Leeds City College Student Guide 2020/21

Student Guide This guide tells you about the activities, help and services available so you can get the most from your college experience.

Contents Welcome ................................................................. 3 College Dates ......................................................... 4 I'm In ....................................................................... 6 Student Life Enrichment ....................................... 8 Empower .............................................................. 16 Student Financial Support .................................. 24 Feeling Safe .......................................................... 28 Wellbeing and Mental Health ............................ 29 Careers, Work Experience and Progression ...... 32 Who can I contact for help? ................................ 34

We would like to wish you a very warm welcome to Leeds City College.

We want you to have a great time at college, while achieving your full potential and gaining the skills and qualifications needed for work, apprenticeships or university.

This guide tells you about the activities, help and services available so you can get the most from your college experience.

We hope you have a fantastic time!

Andrea Cowans Director of Student Life

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College dates Visit leedscitycollege.ac.uk/ the-college/term-dates We have high expectations of all students, which includes punctuality and full attendance of classes.

If you are unable to attend college, please call our attendance line: 0800 6520335 You will need to provide your student ID number, reason for absence and your tutor’s name in any messages, emails or texts.

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Term dates Last Day

Return Date

Autum Half Term

23 October 2020

02 November 2020

Christmas

18 December 2020

04 January 2021

Spring Half Term

12 February 2021

22 February 2021

Easter Holiday

01 April 2021

19 April 2021

May Bank Holiday

30 April 2021

04 May 2021

Summer Half Term

28 May 2021

07 June 2021

End of Year

27 July 2021

Induction is a great time to meet other students, staff and to learn about the college’s expectations and standards. This year, many of the induction activities will take place online and your tutor will guide you through this.

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Our values and student expectations: Inspiring Passionate Collaborative Aspirational Celebrate Individuality Respectful

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You can expect to be: • INCLUDED and respected • INSPIRED by your teachers • INFLUENCED by inventive learning experiences • INFORMED of all the opportunities for you to get involved • INDIVIDUALLY supported • INSTRUMENTAL in change by being listened to in innovative learning environments • Supported in INCREASING your potential and making the progress that you are capable of!

We will expect you to be: • IN on time • INCLUSIVE and respectful of all others • INQUISITIVE and take an active part in your learning • INVOLVED in everything you can be – in and out of class • INDEPENDENT • INFLUENTIAL by having a voice in College • Proactive, make INCREDIBLE progress and be the best you can be.

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Student Life Enrichment We want you to have fun and experience new things whilst at college. You can access a wide range of enrichment activities through our Student Life Enrichment team. These enrichment activities give you the opportunity to gain social skills, increase confidence, improve communication, broaden your horizons, be inspired and lead healthier lives.

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We have four strands to our Student Life Enrichment Team Student Opportunities and Societies Do you want to develop important skills, gain virtual experiences or help to improve the student experience? If so, get involved in a range of leadership opportunities such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award and Student Ambassador programmes, or take part in a range of student-led societies and social activities. These activities will help you to challenge yourself, meet new people and make a positive contribution to yours and your fellow students time at college.

Social Action Project Is there something you want to see change in college or your local community? Want to gain meaningful volunteering experiences? Then get involved in social action projects. We can support you to plan and deliver projects and to gain amazing experience and skills that will help you now and in the future.

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Sport and Physical Activities “I want to get fit!” “I want to be more active.” “ I like meeting new people!”

“I want to try something new.” If any of these quotes relate to you then get involved in our activities programme including sports teams, fitness, social sport and health activities. We have something for everyone and also support students to create new activities in the things they love to do.

Student Voice including LCC Student Union Leeds City College Student Union (LCCSU) is run by students for students and is the voice of the students across the college. Student Officers work with senior leaders to make positive change for learners but also organise a range of events and trips to improve the student experience.

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The Student Life Enrichment team works with a wide range of local and national organisations to improve and support our offer by gaining funding, utilising resources and developing relationships.

Enrichment is organised for you through departments and by our central teams.

Enrichment can take many forms including: • Weekly activities • Social and educational trips • Visiting speakers • Local and national events • Volunteering and social action projects

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Some examples of activities organised centrally: Duke of Edinburgh Award – within curriculum or as part of the Student Life provision Social Action projects: • Work with SAGE to organise social activities between LGBTQ+ society and older LGBTQ residents in Leeds • Sports teams working with younger players in the community to improve skills and play their first matches • Improve vegan options available in the college canteens • Campaign on climate change locally and nationally Student leadership opportunities and training • Mental Health ambassadors • Duke of Edinburgh Award • NCS Volunteering • Social Media Support • Sport Leaders • Society Leaders • External events Fundraising

• Children in Need • Comic Relief • Raise money for local hospices though bake sales, fitness challenges, sponsorship

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Campaigns • Range of National Campaigns such as Black History Month, LGBTQ+ History Month, Mental Health • Support for students who want to organise campaigns on different topics Sports and activities • Sports teams (football, basketball, rugby) • Fitness (table tennis, boxing, fitness classes, running) • Student Led Societies (LGBTQ+, debating, gaming)

Student Voice We work with students through our Student Union and Student Leaders in co-production and co-design to shape our provision. Student voice is an integral part of college life and plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the college is consulting, communicating and reviewing what we do. Students are at the heart of everything that we do and we know how important it is to give students a voice and to involve them in all aspects of college life.

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EMPOWER The EMPOWER platform has been created by students for students!

The platform on the student intranet allows you to vote on ideas that can enhance the student experience, support the local community or make a change across the college. You can submit your own ideas and start to make the change that you want to see!

You decide You can give an idea a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down”. If enough students give an idea a “thumbs up” the Student Enrichment Team will work with students to make an idea come to life! Things can only change if students have their say - we want to empower you to make that difference.

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Have an idea or want to vote?

Check out Empower on the student intranet to vote on student ideas and to add your own! intranet.leedscitycollege.ac.uk/studentzone/idea/index.jsp Have a question?

Message Lindsey Whitton, Social Action Project Coordinator on Google Hangouts or email: Lindsey.Whitton@leedscitycollege.ac.uk

For more information, visit www.lccsu.co.uk/main-menu/student-voice/empower

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LCCSU Leeds City College Students’ Union (LCCSU) is an independent organisation, working in partnership with Leeds City College Enrichment Team to improve the education of students, promote student-led activity, and improve the student experience.

The aims of the LCCSU are to: • Enhance and improve the education of students • Promote the interests and welfare of students at Leeds City College • Represent, support and advise students • Be a representative between students and the College • Provide opportunity to enhance student employability The LCCSU Officers are elected to represent students and want to work with them to ensure the college experience is the best it can be. You can get involved by completing surveys nominating yourself to be a SU Course Rep, joining a student committee or ambassador programme or volunteering with the SU.

RUN BY STUDENTS FOR STUDENTS

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Leeds City College Students Union also has a range of societies and activities that you can engage with throughout the year as well as volunteering and leadership opportunities.

You can join as many societies as you like and can also create your own if you have an interest in something that we don’t offer. Staff will support you to ensure that you can make the most of these experiences.

We want students to have fun at college! We offer a range of trips and events, as well as opportunities to gain social skills, increase confidence, improve communication, broaden horizons, be inspired and lead healthier lives.

Our societies include: • Basketball Society

• Deaf Society

• Afro Caribbean Society

• LGBTQ Society

• Football Society

• Debating Society

• Islamic Society

For the latest information and for any queries please visit www.lccsu.co.uk

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The opportunities include: • Social and educational trips • Visiting speakers • Local and national events • Volunteering and social action projects • Duke of Edinburgh Award (within curriculum or as part of a general offer) • Student Leadership opportunities and training • Fundraising • Campaigns • Sports and activities

Get in touch with LCCSU Email su.enquiries@leedscitycollege.ac.uk Twitter @lcssu Facebook LCCSU1 Instagram LeedsCityCollege

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Meet the elected officers for 2020/21 Jenef Ngombo President jenef.ngombo@leedscitycollege.ac.uk Mariamou Jawara Education Officer mariamou.jawara@leedscitycollege.ac.uk Vacancy HE Officer Katrina Joines Campaigns Officer katrina.joines@leedscitycollege.ac.uk Idrees Akhtar Sports & Societies Officer idrees.akhtar@leedscitycollege.ac.uk Queenie Mark Hor Kit Equality & Diversity Officer Queenie.MarkHorKit@leedscitycollege.ac.uk

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Student Financial Support At Leeds City College, students facing financial barriers can access a range of support to help them succeed with their studies. With support for meals and travel passes available, don’t let money worries hold you back from your future.

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The following financial support is available to eligible students to help with costs associated with studying • 16–19 Discretionary Bursary • 16–18 Priority Fund • 19+ Discretionary Fund

Don’t let childcare worries stand in your way.

You may be eligible for support with the costs of childcare whilst you study. We have the following financial support for eligible students.

• 20+ Childcare Fund • Childcare costs for under 20s

Please refer to this email address when contacting about this specific type of funding childcareadvice@leedscitycollege.ac.uk

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Student Financial Support Fund You may be eligible to receive the following support, depending on your individual circumstances: • Travel passes.

• Meals including supermarket vouchers whilst on internships and work placements.

• Childcare costs.

• Hardship and emergency funds.

• Advanced Learner Loan students may also receive support with course related equipment, kit and uniform as well as education visits and residentials.

• Free sanitary products.

• For other students, course related costs are funded by departments.

How to apply Once enrolled on a course, you can apply through the Student Financial Support Funds and Welfare intranet page accessed through the portal here: leedscitycollege.ac.uk/portal For more information on this, or for further guidance, contact your Coaching Tutor or visit your curriculum admin office.

For full details, visit: leedscitycollege.ac.uk/student-support/financial-support

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Feeling Safe Leeds City College is a safe environment and we have procedures in place to ensure you have an enjoyable learning experience.

The Stay Safe team is available to support you with any concerns.

We take all concerns seriously, act upon them and offer support through specialist services.

You can talk to your tutor, another trusted staff member in college, click the ‘report it’ button on the student intranet or email – safeguarding@leedscitycollege.ac.uk

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Wellbeing and Mental Health If something in your life is causing you stress or you are feeling unwell, we have a mental health and wellbeing team to support you.

You can contact your tutor for further support or a trusted member of staff. Many of our staff have had mental health first aid training. You can find further resources on the Mind Mate website.

You can arrange to meet one of us by completing this referral form. The form will only be seen by the counselling and mental health team.

Students can contact us by sending us an email to: mentalhealthandcounselling@leedscitycollege.ac.uk

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The team will help you to explore the different options available to you. These may be in college or through an external organisation such as your GP, The Market Place, Leeds Mind etc. College can offer up to six sessions of mental health support or counselling.

We also have the Active Body, Active Mind programme to promote mental health and wellbeing through sport and physical activities.

In addition, Leeds IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) team will be available at Park Lane Campus.

It is a free service for people aged 17 and over to help students deal with stress, anxiety, and depression.

If you are are worried about your mental health, it is a good idea to make an appointment to see a GP. It can be difficult talking about your wellbeing but there are resources such as bit.ly/doc-ready to help you plan what to say.

To access this service, go to leedsiapt.com to self-refer or call 0113 8434388

Catherine runs wellbeing drop-ins across all campuses where you can access information/signposting/advice on mental health and wellbeing. If you would like some support or you are worried about your mental health and wellbeing, you can attend a drop-in to have a chat about how you are feeling and find out what help is available.

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Careers, Work Experience and Progression We provide an impartial careers service to help you plan your future and achieve your career goals.

We offer drop-in sessions at Quarry Hill, Park Lane and Printworks campuses, open to all students, or you can book a careers guidance appointment by emailing studentadvice@leedscitycollege.ac.uk

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We also plan a number of careers events throughout the year, such as the Higher Education Fair and jobs fairs.

For details of our drop-in sessions, upcoming careers events, and resources to help you with planning your career, please visit our Jobs and Careers Google Site – sites.google.com/a/leedscitycollege.ac.uk/ jobs-and-careers-leeds-city-college-blank/home All full-time students undertake work experience as part of their course either in Leeds City Region or in a European country. This may be a substantial industry placement, European work placement, work taster, simulated work environment or social action project. Speak to your tutor to find out what type of work experience you’ll be taking part in. If the work experience team is working with your group, they will come to your class to deliver an information session and will work with you to either find a placement to match your interests or support you with finding your own placement.

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Who can I contact for help?

Your coaching tutors are your first point of contact with any queries. If you need to speak directly to a member of the Student Life team, here are the email addresses for the different departments.

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Safeguarding: safeguarding@leedscitycollege.ac.uk Careers and Work Experience: studentadvice@leedscitycollege.ac.uk Mental Health and Wellbeing: mentalhealthandcounselling@leedscitycollege.ac.uk Welfare: welfare@leedscitycollege.ac.uk Student Enrichment: Student.Engagement@leedscitycollege.ac.uk Student Funds: supportfund@leedscitycollege.ac.uk (Contact across all campuses is Robert Pattison) Childcare Advice: ChildcareAdvice@leedscitycollege.ac.uk (Contact across all campuses is Karen Crabtree)

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If you have any questions, please contact 0113 386 1997 By email contact@leedscitycollege.ac.uk Or on webchat! leedscitycollege.ac.uk/contact

/leedscitycollege @leedscitycoll @leedscitycollege @leedscitycoll Leeds City College