REAL SKILLS FOR WORK
COURSE HANDBOOK 2013 – 2014
USEFUL INFORMATION Candidate No.
College Tel. No.
Personal Tutor
Family details/dates
Special College /dates
Hospital/dates
Tutorial dates
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BOSTON COLLEGE BTEC INTRODUCTORY DIPLOMA IN VOCATIONAL STUDIES COURSE HANDBOOK Section 1 WELCOME The course is an introduction to working in a variety of vocational areas. It introduces you to the type of jobs available, the skills and qualities needed. This qualification could lead to employment. It could also lead to further study which would open more opportunities in your vocational area. You may find that when you first start your course there is a great deal of information to take in at once. In your first week you will have a full induction of Boston College covering 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 this handbook will help to answer some of your questions. This booklet 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 learner at Boston College.
STAFF Michelle Hoole Ashok Kumar Kaye Willis Jan Sawyer Matt Daniels Emma Hill Kirsty Garwell
- Head of Curriculum - Programme Area Manager - Placement Co-ordinator - Co-ordinator of Real Skills for Work - Tutor - Tutor - Tutor
You will also be taught by a variety of lecturers with specialist skills. Others: __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
YOUR PERSONAL TUTOR All full-time and some part-time learners have a Personal Tutor. Your tutor will welcome you to the College, help you to settle in and be there to give you help and information. Your tutor is usually your first point of contact with the College and your main source of help. You will meet your tutor every week, as part of a group session or for a one-to-one discussion and review of your progress.
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It is important that you attend your tutorials as they will support you and make sure you get the most out of College. You will meet your tutor at Induction. The Induction programme introduces you to staff, other learners, your course and the College. A more detailed description of the tutor’s role can be found in your handbook.
Section 2 QUALIFICATION AIM BTEC Diploma in Vocational Studies aims to give an introduction to working in vocational areas which help either the work environment or further study.
COURSE FRAMEWORK During this course you will be completing units of work within an allocated time and then you will be assessed on these units in the form of an assignment for each unit. You will receive help in completing these assignments. Details of the content and the order of the modules you will be studying are given, but it is essential to stress the importance of building on and linking all the knowledge as the course progresses. This is a one year full-time course. Some of these units are general. However, there are also units which are specific to vocational areas. In order to gain the award you will need to successfully complete: A Pass in all assignments. Have good attendance
You will also be studying: Functional Skills in Maths Functional Skills in ICT Functional Skills in English There is a requirement that you attend work placement. This is organised by the work experience co-ordinator.
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Being Prepared There is an expectation that you will come to College prepared to learn. This involves: Having equipment for the class  Having equipment for workshops, if applicable If there is a financial reason you cannot be prepared you must discuss this with your tutor. 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. Learners have access to workshops and the study support service and are encouraged to work at their own pace. The responsibility for achievement rests with you.
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 Learners are required to attend ALL CLASSES and tutorials on the timetable with a minimum attendance of 92%. Make non-urgent appointments for Doctors/Dentists and holidays out of College hours. Attendance is monitored by registration on a session basis.
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ATTENDANCE MONITORING We want you to be successful on your course and to achieve your qualifications. It is therefore important that you attend all classes as good attendance is the key to being successful. The Attendance Monitor will work with you and your Tutors to promote good attendance. What will they do? offer support if you are having problems which affect your attendance refer you to Learner Services who can help with a range of personal problems and barriers to learning and attendance refer you to your Tutor who will discuss your attendance and take action where appropriate What can you do? Avoid unnecessary absences, for example, by making appointments outside College hours Inform the Attendance Monitor if you are going to be absent for any reason Telephone (01205) 365701, option 2, or e-mail absent@boston.ac.uk, or text “BCABSENT” to 88020. Texts are charged at standard network rate. This information is also on the back of your ID badge Please remember to give your name, ID number and reason for absence The Attendance Monitor is: Gail Bevan
REQUIREMENT Punctuality is vitally important. Learners are expected to attend classes, rehearsals and performances on time and should be appropriately dressed (see Clothing section). Learners who habitually turn up late to practical classes may be asked to sit and make notes, write them up and hand them in at the next practical class. For more information on Funding please see leaflet provided in induction. ABSENCE PROCEDURE If you are unable to attend College because of illness you need to telephone to let us know before 9.15am, as you would in a job. You will also be required to fill in an Approval of Absence form which can be obtained from your tutor. Extended absences require a doctor’s certificate.
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.
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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.
Section 3 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 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
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 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.
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Section 4 VISITS/WORK EXPERIENCE Throughout your training, you may be offered visits to places of interests 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. Financial Assistance If you have financial difficulties you can apply for help from the College Bursary Fund, 19+ Learner Support Fund or 24+ Advanced Learning Loans Bursary Fund. This may help to meet the costs of: 1 2 3 4 5 6
Travel Books and equipment (16-18, 19+ only) Food (16-18, 19+ only) Specialist clothing required for your course (16-18, 19+ only) Childcare costs whilst at College (19+ and 24+ only) Exams/tuition costs (19+ only)
Some learners aged 16-18 are guaranteed help from the Bursary Fund – this includes: learners living in care recent care leavers learners receiving Income Support or Universal Credit in their own right learners receiving Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment in their own right. For further details please check with Learner Services staff Childcare If you are under 20, you may qualify for Care to Learn payments for childcare costs. Please go to Learner Services for more information, or contact Care to Learn on 0845 600 7979 or visit the website at www.gov.uk/caretolearn
Section 5 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. 8
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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 9
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. At all times you will respect and maintain the confidentiality of all client information.
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.
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RSW 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
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WEDS Week Number Induction Days 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 32 33 34
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Boston College Skirbeck Road BOSTON Lincs PE21 6JF
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