Residential policy

The Residential team are here to support the residential students and ensure their safety and wellbeing.

These are some of the things we do:

• Communicate regularly with parents/carers ensuring a collaborative approach to the progress of our students

• Ensure all students experience a safe and welcoming environment

• Available seven days a week during term time

• Regular cleaning and maintenance of the student accommodation

• Provide pastoral care, support and individual welfare checks

• Offer information and advice to students on various subjects

• Implement a varied Enrichment programme to encourage engagement and develop new skills

• Ensure health and safety requirements are met with regards to the accommodation, student behaviour and all aspects of the residential student experience

Residential accommodation fees

• Provide First Aid and access to medical services when necessary

• Offer support with various aspects of semiindependent living (e.g. using the washing machines)

• Develop student forums and meetings to give residential students a voice within the college

• Manage student behaviour and ensure the college policies are adhered to

• Provide student welfare checks at least twice a day (around 8am and 10pm)

• Security guard and on-call wardens available overnight seven nights-a-week (term-time only)

• Facilitate access to additional support such as the Student Advice team if required

Room allocation policy

Accommodation can be provided for new students subject to meeting the following criteria:

• They have good behaviour records and medical references

• They cannot reasonably travel from home on a daily basis

• They have achieved a position on a full-time study program at the college and an academy place

• They are classified as an elite athlete and held in high regard by the academy heads

• They are under 18 at the start of the academic year

• Ability to live independently away from home

For those looking to stay on for a second year the same criteria applies plus the following:

• There were no attendance or punctuality issues in the first year

• Conduct and behaviour in lessons and residential accommodation was satisfactory

• All curriculum work was completed and an offer of continuation is in place

The Residential team may need to reallocate students to alternative rooms during the academic year, if the need arises. In this situation the Residential team will meet with affected students to discuss plans and assess student feedback. Parents/carers and academies will be informed of the final decision.

Students, parents/carers and academies can apply to the residential manager, to request to change rooms. All requests will be considered through consultation with the relevant academy head and tutors.

Students who are over 18

Our residential facility is for 16- and 17-year-old students. We do accept students who turn 18 in the academic year. The age is as at 31 August. The Residential team will support over-18s to find suitable off-site accommodation where possible.

Residential fees are based on the costs incurred by the college to accommodate the students on-site

Mission, vision and values

Here at Oaklands College our Residential team all work within our mission, vision and values to focus on ensuring that our residential students have the best possible experience during their time with us, and are well prepared for their future when they leave.

Our Vision

We are committed to providing an amazing experience with outstanding learning so our students are ready to take on the world. This applies to all our students within the college and we take it very seriously within the Residential team. We want our students to enjoy their studies and stay with us - whilst ensuring that they are positively enabled, both academically and in terms of their personal and social development as young adults.

Our Mission

To provide the opportunities and support to ensure our communities reach their full potential.

Our Values

Achieving student success through:

• Pursuing Excellence

• Working Together

• Being Open and Honest

• Valuing Diversity

• Being Innovative

We work closely with our academies to ensure that all of our values are considered when allocating rooms, planning enrichment and developing activities for our students and providing welfare supports.

Valuing Diversity

• Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds, locations, cultures and abilities

• We understand our students and what their specific needs are

• We understand that moving away from home is a challenge and can be both an exciting and stressful time. By understanding our students, we can work with individuals to make it a positive and beneficial experience

Being Open and Honest

We will always be honest and open with our students. Ways we are open include:

• Communication via our newsletter

• We welcome feedback from students, parents and carers

• Regular open forums and feedback meetings

• 1:1 meetings with students - planned and ad hoc - just ask and we are there

• Open door policy for students to access Residential Staff during working hours and on call workers available outside of these times

Being Innovative

We are always looking to develop and improve our provision by being innovative to enhance the experience of our students.

• Enrichment - activities for fun and personal development

• External Speakers - to inspire and educate

• Opportunities for volunteering/mentoring

• Continuous development of the Residential Service based on student, staff and parent/ carer feedback and experience

• Tailored individual support plans for students with additional needs

Pursuing Excellence

• Our students are generally athletes but have a main academic focus - we want to promote excellence across both areas of student life

• We work closely with academic and academy teams to understand the requirements of training and deadlines for other work

Working Together

The Residential team takes an inclusive approach and works with all departments across the college, these departments include:

• Student Advice and Welfare

• Enrichment

• Facilities

• Finance

• Curriculum and Academy

• Catering

We aim to work with all the college teams to ensure the best possible experience and opportunities for our students. We also work with external agencies to provide extended opportunities for our students.

• We meet with students regularly to catch up on their academic progress to ensure that they are working towards achieving their personal target grade

If you have any comments or suggestions about how we can improve our provision and service to the students, please feel free to contact us.

We hope that we can work together in this forthcoming year to further develop all aspects of residential life, fulfil our mission and help all to succeed.