learners receiving support from the College Bursary Fund need to be aware that they will not be paid for holiday periods taken outside the academic breaks.
VISITS / WORK EXPERIENCE Throughout your course, you may be offered visits to places of interest in order to enhance your study. These may include visits to support your vocational option, or part of an enrichment programme. Educational visits are usually subsidised by Boston College, but you may be expected to contribute.
SUPPORT SERVICES
The College Mission Statement The College Mission Statement describes the type of College we provide for all our learners and staff. ‘to be a brilliant college that transforms people’s lives and makes an outstanding contribution to the economic, social and cultural life of Lincolnshire’. All learners at the College attend voluntarily so there is not a set of ‘College Rules’. We do however have a range of policies which describe the standards we expect and what we offer in return. To access all the learner related policies and procedures please look on Moodle, or ask your Personal Tutor for details. Learner Services As a learner your tutor will usually be the first person you go to for help and advice. However, in Learner Services there are specialist staff that can provide the following help, guidance and support: Careers Advice Progress to other courses Help to stop smoking Health Advice Referral to external issues
Confidential Counselling Service Contraception advice Education Maintenance Allowance (Post 16) Help and advice on disability related issues …. And many other areas!
POLICIES At the College we have a range of policies detailing what the College will offer you and how we ensure high standards are maintained. To access the policies click on the links below. If this is not possible please ask your Tutor to provide you with a copy. Admissions Assessment and Examinations Assessment Malpractice Bullying and Harassment Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance Car Parking for Residential Learners Compliments & Complaints Procedure Computer Services Unit: Code of Conduct and Practice and Equality Impact Assessment Coursework / Self Study Drugs and Alcohol Financial Support for Learners Functional Skills Hall of Residence Disciplinary / Sanctions Higher Education Admissions Induction Code of Practice Information, Guidance and Support International Student Late Enrolment Learner Attendance Learner Disciplinary Policy and Procedure for Further Education Learners Mobile Electronic Equipment Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Safeguarding Learners Skills for Life and Learning Support Tutorial – Full Time Learners – Appendix 1 Weapons and Search Work Experience Equality and Diversity – see our page on Moodle Examination Policy Students Copy Important Exams Information for Candidates Access arrangements – General Access arrangements – International Students Examination Clashes Conduct of Exams Internal Appeals Procedure – Students Copy Appeals Procedure – Externally Marked Exams
CODES OF PRACTICE Health and safety codes You will need to conform to College Smoking, Drugs and Mobile Phone policies and Car Parking restrictions. Health and safety details will be given to you at induction. For your safety and the safety of others you must follow these rules at all times. Each of your qualifications will also be supported by awarding body policies.
SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT Boston College places a high priority on the safety and wellbeing of our learners. We are committed to creating and maintaining a friendly, welcoming and safe working environment for all young people and vulnerable adults, whether learning is taking place on or off College premises. We have a duty to safeguard all learners, and we will respond immediately if there is a concern that a learner might be the victim of bullying, harassment, abuse or neglect. All staff are trained in safeguarding and there is a designated specialist Safeguarding Team to help with any concerns you might have about your own or someone else’s safety. If you need to contact the Safeguarding Team please go to:
Main reception Learner Services The ‘Stay Safe’ button on Moodle E-mail staysafe@boston.ac.uk
If you need to contact someone out of College hours about safeguarding contact: Children’s Social Care on 01522 782333 In an emergency situation dial 999 and call the police
An important part of safeguarding is making sure only authorised people are on our College premises. Please help us with this by carrying your ID badge at all times and showing it if asked by a member of College staff. At Boston College we respect everyone within the College community. We also emphasise respect for personal property and for the facilities of the College. We therefore, expect learners to work with us to create an environment where everyone feels safe and valued and can work to achieve their full potential.
Boston College Skirbeck Road BOSTON Lincs PE21 6JF