PARENTS ’ COLLEGE GUIDE
WELCOME
As the parent/guardian of one of our future students, hopefully you have already heard about the great facilities, inspirational teaching staff and fantastic success rates we have to offer. Now, through this guide, we want to offer you an insight into College life and hopefully answer any questions you may have. Need more information? Give us a call on 01642 865 566. Our schools team are always happy to help.
ABOUT US STOCKTON RIVERSIDE COLLEGE Our campus offers a wide range of vocational courses, designed to not only teach students the theory, but also offer hands-on experience that will give them the skills to achieve in their future career. We also deliver a wide range of apprenticeships for those who feel ready to enter the workforce and earn while they learn. With courses available from introductory level all the way through to foundation degree, top-up degree and professional courses, many delivered in partnership with Teesside University, students of all ages can learn at a level to suit them.
OUR FACILITIES
Stockton Riverside College site comprises two buildings, alongside a number of subject specific classrooms and personal study areas. Our facilities include; a beauty salon, hairdressing studio, mock aircraft fuselage, science labs, a construction, engineering and design (CED) centre with individual brick, joinery, electrical, painting and decorating and motor vehicle workshops. A spacious learning resource centre (LRC) is situated at the centre of the College, along with a theatre, dance studio, music rooms and dedicated higher education area. We have a fully working kitchen, restaurant, two cafés and a coffee bar.
Café Vert Did you know, Stockton Riverside College has its own restaurant? Having recently undergone a refurbishment, Café Vert has never looked better so you can dine, in style. The all new Café Vert serves delicious meals at fantastic prices and booking times are available throughout the academic year. We also run a variety of themed evenings and events.
The Salon Come along to The Salon and enjoy hair and beauty treatments at great prices, open daily Mon-Fri, plus Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings. To book call 01642 865 453 or for prices and details go to: www.stockton.ac.uk
Margaret Armstrong Theatre Fancy a night at the theatre? Come and see our Performing Arts students in one of the many shows at the Margaret Armstrong Theatre, situated within the Stockton Riverside College Stockton campus. Call the box office on 01642 865 465 (limited opening hours). For more details go to: www.stockton.ac.uk
LRC (Learning Resource Centre)
Science Labs
Cafe Vert
The Salon
Margaret Armstrong Theatre
Student Benefits
Student Bursary
Graded Good by Ofsted we not only offer our students fantastic courses, led by our team of expert teachers, but our students also benefit from: Expert advice with CVs, careers and university applications, wifi throughout College, print credits, student events, trips, enrichment and enterprise activities, gym access, great food at affordable prices, and use of our PCs and Macs as well as IT support.
All students are invited to fill out a finance application form when they apply online: www.stockton.ac.uk
Travel
Careers Service
Getting to College couldn’t be easier. We can offer free travel* to our students aged 16 to 18 when travelling to and from College, either on the local bus service or via our dedicated buses. Plan your route on local bus services to Stockton Riverside College at: www.connectteesvalley.com/Bus
We know how important it is for all students to receive good advice and support when they are thinking about their next steps in further education, higher education, an apprenticeship or employment. Our Careers experts are happy to talk to students, before applying to the College to discuss subject choices, throughout their time with us, and even beyond.
Course Fees
If students are under the age of 19 at the start of their course, there should be no course fees to pay. Need help towards the cost of College? Speak to us about fees, repayments and student loan opportunities.
This will determine whether they are eligible for support with travel, childcare, meals or equipment**. Students can also get an NUS card for ÂŁ12, giving discounts on music, fashion, books, films and much more.
At Stockton Riverside College our high-quality Careers and Progression Coordinators are on hand to help students with advice and support as they plan their future, explore careers, prepare for university or employment.
The College has the Matrix Standard accreditation which confirms the high standard of advice and guidance delivered by the team. We will help to raise your career aspirations and encourage you to reach your full potential by supporting you with your choice of career, learning, work and life goals.
Tutorials Regular tutorials are an essential part of our study programme. These sessions offer students the chance to catch up with their tutor about their individual learning plan which will review their progress and set new development targets. Also within these tutorial sessions we offer students the opportunity to learn about current and important information which will enable them to make informed choices about their lifestyles and staying safe. Here at Stockton Riverside College we work with many professional services who support our tutorial programme including Cleveland Fire Brigade, Red Cross and Motiv8.
English & Maths We take for granted how much we use English and maths skills every day. If a student is under 19 when they start a study programme at College there is a government requirement that they continue to work towards achieving GCSE English and maths, if they haven’t already gained grades 9-4/A*-C. Here at Stockton Riverside College we know how important these skills are to your future success and this is why we are dedicated to supporting all of our students to develop their English and maths skills and pick up the qualifications to evidence this. If a student does not already have an English and maths GCSE grade 9-4/ A*-C, they will continue to work towards these qualifications as part of their main programme of study***. *Conditions apply and subject to change. **Subject to change. ***Unless they are exempt. See condition of funding rules (Department for Education).
Respect Festival 2018
Enrichment We want our students to enjoy their time with us. That’s why, alongside their courses, students are given the opportunity to take part in a variety of enrichment activities, events and trips. The College has a variety of recreational activities which can be informative and fun. We have sport sessions and clubs which students can join throughout the year. Other activities include yoga, first aid, circus skills and sign language and many more which can be developed from student interest. We have many cross College events which include Freshers’ Fair, the Figure It Out Festival, which emphasises the importance of maths and English, The Respect Festival, raising the awareness of equality and diversity, and regular marketplace events which showcases local and national services, employers and universities. A new event, Alright SRC, was launched this spring to promote mental health and well-being. This initiative included student yoga sessions, a dog cuddling station, marketplace events, neurodiversity lessons, physio therapist demonstrations, breast cancer awareness talks and workshops delivered by SAMARITANS aimed at promoting good mental health practices.
Enterprise When it comes to starting work enterprise skills matter. We know that having a good head for business could put our students a step ahead. That’s why across all of our sites we promote a culture of enterprise, encouraging students to engage in fundraising activities, develop employability skills and there’s even the chance for some to launch their own mini businesses.
Logistics Academy The Logistics Academy, is an exciting initiative offering students the chance to learn more about this vital industry. The Academy runs alongside participating students’ full-time study programme and offers the chance to learn about the logistics industry, take part in site visits, work with mentors and gain valuable work experience. The Logistics Academy is a partnership between Stockton Riverside College, Bede Sixth Form, NETA Training, national charity Career Ready, and local employers.
HASNA IS ACCEPTED INTO UNIVERSITY TO PURSUE HER DREAM OF PAEDIATRIC NURSING
Nam e: Hasna Lives: Middlesbrough Aspiratio n: Paediatric Nurse Course: Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education, Early Years Educator
Stockton Riverside College has prepared me for university. They have taught me to write concisely through Harvard referencing, and academic writing. Also, being on placement twice a week not only helped with my personal statement, but it helped me gain insight into the childcare industry and develop core life-skills.
Why I chose SRC... • The course was very fun • The continued support from the amazing tutors • The opportunity to go on placements and develop real-life working skills
Next Steps... Hasna is currently in her second year at university with the hope to qualify as a paediatric nurse. She is looking to pursue a Master’s after her degree to progress further into nursing.
SUPPORT The welfare of all our students is a priority. To ensure their happiness and wellbeing we offer a wide range of student support services, including:
Learning Support Our Learning Support Team are dedicated to making sure our learners receive the support they need. We can arrange a support interview and make sure the appropriate support is put in place. Our aim is to make sure our learners are respected and cared for as individuals and are encouraged and supported to reach their potential at all times. Learning Support services include support for students who are visually impaired, have a hearing impairment, those with mobility issues, dyslexia, autism or any learning or physical difficulty and/or disability.
Health and Wellbeing The College has a team dedicated to your health and wellbeing. If our students need information or advice on anything from financial worries to bullying, sexual health or drug and alcohol misuse, our Welfare and Safeguarding Team are here to help.
Ask the Experts We hold wellbeing events where local agencies visit the College, making it easier for students to get help when
needed with everything from smoking cessation to young carers support. Drop in sessions are available to help students with their mental wellbeing and any financial concerns they may have, all delivered by local professional services.
Safeguarding Ensuring the College environment is safe means we manage the risks to our students and safeguarding underpins the College’s values. We make sure all staff are aware of their safeguarding responsibility and appropriate action is taken to protect you from harm, abuse or neglect. We have dedicated Safeguarding and Welfare Officers who work across sites and liaise with the Local Safeguarding and Children’s Board and other agencies to ensure your child is safe.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion We value the diversity of our College community and we are committed to inclusion for all in everything we do. Equality, diversity and inclusion awareness is promoted throughout the year, including a Respect Festival where students are encouraged to share their experiences. The Respect Festival is our annual equality and diversity celebration which delivers a variety of workshops to raise awareness of diverse lifestyles and cultures.
GCSE GRADING Did you know the GCSE grading system has changed? GCSE Maths and English are graded 9-1 rather than A*-G, with grade 5 considered a good pass and grade 9 being the highest (set above the current A*).
GRADING THE NEW GCSEs
THE NEW GCSE GRADING STRUCTURE FOR SUBJECTS INCLUDING ENGLISH, MATHS AND SCIENCE
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
U
4=C and above
A*
A
B
C
and above
D
E
F
G U
PREVIOUS GCSE GRADING STRUCTURE
If you have any questions about the new grading system please contact a member of staff.
USEFUL CONTACTS Stockton Riverside College Reception Admissions Team Student Bursary Team Welfare & Safeguarding Infinity Restaurant Sports Centre The Salon Margaret Armstrong Theatre Box Office Visit our website: www.stockton.ac.uk Email: info@stockton.ac.uk
ADDRESS Stockton Riverside College Harvard Avenue Stockton-on-Tees TS17 6FB
01642 01642 01642 01642 01642 01642 01642 01642
865 865 631 631 631 373 865 865
400 566 337 327 320 289 453 465