2026/27
FIND YOUR FUTURE STUDENT GUIDE
Please find below details of your first class: Start Date: Time: Campus: Room Number: Contact Name: Personal Tutor:
WELCOME
BE READY BE RESPECTFUL BE SAFE We’re delighted you’ve chosen to study with us here at the college for technical excellence. During your induction, we’ll introduce you to the teaching teams and the college facilities, including the Learning Resource Centres, Heads of Studies offices and FAB Futures. This guide will help you find out more about our community and the support we’ll provide for you. You should find this guide useful, especially during the first few weeks, as you settle in to college life. A more detailed Student Handbook is available on the college Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). If you’ve any queries contact us on: 01942 761600.
OUR FREDIE VALUES
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FAIRNESS
RESPECT
EQUALITY
DIVERSITY
INCLUSION
ENGAGEMENT
We recognise differences and treat people fairly regardless of their background and circumstances
We build a culture of trust and kindness and do not tolerate any form of discrimination or hatred
We value individuals equally so that everyone has the same opportunity to make the most of their lives and talents
We celebrate difference so that everyone feels that they belong and are valued
We understand and address everyone’s individual needs through the way that we act and behave
We promote a positive culture through diverse representation, effective communication and collaborative working
HEAD OF STUDIES
STUDENT GOVERNOR
There are lots of people at college to help during your time as a student, including your Personal Tutor, the Head of Studies team and Student Liaison Officers.
This is a unique opportunity for you, if elected, to experience the leadership of the college at boardroom level.
The Head of Studies team plays an important role supporting you to:
As an elected representative, you speak from your fellow students’ perspective, to the governing board and help shape the direction of the college.
• Have fun through enrichment and volunteering activities, but also succeed on your course. • Monitor and manage attendance. • Push your grades to above the minimum expected.
The Student Council also invites you to sit on their group with student leaders from all course areas.
• Set, monitor and review targets for improvement. • Develop resilience. • Apply for student leadership roles. • Overcome difficulties • Stay safe. • Support you with cost of living, wellbeing, housing and health related issues.
They also co-ordinate a range of activities including: • freshers fayre • induction • assemblies and guest speakers • careers and progression events • clubs, societies and volunteering • learner voice meetings • Student Council and lead groups • enrichment.
Maxine Mealey Assistant Principal
Richard Hughes Head Of Studies
Chris Gandy Head Of Studies
Kate Anderton Head Of Studies
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CODE OF CONDUCT
When you join the us, you become an ambassador representing the college and our values. These include British Values and FREDIE values of Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement. You’ll agree to a set of standards we expect you to follow, both inside and outside college.
AS PART OF THESE STANDARDS, YOU’LL AGREE TO: Attend all College lessons punctually and meet all deadlines for completing work to a high standard at all times. Report any absences or late arrivals to the college by calling the absence reporting number – 01942 761 600 (Option 4) – before your first class or by 10am on each day of absence. Understand that all absences affect your attendance rate, and that the expected attendance rate is 100%. This target is in place to give you the best opportunity to succeed on your course and to prepare you for the expectations of working life. Complete all assignments and exams honestly, without cheating, copying, or plagiarising (using someone else’s work—e.g., from the internet, another student, or a book—and pretending it is your own). You’ll also follow the College’s AI Use Policy, ensuring that any use of artificial intelligence supports your learning and does not compromise academic integrity. Wear your student ID card at all times, ensuring that the photo is visible. You’ll show it when asked and will never allow anyone else to use it. Not smoke or vape (including e-cigarettes) anywhere on college premises except in designated smoking areas. This includes entrances and exits. Respect the wellbeing, safety, and property of all members of the college and the wider community, and treat college facilities and property with care. You’ll avoid disruptive behaviour, including persistent talking and inappropriate use of mobile phones during lessons.
Safeguard the reputation of Wigan & Leigh College, both in person and online acting as a responsible digital citizen, avoiding the posting or sharing of any images, comments, or other content that could harm the college’s reputation, its students, or staff. You’ll understand that online behaviour is part of your personal responsibility and falls under the College’s safeguarding expectations. Abide by the College’s IT User Policy and use computer facilities solely to support my learning. Follow Health & Safety regulations, take responsibility for your own and others’ safety, and follow staff instructions. Understand that the possession of drugs paraphernalia or use of drugs (including legal highs), alcohol, or weapons on college premises is strictly prohibited. Follow all wider college rules and respond positively to any reasonable request from staff regarding behaviour or standards—e.g., being asked to remove hats or hoods indoors. Be ready, respectful and safe at all times, showing a positive attitude to learning and to the college community. Be respectful of, and prepared for, life in modern Britain (British Values, equality & inclusion) Contribute to an ambitious culture where effort, kindness and courage are valued & respected. premises.
Show respect to all students and staff, behaving in a thoughtful, caring, and responsible way at all times. understanding that violence, discrimination, harassment, bullying, and the use of foul or abusive language are not tolerated. This includes wearing or displaying logos or slogans that could offend others.
If you fail to follow this Code, we may take disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Disciplinary Procedure. This may lead to us excluding you from college. 3
If you’re in receipt of Learner Support Funding, and your attendance drops below 100 per cent, or you fail to meet the terms of the Code of Conduct we may stop your funding.
DIGITAL
We use the following free platforms to connect with you. We’ll help you access them if they’re unfamiliar to you.
Microsoft Teams
An app and website for online groups connecting to your classes. You can share and access files, chats, assignments and a variety of other apps. You can make group and individual audio/ video calls, usually at the start of each lesson.
Nearpod For interactive presentations
Access by logging in using your college log in (Microsoft 365) account details. We recommend downloading the MS Teams app to your phone, so we can keep in touch throughout the academic year.
Tutors will share a unique code for each lesson for you to join the session.
ProPortal
A web page to view and edit assessment grades and individual learning plans. Access from the college website, with your usual college username and password to log in.
An app and website for lesson presentations. Lots of interactivity - questions, drawings, 360-degree field trips, video and matching tasks.
VLE Virtual Learning Environment
A web page for course resources - also has additional interactive elements. Access from the college website. Use your usual college username and password to log in.
ONLINE SAFETY
YOUR DIGITAL CODE OF CONDUCT We expect all students at Wigan & Leigh College to uphold the same standards of behaviour online as they do in college. Your digital footprint matters and can affect your reputation, future education and employment opportunities. As a Wigan & Leigh College student, you must agree to:
• Threatening or intimidating
▶ Behave respectfully online across all social media platforms, messaging services, gaming platforms and digital learning environments.
• Offensive
▶ Use technology in a way that reflects our FREDIE values of respect, inclusion, responsibility and kindness. ▶ Think before you post, share or comment online. ▶ Not create, share or support any content which is: • Discriminatory • Defamatory • Bullying or harassing • Malicious or false • Abusive • Hostile
• Impersonating another person • AI-generated or digitally manipulated to harm, deceive or misrepresent others …and to instead “Report, Don’t React” to any of the above. ▶ Not take, create or share images, videos or recordings of others without their knowledge and consent. ▶ Respect the privacy, safety and wellbeing of others online. ▶ Use college systems, devices and networks safely, responsibly and in accordance with college policies. Online behaviour is subject to the same standards and expectations as behaviour within college and may result in disciplinary action where appropriate.
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STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES (REPS) Student Reps are the link between you and the college. They listen to your thoughts and ideas and feed this back to Student Council. Student Reps represent you at every level of the decision-making process. They really are your voice in shaping the future of the college. Telling your Student Rep how you’re feeling about your course, or other areas of college life, can drive positive change to make sure you are getting the best experience you can. You can become a Student Rep by nominating yourself to your Personal Tutor or the Head of Studies Team, you are then are voted in by their class peers. • This is your chance to get involved with something challenging, rewarding and exciting. • Students need a variety of voices and views to represent them, so nominate yourself now. • You don’t need experience and we provide training.
TAKE TIME FOR YOU. MAKE PROGRESS. Dedicated time with your course tutor to focus, reflect and make progress.
Focus on your goals
Understand your feedback
Make progress on your next piece of work
MyTime is your time with a course tutor, where you can reflect on your assignments, practicals and work and look at how to improve. Chat to your course tutor about MyTime. 5
ENRICHMENT There are lots of enrichment activities and opportunities for you to join, helping to enrich your college experience, meet people with similar interests, and have some fun along the way.
EXPAND YOUR MIND CELEBRATING DIFFERENCE
• FREDIE • Cultural Events • Pride • Black History Month • International Women’s Day • Disability Awareness
AFFINITY GROUPS
• LGBT+ • Young Carers • Neurodiversity • Inclusion • Student Voice • Geek Club
STUDENT LEADERSHIP • Student Council • Ambassadors • Governors • Peer Mentors • Event Planning • Strategic Away Days
VOLUNTEERING • Charity • Community • Social Action • Trust in Leigh • The Brick • Veterans • Local Partnerships
DISCOVER • BELONG • LEAD • SUCCEED
SPORT & PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES • Basketball • Silent Disco • Rugby / Wheelchair Rugby • Football • Gym • Yoga • Swimming • Dance • Fitness • Wellbeing walks • Inclusive sport • Climbing
DEVELOPING LIFE & FUTURE SKILLS•
Preparing for university, apprenticeships and employment
• CV workshops • Bite Sizes for students - from financial good health to motivational talks • Interview practice • Medical Society • Student Magazine • Presentation skills • Debating • Student mentoring / coaching • Mock interviews • Digital skills • Public speaking • Entrepreneurship
ARTS & CULTURE
Be creative. Be inspired.
• Theatre visits • Music • Dance • Drama • Photography • Fashion • Creative Arts • Book Club • Film Club • Spoken Word • The Old Courts • Cultural celebrations • Heritage and community projects • Guest speakers • Sir Ian McKellen Theatre events
BELONGING • Friendship groups • Meet new people • Build confidence • Find your community
NATURE, OUTDOORS & ADVENTURE
Challenge Yourself
• Duke of Edinburgh • International visits • A wide range of trips & visits • Residentials (including Student Council Strategic Away Days) • Water sports, climbing, arts…. and much more • Environmental projects & Conservation Club • Student Leadership Opportunities • Well-being Wigan – our Green spaces activities • Water Safety and Learn to Swim • Photography walks 6
STUDY DAYS Study days form an important part of your weekly timetable. It’s time set aside for you to: • Attend enrichment and work ready activities. • Practice, revise, reflect and be creative. • Complete coursework and homework. • Attend work placements. • Run your own affinity club or group and join in with existing ones. To find out more speak to your Personal Tutor or the Head of Studies Team.
STUDENT COUNCIL
WHAT
BRITISH VALUES
The Student Council is a formal way for you to have a say on what happens at college.
British Values aren’t just something to learn. They’re how we live.
We’ve influenced local and national agendas too, collaborating on campaigns and voting to drive significant change for students.
MEAN
They guide how we treat each other, work together, and help build a fair, respectful world, whether we’re in college, online or at work.
DEMOCRACY
RULE OF LAW
Your voice matters. Use it.
Know the rules. Stick to them.
INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY
MUTUAL RESPECT & TOLERANCE
Be yourself. Let others do the same. 7
Everyone’s different. Be kind anyway.
If you decide to join the Student Council, you’ll attend meetings to discuss what’s happening with a member of the senior management team. It’s a great way to find out about the college’s different departments and job roles. You’ll meet members of staff and hear about what they do and how they impact on you.
We hold elections every year for vacant posts and the team meets once a term to make key decisions for the Council. We hold student forums once a term to represent your views. You can pass on suggestions or issues to your course reps. The Student Council also supports and arranges enrichment events to raise awareness of community and national issues that are important to you, often raising money for charity. If you want to be part of the Student Council, contact your Head of Studies or let your Personal Tutor know.
FREE BUS PASS FOR 16-18 YEAR OLDS
FOR STUDENTS WHO LIVE OUTSIDE GREATER MANCHESTER
FOR STUDENTS WHO LIVE WITHIN GREATER MANCHESTER
You can get a free student bus pass if you’re enrolled at Wigan & Leigh College on a full-time course up to Level 3.
You can get a free OURPASS if you’re enrolled at & Leigh College. You’ll need to live in Greater Manchester and aged 16-18.
You must live outside of Greater Manchester and aged 16-18 before the 31 August. You’ll need 90% attendance to get your spring and summer passes.
You’ll pay a £10 admin fee to Transport for Greater Manchester, if you’re eligible for our college bursary we’ll give you back that money in your first term.
You’ll get your pass at the start of term in September. If you lose it you’ll have to pay for a replacement.
If live oustside Greater Manchester apply for our college student bus pass instead.
wigan-leigh.ac.uk/free-bus-pass
FIND OUT MORE
PARKING If you study at our at our Wigan campuses you can park at Water Street Car Park. Parking at college is only for staff, as we are currently undergoing a campus re-development, and parking is limited. You can get your pass from from receptions.
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COLLEGE BURSARY You may be eligible for help if you meet certain criteria on a full-time, fully-funded course and are: • 16 and over but under 19 on 31/08/2026 or • 19 on 31/08/2026 and continuing into a second year of study on the same course or • 19 - 24 and have an Educational, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) AND • Meet the Discretionary Bursary Criteria (household with an income up to £35,000) or 19 - 24 with EHCP living independently or • Meet the Vulnerable Bursary criteria (household income of £35,000) for students aged 16 and over but under 19 on 31/08/2026.
WE CAN HELP YOU WITH Vulnerable Bursary
You may be entitled to help towards travel support, equipment, materials, uniforms and trips based on financial assessment.
Discretionary Bursary
You may be entitled to help towards travel support, equipment, materials, uniforms and trips based on financial assessment.
Scan the QR code to apply If you need any further assistance please speak to a member of the Funding Team thefundingteam@wigan-leigh.ac.uk
*Funding is subject to attendance and behaviour. Further terms and conditions apply.
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Free College Meals
On attendance days, free college meals may also be available for students dependent on financial assessment.
WELLBEING If you struggle with anxiety or stress we’ve got your back. Our wellbeing team can help you cope with life’s hurdles offering: • tips to help develop confidence and self esteem • strategies to develop resilience • meditation and breathing exercises • mindfulness techniques. Contact Head of Studies to find out more.
DIARY DATES Student Progress Evenings for all Year 2 Level 3 Students Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 November 2026
Student Progress Evenings for all Year 1 students studying Entry, 1, 2 or 3 Levels Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 November 2026
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Our team offers impartial advice to help you make decisions about how to get work ready and plan further study options after your course. You can meet us to find out more about: • How to change course or get an apprenticeship. • UCAS applications. • Student Finance applications. • Applying for higher education at our University Centre. • Job searches, CVs, letters and job applications. • Work placements. • Identifying and building the skills to get ahead. • Researching and planning to support your career ambitions. • Funding and welfare. • Support agencies.
SIAN WALKER
Former school: Bedford High School Course: T Level Education Teaching and Education Grades: Distinction Progression: Apprenticeship at Leigh St John’s CofE Primary in conjunction with BA (Hons) Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status - Edge Hill University Sian conducted her work placement with SEN children at a primary school in Leigh. She said: “I liked that the T Level had more placement hours, and it was more practical for me. “I got to do phonics lessons with lowerlevel children and English skills such as reading. The placement has helped me to become a lot more independent, and I have learnt to be more patient working with children. “I have enjoyed the course. I’ve been able to put lots of what I have learnt into practice on the placement such as safeguarding policies.”
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CAREER PLANNING
WORK EXPERIENCE
We provide experiences to support you in achieving your dream career.
As a full-time student you’ll do a placement or work experience to get work ready.
We hold guest speaker sessions from industry experts, visits to workplaces and opportunities to work on employers’ live briefs and projects.
Work placements vary depending on your course.
We use up-to-date labour market information to help you explore careers in your chosen industry, find out more about salary and earnings, growth opportunities and the skills you need to get work ready. View your Career Passport here
To book an appointment with a Career Coach, speak to the reception team or call:
MEET THE EMPLOYER EVENTS You can meet local, regional and national employers who are recruiting for apprentices, or jobs, at events held at our Pagefield Campus.
Tutori
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A work placement can help you decide on the careers or industries you want, or don’t want to work in. It can also help to: · Develop skills for careers · Develop your professional behaviour. · Discover new talents. · Strengthen your CV. · Improve your industry knowledge. · Put learning into practice.
al
My
Parsons Walk Campus: 01942 761 681 Pagefield Campus: 01942 761 819 Leigh Campus: 01942 761 487
You’ll find out more about the type of work experience you’ll have during your induction period.
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MyJourney is your Personal Development and Tutorial curriculum and an essential part of your study. Key themes and specialist workshops will be delivered by your Personal Tutors and external speakers, alongside opportunities and activities designed to challenge and support your wider development. 12
INTRODUCING PARENT/GUARDIAN CONTACT HUB It is important that your parents or guardian’s support you whilst you are at college, and throughout the year, there will be important information that we want to share with them. The easiest way for them to access this information, is having access to our Contact Hub.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?
To get started, you will need to add them as a contact.
SETTING UP A CONTACT
The options menu is an area of the screen that is fixed wherever you navigate throughout the system. This area displays your photo (if available) or your first initial.
Clicking on the username will display your username and a menu with a list of options.
Use the Access Permissions option to provide access to your parents, carers or other contacts.
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This displays the Access Permissions screen, which allows you to do the following: • Select the associated contact that you want to provide access to. Ensure to select the consent check box and then click the Save button. An email is then sent to your parent / guardian within one working day. • If you want to add a contact that is not in the drop down list, then click the add a new contact. • Deselect the check box(es) of contacts that you want to remove permissions for and then click the Update button.
Your parent / guardian will receive a link to set up their account - this will be active for one day. 14
TERM DATES AUTUMN TERM
Tuesday 01/09/2026 – Thursday 18/12/2026
Classes Start
Tuesday 01/09/2026
Half Term Holiday
Monday 26/10/2026 to Friday 30/10/2026
Classes Finish
Thursday 17/12/2026
Winter Holidays
Friday 18/12/2026 to Monday 04/01/2027
SPRING TERM
Tuesday 05/01/2027 – Thursday 25/03/2027
Classes Commence
Tuesday 05/01/2027
Half Term
Monday 15/02/2027 to Friday 19/02/2027
Classes Finish
Thursday 25/03/2027
Easter Holidays
Friday 26/03/27 to Friday 09/04/2027 Good Friday – 26/03/2027 Easter Monday – 29/03/2027
SUMMER TERM
Monday 12/04/2027 - Thursday 01/07/2027
Classes Start
Monday 12/04/2027 Early May Bank Holiday – 03/05/2027
Half Term
Monday 31/05/2027 to Friday 04/06/2027 Bank Holiday - Monday 31/05/2027
Classes Finish
Thursday 01/07/2027
HOLIDAYS DURING TERM TIME ARE NOT PERMITTED
PARENT/GUARDIAN EVENING Monday 28/09/2026
01942 761 111 wigan-leigh.ac.uk wiganleighcollege
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