Parent & Carer Guide This guide outlines the support our students can expect whilst studying here and how we ensure they are safe at college.
Contents Welcome ................................................................. 3 College Dates ......................................................... 4 I'm In ....................................................................... 6 Student Enrichment ............................................ 12 Student Financial Support .................................. 18 Feeling Safe .......................................................... 16 Wellbeing and Mental Health ............................. 17 Careers, Work Experience and Progression ...... 20 Who can students ask for help? ......................... 22
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Welcome to Leeds City College! We look forward to seeing all our students develop and pursue their passions during their time with us; the Student Life team are here to provide a full range of support and opportunities. We would like to give you some information about college life which all our students receive during their time with us. This guide outlines the support our students can expect whilst studying here and how we ensure they are safe at college. We have high expectations of our students and are committed to developing their skills and preparing them for their future careers. By working together we can support students to ensure they access all the opportunities available. We pride ourselves on offering a rewarding and engaging student experience in a respectful and supportive environment.
Andrea Cowans Director of Student Life
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College dates Visit leedscitycollege.ac.uk/ the-college/term-dates We have high expectations of our students, which includes punctuality and full attendance of classes. If your child is unable to attend college, they are expected to call our attendance line on 0800 6520335 and provide their student ID number, reason for absence and their tutor’s name.
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Term dates Last Day
Return Date
Autum Half Term
23 October 2020
02 November 2020
Christmas
18 December 2020
04 January 2021
Spring Half Term
12 February 2021
22 February 2021
Easter Holiday
01 April 2021
19 April 2021
May Bank Holiday
30 April 2021
04 May 2021
Summer Half Term
28 May 2021
07 June 2021
End of Year
27 July 2021
Induction is a great time for students to meet their peers, staff and to learn about the college’s expectations and standards. This year, many of the induction activities will take place online and their tutor will provide them with key information.
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Our values and student expectations: Inspiring Passionate Collaborative Aspirational Celebrate Individuality Respectful
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You can expect to be: • INCLUDED and respected • INSPIRED by your teachers • INFLUENCED by inventive learning experiences • INFORMED of all the opportunities for you to get involved • INDIVIDUALLY supported • INSTRUMENTAL in change by being listened to in innovative learning environments • Supported in INCREASING your potential and making the progress that you are capable of!
We will expect you to be: • IN on time • INCLUSIVE and respectful of all others • INQUISITIVE and take an active part in your learning • INVOLVED in everything you can be – in and out of class • INDEPENDENT • INFLUENTIAL by having a voice in College • Proactive, make INCREDIBLE progress and be the best you can be.
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Student Enrichment We want to encourage our students to have a broad experience at college, try new things and to develop a range of skills which will help them in their future.
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We want students to have fun at college and we also offer trips and events, opportunities to gain social skills, increase confidence, improve communication, broaden their horizons, be inspired and lead healthier lives. The opportunities include: • Social and educational trips • Visiting speakers • Local and national events • Volunteering and social action projects • Duke of Edinburgh Award (within curriculum or as part of a general offer) • Student Leadership opportunities and training • Fundraising • Campaigns • Sports and activities • Student Voice opportunities including EMPOWER
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LCCSU Leeds City College Students’ Union (LCCSU) is an independent organisation, working in partnership with Leeds City College Enrichment Team to improve the education of students, promote student-led activity, and improve the student experience. The aims of the LCCSU are to: • Enhance and improve the education of students • Promote the interests and welfare of students at Leeds City College • Represent, support and advise students • Be a representative between students and the College • Provide opportunity to enhance student employability The LCCSU Officers are elected to represent students and want to work with them to ensure the college experience is the best it can be. Students can get involved by completing surveys, nominating themselves to be a SU Course Rep, joining a student committee or ambassador programme or volunteering with the SU. Student Officers work with senior leaders to make positive change for learners but also organise a range of events and trips to improve the student experience.
RUN BY STUDENTS FOR STUDENTS
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Meet the elected officers for 2020/21 Jenef Ngombo President jenef.ngombo@leedscitycollege.ac.uk Mariamou Jawara Education Officer mariamou.jawara@leedscitycollege.ac.uk Vacancy HE Officer
Katrina Joines Campaigns Officer katrina.joines@leedscitycollege.ac.uk Idrees Akhtar Sports & Societies Officer idrees.akhtar@leedscitycollege.ac.uk Queenie Mark Hor Kit Equality & Diversity Officer Queenie.MarkHorKit@leedscitycollege.ac.uk
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Leeds City College Students’ Union also has a range of societies and activities that students can engage with throughout the year as well as volunteering and leadership opportunities. Our societies include: • Basketball Society
• Deaf Society
• Afro Caribbean Society
• LGBTQ Society
• Football Society
• Debating Society
• Islamic Society Students can get in touch with LCCSU by, Email: su.enquiries@leedscitycollege.ac.uk Twitter: @lcssu Facebook: LCCSU1 Instagram: LeedsCityCollege
For the latest information and for any queries please visit www.lccsu.co.uk
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Student Financial Support At Leeds City College, students facing financial barriers can access a range of support to help them succeed with their studies, including the provision of travel passes and meal cards. Leeds City College also provides assistance with the cost of childcare cover whilst students attend lessons and placements. For eligibility and how to apply, go to: bit.ly/supportfundsandwelfare For further information on 20+ childcare support and how to apply, go to: bit.ly/2J9JknC For further information on Care2learn (under 20) childcare support, go to: bit.ly/2MMwYEh
If students have questions, the Admin Teams and Coaching Tutors can also support students
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Feeling Safe Leeds City College is a safe environment and we have procedures in place to ensure students have an enjoyable learning experience. The Stay Safe team is available to support students with any concerns. We take all concerns seriously, act upon them and offer support through specialist services. Students can talk to their tutor, another trusted staff member in college or click the ‘report it’ button on the student intranet.
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Wellbeing and Mental Health If something in a student’s life is causing them stress or they are feeling unwell, our mental health and wellbeing team are there to provide support. Students can contact their tutor for further support or a trusted member of staff. Many of our staff have had mental health first aid training. Further resources can be found on the Mind Mate website. Students can arrange to meet a member of the team by completing this referral form. The form will only be seen by the counselling and mental health team.
Students can contact us by sending us an email to: mentalhealthandcounselling@leedscitycollege.ac.uk
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The team helps students to explore the different options available to them. These may be in college or through an external organisation such as their GP, The Market Place, Leeds Mind etc. College can offer up to six sessions of mental health support or counselling. We also have the Active Body, Active Mind programme to promote mental health and wellbeing through sport and physical activities. In addition, Leeds IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) team will be available at Park Lane Campus. It is a free service for people aged 17 and over to help students deal with stress, anxiety, and depression. If students are worried about their mental health, it is a good idea to make an appointment to see a GP. It can be difficult talking about your wellbeing but there are resources such as bit.ly/doc-ready to help you plan what to say.
To access this service, go to leedsiapt.com to self-refer or call 0113 8434388
Catherine runs wellbeing drop-ins across all campuses where students can access information/signposting/advice on mental health and wellbeing. If students would like some support or are worried about their mental health and wellbeing, they can attend a drop-in to have a chat about how they are feeling and find out what help is available.
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Careers, Work Experience and Progression We provide an impartial careers service to help students plan their future and achieve their career goals. We offer drop-in sessions at Quarry Hill, Park Lane and Printworks campuses, open to all students, or students can book a careers guidance appointment by emailing studentadvice@leedscitycollege.ac.uk
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We also plan a number of careers events throughout the year, such as the Higher Education Fair and jobs fairs. All full-time students undertake work experience as part of their course either in Leeds City Region or in a European country. This may be a substantial industry placement, European work placement, work taster, simulated work environment or social action project. Students can speak to their tutor to find out what type of work experience they’ll be taking part in. If the work experience team is working with a student’s group, they will come to their class to deliver an information session and will work with students to either find a placement to match their interests or support students with finding their own placement.
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Who can students ask for help? Coaching tutors are students’ first point of contact with any queries. If you need to speak directly to a member of the Student Life team, here are the email addresses for the different departments.
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Safeguarding: safeguarding@leedscitycollege.ac.uk Careers and Work Experience: studentadvice@leedscitycollege.ac.uk Mental Health and Wellbeing: mentalhealthandcounselling@leedscitycollege.ac.uk Welfare: welfare@leedscitycollege.ac.uk Student Enrichment: Student.Engagement@leedscitycollege.ac.uk Student Funds: supportfund@leedscitycollege.ac.uk (Contact across all campuses is Robert Pattison) Childcare Advice: ChildcareAdvice@leedscitycollege.ac.uk (Contact across all campuses is Karen Crabtree)
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If you have any questions, please contact us on 0113 386 1997 All parents and carers should have been provided with a telephone number on enrolment. By email contact@leedscitycollege.ac.uk Or by webchat! leedscitycollege.ac.uk/contact /leedscitycollege @leedscitycoll @leedscitycollege @leedscitycoll Leeds City College