Haringey Sixth Form Centre Parents' Guide 2014

2014/15

Parents’ Guide

www.haringey6.ac.uk

A Message from the Principal Dear Parent/Carer A warm welcome to Haringey Sixth Form Centre. We are pleased that your son/daughter has decided to continue their Post-16 education here with us. We are totally committed to ensuring that they have an excellent student experience culminating in them achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study enabling them to progress to the next phase of their lives.

To this end, our aim is to work very closely with you as parents/ carers, as we know how important a role you play in supporting your son/daughter with their education helping them to achieve their full potential.

We have put together this guide for parents/carers to provide you with the information you need about the Centre so that you are well equipped to give the necessary support to your son/daughter.

We hope you find the content helpful. If you feel that you require any further information please contact Student Services on 020 8376 5851.

We wish all our students every success during their time with us and would like to thank you for your help and support as we work collaboratively to ensure excellent outcomes for your son/ daughter.

June Jarrett Principal

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Contents Address: Haringey Sixth Form Centre White Hart Lane Tottenham London N17 8HR

A Message from the Principal

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Term Dates 2014/15

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Dates for your Diary

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Student Mission Statement & Our Mission

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Successful, Safe & Considerate

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Learning Contract & Code of Conduct

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Post-16 Bursaries

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Telephone Number 020 8376 6000

Centre Bursaries

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Haringey Sixth Form Centre Scholarships

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Fax Number 020 8376 5999

Student Services

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Additional Learning Support

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Counselling & Advice

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Investors In Careers

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Higher Education & Awards

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Careers Advice

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Website www.haringey6.ac.uk

OPENING TIMES

Entitlement to Careers Education & Guidance 11 Tutorial System

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The Centre is open:

Enrichment Activities

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Monday - Thursday 8:30am - 5:00pm

Learning Resource Centre & Study Centres

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Student Welfare

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Data Protection & Sharing Information

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Compliments, Comments & Complaints

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Attendance

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Punctuality

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Disciplinary Procedures

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Serious Incidents

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Fridays in Term Time 8:30am - 4:30pm Parts of the Centre will also be open in the evenings and at weekends to enable use of the facilities by members of the local community.

Information about these times will be available from the Facilities Manager.

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Term Dates 2014/15 AUTUMN TERM 2014 STARTS ENDS DAYS AUTUMN 1 Monday 1 September Friday 24 October 48 HOLIDAY

Monday 27 October

Friday 31 October

AUTUMN 2

Monday 3 November

Thursday 18 December 34

HOLIDAY

Monday 22 December Friday 2 January 2015

SPRING TERM 2015

STARTS ENDS DAYS SPRING 1 Monday 5 January Friday 13 February 30 HOLIDAY

Monday 16 February

Friday 20 February

SPRING 2

Monday 23 February

Friday 27 March

HOLIDAY

Monday 30 March

Friday 10 April

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SUMMER TERM 2015

STARTS ENDS DAYS SUMMER 1 Monday 13 April Friday 22 May 29 HOLIDAY

Monday 25 May

Friday 29 May

SUMMER 2

Monday 1 June

Thursday 9 July

29

HOLIDAY Friday 10 July Tuesday 25 August

TOTAL DAYS AUTUMN TERM 2015 STARTS: to be advised

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Dates for your Diary INSET DAYS (PROVISIONAL)

• Wednesday 19 November 2014

• Friday 19 December 2014

• Monday 5 January 2015

• Monday 6 July 2015

AS TO A2 TRANSITION

• TRANSITION BEGINS Tuesday 9 June 2015*

• TRANSITION ENDS Thursday 25 June 2015* *attendance during the transition period is compulsory

PARENTS EVENINGS

• NEW PARENTS EVENING Tuesday 30 September 2014

• PARENTS EVENING (2nd YEAR STUDENTS) Thursday 6 November 2014

• PARENTS EVENING (1st YEAR STUDENTS) Wednesday 10 December 2014

BANK HOLIDAYS

• Monday 25th August 2014

• Thursday 25th December and Friday 26th December 2014

• Thursday 1st January 2015

• Friday 3rd April and Monday 6th April 2015

• Monday 4th May 2015

• Monday 25th May 2015

• Monday 31st August 2015

020 8376 6000

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Our Mission Haringey Sixth Form Centre will transform the lives of our students through high quality teaching and learning on programmes that inspire them, enabling them to succeed and achieve their goals.

Our Vision To raise the aspiration and attainment of all students by being a Centre of academic and vocational excellence.

What Ofsted Said...

Strengths include:

“Staff are very successful at raising students’ aspirations and widening participation in education.”

“Teachers provide very good support and guidance for students throughout their time at the Centre.”

Outcomes for students:

“Students benefit from a good range of activities which helps prepare them for the adult world.”

“Students have access to good resources to help them plan for their next steps, either continuing in education or going into training or employment.”

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment:

“Students value the high quality support they receive outside lessons which enables them to reinforce new knowledge and skills.”

“The Centre regularly hosts events promoting a good range of progression routes to employment and training alongside university.”

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Successful, Safe & Considerate We encourage our students to be successful by:

• Attending all their lessons on time

• Handing in work on deadline dates

• Co-operating with staff

• Observing the classroom code

We encourage our students to be safe by:

• Getting to know the Code of Conduct

• Showing respect to all

• Wearing their ID at all times

• Taking off hoods and hats in the building

We encourage our students to be considerate by:

• Eating and drinking only in the Refectory

• Using their mobile phone only in the Refectory

• Keeping the corridors clear during lesson time

• Not chewing gum in the building

• Putting their litter in the bin

• Not interrupting other classes

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Learning Contract & Code of Conduct While we keep rules to a minimum we do have a Student Code of Conduct.

This is aimed at making Haringey Sixth Form Centre a warm, safe and supportive place where everyone is treated with courtesy and respect and where everyone can achieve their potential. We therefore have a Student Code of Conduct which your son/daughter is expected to follow.

What the Centre expects from you son/daughter

• To respect the Centre’s building, equipment and materials and help to maintain a first class learning environment • To treat others, including visitors and all Centre members, with courtesy and respect • To accept responsibility for their own learning: to complete work punctually and to the best of their ability; to review their progress regularly with the support of their tutors • To attend the Centre regularly and punctually, letting the Centre know in advance of any known absence or on the day if unable to attend • To observe the Centre’s smoking policy, to refrain from eating and drinking outside of the Refectory area, to refrain from chewing gum on the Centre’s premises • To observe the Centre’s policy on the banning of illegal drugs, alcohol and weapons on Centre premises • To dress in a manner appropriate to a place of work with no head covering to be worn inside the building except for religious reasons • To attend lessons appropriately equipped and to turn off mobile phones in lessons, the Learning Resource Centre, Study Centre and during timetabled activities • To follow Centre policies with particular regard to Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety and Behaviour, Management & Discipline policies

What your son/daughter can expect from the Centre

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• A welcoming and supportive atmosphere which strives to be free from harassment and discrimination • To provide learners with an appropriate programme of study supported with the correct resources • To have access to high quality teaching and tutoring with regular reviews of progress and prompt return of marked work

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Post-16 Bursaries There are two types of bursaries: The first for £1200 per academic year is payable to any student who is leaving care, in receipt of income support or in receipt of Disabled Living Allowance and the Employment Support Allowance.

The second is discretionary and is based on an assessment of family income.

The size of this payment will depend on the fund the government make available to the Centre. We advise all students to submit an application To receive either bursary proof of entitlement will be required.

Payment of the discretionary bursary will be based on the following criteria:

1. Your son/daughter has presented the Contract, which has been

signed by them, you and the Bursary Administrator.

2. Your son/daughter has 100% attendance to classes

3. Your son/daughter has 100% punctuality to classes Any absence will be considered unauthorised, unless there is a valid reason.

Authorising an absence can only be done by your son/daughters teacher. They are allowed up to 3 late entries to class per week (no more than 10 minutes).

The Centre has the right to stop or withhold payments if your son/daughter fails to keep to the terms of the agreement. All bursaries will be paid in termly instalments.

Centre Bursaries As well as the bursaries already mentioned, the Centre is also providing a special bursary of £500 for students joining us with 5 A* at GCSE. This will be paid in 3 instalments, the first of which is in November. If your son/daughter achieves their TMG (target minimum grade) in summer 2015 they will also receive £500 in their second year at the Centre.

Haringey Sixth Form Centre Scholarships Students doing exceptionally well in their final level 3 assessments, whether that be BTEC or A2, will qualify for a scholarship of £1000 to help with the cost of their first year at university.

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Student Services Student Services provides information, advice and guidance services to all our current and prospective students. We work to the nationally recognised standards.

This means we must be:

• Impartial

• Confidential Client focused – based on your son/daughter’s needs

• Transparent

• Accessible

• Deliver a service committed to Equality of Opportunity

Additional Learning Support The Centre provides a full service to any learner requiring help with literacy, communication and numeracy skills. Students with other additional learning needs such as dyslexia will also be provided with appropriate support. We will also help students with the skills of time management and how to study to make sure they get the most out of their studies at the Centre.

Counselling & Advice Your son/daughter’s tutor is there to help if they have a problem. However, if they would prefer to talk in confidence to someone who does not teach them they can see the Student Counsellor. Appointments can be booked with the counsellor in Student Services.

The counsellor can provide general advice and information or counselling. The counsellor will discuss with your son/daughter when and how often they would like to see them. This will give them the opportunity to talk about their problems and explore some of these issues in a safe environment. The counsellor can also put your son/daughter in touch with other organisations or services who could give them more specialist help.

If your son/daughter wants help or advice about money, grants, housing benefits, income support, council tax, health, transport, family issues they can see our Welfare Officer who is based in Student Services.

Investor in Careers Haringey Sixth Form Centre has been awarded the full Investors in Careers Awards in recognition of the quality of careers guidance we provide.

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Higher Education & Awards Making decisions about Higher Education can be a stressful experience, but we have experienced staff that can provide advice and guidance. It is important that your son/daughter keeps to the deadlines that are set for applications to university which is done through the UCAS system.

If your son/daughter is starting the second year of their programme and is intending to apply to university, they will need to apply to their Local Education Authority, to have their tuition fees paid and also to apply for a student loan.

Many students will be eligible to receive a grant to help them with the cost of H.E. [More details of this can be found at www.studentfinancedirect.co.uk]. The opening date for this is usually mid-March. The exact date will be publicised to students. Student Services also has details about loans for university students and your son/daughter will be given advice about how to apply.

Careers Advice The Centre employs its own specialist Careers Adviser. Through our service your son/daughter will be able to receive information, advice & guidance about their career plans and also about other opportunities such as training or apprenticeships. Our adviser can help your son/daughter complete applications for jobs; find training or suitable courses at universities or other colleges, create their CV or personal statement and also with interview techniques. Your son/ daughter does not need to know what they want to do for a job or career to talk to the Careers Adviser.

Entitlement to Careers Education & Guidance Our belief at the Centre is that all students are entitled to Careers Education and Guidance which:

• is independent and impartial

• is easily accessible

• is based on the principle of Equality of Opportunity

• is provided by adults with appropriate Education and Training

• is structured and forms an integral part of students’ overall education

• recognises the contribution of students to their own careers and

development

• recognises the contribution of others, particularly parents and carers,

to this process

• respects the confidentiality of personal information

020 8376 6000

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Tutorial System Your son/daughter will have a personal tutor who will:

• Welcome and introduce them to the Centre

• Meet them individually, at least once each half term, to plan their learning and record and review their progress

• Give them guidance and support to help them succeed

• Advise them about programmes they can progress to both at the Centre and elsewhere

• Advise and support them in career decision making

• Discuss with them any worries they have

• Help them contact other professionals when more expert advice is needed

• Help them to set targets and draw up action plans to achieve them

• Write references for jobs or other education

Enrichment Activities All students are encouraged take part in enrichment; the programme covers a wide range of activities. The activities range from sports to creative writing.

Taking part in enrichment activities may help your son/daughter to develop particular skills in areas in which they may be interested such as producing a student magazine or IT. We also aim to provide opportunities for students to undertake volunteer work both at the Centre and in our local community.

Learning Resource Centre & Study Centres Haringey Sixth Form Centre has a generous amount of space for your son/ daughter to study and learn independently. Not only having a well equipped main Learning Resource Centre (library), there are a number of Study Centres attached across the Centre. In each of these you will find ICT equipment and software and the other specialised resources needed for your son/daughter to succeed in their course. Your son/daughter will also find specialist staff and Learning Mentors to help them make the best use of the Study Centres.

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Student Welfare Our Student Welfare Advisor can be contacted in Student Services where your son/daughter can book an appointment. They will be able to help your son/daughter with matters such as finance and transport. The student welfare service is a confidential service that provides impartial information, advice and advocacy on student welfare matters.

Data Protection & Sharing Information Haringey Sixth Form Centre needs to keep certain information about its employees, students and other users to allow it to monitor performance, achievements and health and safety for example.

In general, the law regards young people under the age of 18 as dependent upon their parents, with parents maintaining responsibility for the actions of their children. However, once a young person has passed the age of 18, they are regarded as fully responsible for their own actions.

We will keep parents informed about issues affecting your son/daughter. There is a particular issue where a learner becomes 18 years of age during their course of study and, in such cases, we believe that it is in the best interests of both the young person and their parent(s) that information on academic performance; attendance etc. is provided to parents.

Consistent with the Child Protection Act and the Data Protection Act 1998, we are not able to ignore an express wish from a learner if he/she does not wish certain information to be released to their parent(s).

Compliments, Comments & Complaints We are always very interested to know what you think about the Centre so we welcome any comments you have to make whether it is positive or negative.

You will be able to email any of these to the Assistant Principal-Curriculum and Quality. As well as this, there is a formal procedure for you to give your comments and this can be requested from Student Services.

020 8376 6000

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Attendance

• We expect 100% attendance at all lessons including tutorials

• If for some reason your son/daughter is unable to attend a lesson/s on a particular day they must phone the Centre on 020 8376 6000 and leave a message; this should be done on each occasion they are away. You may receive a phone call if they do not do this

• On your son/daughter’s return, they should provide evidence of some kind (e.g. a note or doctor’s appointment card) so that their absence can be recorded as authorised

We will continuously check your son/daughter’s attendance particlarly:

- During the first half of the first term; if any of their attendance

is unauthorised they will be required to attend a meeting to discuss

this and if no satisfactory explanation is given, they may be asked to

leave. You would be invited to attend this meeting with your son/

daughter

- In any later 3 week period, if your son/daughter’s attendance falls below 90% for any subject or for their course overall without any good reason, we will start disciplinary proceedings and will inform you. Continuous failure to meet attendance targets will result in your son/daughter being asked to leave

Punctuality

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• We expect all students to be on time for every lesson; if your son/ daughter arrives during the first 10 minutes of the lesson they will be admitted at a convenient time and their lateness will be recorded in the class register • If your son/daughter arrive after the first 10 minutes of the lesson they will not normally be admitted; they must sign in with a member of staff and this will normally take place in the study centre. If they fail to sign in as late, then this will be recorded as an unauthorised absence • Three late marks after the first 10 minutes of lessons in any week will also be recorded as one unauthorised absence.

• Persistent poor punctuality will therefore involve the same disciplinary procedure as for poor attendance

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Disciplinary Procedures Informal Stage Where there are problems with attendance, work and behaviour we will try and solve these through your son/daughters Personal Tutor, in some cases this may lead to a verbal warning.

Formal Stage Where a problem persists, of a more serious nature, or when a serious incident has occurred then the formal disciplinary procedure will be used.

This involves a series of stages.

Stage 1 A formal verbal warning noted in the students personal file. In

some cases they may be placed on report Stage 2 First written warning Stage 3 A final written warning Stage 4 Suspension from the Centre Stage 5 Principal’s hearing with possible permanent exclusion In serious cases, (e.g. violent or abusive behaviour, use of drugs) it will be necessary to move straight to one of the more advanced stages. The Principal too has the power to suspend a student for up to 5 days after which there would be a Principal’s hearing.

The Centre will involve the parents/carers of students if we have serious concerns about them.

Serious Incidents The following are considered as serious offences and the Centre will take immediate action:

• gambling, drug taking and alcohol abuse

• theft, damage to property or buildings

• violent, abusive or aggressive behaviour

• harassment on the basis of race, gender, disability, religion or

sexuality

• deliberate disregard of Centre policies of health, safety and security

• possession of a weapon of any kind Students travelling to and from Centre are expected to behave responsibly.

Justified complaints from transport providers or members of the public could result in disciplinary action being taken by the Centre.

020 8376 6000

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White Hart Lane Tottenham London N17 8HR 020 8376 6000

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