Your School Liaison Guide
Supporting schools to meet the Gatsby Benchmarks and the Provider Access Legislation
This guide details how the School Liaison team at Wiltshire College & University Centre (WCUC) can help you support your young people to make informed choices about their onward
Introduction
As a team of enthusiastic professionals, we have designed a range of activities and events that will help your pupils consider their next steps in college, employment and beyond. By working with you to provide information, advice and guidance at crucial points, we aim to motivate your pupils to realise and achieve their personal potential.
Introductions to Wiltshire College & University Centre
We are keen to offer your pupils a chance to experience how different student life is at college. It is an opportunity to get to know us, what we offer and to receive a friendly helping hand for those who are a little nervous about leaving secondary school and may need extra support as they prepare for their next step.
The Gatsby Benchmarks and Baker Clause
The eight Gatsby Benchmarks and Baker Clause allow us all to demonstrate our commitment to providing impartial high-quality careers information, advice and guidance. We believe every student should have access to information and experiences in school that supports them to make the right choice for them.
The Gatsby Benchmarks
1. A stable careers programme
2. Learning from career and labour market information
3. Addressing the needs of each pupil
4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
5. Encourage encounters with employers and employees
6. Experiences of workplaces
7. Encounters with Further and Higher Education
8. Personal guidance
Open Event Dates 2025/26
October
Wed 1 October 5-7pm TR
Sat 4 October 10am-12pm LA
Tues 7 October 5-7pm CH
Thurs 9 October 5-7pm SA
November
Sat 8 November 10am-12pm TR
Sat 15 November 10am-12pm CH/LA Sat 22 November 10am-12pm SA
January/February
Wed 28 January 5-7pm TR
Sat 31 January 10am-12pm LA Tues 3 February 5-7pm CH
April/May Tues 21 April 5-7pm TR
23 April 5-7pm LA Tues 28 April 5-7pm CH Thurs 30 April 5-7pm SA
Scan the QR code to view our digital prospectuses
These are the best opportunities for prospective pupils and their parents or carers to visit our college campuses and explore our industry-standard facilities. During these events, our lecturers will be on hand to discuss their courses and answer any questions. Our wider student support teams will also be available to answer enquiries on travel, finance and the support we can provide for those applicants with additional learning and social needs.
Trowbridge (TR)
Salisbury (SA)
Lackham (LA)
Chippenham (CH)
School Liaison Offer
Assemblies
Kick-start your post-16 option conversations with one of our informative and engaging presentations. We know it is imperative that young people receive the information, advice, and guidance they need to enable them to confidently make an informed decision about their next step. We are happy to come in and deliver our school presentation, which can be tailored to a range of year groups or tutor groups at a time that suits your timetable.
Audience: Year 9-11
Group size: Suitable for small groups or large assemblies
Duration: Up to 30 minutes
Individual Tours
We understand that attending an open day may not always be convenient for young people or their parents/caregivers due to various factors. If you believe an individual tour would better suit your needs, we would be happy to arrange this for you with the Inclusion and Support Team.
To book a personalised tour, please email us at schools@wiltshire.ac.uk
School Group Tours
If you are interested in bringing a group of young people for a college tour, please contact our School Liaison team to arrange a date. These tours can help familiarise students with our campuses as they get the opportunity to explore alongside their peers which can alleviate any worries they have about moving to somewhere new. With notice, we can structure these tours around a particular curriculum area of interest to give an in-depth experience of what learning in a college environment looks like.
Lunchtime Drop-in sessions
We are available to hold regular lunchtime drop-in sessions at your school. During these sessions, they can provide helpful advice about college choices and careers, as well as answer any questions you may have about college life.
Curriculum Focused Workshops
Below are just a few examples of the workshops we can arrange. We are happy to work with you to devise other workshops to engage your young people.
Beauty Therapy – Mini manicure session to experience learning and working in one of our industry – standard beauty salons.
Hairdressing – Practise your blow drying and hair techniques on our mannequins.
Construction – Try out our bricklaying skills in our workshops.
Land Based Studies – Meet and greet with some or our animals and take a visit to our robotic dairy.
Healthcare – Discover the skills needed to work in a hospital through engaging activities.
Careers Fairs and Progression & Employability Events at School
We are happy to support any school events for the entire school or a specific year group. Our calendar gets booked quite quickly, so if you would like us to visit you, please contact schools@wiltshire.ac.uk to attend any careers fairs at your school.
Parents and Option Evenings
As part of a wider event or a regular parents evening, our School Liaison Team can attend and provide help and advice on college options.
Mock Interviews
An opportunity for students of all ages to gain vital experience of job interviews.
A Beginners Guide to Apprenticeships
This introductory session provides students with a clear understanding of what apprenticeships are, the skills needed to secure one, and how to apply successfully.
Higher Education
At Wiltshire College & University Centre, we offer a broad range of university-level courses, including some validated by top UK universities including Bournemouth, Coventry and Oxford Brookes.
If you wish to find out more, please get in touch by contacting schools@wiltshire.ac.uk
GCSE Guidance
Our School Liaison Team and college staff will be available on GCSE results day in August to support and reassure students with any questions about their next steps at college.
Staffing
When visiting WCUC, students must be accompanied by an appropriate number of staff from your school.
Health and Safety
While we conduct our own risk assessments for all activities, we also require schools to provide their own. Relevant information will be requested at the time of booking.
Student and School Feedback
Below is a selection of feedback we’ve received from students, teachers, and parents who have attended our events:
Careers Fair
“I just wanted to email and say thank you so much for your support with the careers fair. I was absolutely blown away by your enthusiasm and commitment to supporting our students with their career’s education. Thank you for bringing your wonderful resources and for giving up your time.”
- Kingdown School
Mock Interview
I wanted to write to you and thank you so much for your support at our mock interview event. It was a hugely successful afternoon, and we have had great feedback from the students. They came out of their interviews smiling and relieved! I’m sure this event will have really boosted their confidence.
– Malmesbury School
Assemblies
“A huge thank you for supporting our ‘Post-16 Palooza’ event. The feedback from students has been incredible following the event; it really gave them a lot to think about and sowed the seeds for their future options after Trafalgar.”
- The Trafalgar School
Contact Us
Previous Activities
Lackham campus tour
Travel and Tourism taster session
School assembly
Chippenham campus tour
Beauty Therapy taster session Automotive
Salisbury Health Care Zone visit
Visiting the animals at Lackham campus
Connecting Bristol with wider opportunities
