OUTSTANDING SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS
We pride ourselves on providing every student with the best support possible. Focusing on your individual needs, we provide you with a wealth of support to assist you throughout your time at college. This support will always be available when you want or need it - our dedicated staff are here to help you from day one.
To unlock your academic potential, we offer a range of specialist support, led by experienced staff, that is designed to support your learning:
- Academic Writing Programme where you are fully supported to develop your writing skills for the higher level required by A levels such as History, Media Studies, Sociology
- Level 3 Core Maths Programme where you are fully supported to develop your mathematical skills for the higher level required by A levels such as Chemistry, Economics, Psychology
- Time-tabled subject specific workshops, where you will be able to access a subject specialist for extra support or challenge
If you require additional learning support, our dedicated Learning Support team will work closely with you, your family, your school, relevant external agencies and College staff to ensure you receive the support that is exactly right for you.
Our Learning Support team is based in the Study Centre.
The Study Centre is a hub of activity providing additional learning support including:
- One-to-one support from an experienced team of Student Support Assistants
- Support for specific learning needs. These include, but are not limited to:
- Students with learning difficulties, including dyspraxia and dyslexia
- Students with sensory impairments
- Students with physical disabilities
- Students with English as a second language (ESOL)
- Special examination arrangement assessments
Students who may need special examination arrangements will be assessed internally by our specialist assessors. Special examination arrangements may include provision of:
- a reader
- a scribe
- a separate room
- extra time
- rest breaks
- the loan of equipment, such as laptops
- Access to 20 PCs and specialist learning software such as Texthelp and assistive technology
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of our students.
Safeguarding Team
We have an experienced and qualified safeguarding team at the College who you can contact at any time about any safeguarding concerns. This teams work hard to establish a safe and supportive environment for students in which they can learn and develop.
Student Welfare Office
A confidential support and advice service for students within college. Every student is welcome to access the service to discuss any personal health and well-being concerns. The service has close links with an external counselling service and works in partnership with community health practitioners, and so also offers sexual health advice and support, including contraception advice.
NC/DC
Not everyone finds the transition from school to college easy. If you struggle to make new friends or to settle into new environments, this group may be for you. The group meets regularly for lunch and arranges regular social activities for members, both inside and outside college.
From day one, we will match our support to your career aspirations, and we have a proven track record in helping students to pursue careers across a whole range of sectors. We will help to improve your employability potential through:
- Career focused tutorials
- Careers fairs
- Access to work experience opportunities
- Help with CVs and job applications
- Interview preparation
If you are planning to go to university, we offer all the support you need to do so, such as:
- Visits to university open days
- A Higher Education Progression Day
- Expert advice with your UCAS application and personal statement
- Advice about applying for student finance
- Opportunities to apply for Widening Participation schemes at leading universities such as Leeds University
- Opportunities to apply for Summer Schools
- Opportunity to apply for a Helena Kennedy Award
- Support with Disability Support Allowance applications
Students are able to seek careers advice five days a week from our experienced and professionally qualified Careers team.
We have a long-standing track record of sporting success. In 2012, the College was nominated for the College of the Year Award by the British Colleges for Sport. In 2014, the College was one of only 2 nationally to be shortlisted for the AOC Beacon Award for Sport.
Our passion for, and success in, sport means we attract a high number of talented individual athletes. Our Talented Athletes are offered specialist support in order for them to pursue their professional sporting ambitions, whilst maintaining a successful academic study programme.
In 2017, the list of Talented Athletes included: a Commonwealth gymnast, a Racketlon World Champion, a Junior Tri-Athlete National Champion, 3 tennis players on the International Circuit and a Paralympian swimmer, amongst others.
A £250 bursary is available to all Talented Athletes who represent their sport at a national and international level.
Other elements of the Talented Athlete Support programme include:
- Participation in the AOC Regional Championships and National Finals.
- A trip to the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.
- Leading Gifted & Talented workshops for pupils in the Pennine Schools Sports Partnership.
All essential costs, such as course printing, textbooks and equipment are covered by the College. However additional financial support is available for students who need it and who qualify. Depending on your household income, you may qualify for a 16-18 Bursary or Free School Meals. If you don’t qualify for either of these national schemes, you can apply for financial support from the College’s own ‘Hardship Fund’. This fund is for those who experience exceptional financial hardship during their time studying at the College. Applications for support from the Hardship Fund are considered on an individual basis.