Support at the sixth form college leaflet

Support at The Sixth Form College The Sixth Form College offers students a comprehensive support package that offers high levels of individual and tailored support during their studies.

Pastoral Support Each student has an experienced and specialist Personal & Guidance Tutor throughout their time at The Sixth Form College.

The tutor’s role is to support students and have an overview of both their academic and personal development. They work closely with students to get to know them individually and ensure that they make the most of their strengths and the opportunities available at The Sixth Form College.

During weekly tutorial sessions students cover topics such as: • • • • • •

higher education choices careers finance personal safety current affairs talks from a range of diverse speakers

Students also meet regularly with their tutor for a 1:1 personal review during which areas of success as well as areas students would benefit from support or extra effort are identified, keeping students on track to meet and exceed their targets.

Academic Support Advanced Academic Writing The Academic Writing Team support students to develop the academic writing skills required for Advanced Level study that involve being able to interpret a task effectively and provide a coherent and professional response. Students’ confidence and grades increase with the support from the Academic Writing tutors.

The support offered by the team includes: • • • •

help with planning and structuring assignments and examination essays help and support with timing in examination essays help in proof reading skills help with referencing, citations and constructing a bibliography within assignments “I have completed nine sessions on the Academic Writing Programme & now I feel I have the skills to complete my written work on time, structure my essays correctly and I can make necessary links back to the question” Kayleigh

Subject Plus Sessions

Study Hall

Specialist Subject Staff

Subject Plus sessions are timetabled sessions for students who benefit from additional help and guidance in particular subjects.

Study Hall is a timetabled session when students can do exam practice, complete work, complete UCAS applications or attend extra lessons.

Sessions are supported by staff and work is monitored.

All lessons are taught by staff who are specialists in their subject areas and experienced at teaching 16-19 year olds at Level 3.

Higher Education & Careers Support The Personal & Guidance tutors guide students throughout the higher education and UCAS application process and this starts in the first year.

Students can expect: •

Information on University Open Days

•

Talks from current University students

•

Organised trips to universities including Oxford and Cambridge

•

Access to Mentoring Schemes at Russell Group Universities such as The University of Liverpool

•

Opportunities to look at international university placements overseas with The Sutton Trust.

•

Annual Higher Education Week that provides opportunities for students to speak directly to universities and Student Finance

Students wishing to go straight into employment also benefit from personalised support as part of their tutorial programme.

Students can expect: • • • • • • • • •

Sessions on careers and options throughout the year during the tutorial programme.

Termly Careers Newsletter to keep them up to date on careers news.

Careers Fair attended by leading organisations.

Opportunities communicated via tutors and online.

Industry approved careers software to assist with research.

Regular visits from industry professionals to offer advice and careers guidance.

Advice and guidance on advanced apprenticeship opportunities with blue-chip organisations including Microsoft, Jaguar-Land Rover and BT. Work experience opportunities.

Opportunities to enhance CVs through enrichment activities.

Learning Support The College has a team of dedicated Learning Support staff, including Dyslexia specialists, who can provide support, advice and guidance for students with a wide range of learning support needs.

Tailored support can include: •

Support from a Learning Support Assistant inside or outside of the classroom to help with organisation, research, assignments or private study.

• • • •

Dyslexia support.

Group support or discrete support in the classroom.

Note takers or readers.

Special examination considerations such as rest breaks, psychological support, extra time, readers, scribe or separate exam conditions.

•

Technical support including the loan of equipment such as laptops.

The team works closely with students, parents, schools, external agencies and college staff to ensure a smooth transition from school to college and students are encouraged to attend taster sessions before they start.

Financial Support Essential costs such as course workbooks, textbooks, instruments and equipment are provided by the college free of charge.

Bursary schemes are available to assist students whose household income is low.

This can include help with transport costs, meals, books or other course related costs.

Financial Support can include: •

Guaranteed Bursary of £1200 for students in most need and who meet the criteria.

•

Income Assessed Bursary.

•

Hardship Fund

Technological Support

IT & Technical Services provide computer facilities and specialist computer software for student use in lessons and study periods. This includes the Microsoft Office365 Education package which provides access to a range of valuable software programmes and tools, including 50GB mailbox, 1TB OneDrive Pro Cloud Storage, and free five-copy license of Microsoft Office for home use (including mobile devices/tablets) for use whilst enrolled at the college.

*Information provided in this leaflet is correct at the time of going to print.

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