STUDENT HANDBOOK 2023 - 2025
WELCOME
from Naheed Bardai
STUDENT WELCOME PACK 2023-2025
Dear Student, A very warm welcome to UWC Atlantic. You join us at an incredibly exciting chapter of our history. In our 60th anniversary year, a new 10 year plan to transform education has been launched, and, with our partners at the International Baccalaureate, we are also pioneering a new way of learning. In August 2023, we launch a new, first of its kind pathway within the IB Diploma that gives graduates the education they need to meet the challenges of living and thriving in a climate-changed world. Called the Systems Transformation Pathway: Leadership for Just Futures it aims to teach outside of classrooms and exams equipping students with the skills they need to challenge traditional systems across four impact areas: Food, Biodiversity, Sustainability and Migration. Find out more inside this handbook. You join this engaged and extraordinary community uniting brilliant, deliberatelydiverse, fertile young minds across 80 nations and cultures to live and learn together in a quest for world peace and sustainability. Come with an open-mind and open heart, and be prepared to be challenged and stretched in ways you might never have imagined. At the heart of our new home is our magical 12th century castle, steeped in Celtic history and where, 60 years ago, the UWC global movement first began. Beyond the Castle there are 122-acres of pasture, valley, woodland and seafront that you can now call home. Adventures await! Adventures during which friendships will be forged and transformations experienced that will last the rest of your lives. But please remember that this wonderful opportunity comes with a responsibility; to live by UWC values and to make a positive difference in the world. Keep the following at the forefront of your mind in all you do here: UWC makes education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. This handbook provides answers to many questions but you’re bound to have more. The staff and second year students are there to help you with the answers. In the meantime, please take time to read this handbook paying close attention to the Learning through Residential Life and UWC Atlantic Code of Conduct sections. Emphasis is placed on the personal responsibility and cultural sensitivity necessary for living in a multi-national community. My wish for you is that you have the time of your lives over the next two years and whatever contribution you go on to make to the world, you’ll never forget how this place inspired you. Naheed Bardai Principal
College Information UWC’s Mission, Values and Education Models UWC makes education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. UWC believes that to achieve peace and a sustainable future, the values it promotes are crucial. • International and intercultural understanding • Celebration of difference • Personal responsibility and integrity • Mutual responsibility and respect • Compassion and service • Respect for the environment • A sense of idealism • Personal challenge • Action and personal example Find out more at www.uwc.org
SUBJECT CHOICES 2023-2025
Learning through Academics UWC Atlantic, like all the United World Colleges, offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). The IB Diploma is a deliberate synthesis of the specialisation required in some national systems and the breadth provided in others. In 2023-2024, UWC Atlantic will become the only school in the world to offer a new pathway within the IBDP: the Systems Transformation Pathway. The Systems Transformation Pathway supports our ambition that a UWC Atlantic education develops “bridge builders and compassionate leaders, empowering them to go beyond treating symptoms to understand root causes and initiate transformative solutions to human and environmental crises.” This pioneering and distinctive new IBDP pathway has been developed out of a partnership between UWC Atlantic and the International Baccalaureate. Both pathways lead to students receiving the full IB Diploma, subject to meeting the graduation requirements.
Two Academic Pathways in the IB Diploma
CURRENT IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME
SYSTEMS TRANSFORMATION PATHWAY
Students completing the full IB Diploma Programme are required to study six subjects across different academic areas.
Taking the place of two Standard Level subjects in the IBDP is a bespoke course specially designed at UWC Atlantic to equip graduates to take on some of the greatest global challenges on a climate-changed planet: transforming the food system; advancing a just energy transition; reversing biodiversity loss and restoring ecosystems; and responding to migration and displacement at an unprecedented scale.
The six academic areas are: Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature Group 2: Language Acquisition Group 3: Individuals and Societies Group 4: Experimental Sciences Group 5: Mathematics Group 6: The Arts Students must choose one subject from Groups 1-5. They must then select either one subject from Group 6 or choose a second subject from Groups 1 to 5. Students must choose three subjects at Higher Level and three subjects at Standard Level. Note: Environmental Systems and Societies is an interdisciplinary course that can be chosen as a Group 3 or a Group 4 subject. Find out more about the IB Diploma at www.ibo.org
Students pursuing the Systems Transformation Pathway must choose three IBDP subjects at Higher Level and one subject at Standard Level. The Systems Transformation Pathway course is worth two Standard Level subjects. To ensure breadth in their studies, students are required to take at least one subject from Groups 1 and 2 and at least one subject from Groups 4 and 5. Students can take up to two courses from each academic area (Groups 1-6), but no more than two subjects combined from Groups 1 and 2. Beyond this there are no restrictions on their subject choices. Find out more about the new Systems Transformation Pathway at https://www.atlanticcollege.org/transformingeducation
STUDENT WELCOME PACK 2023-2025
Finding the right pathway The IB Diploma Programme and the Systems Transformation Pathway
Step 1
Step 2 Subject choice form completed
Townhall and subject information
24 May and 7 June
Step 3
Step 4
Adaptive and diagnostic testing
Applications and first stage of selections for the Systems Transformation Pathway
Final stage of selections for the Systems Transformation Pathway
16 July
During Orientation
Timetable finalised with tutor
During Orientation
To support you with choosing the right pathway and set of subjects in the IBDP: Step 1: We offer a series of townhall meetings for students and families in the incoming class, including one on the academic programme, and one specifically on the new Systems Transformation Pathway. Step 2: Along with various enrolment forms, you will receive one especially to make your preliminary subject choices. To help you complete this form you can refer to the information in this booklet and review the video recordings of the townhall meetings. The application process and form for the pioneer cohort of the Systems Transformation Pathway will open at the same time. Students applying to the Pathway will be asked to submit two sets of subject choices: a set of 4 subjects they would take alongside the Pathway, and in case they are not selected, a set 6 subjects in the current IB Diploma. Step 3: In the orientation process all first year students will take an adaptive cognitive assessment, a diagnostic test in Maths and complete an English writing exercise. This is to give us an indication of your advised level in your subject selections. Students shortlisted for the final stage of the selection process for the Systems Transformation Pathway will participate in a collaborative selection task during the orientation process. Step 4: Your timetable will be finalised with your tutor after the diagnostic results have been completed. Enrolment in the pioneer cohort of the Systems Transformation Pathway is subject to a selection process and the cohort will be finalised prior to the first day of classes. All other IB subjects are offered subject to availability, timetabling constraints and student numbers. In case a subject is oversubscribed, random selection might be applied to decide who can take the subject. The students will be notified in advance if this is likely to happen allowing them to have an alternative plan. Please note that we require a minimum uptake of 6 students to offer any of the subjects. We reserve the right to make the decision not to offer a subject at short notice at the beginning of term.
STUDENT WELCOME PACK 2023-2025
Learning through Co-Curricular The spirit of co-curricular learning is deeply ingrained in the culture and history of UWC Atlantic College, and it is a vital part of the IB Diploma Programme. The co-curricular programme is designed to support you in your personal and interpersonal development, providing opportunities for self-discovery and growth. Every student has unique starting points, needs, and goals, and a well-rounded co-curricular experience can be a profound and life-changing experience for each individual. CAS - Creativity, Activity and Service
The Prentis Hub
A vital component of the IB Diploma Programme, the primary objective of CAS is to develop you into a reflective thinker who understands their own strengths and limitations, identifies personal goals, and devises strategies for personal growth. Additionally, CAS encourages you to be willing to accept new challenges and roles, aware of yourself as a member of a community with responsibilities towards each other and the environment, active participants in sustained collaborative projects, and balanced individuals who enjoy and find significance in a range of activities involving intellectual, physical, creative, and emotional experiences. CAS is structured around three strands: creativity, activity, and service.
As part of the CAS programme, from 2023/24 students have an opportunity to engage with the Prentis Hub, a co-curricular initiative open to all students. Formerly the “Changemaker Curriculum,” Prentis - the Welsh word for apprentice - invites you to apprentice yourself to a cause you believe in.
Creativity - involves exploring and extending ideas leading to an original or interpretive product or performance. Activity - refers to physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle. Service - involves collaborative and reciprocal engagement with the community in response to an authentic need. CAS formally begins at the start of the Diploma Programme. You are expected to give equal importance to CAS as to any other element of the Diploma Programme, ensuring sufficient time is allocated for engagement in the programme. Successful completion of CAS is a requirement for the award of the IB Diploma. While CAS is not formally assessed, you will reflect on your experiences and provide evidence in your CAS portfolio to demonstrate that you have achieved the learning outcomes. The portfolio is a collection of evidence that showcases CAS experiences and student reflections.
You can apply to a Prentis module as one of your CAS activities and will develop the key skills needed for taking impactful action: selflessness and bridge building; designing for impact centered on need; managing impactful action; and joyful activism. Examples of Prentis modules include: Atlantic Pacific@AC, where students practice humanitarian responses to global drowning, design and build rigid inflatable hull boats, and remove plastics from our seas through innovative methods; and Narratives for Social Change, where students curate and project-manage a pop-up museum on a topic relevant to the community. Prentis prepares students to work in an informed, experiential way to identify and respond to a need. The full offering of Prentis modules for 2023/24 will be shared during the induction process, where you will have the opportunity to apply to join Prentis as part of your CAS programme.
STUDENT WELCOME PACK 2023-2025
Learning through Co-Curricular Project Week
Conferences
A week-long project-based experience, that is the culmination of the co-curricular calendar which mobilises the whole community.
Conferences are a change of pace in our academic programme, where for two days we break from the typical schedule of the academic day to create a different kind of learning community.
This week is an opportunity to immerse in a project focusing on teamwork, UWC values and personal growth through meaningful experiences. Importantly, Project Week is an opportunity for students to demonstrate initiative and exercise leadership - and each year we support an exciting mix of staff-led and student-initiated (but staff-supported) Project Weeks. The preparation and run up is always an exciting time as staff and student leaders alike plan for the week’s activities. Each year, the week focuses on an important aspect of the UWC experience and learning model. This year, projects were focused on service, sustainability, and expeditionary learning. An example of an expedition project this year was the Kurt Hahn Core, where students organised an expedition where they camped, cooked their own food, mapped out their routes and were self-sufficient for the duration of the expedition, overseen by an outdoor expert in case support was required. An example of a service led project was LEGS (Local Event Group Support) where students were involved in supporting a number of local community projects, they helped lay the ‘Atlantic Way’ on the local nature reserve, restored an ancient well and built a sensory garden. Participation in Project Week is a required component of our co-curricular programme; student's attendance, commitment and enthusiasm enable this to be a memorable week with personal growth, skill development and relationship building, leading to lifelong memories.
We have three conferences each school year, and they are entirely student-designed and led from inception through to delivery. Consistently mentioned as a highlight of many students’ experience at the College, conferences focus on honoring the diversity within the UWC Atlantic Community to extend and broaden student knowledge and experience, with a focus on peer learning. Our conferences cover a range of topics that students propose from topics important to them and these topics are then selected by the student body each year. This year, our first conference was BELIEVE, an interfaith conference, highlighting the commonalities, differences and complexities between faiths to encourage open dialogue and understanding. Our second conference was PHOENIX, a cultural conference run by our East Asian students. At inception this conference was thought about in response to the hate crimes committed towards the Asian Community as a response to the Covid outbreak. As it developed it remained true to its original roots but also became a celebration highlighting culture, culminating in a night market reminiscent of life at home for our East Asian students. Our final conference this year was ORIGIN, an art conference that was delivered in an innovative way, focusing on deep dives instead of different workshops. The deep dives explored different art forms to create a piece of work that embodies an individual's identity. All our conferences are supported by external speakers and facilitators who help to enrich and expand the content.
STUDENT WELCOME PACK 2023-2025
College Calendar Please note the schedule of college holidays. Students must have full attendance during the published college dates, please see the current Key Dates in the following page. Absences during term-time will only be authorised under exceptional circumstances; a Leave of Absence Form (LOA) must be completed at least 7 days prior to the requested absence. Please do not book any travel prior to submitting the LOA form.
Holidays Please note the main holidays below and specifically when the college is closed for students and alternative arrangements must be arranged.
October Break
Students can stay, return home or visit elsewhere
Campus open
Winter Break
Students are expected to leave the campus
Campus closed
Spring Break
Students can stay, return home or visit elsewhere
Campus open
Summer Break
Students are expected to leave the campus
Campus closed
The college calendar allows us to deliver the full UWC educational programme, which puts equal emphasis on curricular and co-curricular activities. Parents and students must understand that the published times and dates of holidays are not negotiable. Travel plans should be arranged within the advertised holiday dates. It is important for parents to plan in advance to avoid unauthorised absences. New students join the college at the end of August. The first term ends in the middle of December and a break of three and a half weeks enables students to return home. Please note that students are not able to be accommodated on the College campus during the December break. In cases where students cannot return to their home country during the December break, they/their families should arrange alternative accommodation. The second term, which begins in early January, continues until mid-June.
STUDENT WELCOME PACK 2023-2025
Key Dates - 2023 - 2024
These are the key dates for the 2023 - 2024 term, these dates change annually and the latest dates can always be found on our website and also within the ISAMs parent portal.
STUDENT WELCOME PACK 2023-2025
Our Parent only programme is not mandatory, but, if you are coming to the college to drop off your son or daughter, then you are welcome to join us for the afternoon. You will receive a travel form by email from Admissions and this is when you can tell us your travel plans and book in for our parent only programme too.
STUDENT WELCOME PACK 2023-2025
UWC Code of Conduct The UWC Common Code of Conduct is a series of expectations which all students accept in order to join the UWC movement and, by association, the UWC Atlantic community. The UWC Code of Conduct is based on the UWC values, which are at the heart of the movement’s mission to make education a force to unite people, nations, and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. It is UWC Atlantic’s desire that every community member works towards embodying these values. We expect the Code to be observed by all students when in attendance at the College and on College activities. Please sign and send the Behaviour Policy Form which can be downloaded from our website. The policy can be found here.
The UWC Common Code of Conduct Pursuing the UWC mission – to make education a force to unite people, nations, and cultures for peace and a sustainable future – requires a commitment to the following values: international and intercultural understanding, celebration of difference, personal responsibility and integrity, mutual responsibility and respect, compassion and service, respect for the environment, a sense of idealism, personal challenge, action and personal example. At the heart of the UWC ethos is respect for self and others in all our actions and words in all circumstances, including online. This means that we must think about the common good and be able to rise above our individual desires and needs in order to create fully integrated communities. In short, our ideals require good heartedness from all members of the UWC community and a recognition that cultural norms are diverse. The common Code of Conduct is required to make expectations clear. Students who accept a position at a UWC school or college commit to the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle, one that avoids potential harm to self and to others.
Therefore, the following are not acceptable: Consumption, possession and/or distribution of: drugs for recreational or other non-medically prescribed purposes tobacco, vaping and other related products alcohol on school/college property and school/college sponsored activities Sexual activity in student rooms and any other shared or public spaces Violence of any kind, including hazing, bullying, harassment or any other form of abuse Assault, including but not limited to verbal, physical and sexual Stealing or “borrowing without permission” Each school or college will have clear expectations regarding: Attendance (at all classes and activities) Academic integrity Respect for curfew and/or quiet times Alcohol ‘off campus’ Individual UWC schools and colleges may have additional standards on these issues that reflect the laws, cultural norms and circumstances of the country in which they are located. The expectation is that the UWC Common Code of Conduct will be followed both in action and spirit. Those who breach the Code may lose the right to remain in their UWC school or college. All our college policies can be found online at https://www.atlanticcollege.org/publicationspolicies/policies
STUDENT WELCOME PACK 2023-2025
Learning through Residential Life Boarding
Living together
Houses and dorms Our aim at UWC Atlantic is to create a homely and welcoming environment where you will quickly feel comfortable and establish long lasting friendships with peers and supportive relationships with staff.
As you learn to live together you also learn the responsibility of looking after yourself and your living environment. All dorms take part in a rota for ‘duty dorm’ which looks after the day room on a daily basis. There is also Sunday night clear up where all communal spaces are tidied and cleaned ready for the week ahead. It is your responsibility to keep your corner tidy. Floor space and window sills should be clear of clothing etc and other possessions should be stored away on shelves and in the drawers and cupboard spaces.
We have eight houses on campus, all with their own unique identity which are looked after by a team of House Mentors and tutors who will be there to guide and support you every step of the way. Whilst each house is different they have some common factors. Firstly, every house has a shared communal space; we have a dayroom where you can relax, prepare a snack, play games or watch some TV with friends. There is also a quiet room which is a study space with computer access, a laundry with drying areas and bathrooms. A typical student house has 12 student rooms, called dorms. Each dorm is shared by 4 students, deliberately selected to make your dorm as diverse as possible. This is one of many fundamental and significant features of our learning programme and environment. You will have your own corner within the dorm which consists of a bed with storage underneath, a chest of drawers and a wardrobe, one of which will be a lockable space for valuables. Each corner also has a bedside lamp and a board on which you can display some pictures. We do ask that pictures are not stuck onto the walls but remain on the board and that no additional furniture or cooking appliances are bought with you.
Once a week students gather together for ‘open house’. This is an evening where students have the opportunity to cook something from their home country to share with everyone else in their house. It is a wonderful ‘coming together’ that enables students and staff to share in some food, talk, and bond as a house. The Welcome Team and night staff also provide important background support to our daily infrastructure. They are there to support you with signing in and out of campus, locating duty staff and provide an out of hours pastoral service. Within the house we also have trained Peer Listeners who have committed themselves through service to provide peer support to help with some challenges you may face, such as homesickness.
STUDENT WELCOME PACK 2023-2025
Activities
Curfew and Check in
Outside of school hours there are a number of activities on and off campus. There are many clubs to join and sports to do. There is also a student shop where you can buy second hand clothes, stationary and snacks. We live near a small town which has a small supermarket, cafes and some independent shops. Further afield is Cardiff, a much larger city that you can visit on a Saturday by train.
Campus curfew is at 7.30pm Sunday - Thursday and 8.30pm on Friday and Saturday. You will be expected to have returned to campus and signed in with the Welcome Team at reception.
During the weekends the activity programme continues, examples are Outdoor activities organised by our AX department through to ‘Hot to go’ which is a student run restaurant. We also have movie nights, Friday night lecture, and other events planned by SLAAC which is our Student life at Atlantic College council.
Receiving mail All mail should be clearly addressed with your name and house, followed by the college address: St Donat's Castle, St Donats, Llantwit Major, Wales, United Kingdom CF61 1WF Every week day mail is delivered to student houses and kept in a secure area until the House mentor distributes it at check in time. As mentioned in the section on pocket money we encourage students to all live on the same amount of pocket money during the year and the spirit of living equally also extends to our parcel expectations. We are a globally, socially and economically diverse community who have come together for a peaceable, sustainable and equitable education, we therefore ask that you consider your purchases carefully.
The final part of the day is ‘check in’ which is the time that all students need to return to their boarding houses. This takes place at 9:30-10:00pm Monday to Thursday and 10:30-11:00pm Friday and Saturdays. The exception to this is on Sunday when everyone gathers for a House Meeting at 9:00pm. This is an opportunity to catch up with your House Mentor at the end of the day and is a time for discussing any issues as a house. House Mentors are available to offer pastoral support and guidance.
STUDENT WELCOME PACK 2023-2025
STUDENT WELCOME PACK 2023-2025
Typical College Day Monday 7:15 - 7:55
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Code
Code
Code
Code
Code
9:15 - 10:25
Code
Code
Code
Code
Code
10:25 - 10:45
BREAK - DINING HALL
10:45 - 11:55
Code
Code
Code
Code
Code
12:00 - 13:10
Code
Code
Code
Code
Code
LUNCH - DINING HALL
12:00 - 13:35 14:00 - 15:00 Assembly /Tutor Time
16:00 - 18:00
CAS
CAS
CAS
CAS
CAS
CAS
Down time
Down time
Down time
DINNER - DINING HALL
17:30 - 19:00 19:00 - 20:00 20:00 - 21:00
21:00 - 22:00
22:30 - 23:00
Sunday
BREAKFAST - DINING HALL
8:00- 9:10
15:00 - 16:00
Saturday
Down time
Check in 21:30 22:00
CAS
CAS
CAS
CAS
CAS
CAS
Check in 21:30 22:00
Check in 21:30 22:00
Check in 21:30 22:00
House meeting / Check in Check in
Check in
Monday afternoons is made up of a gathering, be that Assembly or Town Hall and a tutorial where you will meet as a group with your tutor to go over important information and take part in our Personal, Social and Health Education Programme. Any timetable gaps within the the academic day are for student or staff led activities.
Visitors All visitors have to be registered for approval and must be over 18 years of age. Photographic ID in line with our visitors policy and safeguarding policy must be provided on arrival. Visitor’s are only able to visit outside of school hours and must be hosted by you at all times.
Safeguarding Students have a fundamental right to be protected from harm and UWC Atlantic College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The safeguarding team is made up of the Vice Principal for Student Life, Safeguarding, Well Being and Belonging, Lucretia Fields who is the Safeguarding lead. She is supported by a team of four deputy Safeguarding leads. Safeguarding covers many different issues and during your time at UWC Atlantic, you will receive guidance on how to keep yourself safe and you will be expected to conduct yourself in a way which does not make others unsafe. Our responsibilities within safeguarding also extend to supporting student wellbeing. During tutorials, orientation, assemblies and other organised activities, you will be supported to adopt a healthy approach to life which promotes your wellbeing. There is a close link between safeguarding and student conduct. You are encouraged to read the Behaviour policy prior to your arrival at the college. It is expected that all students adhere to the requirements set out in these policies. It is by working together that we can strengthen our community, enabling all of our students to thrive.
Health and Wellbeing We encourage all our UWC students to build and grow in resilience and independence during their time here, but this does not mean you need to do everything yourself. It is important you know how, when and where to go for support or solutions to better equip you with the knowledge, experience and developing skills to help you overcome the inevitable personal challenges throughout your journey at UWC Atlantic and towards greater personal responsibility and accountability. All staff are committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of each student. In addition to your House Mentor and tutor there are other staff and services available to help you in different ways. Specific staff that are involved with your physical and mental health will be our Clinical Psychologist who runs our health and wellbeing team. He is supported by three counsellors who offer social-emotional support through both individual appointments or drop-in sessions. Additionally we have a Health Centre on campus which is staffed by two full-time nurses and a wellbeing assistant and is open 7 days a week to help with any medical requirements. We have doctors on campus twice a week to run clinics. The nurses also have access to a full range of healthcare professionals and community support networks through the National Health Service.
STUDENT WELCOME PACK 2022-2024
Medical and Insurance Medical Information
During induction you will be registered with the local Doctor’s Surgery and will be issued with a National Health Service number. This will entitle you to routine medical treatment, including prescriptions for medication and treatment for accidents and emergencies free of charge under the British National Health Service (NHS). Medical care in the UK is free but there may be charges for dental and optical services. Orthodontic treatment is not available on the NHS, but can be privately arranged in Cardiff. You will need to complete a Self Administration of Medication Assessment form with a member of the Health Centre staff to ensure your safety and any medications that you will be able to keep in your dorm will have to be stored in a locked cupboard. Some medication eg: those prescribed for ADHD are a controlled substance and they would have to be kept in the controlled drugs cupboard in the Health Centre and issued by the Health Centre staff, the frequency of which would be determined following assessment. All medication that is brought onto campus whether prescribed in the UK or abroad, must be declared to the Health Centre staff. Students are not permitted to store large quantities of medication within their personal belongings. Health Centre staff and Housementors must be informed of all prescription and non prescription medication that you bring with you. If you are on regular medication, you are required to bring at least a month’s supply at the start of term and forward any reports from the medical professional who prescribed the medication, including why it was prescribed and any follow up information e.g. are regular blood tests required. This will then be sent to our doctor's surgery so that notes may be updated and they can take over prescribing. If there are any pre-existing health conditions or you develop a health condition during your time at UWC Atlantic, an Individual Health Care Plan will be implemented with your input and a copy shared with your Parents/Guardian, Housementors, Staff Welcome Team and any other relevant team member who may need to be involved in your care. This Health Care Plan will feed into the Welfare Plan that each student at the college has.
Personal Insurance
The College insurance policies do not cover students’ personal possessions and items of particular value must be insured privately. We discourage students from bringing valuable items and any valuable items of property (such as cameras and computers) should be kept secure whilst at the College. Each student is given a lockable drawer and wardrobe. Students may wish to obtain their own insurance against accidents and unforeseen events. The College has an agreement for Students’ Personal Accident Insurance, details of which will be provided with the joining papers and can be found on the iSAMS Parent Portal. This insurance is a compensatory scheme for permanent disablement of one sort or another and is provided at no additional cost to the student. This insurance does not cover the costs of medical treatment. All students are covered by the College’s comprehensive travel insurance policy whilst travelling for College purposes during term time. This does not cover student travel at the beginning and end of term nor privately arranged travel during term time. It is recommended that students have their own travel insurance to cover these journeys.
STUDENT WELCOME PACK 2023-2025
The Learning Centre Network (TLC) The Student Support Team plays an important role in meeting individual needs of students and supporting all students. The Team includes an EAL (English as an Additional Language) teacher, an ALN (Additional Learning Needs) Coordinator, the Head of Tutors and Students Affairs and Heads of Years together with the IB Coordinator, the two Guidance and University Counsellors, the Head of Wellbeing and Safeguarding, counsellors, the nurse and the Vice Principal Education. The ALN Coordinator and the EAL teacher work directly with students, provide advice and guidance to staff and work collaboratively with parents and external support agencies to ensure that all students’ achievements are at least commensurate with their ability. Students with additional learning needs such as dyslexia, ADD, ADHD etc., and lower English proficiency, will be accommodated from the very beginning of their education at UWC Atlantic. Any previous assessment of a student's learning needs should be communicated and evidence provided, to ensure immediate accommodation and support. It also helps us to ensure special exam arrangements for students with the IB. Our Complaints Policy is available on the UWC Atlantic website for those wishing to raise a question or concern. Residential life related concerns unresolved by the Principal or/and the Board of Governors can be directed to the Care Inspectorate Wales.
UWC Atlantic understands that every student has individual needs that can affect the way they learn. We endeavour to meet such needs as best we can through our learning support network. Our network is designed to support students with learning differences to reach their potential and access the full UWC experience. All students are eligible for general support and specialist guidance is available to those with more specific needs. We provide a range of specialist support, including: English as an Additional Language (EAL) support from the EAL Teacher Additional Learning Needs (ALN) support from the ALN Coordinator Social and Emotional support from the Student Counsellors Medical advice and support from our Wellbeing (Health) Centre Staff. We also have a dedicated base which is situated in the Castle, known as the The Learning Centre (TLC). This is where students can find a quiet work space, computers with assistive technology, meet with the ALNCo, EAL Teacher or counsellors, attend workshops and 1:1 support sessions. The TLC is where you will find the TLC Support Network. The TLC Support Network communicates with teachers, college staff and as a team to ensure students are supported holistically and receive the most effective help available. Students with a diagnosed learning difference will be placed on an Individual Development Plan (IDP). The IDP is a maintained document that describes the learning difference and recommends specific strategies to support each student in fully accessing their UWC experience. The IDP feeds into the Welfare Plan that each student has at the college.
Money Fee Paying Students The Accounts department will invoice termly and the College has two terms per year. In July, the accounts department will issue the first invoice according to the signed financial declaration issued at acceptance. The second invoice will be issued by 1st December with payment due before January. Spending (Pocket) Money To minimise disparity between students, we recommend spending money be limited to no more than £500 per year. This limit is more than adequate for the student’s needs and we ask that parents adhere to this amount. Please note this recommended amount does not include the cost of calculators, personal trips away, non-curricular trips run by staff or transport to and from the College. The £500 (GBP) should be deposited with the Accounts Office prior to arrival via bank transfer, or a £GBP cheque made payable to ‘UWC Atlantic’ with the student’s name on the reverse side. Other currencies are not acceptable. The college runs a ‘College Bank’ for all students whereby they can withdraw spending money two days a week. Please note we cannot accept cash directly from you or a student, so all deposits for the College Bank should be made by bank transfer.
Students may require additional funds to finance their projects in the middle of each term, but parents and sponsors should know that the College is committed to limit these additional expenses, and it is possible for students to undertake projects within the College at no extra cost at all. Caution Fee You are required to pay a caution fee of £275 paid via bank transfer. The caution fee will cover any damage to College property such as lost/unreturned books, unpaid medical fees, travel for non-emergency medical appointments, damage to furniture, graffiti in rooms, lost documents, etc. If students do not leave their room tidy at the end of each term, we will deduct £50 from the caution fee. If necessary, the caution money balance should be topped up to £250 at the beginning of the second year. The balance will be refunded at the end of your two years after any deductions are made. The College’s bank account: UWC Atlantic College Bank: Royal Bank of Scotland plc 62/63 Threadneedle Street London, EC2R 8LA Sort code: 16-00-15 Account number: 23111414 Swift/BIC: RBOSGB2L IBAN: GB89 RBOS 1600 1523 1114 14
Please state clearly your name, date of birth and the purpose of the transaction and send an email to accounts@uwcatlantic.org to confirm the transfer. In some instances, spending money allowances are provided by the student’s scholarship, and this money is paid directly to the student’s Pocket Money Account from the College Accounts Office.
Please state clearly your name, date of birth and the purpose of the transaction and send an email to accounts@uwcatlantic.org to confirm the transfer. Please note: When transferring a combination of different payments in one amount, it is vital that the email contains a breakdown of what is being paid so that it can be correctly recorded (eg. caution fee £x and pocket money £x).
STUDENT WELCOME PACK 2023-2025
Travel to UWC Atlantic The Admissions team will have confirmed your arrival date. Once your travel plans are confirmed, please complete the Travel Form on Open Apply when it is made available via an email in June. Please note: For students who require a visa to study in the UK, please do not make any travel arrangements until your visa has been granted. The College will arrange for buses to transport students from Heathrow Airport to the College campus on the arrival day only. The cost of this bus from London Heathrow Airport is £30, this will be deducted from the student’s college bank account once they arrive at the college. There will be buses throughout the day with the latest being at 20:00, we recommend booking flights that arrive at Heathrow Airport no later than 18:00. This service is for students only (parents will not be able to travel on these buses). The meeting point to take these buses is Terminal 5 Arrivals, North Meeting Point, staff members will be there to guide students. There is a free shuttle train between the other terminals and Terminal 5. The closest airport to the college is Cardiff Airport, it is 20 minutes away from campus, although there is no transport provided by the college, the airport taxi company is always available in the terminal and the cost of one ride to the college is around £30. If you are making your own way to the college, students are welcome on site from 13:00. Parents can drop students in their allocated boarding houses. Parents are allowed into boarding houses on the first and last day of the school year only. The campus address is UWC Atlantic, St Donat’s Castle, St Donats, Llantwit Major, Wales CF61 1WF.
STUDENT WELCOME PACK 2023-2025
Frequently Asked Questions Please find our FAQ section on our website.
Contact Information Within the UK the following phone numbers needs to be prefixed with 01446. Outside of the UK, the prefix is 0044 1446
Jill Longson
Chair of Governors
Naheed Bardai
Principal
799001
Principal@uwcatlantic.org
Andrea Diez de Solano
Director of Philanthropy
799209
Philanthropy@uwcatlantic.org
John Shack
Clerk to the Governors
799002
john.shack@uwcatlantic.org
Debbie Lloyd-Emery
Executive Assistant to the Principal
799002
debbie.lloyd-emery@uwcatlantic.org
Elena Gandolla
Admissions
799308
admissions@uwcatlantic.org
Claudia Valarino
Student Life Coordinator
799077
claudia.valarino@uwcatlantic.org
799023
eileen.clews@uwcatlantic.org
Jill.longson@uwcatlantic.org
& Education Administrative Assistant Wellbeing (Health) Centre
799022
UWC Atlantic is a student sponsor and can sponsor students under both the UK Child Student and Student visa routes.
WELCOME TO UWC ATLANTIC
www.atlanticcollege.org UWC Atlantic St Donat’s Castle St Donats CF61 1WF Wales UK
