Parent/carer guide to life at HNC

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Helping your son/ daughter to become their best selves

A parent/carer guide to life at HNC Educate | Enrich | Enlighten

A guide to Level 3 study at HNC for parents/carers of applicants - for 2024 entry

Welcome

As a parent/carer of a student preparing for Level 3 study, we know that you will be keen to support them during this important phase in their educational journey.

As a College we invite applications from students who want to start the process of becoming their

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best selves and believe in our mission, vision and values. We believe the recipe for achieving this is simple - all students who enrol at HNC commit to our ‘non negotiables’ of attending punctually, behaving professionally, and committing completely.

This short guide helps you to understand more about what you can expect as a parent/carer of a Level 3 student, and shares more about how you can support them to successfully transition to post-16 studies.

Level 3 study?

What is meant by Level 3 study refers to the qualification levels at

HNC – we offer A Level and Applied (Level 3) courses.

HNC is a provider of full-time, campus based study for 16-18 year olds. All students who enrol with us will undertake a minimum of three A Levels or equivalent. This can also be a combination of A

As long as they fall within our funded age range (detailed in our Admissions Policy), we can consider their application.

Levels and Applied qualification(s).

College is unlike school in that students will not be

In addition to this, students will have Aspire sessions

College hours of 8.45am – 4.15pm. However, it is

and enrichment sessions timetabled. Attendance at

in continuous face to face lessons during the core important to note that any time a student is not in

these is compulsory.

a lesson we expect them to undertake independent

Eligibility for Level 3 studies is based on your son/

students can expect the same again in work they are

daughters GCSE results. Please note that HNC only offers Level 3 study programmes, and we do not offer study programmes that are designed to enable progression to Level 3. For some students this means the College is not the appropriate place for their current academic profile. However, it is important to note that students are welcome to complete Level 1 and/or 2 studies elsewhere and reapply to HNC.

study. For every hour of face to face teaching, required to complete independently.

This means any part-time working jobs must be considered carefully, and should not interfere with your son/daughter’s studies. Please also note that when a student receives their Year 12 timetable, this may not necessarily be the same in Year 13.

Good to know HNC offers A Level and Applied Level 3 qualifications, which are BTEC qualifications awarded by Pearson. The key difference between A Level and Applied qualifications is the way they are assessed, and Applied qualifications normally involve a greater level of application of theory in a real life context. Applied qualifications translate to UCAS points, and are usually accepted by a vast range of universities, excluding highly traditional universities such as Oxbridge or for very competitive degrees such as Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science.

study programme

Choosing the right

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Research shows that when a student is happy in their

Each of our Pathways have slightly different entry

Our website huddnewcoll.ac.uk has a ‘Pathway

courses, and these support their future ambitions,

criteria, and we strongly recommend that students

tool’ which will show you eligibility for our different

process is all about providing advice and guidance.

they will succeed.

review these against their predicted grades as these

pathways based on your son/daughter’s predicted

Students are not obliged to stick with their application

are what determine which programme of study we are

grades. Staff are also happy to discuss these with you

form choices, and we offer opportunities such as

This of course means that as a College we place a key

able offer ahead of interview. A student’s current level

if needed.

a course change surgery before our course change

focus upon ensuring that we enrol students on the

of academic attainment indicates where they might be

right study programme, so they can genuinely become

best placed at Level 3 to ensure they succeed – this

Some top tips for helping your son/daughter build the

their best selves during their HNC journey.

is why, for example, progressing on to subjects such

right study programme for them:

Finally, don’t panic! The application and interview

window deadline, so they can make the right choices for them.

as A Level mathematics have the requirement for a The admissions interview is a key part of this, and

high GCSE grade. We will only make offers based on

Ensure you use the HNC website to read about

your son/daughter can expect to discuss why they

a student’s predicted (not aspirational target grades)

the courses in full – you can also access video based

have chosen the courses stated on their application

as these best represent what a student will secure

lesson tasters

during their interview. If they are unsure about what

in their final exams, therefore ensuring that as far as

they want to do in the future, please be reassured

possible students can successfully enrol on their study

that this is perfectly normal. In such circumstances,

programme on GCSE Results Day.

Be open to courses you haven’t seen at GCSE, and encourage your son/daughter to explore the

we focus on creating a study programme that is

difference between subjects they have studied at

broad enough to support a wide range of career paths

GCSE and what they look like at post-16, as these are

in the future, giving them time to decide on their

often significantly different at Level 3

vision for the future. All students at HNC receive ongoing careers support, and enjoy a vast range of opportunities to have direct contact with universities, employers and apprenticeship providers.

Our website www.huddnewcoll.ac.uk provides detailed information about each of our courses, information about what they pair well with, and insights into the types of careers they support.

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at interview

What happens

We know the College interview can be exciting and nerve-wracking – sometimes a mixture of the two!

We are transparent about the questions a student will be asked at interview, and encourage them to

prepare answers to these as we believe this enables them to get the very most out of the interview 6

experience.

If your son/daughter has an attendance, punctuality or behaviour record that does not meet our specified entry criteria then they can expect to discuss this with their interviewer. It is not necessarily the case this will lead to a no offer of a place, but we will only make a conditional offer if we believe a student is clearly ready to engage in a full time, campus based education. We do not wish to set any student up to fail and while we provide a wide range of help and supportive challenge, it is important to note that if a student is unable to meet our expectations then their place will be at risk.

Visit www.huddnewcoll.ac.uk/join-us/apply-now/ for further information, including for the list of questions your son/daughter will be asked at interview.

Does your son/ daughter require additional support during their interview?

If you do please contact studentservices@ huddnewcoll.ac.uk

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Transitioning to life

at College

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Students at HNC are treated and expected to behave

However, we understand that students are still

as young adults – this is why our application process

developing into young adults, therefore as a College

looks at current behaviour in school, to make sure we

we provide a range of pastoral, practical and

are offering places to students who we believe will

emotional services. Your son/daughter will benefit

uphold our College values.

from:

Naturally, College offers a greater level of

• A dedicated Progress Tutor, and timetabled Aspire

independence than school – from being able to leave

sessions which cover key life topics such as healthy

campus during lunch and study periods, to ensuring

relationships, and preparing for life beyond HNC

they are accountable for their own attendance and punctuality. In reflection of this status, students are

• A dedicated Student Wellbeing service, which offers

not required to wear a uniform and may call their

students help and support that equips them to deal

teachers by their first name.

with life’s challenges

This is within clear boundaries. College expectations

• A safeguarding team, who will work with external

are made explicit, with clear consequences for when

agencies as necessary

these are not met. We would also highlight that we are a smoke and vape free campus. Students must also

Our ultimate aim is that students leave us as resilient,

wear their membership badges at all times, and report

well rounded young adults who are ready for the real

any unavoidable absence by 9am.

world and taking their next steps with confidence.

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Making the transition to

Level 3 studies

Your son/daughter’s current teachers may talk about

• We carefully track and monitor all students, with

HNC is a large and busy College, educating an

the ‘step up’ to post-16 study, and this is definitely

concerns logged on CEDAR which you can access

incredibly diverse community. It is very different to school and whilst most of our students love the

true – not only do students have more challenging

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content to learn, they are also transitioning to

• Every member of staff encourages a ‘growth

experience of a new environment and making new

greater independence whilst learning to balance the

mindset’ approach, where mistakes are seen as an

friends, we are aware some students do find the

demands of study against the increasing freedom

opportunity for learning

practical transition more difficult.

• During the early weeks, all teachers make an early

All students have a full induction, which helps them

• Any non-timetabled lessons are labelled as study

assessment of their students, to identify where they

understand where they can access our services, and

periods and are expected to be used as such. HNC

can be best supported

where everything is located. For students who need

College offers. Some key points to note:

offers a range of spaces students can use to complete

extra support to settle, our Learning Support Centre

independent study. These have extended opening

• Our focus is on supportive challenge, and ensuring

offers advice and help including a student buddying

hours outside the standard College day

that students understand they are ultimately

scheme.

responsible for their future success. Early support is • Our Learning Support Centre provides advice for

always provided, but we are clear that the student has

all young people, and staff will make referrals to

to engage with this

this service if a student shows signs of struggling to organise or manage independent learning and/or work in the classroom. The team also work with students to offer bespoke revision strategies and plans, including for those aiming for higher statistical grades

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Good to know All students who accept their place will receive an invitation to Hudd Fest on 11 July 2024.

This is an ideal opportunity for them to explore HNC again, ahead of enrolment.

punctuality

Attendance and

Communication

avoiding a situation where missed learning leads to

As a considerate College, we care about the

While students are becoming increasingly

requirement at HNC, and given this, we carefully

falling behind. Students who are late to College will

wellbeing of students and understand that happy

independent, we understand the vital role that

review this at the admissions interview stage to

have to knock and wait before they enter a lesson,

students are placed in the best position to succeed.

parents/carers play in ensuring student success.

ensure we offer places to students who are in a

and if this is persistent, again they will meet with

Our focus is on building resilience, and equipping

You can expect:

position to engage in a full-time, campus based

their Progress Tutors. It is therefore important for

students with the tools and strategies that ensure

education.

our parents/carers to communicate with us if there

when they leave HNC, they can successfully progress

• A regular parent/carer bulletin, sharing key updates

are factors affecting a student’s ability to meet these

to the next step in their personal journey. Students

and the opportunities that your son/daughter is

This is not only due to the fact that this creates

expectations, so we can look at how they may be

can book a one to one appointment for any matter

currently experiencing

good habits in readiness for employment, it is also

resolved.

affecting their physical and/or mental wellbeing. This

Excellent attendance and punctuality is a

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Wellbeing

Student

genuinely vital to student success.

Students who miss lessons will quickly fall behind, and

team also undertake an incredible range of proactive

• For teachers to contact you both when your son/

All unavoidable absences must be reported by 9am at

activities, to help students understand how they can

daughter is doing well, and when there are concerns

the very latest, or will be recorded as unexplained.

take steps to staying happy and healthy throughout

that you will need to work with us on

due to the nature of Level 3 study, they will find it very difficult to catch up.

channels

their HNC journey.

You can stay fully up to date with your son/daughter’s

• A Parent/Carer Consultation Evening appointment

attendance via CEDAR.

in the winter term

attendance, and not allow this to fall below 95%.

This is fully explained to students throughout the

• A dedicated Progress Tutor, who you can contact to

If this occurs, this may trigger the Fitness to Study

admissions process, and during the enrolment

share information or raise queries

Policy and our attendance contract system. This

process.

Your son/daughter will be expected to aim for 100%

is designed to be a supportive process, enabling

• Access to CEDAR, which allows you to keep up to

students to get back on track in their studies and

date with progress, attendance and punctuality

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Some key dates post application during your son/daughter’s HNC If your son/daughter has applied to join HNC

journey

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Course change window closure: Wednesday 20 March 2024

Acceptances close: Friday 12 April 2024 Final deadline for accepting

in September 2024, it is important to note that

The final deadline for requesting a course change. All requests

they will receive detailed information via the

received by this date are guaranteed, subject to an applicant’s

a place at HNC. All offers not

communication that is sent directly to them as the

predicted grades meeting our entry criteria. After this point no

accepted after this date will

applicant. As a parent/carer we will however send

request can be considered until the enrolment period, when our

be withdrawn, and cannot be

ability to accommodate any request will be dependent on

reinstated. It is important to

availability, which is usually strictly limited.

note that students are free to

you some key information and reminders during the 14

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process. Please note these will be via email to the email address your son/daughter shares on their application form. This includes information about how to accept a place and enrol. As a parent/carer you may wish to note the following:

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Interviews January - 14 March 2024 If your son/daughter has applied to join HNC, they will receive details about their interview through the post.

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Course change advice surgery: Tuesday 19 March 2024 Book an appointment for further

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accept places across multiple institutions, should they need

Hudd Fest, our welcome event for new students takes place on Thursday 11 July 2024

advice and support regarding

Students who have accepted a

planned course change requests.

place will be sent information

Applicants are sent information

about how they can book their

about this directly.

place.

additional time to make a decision.

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Online enrolment: Thursday 22 August 2024 Students must complete their enrolment registration form and upload a copy of their GCSE results by 4.30pm on this day.

Whilst they are not required to come on to campus, they must be contactable (via telephone) for the duration of enrolment.

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HNC New Hey Road Huddersfield HD3 4GL 01484 652341 info@huddnewcoll.ac.uk www.huddnewcoll.ac.uk www.facebook.com/huddnewcoll @huddnewcoll