Student Information Guide 2023

“I made friends here so quicklyI don’t know why I was ever worried!”

hello!

We’re looking forward to you joining the College of the Year 2023 in September.

This handy guide includes everything you need to know before making the exciting step of becoming a Birkenhead Sixth Form College student.

This time last year we were in your shoes, and coming to the College was the best decision we ever made!

Lizzie & Finlay, your Head Students for 2023/2024 :)

Contents:

• Starting as a BSFC student

• The start of term

• Your enrolment form & what to expect at your appointment

• Worried about your GCSE results?

• The College timetable & free periods

• College buses & financial support

• Term dates

• Meet the student ambassador team

• Meet the College dogs

• Key dates for 2023/2024

starting as a BSFC student

We understand that moving to College after high school can seem a bit daunting, but you really don’t need to worry. We have a whole programme dedicated to allowing you to settle in quickly and make new friends – this is called ‘Find Your Feet’.

The programme includes:

The first day on Monday 4th September 2023 is purely for new students, so you’ll have a chance to get used to the campus and meet your new teachers and classmates.

There will be taster sessions running in the whole range of clubs and activities on offer at the College, so you can try new things and meet new friends.

When you first start, all of the corridors will be lined with College staff and student ambassadors to help you find your way around.

Each Friday in the first month of term we host Inflatable Fridays –your chance to have a bit of competitive fun with giant inflatables and games. It’s great to participate, but you can just come along and watch to have a good time!

You can vote for your choice of Song of the Day and the winner gets blasted out in the social space of 8SQ at the end of each lunchtime!

start of term

There is plently going on at the start of term to get you settled into College life.

your enrolment form

In the pack sent to you with this guide you will find your enrolment form. This is a really important document and contains your own personal details.

You’ll need to check that we have all of these correct, and your parent or carer will also need to sign the form.

Please return your enrolment form to the College once completed by Thursday 10th August 2023 to fast track your enrolment appointment.

Student name

Your enrolment form for September 2023 entry

There are 3 simple steps to completing your enrolment form:

1. Read & Check: Make sure that the information on this form is correct and add any additional information required

2. Sign: Both yourself and your parent/guardian need to read and sign this form

3. Post: Return your completed form in the postage paid enveloped provided by 10th August 2023 so we can Fast Track your enrolment appointment. Otherwise make sure to bring this form with you when you come to enrol

what to expect at your enrolment appointment

We’re looking forward to welcoming you to enrol at the College - your appointment date/time is detailed in the letter with this booklet (but it will be on either 24th, 25th, 29th or 30th August).

Here’s what to expect:

Please bring with you your enrolment form (if you haven’t already returned it), your exam results and a £5 College fund contribution for your College ID card.

You will finalise your course choices based on your GCSE results and career aspirations.

Your enrolment is at the College, please arrive at the main entrance on Park Road West.

Your parent or carer is welcome to join you if you like.

The Enrolment process typically takes around 1 hour, but we give students as much time as is needed to ensure that you are enrolled on the right courses for you.

Money for equipment for selected subjects:

• Calculators for Maths, Further Maths, Statistics - £21.50

• Dance top - £10.75

• Sport & P.E. top - £8.65, fleece - £20

Become an offical BSFC student!

worried about your GCSE results?

There is a lot of support in place for you if your GCSE results aren’t what you expected.

GCSE Results Day Clinic

Thursday 24th August 2023

1pm - 3pm

If your results aren’t what you had hoped and your enrolment appointment is scheduled for after 24th August, you may well want to speak to someone about your options before enrolling. Our team of tutors is on hand for a drop-in clinic to offer advice and guidance.

PLEASE NOTE: This does not replace your enrolment appointment and is for guidance only.

Programme

The College offers a programme for students who don’t meet the College’s minimum entry criteria of three grade 4s and two grade 5s at GCSE.

The Year 0 programme is a three year course, with the first year a chance to get prepared for the following two years of A Level, BTEC or T Level study whilst gaining further qualifications and experience. Places on the programme are limited and have entry criteria.

“I came here from a grammar school and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.”

the College timetable

While the College hours are listed below, your personal timetable will included scheduled free periods and your lessons will have varied start and end times each day. You are free to leave College when you don’t have a lesson or tutorial, but there are plenty of study and social areas in College to spend that time as well.

COLLEGE HOURS

Monday 9:00am - 4:15pm

Tuesday 9:00am - 4:15pm

Wednesday 9:30am - 3:00pm

Thursday 9:00am - 4:15pm

Friday 9:00am - 3:00pm

Below is an example of the timetable that a typical College student might have that studies History, Psychology and Maths. You have three 90 minute lessons and one hour-long lesson in each of your three subjects.

College Timetable Example

For the academic year starting September 2023

free periods

Unlike high school, your College timetable will show free periods. These times are great to get some College work done, but they can also be a time to socialise. Here’s just some of the things you can get up to outside of the classroom:

Grab something to eat/drink from the 8SQ canteen

Complete homework in the conservatory

There are so many shops around College!

Catch up on work in the HUB

Chat with friends in the park

College buses

College buses are an easy, cheap and popular way to travel to College. We have five different subsidised College bus services, which are easily accessible from all areas of Wirral, Merseyside and Cheshire.

Please see the enclosed leaflet or scan this QR code for bus route options and prices

If you have any further enquries, please don’t hesitate to contact us via enrol@bsfc.ac.uk.

College bus travel is free for students on a bursary

“Getting here is easy, no matter where you come from.”

financial support

We are committed to ensuring that all students have access to the right resources to be successful in their academic studies and remove any barriers to participation. Financial support is available to help cover:

• Travel to and from College (if you live more than a mile from the campus)

• College meals

• Compulsory College trips

• Selected learning materials

Applications are made online. Details will be given at Enrolment

Eligibility is based on the government’s criteria for free school meals and your son/daughter may qualify if parents/carers are in receipt of any of the following:

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit

• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)

• Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

• Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

Vulnerable student bursary

There is separate application form for students in defined categories (such as in care, care leaver, receiving financial benefits such as income support etc). In addition to the benefits listed previously, students could receive a bursary of up to £1200 a year based on individual circumstances.

term dates calendar 2023-2024 academic year

Monday 4th September is the first day of term. It’s a day for new students only so you can get familiar with your new College surroundings.

welcome from our 2023-2024 ambassadors

Hi, we’re your Head and Deputy Head Students who lead the team of Student Ambassadors at the College for the next year!

We were in your shoes this time last year. Trust us, you don’t need to worry about anything! We’re here to help you too - just look out for anyone with a purple lanyard and they can help you get around College, give some advice or just be someone to chat to.

Mohamad - Deputy Head Ridgeway High School

Lizzie - Head Student Birkenhead High School Academy

Thomas - Deputy Head Hilbre High School

Ellie - Deputy Head Prenton High School

Finlay - Head Student St Anselm’s

Abbey - Deputy Head Wrexham

meet our College dogs

Te y

I am the chief advisor of the Principal and I oversee the other dogs. What’s my favourite toy? Toffee.

Toff

My job at the College is to help out in the LAB, where my favourite thing to do is eat anything!

Alfie

My job at the College is printroom supervisor and my party trick is standing on my back legs and looking like a meerkat!

We look forward to seeing you in September!

“Good luck to everyone joining us in September. You’re going to love it.”

key dates 2023

Below are the key dates to look out for before you start your College journey.

All of the events are designed to make your switch from high school to sixth form as smooth and comfortable as possible, and there are always plenty of staff and current students to ask questions to and help find your way around.

Return your Enrolment Form - by Thurs 10th August

GCSE Results Day Clinic- Thurs 24th August 1 - 3pm

If your results aren’t as you’d hoped or some advice is required before your Enrolment appointment, then our expert tutors run a GCSE Results Day Clinic to speak to you and give some reassurance.

Enrolment Appointments -

Thursday 24th August - Wednesday 30th August

Each student is allocated a specific time and date for Enrolment that you will find in the accompanying letter to this guide. This is where final course choices are made and you officially join the College.

First day of term - Monday 4th September

The start of term. This dedicated day is just for new students, is a chance to get settled in and enjoy meeting your teachers, tutors and fellow new students while taking part in some fun activities.