Welcome Event Booklet 2026

WELCOME EVENT 2026

Let’s Find Your Future

THE NEXT STEP STARTS HERE Choosing where to study after school is an important step.

At Itchen, you will be part of a college where students are known as individuals, supported to exceed expectations and guided clearly towards their next destination.

Our Welcome Event is designed to help you feel confident about starting in September.

It’s your opportunity to experience your chosen subjects, meet staff and begin to understand what college life at Itchen will be like.

We’re very much looking forward to welcoming you to Itchen College.

YOUR

FIRST EXPERIENCE OF ITCHEN Your first real experience of life at Itchen, get a feel for typical lessons, and discover what it means to be part of the Itchen community

From your first day in September, you’ll have people who know you and support your progress.

IN YOUR LESSONS In your lessons, you will experience how subjects are taught.

•

Take part in real classroom activities

•

Meet the teachers who may be teaching you in September

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Understand expectations and workload

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Ask questions about your course choices for September

This is your opportunity to see how you will learn here.

AS PART OF THE COMMUNITY

College is more than your timetable. Our Welcome Event also gives you the chance to: •

Meet other new students

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Explore the campus

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Speak to support teams

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Begin to feel part of the college

THE DAY AT A GLANCE Everything you need to know for your Welcome Event.

9:30am

Arrive on campus

9:45am First session begins You will have time to find your way before your first session.

TASTER SESSIONS Your timetable is based on the subject choices discussed at interview.

These sessions are designed to: •

Introduce how you’ll be taught

•

Clarify expectations

•

Help you confirm your course choices

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Give you time to ask questions

Chemistry sessions will use staining indicators, so please wear clothes you don’t mind getting marked, as lab coats may be uncomfortable in the heat.

THERE WILL ALSO BE TIME TO: •

Visit the Student Centre

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Explore the campus

•

Meet other students

WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING? We are excited to launch our Freshers’ Hub in Colmer Hall, running at lunchtime from 12.55pm to 1.45pm. There will be a range of information stands, activities, games, and prizes. The first 50 students to visit will receive a tote bag filled with goodies.

FOOD & DRINK The Student Centre offers hot food, sandwiches, snacks and drinks throughout the day.

You’re also welcome to bring a packed lunch.

SPORTS & DANCE If you have a Sport or Dance session, please bring appropriate kit.

For sports trials infomation, please refer to the table below: SPORT

DATE

TIMINGS

LOCATION

Men’s Basketball

Monday 29th June

3:45 pm - 5:15 pm

College Sports Hall

Men’s & Women’s Football

Wednesday 1st July

10 am - 12 pm

3G Pitches - Wide Lane, Eastleigh, SO50 5PE NO METAL STUDS

Netball

Wednesday 1st July

10 am - 12 pm

College Sports Hall

Students who have selected Sports Academy Athletics, Golf, or Rugby will attend short talks during the lunchtime break. These sessions are already timetabled on their personal timetables.

ENRICHMENT The following enrichment sessions will be available to try at lunchtime: Dungeons & Dragons - S33 Badminton - Sports Hall Cheerleading/Dance Live - P1 Chess - S32 Crochet Club - S1

Itchen Radio - W7 Life Drawing - T20 Music Performance - P35 Yoga - Drama Studio Duke of Edinburgh - C5

PARENTS & CARERS INFORMATION EVENING Monday 29th June; 6.00–6.30pm or 7.00–7.30pm Parents and carers are warmly invited to attend. Please register your attendance via the platform Ticketsource (https://www.ticketsource.com/).

YOU’LL BE KNOWN HERE Support From Day One

Starting somewhere new can feel like a big step.

At Itchen, support is built into everyday college life. As a medium-sized college, we’re able to know our students as individuals — not just as names on a register.

From your first week in September, you will have: •

A Personal Tutor who tracks your progress

•

Teachers who understand your strengths and goals

•

Access to Student Support if life gets in the way

You won’t be left figure things out alone. or employment • Guidance forto university, apprenticeships

A CLEAR PATH TO SEPTEMBER

After the Welcome Event, the journey is straightforward.

Results Day - Thursday 20th August

You’ll receive your enrolment appointment by email.

Enrolment - Thursday 20th August to Friday 28th August Bring your results slip and proof of ID. We’ll confirm your courses and answer any questions.

September Start – Wednesday 2nd September Will be your first day at College , where you will receive your timetable and begin your induction.

Even if your results are different from what you are

expecting, we will talk through your options with you.

GETTING HERE Travel Made Simple

College Buses

Our subsidised college buses cover a wide area.

For the Welcome Event, travel on college buses is free of charge.

Please arrive at your bus stop at least five minutes before the scheduled time.

PLAN YOUR FULL JOURNEY ONLNE

Scan to: • View full timetables • See all stops • Track your bus

Train Sholing station is approximately a 15-minute walk from the college via Middle Road and Station Road.

Bikes can be taken on most local trains.

Bike, Motorcycle & Moped Parking Covered parking is available behind the North Block.

Please bring a secure lock for bikes.

Ferry Town Quay Marina serves ferries from Hythe and East Cowes.

Discounted student tickets are available through Red Funnel.

023 8043 5636 info@itchen.ac.uk itchen.ac.uk Middle Road, Southampton Hampshire SO19 7TB