TCG's Year 10 Course Guide 2023/24

Whatever your ambition and passion, we are here to help you succeed. Every year, thousands of students join us on courses that are designed to help them achieve their career aspirations.

Our aim at The Trafford College Group is two-fold – to provide an inclusive educational offer across a whole range of courses and levels, and to provide a career focused curriculum that meets local skills needs and enables you to further your employment prospects. In short, we are here to ensure you develop the skills, attitudes and behaviours required for success in life and work.

Come and visit on one of our open days, where you will have the opportunity to speak to colleagues, meet current students and have a look around our facilities. We will make your experience an incredibly welcome one, and we will provide you with all the information you need in order to make those all-important decisions on the next steps in your education and career journey.

Scott, Principal & CEO

James

We offer a wide range of courses from Entry Level through to University Level, which means that there is a course available for you at an appropriate level. We are committed to ensuring that no matter what your qualifications, you can still progress and achieve your career goals. Entry requirements are a guide to which level of course will be right for you. In order to be accepted on your chosen course, you must meet the minimum requirements for that level of study.

formal entry requirement or qualifications are required to enrol on an Entry/Level 1 course, however, we expect all of our students to demonstrate a willingness to learn and work and the behaviours and attitudes that will support their progression and success.

grade 3 or above.

TRAFFORD COLLEGE WE ARE THE GROUP

The Trafford College Group was formed by the union of Trafford College and Stockport College in 2018, and in 2020 we were joined by The Cheadle College and Marple Sixth Form College to support the learning and ambitions of people and organisations across the two boroughs of Stockport and Trafford.

We have nearly 13,500 learners across our five campuses in Stockport and Trafford.

The Cheadle College

We have excellent results in both A Level and vocational courses making The Cheadle College a great option, whatever you are hoping to study. We treat every student as an individual and our exceptional support staff will make sure you have everything you need to succeed. We have recently received approval for a £27m campus redevelopment, planned to open at the end of 2024.

Trafford College

TRAFFORD COLLEGE

With a campus in both Altrincham and Stretford, and nearly 200 courses available, offering everything from A Levels to T Levels and vocational qualifications, as well as apprenticeships and adult education, Trafford College is one of the biggest education providers in the borough.

At Trafford College, we have a course for everyone, so whatever your ambitions are, we will be able to help.

Marple Sixth Form College

MARPLE SIXTH

Offering more than just an education, Marple Sixth Form College has an extensive enrichment programme as well as opportunities for work experience and being involved with charity events. Our excellent results are evidence of our supportive and nurturing environment, helping you achieve your ambitions.

Stockport College

SUPPORT & ENRICHMENT

We provide a range of support and personal, professional development options at the college. Whether it’s support you need to help you on your course, the chance to join one of our student councils or the opportunity to go on trips and visits, our support and enrichment programme will help you to get the most of college life.

LEARNER SUPPORT

We offer a wide range of personalised support to ensure you can fully access the college and your course. We will help you to find the strategies that work for you during your time with us and in your future career.

FUNDING & FINANCE SUPPORT

We have a range of financial support packages that you may be able to access depending on your circumstances. If you’re a student aged 16-18 then you do not pay any tuition, registration or exam fees, but you may be required to purchase course-related resources during your studies.

CAREERS PROGRAMME

We provide you with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to make positive career choices. The Careers Programme is tailored to the needs of individual students and provides a range of activities prior to enrolment, on programme and as part of your progression at the end of their course.

ENGLISH & MATHS SUPPORT

English and Maths are the heart of our curriculum offer. We want to make sure that everyone can participate successfully, achieving your goals and maximising your potential, which is why we have an inclusive approach and setting. We’ll work in partnership with you, your parents/carers, and teaching and support teams to remove any barriers to learning.

PERSONAL, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

We provide a personal, professional development programme that is engaging and challenging for all our students. You will be given the chance to learn a variety of new and interesting skills, which will aid you when applying for jobs or places at university.

LEADING TO YOUR FUTURE

EQUALITIES COUNCIL

We value the ideas and opinions of all our students. In our Equalities Council, you’ll have a platform to express your views on local and national issues, and even take ideas to local government to be presented to Trafford Council and Stockport Council government officials. You can engage with the British Youth Council and respond to the Make your Mark campaign. Engagement with political literacy and democracy supports our college and British values.

On top of all that is the opportunity to volunteer and support our local community with our trusted community partners. Interested? Then get involved, build your critical thinking and presentation skills, make links with your local community, and support your career development and work-ready skills.

GREEN COLLEGE ASSEMBLY

Green College Assembly

The Green College Assembly is here to make your ideas and suggestions about creating a greener, safer world a reality, for our college and local communities.

It only takes two minutes to change the world, to show how small changes in our lives can make a huge difference.

Through the Green College Assembly, we lead young people’s discussions through the Greater Manchester Combined Authority on the environmental issues you are passionate about.

DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD

Duke of Edinburgh Award

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is the world’s leading youth engagement award. You can take part in volunteering, physical and skilled activities as well as an expedition that will transform your life. The award can be done alongside your study programme with just a small amount of weekly input and big rewards.

In a recent survey of universities and employers, the Duke of Edinburgh Award ranked highest in a list of extracurricular activities that they would like to see on someone’s personal statement or C.V.!

WHAT SHOULD I

NLOAD OURBROCHURE STUDY?

We have a variety of study routes available so take a look at the information to get an idea of how the routes are different and which one you might prefer. You can also chat to one of our School Liaison Officers who are out visiting schools or our Careers Team at one of our Open Events if you have any questions about the right route for you.

A LEVELS

A Levels are studied over two years and you will generally choose three subjects to study. Some A Levels have coursework but are mostly graded through exams. A Levels are a great option if you want to find more out about subjects you’re interested in, in a greater depth, but don’t want to specialise in a particular subject yet. Studying A Levels can lead to university, training, further study, degree apprenticeships or employment.

VOCATIONALCOURSES

Vocational courses help you to develop real-world, knowledge, experience and skills. These courses are a great choice if you already have an idea of your future career and will give you a head start when applying to university or looking for employment after you finish with us. Vocational courses may have some examined elements but are mostly assessed by coursework.

APPRENTICESHIPS

Looking to start work now? Then an apprenticeship could be for you. You’ll learn on the job and pick up a recognised industry standard apprenticeship qualification. You will earn a salary and spend 20% of your apprenticeship completing necessary training and courses to support you in your role.

T LEVELS

T Levels are a relatively new qualification and are a high level, technical alternative to A Levels. Like A Levels, they are studied over two years, but they combine the careerfocused elements of vocational courses with the theory and study of A Levels. A key feature of T levels is their extended industry placement where you will spend at least 45 days with a local employer, relevant to your chosen area of study.

Available at The Cheadle College, Stockport College and Trafford College.

EQUIVALENT TO 3 A LEVELS

A 45-DAY INDUSTRY PLACEMENT

80% CLASSROOM, 20% WORK

T levels are a new advanced level qualification that have been designed to offer you a world class technical education. They are a high quality technical alternative to A levels, and other 16-19 courses, and can take you straight to skilled employment, as well as offer progression to higher level apprenticeships or degree level study at university.

T levels combine the career focus and practical elements of professional or vocational qualifications like BTECs, along with the theory and study of A levels, giving you the chance to experience the world of work and your future career while you continue with your studies. T levels have been co-designed with employers and leading businesses which ensures that the curriculum meets industry needs and will give you essential knowledge and skills, and the edge, in today’s competitive job market.

A core component of all T levels, and what makes them different from other qualifications, is their extended industry placement where you will gain valuable insights into your chosen sector, have the chance to apply the theory you’ve learnt in the classroom to the workplace and also develop the work ready skills employers are looking for.

T levels are a great choice if you want to achieve an advanced level of technical excellence in your chosen field and like the idea of developing your technical skills in both the classroom and the workplace.

FAQs

> Entry requirements for T levels are 5 GCSEs graded 4-9 including English Language and maths.

STOCKPORT COLLEGE T LEVELS

EDUCATION

CRAFT

TRAFFORD COLLEGE: ALTRINCHAM CAMPUS T LEVELS

CATERING

Specialism: Chef

EDUCATION & CHILDCARE

Specialism: Early Years Educator

HAIR, BEAUTY & AESTHETICS

Specialism: Beauty Therapist

TRAFFORD

CREATIVE

> T levels are two year courses and are aimed at 16-19 year olds.

> T levels will be offered across a range of different industries.

> Every T level includes an industry placement with a local employer which is at least 45 days. The design of the placement will depend on the T level. You need to complete the placement to achieve the full T level.

EDUCATION

> Assessment is through a combination of exams, coursework, work based observations, an employer project and an end point assessment.

HAIR, BEAUTY & AESTHETICS

Specialism: Beauty Therapist

HEALTH

THE CHEADLE COLLEGE T LEVELS LEGAL SERVICES

Specialism: Adult Nursing

Specialism: Therapy Occupations

HEALTH & SCIENCE

Specialism: Laboratory Science

> 1 T level is equivalent to 3 A levels and is worth UCAS points – a T level Distinction* is worth the same as 3 A*s at A level.

> When you pass your T level, you will get a nationally recognised certificate showing the overall grade you achieved - pass, merit, distinction or distinction*. It will also give details of what you learned on the course to help you move into skilled employment or a higher apprenticeship.

> It is different from an apprenticeship in that you spend 80% of your time in college.

THE CHEADLE COLLEGE

Cheadle

MARPLE SIXTH FORM COLLEGE

Buxton Lane, Marple, Stockport, SK6 7QY t. 0161 484 6600 w. marple.ac.uk e. info@cheadle.ac.uk

STOCKPORT COLLEGE

Wellington Road South, Stockport, SK1 3UQ

TRAFFORD COLLEGE, ALTRINCHAM CAMPUS

All information is correct at the time of print. However, the College reserves the right to change or amend a course as necessary. If you require this guide in an alternative format, please contact us.