Guide for Parents

Welcome

This guide will provide you with the key information we think parents. carers or guardians of full-time students at South Downs College will need during the year. We hope you fnd it useful.

If you would like all or any part of this guide
• in large print
• transcribed into Braille
• translated into a foreign language
please contact Student Services, 023 9279 7969, and we would be delighted to help.

The College’s responsibility to provide information to parents/carers

In general, the law regards young people under the age of 18 as dependent upon their parents, with parents maintaining responsibility for the actions of their children. Once a young person has passed the age of 18, however, in law they are regarded as fully responsible for their own actions.

Contact with parents

We greatly value the contacts we have with parents; your son or daughter is most likely to achieve their educational goals if s/he, parents and the College work together as a partnership. Please do not hesitate to contact your son or daughter’s tutor or senior tutor at any time if you have any concerns about your son or daughter’s progress at College or any other matter. Your son or daughter’s tutor will contact you if we have any concerns and we will involve you if any signifcant decisions, such as changing course, need to be made.

Consistent with this general position, South Downs College will keep parents informed about issues affecting a son or daughter under 18 enrolled as a student. There may, however, be circumstances under which we may not be able to provide information. For example, when parents are separated or divorced we may not be able to give information to a parent with whom the student does not live. The law also recognises that minors may be capable of taking their own decisions on medical matters, without the need for parental consent, and under such circumstances, the College may not be able to release information to parents.

For students over 18, the law does not recognise any right of parents to information about their children, and it would be a breach of the Data Protection Act 1998 if we ignored an express wish from a student that information should not be released to a parent.

The first few weeks of term for new students

Your son or daughter’s course will commence with a Welcome Day which will be followed by a programme to ensure he or she settles happily into College life.

During October all new students will have a detailed review with their tutor. At this review we will check that your son or daughter is taking the most appropriate course and is fully aware of all the facilities and resources of the College.

Attendance

Students are required to attend every class, unless ill or there is some other unavoidable reason.

If your son or daughter is unwell or unable to attend College, please telephone or let us know for each day of the absence.

Students in Faculty of Arts & Sciences - 023 9279 7967
Students in Faculty of Business & Community
023 9279 7949 (Business & IT)
023 9279 7943 (Sport & Public Services)
023 9279 7930 (Health & Care)
023 9279 7983 (Foundations for Learning)
or parents only can email as follows:

a&sabsence@southdowns.ac.uk b&cabsence@southdowns.ac.uk

Whichever facility is used (phone or email) please give name of student, name of tutor, date of absence and reason for absence. Students should not arrange routine doctor’s or dentist’s appointments or driving lessons when they should be attending classes, and holidays must not be taken in term-time.

If a student arrives late to class, it is their responsibility to ensure that the lecturer enters the correct mark on the register. Absences and lateness may affect the payment of Education Maintenance Allowance or Adult Learning Grant.

College tutorial system

Every full-time student is allocated a personal tutor who will play a key role in their life at College. The tutor will support and advise about your course and the Personalised Development Plan (PDP). Each student will meet regularly with their tutor in either a group or one to one tutorial. During these sessions the tutor will support each student by monitoring their progress, attendance and general well-being whilst keeping them on track. They will also help set priorities to achieve the best from the course. In addition each tutor will advise students on progression options for employment or education by referring you to Advice & Guidance or other support services.

Please encourage your son/daughter to talk to their tutor, any of your lecturers or one of the counselling or Advice & Guidance staff if they have any concerns about their course progress.

Maths and English qualifications

For many careers and university courses, students will be expected to have an A*-C grade in English and Maths. At the College, students will be able to retake GCSE English Language if they have obtained a GCSE grade D; if they need to retake GCSE Maths they must have obtained a grade D and achieved a satisfactory score in their skills assessment. If they do not have these grades then they can enrol on a Pre-GCSE Literacy or Numeracy programme which will focus on improving individual skills, prior to enrolling on a GCSE Maths or English course.

Students’ tutors can give them information about how they can enrol on either programme.

Skills

Both employers and higher education colleges and universities look for particular levels of skills in the key areas of Maths, English and Information Communication Technology. These are so important that we want you to have the opportunity to get these qualifcations if you have not managed to do so at school.

Students can gain qualifcations in a range of skills including Functional Skills Maths, English and Information Communication Technology from Entry level to level 2, depending on the ability of the student. We also offer Key Skills Application of Number, Communication and Information Communication Technology from levels 1 to 3.

Assessment is by test and portfolio or a task based assessment, depending upon the qualifcation studied. For further information contact Donna Wilmshurst 023 92 797904 (dwilmshurst@southdowns.ac.uk).

Learning Resources Centre (library)

The LRC has a wide range of resources to help with your child’s studies. These include books, magazines and online resources all within a welcoming environment where you can study in groups or individually. The LRC is equipped with Apple Macs, PCs and a vast array of software is available to every student.

It is also one of the many points in the College with WiFi wireless Internet access allowing the use of the Internet and the pickup of emails on laptops.

The LRC is open during term time:
Monday - Thursday 8.30am - 8.00pm
Friday 8.30am - 6.00pm

Students have access to photocopiers in the Learning Resources Centre (LRC). Credits may be added to their LRC card or you can purchase a photocopy card from Reception.

Additional support for students

Many students, for a variety of reasons, need extra help if they are to succeed on their studies.

All full-time students are given an informal assessment at the start of the course so we can identify those needing extra help, but we also very much welcome parents letting us know if you think your son or daughter would beneft from extra help.

We offer several different types of support, including
• the Study Centre offers help in an informal setting, allowing students to work in small groups of 2 or 3 on coursework or to improve their writing or maths skills.
• specialist support, including one to one teaching, for students with dyslexia.
• a large team of learning support assistants who can provide help in or out of classes.
• help for those with a physical disability, such as hearing or visual impairment, or restricted mobility.
• Special arrangements for examinations.

Month of Examinations	Access Arrangements	Deadline
November 2009 and January 2010	Modifed papers	30 September 2009
November 2009	All other access arrangements (apart from modifed papers)	4 October 2009
January 2010	All other access arrangements (apart from modifed papers)	21 October 2009
March 2010	Modifed papers	30 November 2009
March 2010	All other access arrangements (apart from modifed papers)	21 January 2010
May, June 2010	Modifed Papers	31 January 2010
May, June 2010 (GCSE examinations)	All other access arrangements (apart from modifed papers)	21 February 2010
May/June 2010 (GCE/AEA examinations)	All other access arrangements (apart from modifed papers)	21 March 2010

If you would like to discuss your son or daughter’s additional support needs please contact
Additional Support teaching, Study Centre
Genni Gilchrist or Gill Blackburn 023 9279 7979 Ext 227
Special exam arrangements
Karen Wood 023 9279 7979 Ext 549
Support needs for students with a learning diffculty/physical disability
Genni Gilchrist 023 9279 7979 Ext 502
Dyslexia Support
Philippa Muscat 023 9279 7979 Ext 471

Gifted & Talented Students

At South Downs College we are anxious that all students fulfl their potential. If your son or daughter is outstandingly gifted or talented in any area, we are able to offer additional support to ensure they achieve to the best of their ability. We offer, for example, additional coaching and advice sessions for Oxbridge applicants, for university entrance exams in Law, additional music tuition or sports coaching and support for attendance at national workshops or summer schools.

If you think your son or daughter might beneft from additional help, please contact our Gifted and Talented Student Co-ordinator, Georgina Blair on 023 9279 7979.

Students with disabilities

South Downs College is committed to ensuring that students with disabilities, including those with learning diffculties, are treated fairly. All reasonable adjustments to provision will be made to ensure that disabled students are not substantially disadvantaged.

We are keen to ensure that we comply with the Disability Discrimination Act so, if your daughter or son does have a disability please let us know so that we can do everything possible to help them succeed.

College Cafés

The main College site has fve cafés offering a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere and an extensive range of food and refreshments from 8.30am to 8.30pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to 4pm on Fridays.

The café menus are varied and reasonably priced comprising of traditional and international dishes, light meals and snacks. Our salad bar and freshly flled deli subs compliment the range of healthy options available.

An evening meal is served until 6.30pm and a selection of hot and cold beverages, sandwiches, homemade cakes and pastries are available until 8.30pm Monday to Thursday. Vending machines offer a selection of snacks and drinks and water bottles can be flled from the free dispensers. Refectory staff are able to provide customers with information on products, ingredients and production methods if required.

If you would like further information about the services available please look at the College Cafés website on the college Intranet or contact the Catering Manager on 023 9279 7978 or email phumby@southdowns.ac.uk

Part-time employment

Many of our students undertake part-time employment whilst at College. In most cases, this is highly benefcial and students beneft not just from the additional income they receive but also from the experience and independence part- time jobs often give.

However, there is now a lot of evidence that when full-time students have part-time employment in term time of more than about 10 hours per week their College work is likely to suffer. As well as attending classes, students are required to do a considerable amount of private study, and we very much hope you agree with us that your son or daughter’s frst priority should be their College course.

We would, therefore, welcome parents restricting their son or daughter’s working hours to a reasonable amount.

Advice & Guidance and Higher Education Planning

The Advice & Guidance advisers at South Downs College help students prepare and plan for their next step after College. Managing a career in a rapidly changing world means that students need to develop a range of careers management skills including self awareness, decision making, planning and employability skills.

The Advice & Guidance Programme is designed to help students develop these skills and research all the choices open to them. There are a wide range of careers resources available in the College and the team can help students with options such as further courses at South Downs, higher education, gap year and employment.

We have built up good links with outside organisations including universities and employers to ensure that we keep up to date with issues such as higher education entrance requirements and job opportunities both locally and nationally.

If you would like any further information on any aspect of careers please contact Amanda Percy, Advice & Guidance
Manager, 023 9279 7927 or email apercy@southdowns.ac.uk

The Enrichment Programme

The College offers an exciting programme of enrichment activities and this can play an important part in the College experience.

Many opportunities have been created for your son/daughter to participate in sport, ftness, languages, art, design, hair, beauty and many more interesting activities. In addition, the College actively participates in competitive sports at a variety of levels.

In this competitive age employees and universities are looking for young people who demonstrate a willingness to broaden their experience and knowledge and we hope that your son/daughter becomes fully involved in what is on offer. If you would like to discuss your son or daughter’s participation in any of the courses please contact Carol Iggleden and Claire Winter, Enrichment Co-ordinators.

General deposit and entry for assessments/ examinations

A deposit of £25 is paid by all full-time students at the beginning of their course, usually at Course Confrmation. In cases of extreme hardship please contact the Student Welfare Manager in Student Services. Students who are eligible to receive the College Access Award may pay the deposit at any time before the Autumn half-term holiday. Please keep your receipt safe: it is your proof that you have paid.

The deposit is refundable and will be returned at the end of your course or when you leave College. Deductions can be made against the deposit for lost books (either faculty or from the LRC), bus pass administration, damage to College property, examination/registration fees. If the College has paid assessment fees or BTEC registration for you then you must take the examinations/assessments in order to receive your deposit back.

Education Maintenance Allowances

Your son or daughter may be entitled to an Education Maintenance Allowance of up to £30 per week if they were born between 1 September 1990 and 31 August 1993. If your son or daughter has not already applied for an Education Maintenance Allowance, you can request an application form on the EMA website www.direct.gov.uk/ema or ring the EMA Helpline 0800 121 8989 for a form.

Students need not reapply for EMA if they were in receipt of EMA during the 2008/09 year, this will be payable at the same amount for a period of up to three years (or until the year in which the student is 19); this is known as the EMA Guarantee.

If EMA was awarded of either £10 or £20 or the application was rejected for EMA support during the 2008/09 EMA year and your household circumstances have changed, e.g. your household income has gone down, you are entitled to reapply from the beginning of the next EMA year. You can request an application form on the EMA website www.direct.gov.uk/ema or ring the EMA Helpline 0800 121 8989 for a form.

Please don’t forget EMAs are meant to be spent on the costs of attending College, so students in receipt of an EMA need to remember they have to pay for College trips and residentials on or after 2 November 2009.

If your son or daughter does receive an Education Maintenance Allowance, weekly payments will only be made if the student has attended fully the previous week and/or any absences have been authorised. It is essential therefore that you inform us of any illness etc. Please see the section on Attendance.

Financial Assistance

If your son or daughter is aged 16-18 and you are in receipt of an income-based beneft or Jobseekers Allowance, you may be entitled to help from the South Downs College Access Award. If you have not already applied, please contact Student Services, 023 9279 7969, for further details.

Important Dates for South Downs College

Travel Scheme

If your son or daughter is eligible for assistance with travel the following deadlines are extremely important.

Application forms for travel assistance received before 30 June 2009: passes will be available for collection between 2 September and 25 September 2009.

Applications received after 30 June will be processed as quickly as possible, but at this busy time for the travel companies, travel passes may not be available for collection for approximately 4 to 5 weeks after term starts in September. If students have not applied for travel by 24 September 2009, it will not be possible to have a travel pass/mileage until after the Autumn half term (2 November 2009).

Passes are available for collection from Student Services as follows:
Term 1 : between 2 September to 25 September 2009
Term 2 : between 8 to 18 December 2009 (closing at noon on Fri 18 ) and 4 to 15 January 2010
Term 3 : between 22 March to 1 April and 19 April to 30 April 2010

Passes not collected by the above dates will be returned to the appropriate travel company and can only be re-ordered on payment of a £5 administration fee charged by the travel companies for return of tickets. Tickets can only be collected by the student and cannot be issued to a third party.

However, if you feel there are exceptional circumstances please contact Student Services 023 9279 7921 or 023 9279 7994. No refund of the parental contribution is payable once a pass has been collected.

Once a student has been enrolled on the travel scheme the tickets will be ordered automatically on a termly basis for this academic year. If you wish cancel your travel pass - please let Student Services staff know, in writing, well before the end of a term that you wish to change, failure to do so may incur the administrative fee charged by travel companies for the return of passes. Students will be required to return their travel passes to Student Services if they leave College without completing their course.

If your son or daughter is unable to collect a pass by the due date, please inform Student Services, 023 9279 7921 or 023 9279 7994, beforehand so the pass can be held until a mutually agreed date.

We ask students to collect passes immediately prior to holidays so they can use their pass to come in to College on the frst day of the following term.

What further information is available about South Downs College?

We have several policies and procedures which may be of interest to parents, including
• College Charter
• Equality & Diversity Policy
• Gender Equality Policy
• Disability Statement
• Health & Safety Policy
• Student Disciplinary Procedure
• Substance Misuse Policy
Please contact Reception, 023 9279 7979, if you would like a copy of any of the above.