East 15 Acting School Loughton: New student induction pack 2013

Student Support Information Guide Loughton Campus

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Welcome to East 15 Acting School, we are delighted you have chosen to study with us & hope you have had a lovely summer.

This guide outlines the main things you need to do during induction week & gives details of the student support services on offer during your time at East 15. It also gives basic information with regards to the protocol of the school.

This induction week is dedicated to introducing you to staff, the facilities and support at East 15 and the University of Essex.

Student Support at Loughton can offer advice and guidance on: • Tuition fees and student funding • Disability support including dyslexia • Counselling • Emergency Hardship Funding (Access to Learning Fund and Temporary Emergency Loans) • Council tax exemption letters • Doctor/ dentist registration

Visa information for international students is available from Student Support at the Colchester campus. If you would like further advice complete the online immigration enquiry form: http://www.essex.ac.uk/immigration/ Please remember, throughout your time at East 15, that if you have a problem, then the sooner you approach us for help, the easier it will be to find you a solution. If Student Support at Loughton cannot assist you with a specific enquiry, they will forward your query to either the Colchester campus or, with your permission, to a relevant organisation.

Student support will be open for drop in enquiries at the following times: Hatfields Campus (Ground floor, Hatfields House) Roding House Campus (first Floor) Monday: 11am - 2pm Thursday: 11am - 2pm Tuesday: 11am - 2pm Wednesday: 11am - 2pm Thursday: Closed Friday: 11am - 2pm Appointments are available outside of these hours for students who need to discuss any issues in confidence. To book an appointment or request further information please: Call: 02085085983 ex 46 or Email: Loughton@essex.ac.uk Best wishes Student Support Loughton Campus

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Tick List of things you should have already done (If you have not already done any of the things listed below & require assistance, please contact student support) Found somewhere to live Organised fees/funding Opened a student bank account Planned your budget Applied for a Visa (If an overseas student)

Tick list of things to do at East 15 during induction week Attend registration -.This is where you will officially become a student with the University, and it is essential you attend this. Times of your specific registration can be found on the “times sheet” provided.

Attend the range of talks organised. These talks will inform you of some of the services available to you at East 15. Times of your specific talks can be found on the “times sheet” provided.

Locate your pigeon hole - Pigeon holes can be found in the Hatfield’s’ reception.

They are organised by surname, and must be checked once a day for important letters and packages which you may have received.

Log on to your Essex email account - To use your account you need your university username and password which is printed on your student card. Please ensure you change your password, as soon as prompted, to avoid being locked out of your account. You must check internal E-Mails on a daily basis; this is how your course directors will contact you with audition opportunities as well as other important information. If you are having trouble accessing your emails please visit the library for assistance or call 01206872345 Locate your course notice board - Each course has their own notice board which can be located in the main Hatfield’s house. Please check this on a daily basis for updated information.

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Tick list of things to do outside of East 15 during induction week Register with a local doctor and dentist Whilst studying with us, many students find they need medical and dental care.

If you have not already registered with a local practice, this can then delay the treatment required. Whilst this may not feel like a priority at the moment, it is important to be organised for future eventualities. You can register once you have a local address but please be aware that there may be many students wishing to register at the same time and so it is advisable to telephone ahead, rather than just turning up and expecting to register.

Doctors At present there are three Doctors surgeries in Loughton that take new patients with an IG10 postcode only. If you are having problems registering or your postcode is not IG10, then please telephone: 01255 206000 to find out which surgeries in your area are taking on new patients.

Forest Practice, 26 Pyrles Lane, Loughton IG10 1SZ Telephone: 020 8508 4580 Loughton Health Centre, The Drive, Loughton IG10 1HW Telephone: 08444 778738 (Call Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday for registering) Traps Hill Surgery, 25 Traps Hill, Loughton IG10 4NX Telephone: 0870 417 3100 If you are an overseas student and studying at a UK institution on a full-time basis for a period in excess of six months, then you are entitled to free NHS medical care and can register with a doctor as normal.

Dentist Please find below 2 local dental surgeries. Student Support at the Loughton Campus also holds a comprehensive list of all other dentists in the surrounding area.

NHS dentists in the Loughton area include: 138 Church Hill, Loughton Telephone: 020 8508 4205 Broadway Dental Clinic, 80 The Broadway, Loughton Telephone: 020 8508 4433

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Council Tax Exemption Council Tax is charged by the Local Authority on properties in England, Scotland and Wales to help pay for local services. As a full-time registered student, you will not be required to pay council tax, however you are not entitled to this exemption until you register as a student with us. If you move into your property before your course begins, then you will have to pay for the time that you are not a student. This is unavoidable. We have had students who, mid-term, get court summons from the council for non-payment and you do not want this stress happening to you during the term! Once you have registered please collect your council tax exemption certificate from the student support office and take it/post it to Epping Forest District Council (Civic Offices, High Street, Epping, Essex CM16 4BZ). (If you require other letters during your time at East 15, please visit the following website to make the request https://www.essex.ac.uk/studentdocs/

Transport for London Oyster card Travel Discount Scheme o The Oyster card is a form of electronic ticketing used on public transport services primarily within the Greater London area. o You “top up” the oyster card (Much like you would a pay-as-you-go mobile phone) at “oyster stations” located at all Underground stations. o Travelers must “touch in and out” on the yellow circular reader on the automated barriers at London Underground stations at the start and end of each journey (If you do not “touch out” you will be charged extra). o Tram stops and buses also have readers on the driver/conductor's ticket machine, but you only need to “touch in” not “touch out” otherwise you will be charged twice.

The Student Discount scheme provides a discount on travel cards for the bus, tube, Croydon Tramlink, Docklands Light Railway and National Rail in London for students aged 18 or over who are enrolled on a full-time course. East 15 is a registered establishment for this scheme, so students wishing to apply for student discount may apply online (www.tfl.gov.uk).

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Religious Life The University of Essex is a secular institution and does not give preference to any one religion or belief over any other or to people with no religion or belief. The University recognises that a wide variety of religions and beliefs are represented on campus and will seek to ensure the availability of facilities and opportunities for worship for staff and students.

Student Support Services Most students need support or guidance from time to time & student support is a good place to start. The student support service offers confidential advice and information to help you through your time at East 15.

In student Support, friendly & professional staff provide advice, guidance and information on a full range of issues affecting students. Advice is confidential; however, there are some circumstances when we are required to disclose information, you will be informed if this is the case.

We work closely with other support services on and off campus to ensure that support is available and accessible to all students if and when they need it.

Funding & money As a student you may need some advice about sources of funding or money management. A specialist adviser will be available to answer questions in induction week (check your times sheet) our funding advisers administer hardship funds including the access to learning fund (ALF). If you need more advice, please visit our website http://www2.essex.ac.uk/stdsup/funding/fu ndingintro.shtm or you can telephone 01206 872366 or email ssofund@essex.ac.uk for further advice.

Health and wellbeing University can be a stressful experience & support is available. We have a counselling service as well as mentoring schemes and other support networks. Student support can also provide health and wellbeing information about things like National Health Services, drug and alcohol issues and anxiety regarding studies.

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Disability, dyslexia and mental health The disability service in student support co-ordinates support for: Autistic Spectrum Disorders Dyslexia Hearing impairment Mental Health Physical impairment Visual impairment Other disabilities We can give you information about issues such as: Assessment of need Assessments Financial Support Learning Support Please be aware that support arrangements do not happen automatically - even if you were assessed at school, the school will not pass that information on, so you need to notify us of your needs as soon as possible. We may need to assess you if you do not already have evidence of your diagnosis and we will also need some time to put suitable support in place. To ensure you have the help you need to be successful in your studies, you should make contact with the Student Support Service before you arrive or as soon as possible after the start of the academic year.

Once we have evidence of your disability, reasonable adjustments and learning support can be put in place. If you have dyslexia, you will also be entitled to coversheets for your assignments. These advise what consideration you are to be given for your written work in light of difficulties. You can attach them to your coursework when you hand it in. If you'd like us to notify your tutors of your needs, please complete and sign a confidentiality agreement. We can then make them aware of any reasonable adjustments they should make for you.

Assessment for specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia If you have not already been assessed and if you have reason to believe you might be dyslexic, you should call into Student Support to discuss this. If after the discussion it is felt you would benefit from a formal assessment, the University will often be able to arrange this for you (there may be some restrictions on funding for overseas students for a full assessment) A formal assessment is very thorough and usually takes about two hours. The assessor will be friendly and helpful and you should not worry about going to see them. The University will receive a copy of the report, usually within a couple of weeks of your assessment. You will then be offered a feedback appointment to discuss the findings of the report and any support that has been recommended.

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Important things to know & remember now you are here Keep contact details up to date on the University Website in MY ESSEX Check your emails frequently – it may include a number of messages that only apply to Colchester but it may also include casting opportunities Check the digital signage for the latest timetable and room information All written work to be submitted by the given deadline, to the Library at Hatfields by 4pm (Signature will be required) Stationery - You need your own! The office staff are under strict guidelines not to hand out stationery of any kind - this includes borrowing sellotape, staplers and pens, even for “a few seconds”. Please do not ask them, as your request will be refused.

Lost property - Due to the sheer volume of property that is left lying around campus, we no longer have the facilities to contain it. Please take good care of your things and mark all items with your name accordingly. Any valuables found (phones, wallets, glasses etc) will be held at Reception at Hatfields.

Photocopy cards – Each year you will be issued with 400 credits to be used with the photocopier. If you require more credits, or lose your card, please visit student support, where new cards can be purchased.

Lockers – lockers can be rented from our campus Supervisor (Graham Cushway) with a deposit of £10, which you will be reimbursed when you return the key. Lockers will be rented from the box office during induction week; Specific times can be found on the “times Sheet” provided Printer credits –To purchase credits please visit https://www2.essex.ac.uk/secure/cs/printcredits . You can buy between £1 - £20 of printer credits & each page of print costs 5p Parking – due to the size of our campus and the number of students, we cannot offer parking facilities to students. If you need to drive to school, please park on the road outside East 15. If you have a blue badge or you have a medical condition which you believe entitles you to disabled parking, please contact our campus supervisor to find out if you would be eligible for a permit. Any cars parked on the campus with-out a permit will be clamped.

PCC – Professional Code of Conduct, see http://www2.essex.ac.uk/academic/students/pgt/pgroa/PGT%2009-10/East%2015%20PCC_09.pdf for more details Post graduate change of course applications need to be submitted online by 31 January Post graduate Module options need to be confirmed online by the beginning of Term 1 Post graduate module options - dissertations need to be confirmed by the end of Term 2 If during you time at East 15 you require a reference, please visit the following link where details can be found. http://www.essex.ac.uk/minute/apd20032004/appS04/Appendices.htm#appA

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Absences Part of how we teach you to be a professional is to make sure you understand the importance of turning up on time and properly prepared. We do this by having very strict rules on absence or lateness. If you miss more than three classes in a subject in any term, without having first sought permission to be absent or late via a “green slip”, you will fail that subject. In most cases, that means you will have to redo the entire year. By “missing class”, we include being late: 

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Students who arrive after a class has started will not be permitted to participate in the class and will be marked absent. Students may be required to observe the class, subject to health and safety considerations, but will still be marked absent.

Students arriving after a rehearsal or technical construction session has started may be permitted to participate in the rehearsal or construction session, subject to health and safety considerations, but will still be marked absent.

For undergraduates only, the PCC will be used in the first term of the first year solely for the purpose of providing guidelines for the student to begin to learn appropriate professional standards.

Authorised Absence Procedure (Green slip) If you need to have time off for a legitimate reason (eg Doctor’s appointment, compassionate leave, etc) you should: 1. Obtain a Green Slip before your absence from Student Support which will be dated and annotated with reason for absence.

2. Request your Head of Year to sign the Green Slip (if Head of Year is unavailable, the tutor for the lesson may sign). (If Heads of Years/tutors feel the reason is not valid, or it would interfere with an important class they are not obliged to agree to the absence) 3. Before the date of the proposed absence the green slip must be handed to student support.

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East 15 Library opening hours: Monday to Friday 10.30am – 2.00pm 2.30pm – 4.30pm 5.00pm - 8.30pm (Please note: the library is closed between 4.30pm and 6.30pm on Fridays) IT Support operates during the above opening times until 6.30pm

Saturday Library 12.00pm – 3.00pm

Hatfields Campus Map

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Safety in the Loughton area (Please take a moment to read the following advice from our Campus Supervisor, Graham Cushway) Whilst crime levels are falling in the London area and Loughton is far from a hot spot for street crime, it is sensible to take a few precautions to reduce the likelihood of you becoming a victim of street crime.

The following are a few suggestions that will help. Many are simple and common sense.

It is not an exhaustive list but is aimed at helping you give thought to your personal circumstances.

Ensure that you are aware of what is going on around you. This is particularly relevant when leaving a venue such as the campus, a pub, a tube station, a bus stop, an ATM. Some robbers will wait at such locations and follow their victim away for a short distance.

Things that affect your awareness would include: having consumed too much to drink, (a major factor) listening to an iPod or using a mobile phone.

Keep valuables out of sight – including wallets in back trouser pockets, purses and other valuables sitting in the top of open bags, MP3 players (including earphones - iPods have nice bright white wires, advertising that you have an expensive item) Carry your laptop in a bag not obviously designed for it (a standard backpack for example) In crowded areas [pubs/clubs, underground trains etc] keep valuables secure in buttoned / zipped pockets. Don’t leave bags/coats hanging over the backs of chairs. (Many pubs have hooks below the rim of tables/bars to hang bags these days) Try to stay in well lit areas – when leaving Hatfields at night, for instance, stay nearer the main road (and lighting) as opposed to walking near the undergrowth of the service road.

Try not to walk alone at night, if possible.

If you become suspicious of somebody, try to return to a busier area/street – a pub, the campus. Call police. If not possible, you might decide to draw attention to yourself (and the suspect) – call out for ‘help’ or ‘police’ at the top of your voice.

If all else fails and you are confronted - you may decide to hand over the goods. Cash and valuables can be replaced. If have previously made a note of model and serial numbers, it’s easier to make an insurance claim and there’s always a chance the thief will be identified by it at a later date.

The following may be of interest: http://www.met.police.uk/crimeprevention/index.htm http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime-victims/how-you-can-prevent-crime/studentsafety/?version=2

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Notes

East 15 Acting School, Hatfields, Rectory Lane, Loughton, Essex, IG10 3RY 02085085983 East15@essex.ac.uk