TERM & NOTABLE DATES 2025/26
AUTUMN/WINTER TERM DATES
Wednesday 17 September 2025
Monday 29 September 2025
Monday 6 October 2025
Tuesday 7 October 2025
25 October - 2 November 2025
November 2025
Friday 21 November 2025
Wednesday 3 December 2025
Friday 5 December 2025
Friday 12 December 2025
20 December 2025 - 4 January 2026
SPRING/SUMMER TERM DATES
Monday 5 January 2026
Wednesday 14 January 2026
Monday 26 January 2026
Friday 6 February 2026
13 February - 22 February 2026 March 2026
Wednesday 18 & Friday 20 March 2026
Wednesday 1 April 2026
3 April - 19 April 2026
Monday 27 April 2026
Monday 11 May 2026
23 May - 31 May 2026
29 June - 3 July 2026
Friday 3 July 2026
Enrichment Term 1 starts
Year 13 A level Synoptic Assessments
Deadline for Early Entry UPG updates
UCAS Early Entry Internal Deadline
Half Term
Year 12 & 13 Monitoring
College closure day
Year 13 Parents’/Carers’ Evening
Year 12 & 13 BTEC Synoptic Assessments
UCAS Internal Deadline
Christmas Break
BTEC Assessments & Enrichment Term 2
UCAS Deadline
Year 12 & 13 A level Synoptic Assessments
Year 12 Progression Day / Year 13 Reading Day
Half Term
Year 12 & 13 Monitoring
Year 12 & 13 BTEC Synoptic Assessments
Year 12 Parents’/Carers’ Evening
Easter Break
Year 12 A level Synoptic Assessments
A level Exams start
Half Term
Employability Week
End of term for students
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Parent or Carer,
It is a genuine privilege to welcome you to Rochdale Sixth Form College (RSFC).
As Principal, I am proud to lead a college that consistently transforms the life chances of young people in our community.
Rochdale Sixth Form College is recognised as one of the top-performing sixth form colleges in the country, with a long-standing record of phenomenal academic results. Year after year, our students achieve exceptional outcomes, whether in A level or Applied General/ BTEC qualifications – progressing to leading universities, competitive apprenticeships, and fulfilling careers.
Our success is built upon a foundation of compassionate rigour. We set high expectations and maintain the highest standards, while ensuring that every student is supported with care and understanding. Our staff are experts in their field and deeply committed to helping students thrive – academically, personally, and socially.
We believe in fairness and equity for all. Every student is valued, respected, and given the opportunity to succeed, regardless of background. Our inclusive ethos ensures that everyone feels part of a community where integrity and respect are central.
Resilience is a quality that we actively cultivate in our students. Through challenge and
encouragement, we help our young people to develop the confidence and perseverance needed to overcome obstacles and grow not independent, capable learners.
Following our successful retention of Ofsted’s ‘Outstanding’ status, RSFC continues to be a place where ambition thrives. Our strong partnerships with universities, local employers, and community organisations open doors to exciting opportunities and help raise aspirations. Our formal agreements with universities, including both Oxford and Cambridge, are a powerful example of our commitment to excellence and belief in our students’ potential.
What truly sets RSFC apart is our culture. We value every individual and are relentless in our commitment to nurturing talent and unlocking potential. Our students are hardworking, respectful, and ambitious. Our staff are dedicated professionals who make a lasting impact on the lives of those they teach and support. As Ofsted noted, “Teaching staff create highly purposeful and productive learning environments that enable students to flourish.”
I invite you to explore what makes Rochdale Sixth Form College so special.
We look forward to welcoming you and your young person and helping them to achieve their goals.
Warmest wishes,
Karl Smith Principal
YOUR YOUNG PERSONS JOURNEY
SEPTEMBER 2025
Students will enrol at RSFC. Students receive their minimum target grades (MTGs) and meet their SPDL and subject teachers. Enrichment choices will be made in the first week of term.
JANUARY 2026
Students will sit synoptic assessments.
NOVEMBER 2025
Student progress monitoring – every student will discuss their progress with subject teachers and their SPDL on a one-to-one basis. Individual student action plans will be available for parents and carers to view on Cedar.
APRIL/MAY 2026
Students will sit synoptic assessments which will be followed by a consultation day.
JUNE 2026
Students will take part in either work experience or our employer-led project. Term ends Friday 3 July.
MARCH 2026
AUGUST 2026
A level and GCSE examination results are published.
Student progress monitoring will take place for a second time in a series of one-to-one discussions with their subject teachers and SPDLs. Individual student action plans will be available for parents and carers to view on Cedar, which will be followed by a parent/carer evening.
JOURNEY AT RSFC
SEPTEMBER 2026
Term begins week commencing 31 August. Students will continue their studies and will sit synoptic assessments.
NOVEMBER 2026
Student progress monitoring begins again – every student will discuss their progress with subject teachers and their SPDL on a one-to-one basis. Individual student action plans will be available for parents and carers to view on Cedar.
DECEMBER 2026
University application internal deadline.
JANUARY 2027
Students will sit synoptic assessments. UCAS applications have been submitted and interviews for some courses will commence.
MAY 2027
Examinations begin and continue through to June.
AUGUST 2027
Final A level examination results are published. University places are confirmed.
MARCH 2027
Student progress monitoring will take place for a second time with their SPDL. Individual student action plans will be available for parents and carers to view on Cedar.
ASPIRE ASPIRE+
Aspire is our comprehensive package of support and development opportunities to ensure your young person achieves their potential academically, and develops the skills and aptitudes they need to be successful, responsible citizens.
At RSFC we want to ensure that everyone who comes through our doors has the support and challenge needed to enable them to achieve their ambitions, whatever these may be.
We believe that the goal of education is to empower and enable young people to become a critical thinker, able to take their place in the world as a global citizen. To help with this we provide them with the following opportunities and support:
Student Performance and Development Leaders (SPDLs)
Tutorial Programme
Enrichment
Social Development
Trips & Visits
Student Union
Progression Support
The Aspire+ programme aims to equip you, as a supplement to your academic provision, with skills in academic research, debating and critical thinking. This is to prepare you for the rigorous admissions processes for competitive courses such as Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science, as well as applications to Oxbridge and popular courses at Sutton 30 universities. Universities, more so than ever before, are now expecting future academics to possess a repertoire of core skills that are not only vital to succeeding at undergraduate level, but are essential to creating adaptability in the ever-evolving twenty-first century workplace.
As part of the Aspire+ programme, you will have a twelve-week timetabled, extracurricular programme in a subject area of your choice. This is delivered by subject specialists and provides learning that goes beyond taught units.
If you achieve a GCSE point score of 7 or above, you will be eligible to join the Aspire+ programme.
As part of the Aspire+ programme, you will receive:
An opportunity to complete the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
Individualised preparation and support when applying for challenging and competitive university courses, including Oxbridge, Sutton 30, Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science
Additional one-to-one ‘stretch and challenge’ work with your subject teachers
Opportunities to participate in various access programmes from prestigious universities such as Oxford, Cambridge and Manchester
Organised visits and conferences including trips to the country’s leading universities
Talks by guest academic speakers
Access to academic resources and electronic texts in various university libraries
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF MY YOUNG PERSONS STUDENT PERFORMANCE AND DEVELOPMENT LEADER?
All students will have an SPDL who will closely monitor their academic progress, and encourage them to achieve their potential throughout their time at college. Their SPDL is the one person who will have an overview of their academic and personal development and ensure that they are on track. The care they receive will ensure that they feel supported to face the challenges they experience in this critical time of their life. In many ways, the SPDL is like the head of year or achievement leader role in a school.
The role of the SPDL is central to everything students do.
Their SPDL will be there to guide them through their course and is the key person who will really get to know them whilst at college. In many ways, their SPDL will be the professional and critical friend who is their first line of support. They will have a range of informal and formal conversations with their SPDL, including weekly group tutorials and regular one-to-one sessions as part of the college progress monitoring process.
As part of the monitoring process, your young person’s SPDL will create an action plan on Cedar including targets for your them to complete. This will be available to view on Cedar. You will also be invited to attend a parents’/carers’ evening to discuss your young person’s progress. We will communicate with parents/carers via email. Please log-in to Cedar to check our details are up-to-date.
THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE
VANESSA
ABLOTT
Assistant Principal/SPDL
v.ablott@rochdalesfc.ac.uk
01706 769 900
LEE GARCKA
SPDL
l.garcka@rochdalesfc.ac.uk 01706 769 887
ALAN
SPDL
MILLER
a.miller@rochdalesfc.ac.uk 01706 769 962
LEE CRABTREE
SPDL
l.crabtree@rochdalesfc.ac.uk 01706 769 933
GABS HILL
SPDL
g.hill@rochdalesfc.ac.uk 01706 769 941
SAM MONGAN
SPDL
s.mongan@rochdalesfc.ac.uk 01706 769 834
TOM EARLE
Lead SPDL
t.earle@rochdalesfc.ac.uk 01706 769 847
KATE MERRIDEW
SPDL
k.merridew@rochdalesfc.ac.uk 01706 769 943
HELEN
NEWTON
Assistant Principal/SPDL
h.newton@rochdalesfc.ac.uk 01706 769 838
PERFORMANCE & DEVELOPMENT TEAM
MAGGIE ROPER
SPDL
m.roper@rochdalesfc.ac.uk 01706 769 841
CLAIRE TATTERSALL
SPDL
c.tattersall@rochdalesfc.ac.uk 01706 769 848
NICK WOOD
SPDL
n.wood@rochdalesfc.ac.uk 01706 769 830
STACEY SHEARMAN
SPDL
s.shearman@rochdalesfc.ac.uk 01706 769 844
SARAH TURNER
SPDL
s.turner@rochdalesfc.ac.uk 01706 769 963
SARAH STROUD
Lead SPDL
s.stroud@rochdalesfc.ac.uk 01706 769 898
NICK VILE
Lead SPDL
n.vile@rochdalesfc.ac.uk 01706 769 842
CAN MY YOUNG PERSON GO ON EXCURSIONS?
• RSFC will offer a variety of excursions to students during their time at the college, as we believe it enhances their education
• Participation on most excursions is optional
• For any optional excursions where students may have difficulty meeting the expense incurred, the student should speak to their SPDL, as college may be able to support with payment
• For any optional excursions where students have difficulty in meeting the expense incurred, the student should consult their SPDL, as help might well be available
• For all excursions out of college, parents carers are required to complete a consent form to confirm their agreement with, and their understanding of the arrangements
WHY MIGHT THE COLLEGE CHARGE FOR ACTIVITIES?
The college does have to make charges to students for certain additional activities. These are activities that are not compulsory parts of their course. It might be a Business trip to a local firm, or a Psychology trip to Krakow, for example.
We believe that the education of our students is much enhanced by the many opportunities which are offered, such as activities and excursions out of the college, although they may not always be an essential part of any course and therefore, are not funded by the government.
WHAT IS THE BURSARY FUND?
The bursary fund is a payment made to eligible students to support those who may be at risk of leaving college due to financial hardship.
Financial assistance will mainly be in the form of weekly credits on students’ ID cards for the purchase of meals and resources in college.
Further assistance may be available for items such as; participation in trips and visits, UCAS application and the purchase of other resources required for college activities. Allocations will not be made until a student is enrolled and fully engages with their studies.
More information can be found on the college website rochdalesfc.ac.uk or you can contact bursary@rochdalesfc.ac.uk.
HOW DOES RSFC SAFEGUARD STUDENTS? WHAT IF MY YOUNG PERSON IS ABSENT?
The care and wellbeing of all young people in the college is of paramount importance. The college takes seriously its legal responsibility with regard to the Children Act 2004. The college actively promotes health awareness amongst students, and each member of the college community has an individual responsibility for health and safety.
College staff cannot always offer absolute confidentiality to students. There are clear situations when it is essential that staff share information with their colleagues, for instance, when there is suspicion or evidence that a student is in danger of being harmed or abused.
Please contact Sarah Stroud, Nick Vile and Tom Earle (designated safeguarding leads) if you have any suspicions that a student is in danger of harm or abuse. We have a legal obligation to refer any suspicions of harm or abuse to the Rochdale Borough Child Safeguarding Board.
HOW DO I MAKE A COMPLAINT?
The procedure for dealing with complaints about any aspect of college life is detailed in the complaints policy on the college website. Parents should address their complaints directly to the principal. Any complaints will be acknowledged within one working week.
Your young person has received information relating to our expectations for attendance and punctuality.
Our expectations are summarised below for your information. Excellent attendance is one of the key factors to a student’s success at the college. It is the students’ responsibility to have a high attendance rate and prompt start to all classes – this is a top priority. Attendance is always required on references for universities and employers! Your young person’s SPDL will review their attendance on a daily basis and will discuss any difficulties or concerns relating to attendance or punctuality with them. Your young person’s attendance record is available to view on Cedar and you will receive a text message each day an absence is recorded.
PERMITTED ABSENCE
Any absence from college will be recorded on a student’s attendance record. The college recognises that some absences are unavoidable and will authorise these. Routine medical and dental appointments are not permitted reasons to be absent and will be recorded as unauthorised. Evidence of absences should be taken to the student administration office situated on the fifth floor. Depending on the nature of the absence, it may be advisable for your young person to speak to their SPDL.
THE FOLLOWING ARE EXAMPLES OF PERMITTED ABSENCE:
• Hospital or orthodontist appointments which cannot be arranged outside college hours, backed by evidence of an appointment card or letter from the health provider to student administration
• A family bereavement
• Attendance at a family funeral, a letter/phone call is required by a parent/carer
• Religious festivals notified in advance (24 hours) by a letter/phone call by a parent/carer
• Visit to a university to attend an open day or interview; a career related interview or audition, production of a letter/email to your young person’s SPDL is required beforehand
• Driving test and theory test (not a driving lesson), and evidence is required
A PARENT OR CARER WILL NEED TO CONTACT THE COLLEGE BEFORE 8:30AM ON EACH DAY OF ABSENCE
UNAUTHORISED ABSENCE
All other absences will be classed as unauthorised. These are absences where there are not adequate reasons to justify missing classes. As with all absences, a parent or carer will need to contact the college before 8:30am on each day of absence. The college has a commitment to notify the main contact students supplied on their application form about unauthorised absences. On each day of absence we will send a text message to the main contact even if they have phoned to notify the college of your absence. Your young person’s SPDL will contact you to discuss any unauthorised absences.
NOTE: If there is no alternative available and the reason is an acceptable one, the absence will be authorised (permitted absence).
THE FOLLOWING ARE EXAMPLES OF UNAUTHORISED ABSENCE:
• Illness (your young person’s SPDL will discuss any specific support arrangements they require for longer term illnesses and any unique circumstances they may have)
• Holidays during term time
• Doctor/dentist appointments
• Part-time or full-time work
• Leisure activities
• Birthdays or similar celebrations
• Religious festivals not notified at least 24 hours in advance
Babysitting for younger siblings/family members
Accompanying family members to appointments
Driving lessons
Exclusion from lessons or the college site
Any permitted absence where evidence is required but has not been provided
MONITORING YOUR YOUNG PERSON’S ATTENDANCE
Your young person’s attendance data will be available to view on a live basis on Cedar; the college portal. If your young person thinks that their attendance record is incorrect, they should discuss the issue with the teacher concerned. Marks will not be changed where prior evidence was required but not produced in advance.
HOW TO ADVISE THE COLLEGE THAT YOUR YOUNG PERSON IS GOING TO BE ABSENT
UNPLANNED ABSENCES
A parent/carer should ring the attendance line on 01706 769800 before 8:30am on each day of absence. You will need the following information:
• Your young person’s full name and date of birth
• Reason for absence
• First date of absence (and time, if less than a full day)
• Last date of absence, if known (and time, if less than a full day)
ILLNESS DURING THE COLLEGE DAY
If your young person is at college and feel they have to go home early, they will need to see their SPDL. If the SPDL supports their absence, your young person’s main contact will be informed that they are going home.
PLANNED ABSENCES
Prior to the planned absence, your young person should visit the student administration office, taking any evidence they can provide. Your young person will be advised whether their absence will be classed as a permitted absence or an unauthorised absence.
Religious holidays must be notified at least 24 hours in advance to be classed as a permitted absence.
COLLEGE RELATED TRIPS AND VISITS
If your young person is going to be absent from any subject or enrichment classes because they have an activity planned in a different subject, their absence will be permitted. Students are asked to inform teachers of any lessons they will miss in advance.
ARRIVING LATE
If a student arrives late they should go straight to class where they will be marked present, but late. Students are asked to speak to their teacher at the end of the class to explain the reason for their lateness and to check that they have not been marked as absent. If a student arrives late for class on a regular basis, their teacher will discuss this with them and may speak with their SPDL. Your young person’s SPDL will speak with them about any patterns of unacceptable punctuality.
If a student has arrived so late that they have missed a class and they think the reason may be a permitted one, they should go to the student administration office when they have their next break. If your young person knows they are going to miss a class due to lateness, they should inform the student administration office on the attendance line. Your young person’s main contact will receive a text message each day they miss one or more lessons due to lateness.
All students sign a learning agreement when they enrol at Rochdale Sixth Form College.
The agreement details what you can expect from us and what we expect from you.
Have high expectations of yourself and the College
Treat all fellow students and the staff with respect
Attend all lessons on time with the correct equipment
Always complete classwork and homework to the best of your ability
Be respectful of the College environment, complete work quietly and tidy away after yourself 6|
Take responsibility for your own learning, use study periods wisely, attend revision sessions and seek help from the subject teachers when needed 7|
Behave appropriately around College and when representing the College 8| Wear your Student I.D. card at all times and ensure it is visible
Book holidays outside of term times
Do not let part-time work interfere with college work
IS THERE A DISCIPLINARY CODE?
At RSFC, we believe in entering into a partnership with every single student who walks through our doors – there is no ‘them and us’, staff and students work as a team. We believe in some basic principles. Everyone in the college has the responsibility to help create a happy learning environment. Put simply, we want everyone to feel as though they are treated as an individual, an exception and a valued person.
We do not apologise for having high expectations and we expect all students to respond positively to the warm partnership existing between students and staff – that is the way it is at RSFC!
On the rare occasion that we have concerns about progress or behaviour, students may be subject to the RSFC disciplinary system as outlined here:
ACADEMIC UNDERPERFORMANCE
Academic underperformance may be caused by issues such as poor attendance and punctuality, a lack of work, poor time management or too many outside commitments. This type of problem will inevitably impact upon the outcomes for the student and the reaction to it by RSFC is to minimise the impact and to provide supportive systems to enable improvement in academic performance.
INFORMAL STAGE
If a teacher has concerns regarding a student’s progress in their subject, in the first instance they will discuss this with the student to identify where improvements can be made, where action can and needs to be taken, and offer immediate support/ interventions. This is normal practice and outside the scope of this policy. However, should these concerns be prolonged, the informal stage will commence.
SPDL INVOLVEMENT
In the event that such measures prove to be ineffective, the teacher, student and SPDL will devise an action plan to address the areas of concern.
STAGE 1 CONTRACT
If these actions are not completed within the agreed timescale, a stage 1 contract may be put in place by the SPDL and the parent/ carer will be informed.
STAGE 2 CONTRACT
In exceptional circumstances, where it is deemed that the student is failing to respond positively to the support on offer and no progress is being made, the SPDL will consult with a member of the senior leadership team (SLT) and may decide to escalate this to a stage 2 contract. Before initiating a stage 2 contract, the member of SLT will normally call a meeting, to which the student, their subject teachers, SPDL and parents/carers will be invited.
BEHAVIOUR AND CONDUCT
By signing the learning agreement (the RSFC 10) at enrolment, students are accepting the terms and conditions of this code, which aims to ensure that staff and students can work in a safe and considerate environment that supports learning.
The member of SLT will decide whether the formal disciplinary procedure needs to be followed. If not, the member of SLT will communicate with the SPDL and decide on an appropriate action.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT WILL MY YOUNG PERSON STUDY?
The majority of year 12 students study three A level subjects. Alternatively, they may study a BTEC diploma alongside one A level subject. As well as their chosen subjects they will have at least one hour of enrichment, a group tutorial and a lecture each week. They will also participate in the RSFC Social Development Programme to give something back to their community and to develop essential life and employability skills. Throughout the year they will attend one-to-one sessions with their Student Performance and Development Leader (SPDL), as well as any other sessions as necessary.
In year 13, they will continue to study the subjects from year 12 plus a group tutorial and a weekly lecture. There is also the opportunity for students, as part of our Aspire+ programme, to complete the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).
IS THERE A STUDENT DRESS CODE?
RSFC students are expected to dress in a manner appropriate to a purposeful, safe, secure and diverse sixth form college. Whilst we recognise that self-expression is part of being an emerging adult, items of dress that may reasonably be expected to cause offence to any member of the college community, such as t-shirts bearing inappropriate language or images, or particularly revealing items of clothing, are not allowed to be worn. Hoodies must have the hood down whilst on campus, and lanyards must be worn at all times.
