OAKLANDS COLLEGE ACCOMMODATION HANDBOOK

2018/19 Contents

• Welcome • Meet the Team & Contact Details • Residential Services • Your House • Student Responsibilities • Student Support • Charges for Damaged Items • Term Dates Meet the Team

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for choosing Oaklands College . We hope that your son or daughter will have an enjoyable and productive stay.

This guide has been developed to provide you with as much information as possible to support your son or daughters transition into residential college life. We suggest that you read through this as it will help you understand what is expected of them as a residential student and what you and they can expect from us as a College. We have also included information about the College in general and the local area.

If you have any questions, problems or just fancy a chat, please come and talk to a member of the team, we are here to help.

About the College

Oaklands College is a large general The College offers a wide range of courses, both part-time college in with campuses in Welwyn Garden and full-time, including arts, media, publishing, health, City and St. Albans, and a further training provision in public services, construction, horticulture, equine, beauty, . music, forensic science and much more! We also run our own work-based learning programmes, with close links to Achieving an overall ‘Good’ in our Ofsted inspection, local employers, and offer Apprenticeships and Entry to Oaklands College is proud to successfully provide for Employment. 10,000 students. Oaklands College is set in a rural location and also Originally established in 1920, Oaklands College, St operates a working farm with livestock spread over 647 Albans, opened its doors to First World War ex-service acres. Residential students will be living in close proximity men under the Officers’ Agricultural Training Scheme and to the grazing fields and are expected to behave with to the Women’s Land Army members. consideration and respect towards the animals and the farm staff at all times. Since then, the College has developed a wide range of learning opportunities, offering courses across a diverse • Oaklands College - www.oaklands.ac.uk range of subjects at different levels. • City Council - www.stalbans.gov.uk • All About St Albans - www.allaboutstalbans.com With a reputation for delivering student success in an • St Albans Museums - www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk interactive, supportive and inclusive environment the • Enjoy St Albans - www.enjoystalbans.com College aims to continue providing outstanding learning opportunities and training solutions for everyone. The Accommodation Our accommodation comprises of 14 houses set in There are approximately 1,500 full and part-time courses grounds at the St Albans Campus. offered to approximately 10,000 students who come from Houses consist of a sitting room, kitchen, bathroom and a wide variety of regions. The majority of College students 4-5 bedrooms. Students are housed with their peers come from within the local communities it serves. These which means they have similar schedules for attending courses range from vocational courses with strong links classes and training, where possible. There is a good to employers through to elite sports, the arts and a bus and railway service from the local area, with cinema, wide variety of A Levels. The College is also nationally swimming pool, and other leisure facilities within a short recognised for its outstanding provision for students with distance from the College. mild and severe learning difficulties.

1 Meet the Team

Residential Team & Contact Numbers

Below are the contact details for the key members of the Residential Team.

Please take note of the duty phone number and e-mail address which will put you in touch with the member of staff on duty.

[email protected] Duty mobile number 07789 633869 www.oaklands.ac.uk

Gayle Brown Garry Leask Student Services Manager Head of Residential Tel: 07841 066489 Tel: 07786 163887 [email protected] [email protected]

Sean Scully Director of Student Experience and Safeguarding Deputy 01727 737306 or 07515098820 Designated Senior Person for Safeguarding Kirsty Steer 01727 737759 or 07912 519176 Richard Howcutt Residential Coordinator Residential Duty Mobile Tel: 07788 420061 07789 633869 [email protected] Security Guard 07950 405016 or 07540 222119

2 The Wider Team

Student Advice & Learning Opening Hours Resource Centre and Post The most important thing is that our students succeed. Letters or packages will be delivered to reception where Our Learning Resource Centre and Student Advice Team they can be collected. can help. We have two teams of staff including facilitators and coaches that help with outside the classroom study. Reception is open: The Student Advice team can help with support to ensure the student stays on track and succeeds. Monday - Thursdays: 8.00am – 8.00pm Fridays: 8.00am – 5.00pm They are available Monday-Friday 8.30am - 8pm

The Learning Resource Centre Team can help with:

• Revision and homework sessions • -to-one tuition in particular Maths & English • Quiet study spaces, researching and referencing support • Group coaching sessions

Our Student Advice Team can help you with:

• Finding out what a student is good at and identifying careers that could suit • Job hunting - CV writing, interview skills • Welfare Support • Applying to university or for apprenticeships

• One -to-one careers advice and guidance • Drop in sessions • Careers workshops in student tutorials • Impartial advice on a range of topics including: - Travel - Childcare - Financial Assistance - Bursary - and more

3 Residential Services

The Residential Team are here to support the residential students and ensure their safety and wellbeing. These are some of the things we do:

• Communicate regularly with parents ensuring a • Provide First Aid and access to medical services when collaborative approach to the progress of our students necessary • Ensure all students experience a safe and welcoming • Offer support with various aspects of semi-independent environment living e.g. using the washing machines • Available 7-days a week during term time • Develop student forums and meetings to give residential • Regular cleaning & maintenance of the student students a voice within the College accommodation. • Manage student behaviour and ensure the College policies • Provide pastoral care, support and individual welfare are adhered to checks • Provide student welfare checks at least twice a day • Offer information and advice to students on various (around 8am and 10pm) subjects • Security guard and on call Wardens available overnight 7 • Implement a varied Enrichment programme to encourage nights a week (term time only) engagement and develop new skills • Facilitate access to additional support such as the Student • Ensure Health & Safety requirements are met with Advice Team if required regards to the accommodation, student behaviour and all aspects of the residential student experience

Residential Accommodation Fees The Residential fees are based on the costs incurred by the College to accommodate the students on-site for the academic year (September to June excluding all holidays and bank holidays).

Oaklands College - Mission, Vision and Values Our Values: Achieving student success through: Here as Oaklands College our Residential Team all work within • Pursuing Excellence our mission, vision and values to focus on ensuring that our • Working together residential students are enabled to have the best possible • Being honest and open experience during their time with us, and are well prepared for • Valuing Diversity their future when they leave. • Being innovative

Our Vision: For our Students is “An amazing experience with We work closely with our Academies to ensure that all of outstanding learning so you are ready to take on the world” our values are considered when allocating rooms, planning - this applies to all our Students within the College and we enrichment and developing activities for our Students and take it very seriously within the Residential Team. We want providing welfare supports. our students to enjoy their studies and stay with us - whilst ensuring that they are positively enabled both academically Diversity: and in terms of their personal and social development as • Our Students come from a wide range of backgrounds, young adults. locations, cultures and abilities. • We understand our Students and what their specific Our Mission: To realise the potential of our communities. Our needs are community is a wide spectrum of Students, Staff and outside • We understand that moving away from home is a world - we try to understand the individuals within it, their challenge and can be both an exciting and stressful time needs and how best to enhance their potential and facilitate and by understanding our students we can work with success. you as individuals to make it a positive and beneficial experience.

4 Residential Services

Excellence: Food • Our Students are primaraly athletes but also have The cost of student accommodation includes breakfast and academic commitments - we want to promote excellence dinners during the week. Breakfast must be taken in the across both areas of Student life. Refectory from 8.30am - 12 noon Monday - Friday. Dinner is • We work closely with academic and academy teams to served at 6pm-7pm in the Refectory Monday to Thursday. Lunches are available from the Refectory (Monday - Friday) at understand the requirements of training and deadlines for an additional cost of approximately £4.00 per day, which would other work. add an additional £600 cost per annum. • We meet with Students regularly to catch up on their Option B – Breakfast & dinner as above plus main meal lunch (no progress and see what if anything we can do to help sandwiches/snack) additional £600 making total cost £6,825 pa.

Working Together: Meals can be substituted or swapped for alternative meals The Residential Team takes an inclusive approach and works at other times given 24 hours notice. If your son or daughter with all departments across the College, these departments misses a meal and did not inform the Residential Team of their include: absence 24 hours in advance, they will need to provide their own meal as we are unable to keep food or make substitutions. • Student Advice and Welfare • Enrichment All student houses are supplied with fridges and freezers; there • Facilities is also a large chest freezer available for additional storage if • Finance required. We supply easy-to-use cooking equipment in each • Curriculum and Academy house to enable students to cook themselves additional meals. • Catering These items include a health grill, microwave, kettle, toaster, We aim to work with all the College teams to ensure the best slow cooker, induction hob and blender. Due to the Health and possible experience and opportunities for our Students*. safety reasons we are unable to provide conventional cookers *External agencies to provide extended opportunities for our students. and ovens as they pose a serious risk of injury and fire. The Residential staff team will support students in learning how to use this equipment to make suitable and healthy meals as part Being Honest and Open: of their induction and throughout their stay if required. There We will always be honest and open with our students. Ways we will also be ‘Cook and Eat’ workshops delivered by suitably are open include: qualified staff / tutors. • Communication via our newsletter • We welcome feedback from students, parents and carers Shopping Trips • Regular open forums and house meetings The Residential Team provide students with the opportunity • 1:1 meetings with Students - planned and adhoc - just ask to go grocery shopping once or twice a week; we provide a and we are there driver and college minibus to a local supermarket. We suggest • Open door policy for Students to access Residential Staff that students will need approximately £30-40 per week for additional food and personal toiletries. We provide fridges and during working hours and on call workers available outside freezers to allow students to store food which they can bring of these times. from home or purchase.

Innovation: Safeguarding We are always looking to develop and improve our provision To ensure the safety of all our students we complete checks - and by being innovative to enhance the experience of our through the day so we know that everyone is ok. We have a Students. group text system in place in the mornings before classes start, • Enrichment - activities for fun and personal development so students must have and be able to use a mobile phone to • External Speakers - to inspire and education text the residential team at least twice daily. Dinner time is supervised and staff are able to identify if any • Opportunities for volunteering/mentoring students are absent. Then at 9.30pm – 10.30pm the Residential • Continuous development of the Residential Service based Officer will go to each student house and complete an online on Student/ Staff/ Parent feedback and experience. register to confirm all students are where they should be. This • Tailored individual support plans for Students with means that we expect all students to be in their own house by additional needs. 10.30pm each night. It is very important that we are informed if If you have any comments or suggestions about how we can your son or daughter is leaving the college campus and when improve our provision and service to the students, please feel they return. Failure to do so could result in sanctions. free to contact us - we hope that we can work together in this forthcoming year to further develop all aspects of residential As a rule no offsite overnight is permitted (Sunday – Thursday) but exceptional circumstances will be considered with minimum life, fulfil our mission and help all to succeed. of 24 hours’ notice and written approval from parent (email fine). Head of Department and Director must approve.

5 Residential Services

Television Licences As part of the student induction the College provides a series Students will require a TV licence if they plan to bring a television of workshops to help students settle into College life and build or similar device onto campus. We suggest students check the positive skills in working together. These workshops include terms for student tv licences at http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/ cooking, communication and negotiation skills, health & check-if-you-need-one/for-your-home/students-aud1 safety, anti-alcohol and drugs, living in a farm environment and housekeeping. Internet Access Students have access to the internet via WiFi in their houses, In the past the College has arranged visits to the theatre, with certain sites and content blocked, in keeping with the Thorpe Park, bowling, cinema, Westfield Mall for Christmas college policy. The Learning Resource Centre (LRC) also provides shopping and a local Chinese buffet. The students get to identify access to computers with internet access weeknights until 8pm, which activities they would like and staff will make suitable term time, the student lounge until 9.30pm most days including arrangements. weekends. It is important to note that all trips which require transport costs Out of Hours Staffing such as a hired coach will always require a £5-£15 contribution Staff provide on-call response each evening from 11pm until 8am from each student to secure their place. Payment for the trip the following morning; staff will be close by in accommodation must be made in full before it takes place. This ensures the located on the college campus. At weekends there will be a student commitment to attend the trip and that the College member of staff on-call 24 hours a day and opportunities for isn’t paying for large numbers of students who don’t attend on engagement activities as appropriate. Students can contact the the day. Last minute cancellations students may be charged. staff on duty by calling the duty number 07789 633869. As part of the College’s engagement with the local community Security visits to local schools and organisations are arranged for There will be a security guard on campus during term time students who give talks or coaching sessions. Outside agencies between 9.30pm - 7.30am weekdays, 10.30pm - 8.30am also come in and deliver talks to students on specific subjects weekends. Students can call the security guard during these such as health information. hours if they have any issues or require assistance. The gate at the entrance to campus and the gate on East drive will be locked Communication at 11.30pm until 7.00am each morning. If students are arriving The Residential Team also welcome communication with parents back late or leaving earlier than these times they are to inform as moving away from home can be a difficult transition. Updates the Residential Team to make arrangements for the Security on progress to parents are provided in addition to a regular Guard to open the gates. termly newsletter. Parents can contact the Head of Residential Services by phone or email. For out of hours or emergencies CCTV parents can call the Residential Duty phone number which is The College has CCTV cameras in place outside all of the student available 24 hours a day 07789 633869. houses for the safety and protection of our residents. The cameras are not monitored but record all activity for designated staff to view if necessary should there be cause to review.

Student Lounge and Enrichment The Residential Team work seven evenings a week supervising students during dinner, opening the student lounge or the Sports facilities most evenings from 6.30pm- 9.30pm (Mon- Sun 6.30pm - 9.30pm). This area is opened to provide the students with social time and activities such as table-tennis. Enrichment activities offer life and social skills alongside more recreational trips and activities. These activities are planned based on student interest.

6 Residential Houses

Tenancy Agreement Keys By accepting a place in residential accommodation students and Each student will receive a front door key and the code for the parents are accepting the responsibility of the Oaklands College individually coded bedroom locks. A fee of £10 will be charged tenancy agreement. As parent/carer/guardian you will be for any lost key that needs replacing and costs for replacing asked to sign the agreement which is a legally binding contract. locks will vary. Key codes are stored by the Residential Team in Breaches of this contract could result in you losing your case students forget. Issues relating to keys and codes need to accommodation or being charged by the College. By taking be directed to the Residential Head or the Coordinator. up residence in the College supplied accommodation you are agreeing to the terms and conditions of the tenancy as well as For safety both the room and house should remain locked at all the policies of the College and Residential Team. times when not in use. Students must carry keys on them at all times. If a student does not keep their house and room secure Payment/Deposit any damages or loses will be charged to you and the College Payment for the room is required via monthly direct debit, if may impose sanctions for failure to comply with the tenancy payment is not made you may be asked to vacate Residential agreement. accommodation. Insurance We require a £300 deposit which is returnable at the end of the All rooms must be locked when not in use and keys should not academic year/stay if no damages or additional costs have been be given to anyone else whether a residential student or not. incurred. A list giving examples of charges made for replacement You are strongly advised to take out room insurance, as the items and repairs can be found on page 16. College will not be held responsible for theft from your room or damages caused when rooms are left unlocked. The £300 deposit must be paid by credit or debit card before 15th July by telephoning Finance on 01727 737580. We also Cleaning and Hygiene require the direct debit form to be completed and returned to It is the responsibility of the student to keep the communal us in the envelope provided before September 1st. areas of the house tidy. Items left in hallways and stairs will be confiscated as they create a fire hazard. Students are Room Allocation Policy responsible for the washing of the dishes and cleaning of The nature of the accommodation means that room sizes and appliances, including the fridges, microwave, grill etc. Where location of houses vary slightly. We house all students with kitchen appliances are not kept clean they may be confiscated peers of the same gender. due to health and safety requirements and to avoid sickness. Students will also be expected to keep their bedroom clean and The Residential Team may need to reallocate students to tidy, weekly checks are carried out to monitor each student’s alternative rooms and/or houses during the academic year, if room and the results will be reported back to the relevant the need arises. If this situation arises the Residential Team will tutor/ academy coach, sanctions may be applied. meet with affected students to discuss plans and assess student feedback. Parents and Academies will be informed of the final All houses are supplied with a washing machine and airers to decision. dry your clothes on.

Students, parents and academies can apply to the Residential Housekeeping Manager, to request to change rooms. All requests will be Students are expected to use the bins provided, wash up considered through consultation with the relevant academy regularly and do not leave food out. Food that is left out attracts head and tutors. pests and could contravene food hygiene standards.

Students Who Are Over 18 Communal Floors Our residential facility is for 16 and 17 year old students and it All communal floor areas are vacuumed and mopped every is only in exceptional circumstances do we accept 18-year-old other day; these areas include bathrooms and stairs. students. We do accept students that turn 18 in the academic year. The age is as at 31st August.

The Residential Team will support over 18s to find suitable off- site accommodation where possible.

Those 18-year-old exceptional case students who do live onsite will have to agree to the College protocols and adhere to the same rules as the under 18 year olds to ensure that appropriate safeguarding measures can be enforced. We will need both parents and students to sign this agreement.

7 Residential Houses

Bins and Rubbish Residential End of Term Protocol The communal bins will be emptied every Monday, Wednesday At the end of term all residential students must hand in their and Friday. Any bedroom bins that are left just outside the house and room keys to the Residential Team. Staff will be bedroom door on these days will also be emptied. Recycling available on site from 7.30am - 4pm on the last day to collect tubs are within each house for paper, plastic and cans and keys and complete individual room inspections. When the students are expected to rinse their recyclable waste and student hands in their keys to a member of staff they will sign place it in the correct tub. The recycle bins are put out every to confirm they have handed them in and this will be co-signed Tuesday for collection on Wednesday. Sanitary bins are replaced by the staff member. The keys will go in the secure key box fortnightly. attached to a fob with the student’s name, house and room number. In addition, a staff member will sign to confirm the Kitchens, Bathrooms and Other Communal Areas room inspection was satisfactory. There will be a charge if keys These are cleaned every other day. This includes the wiping are not returned. down of all work surfaces, the outside of kitchen appliances and all cupboard doors. Students have the responsibility for If students are planning to leave prior to the last day of term, cleaning the cooking appliances and for washing up. Please they must make arrangements with the Residential Team and note that if the washing up is not done then the cleaner cannot follow the process as explained above. These arrangements gain access to clean the sinks and worktops. Kitchens will not be must be made as early as possible to ensure availability of cleaned until the washing up has been finished and put away. Sanctions and charges may be initiated if this is not undertaken. staff. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that these The toilets, basins and showers are also cleaned and disinfected arrangements are in place. daily. Houses are checked for cleanliness and tidiness. Where any Student Responsibilities areas are in an unacceptable state, individual students or It is the student’s responsibility to vacuum their own bed- all residents of the house may be charged for the additional rooms and keep them in a tidy and hygienic manner. Students cleaning costs. At the end of each term houses are cleaned, are reminded that the cleanliness of their house is their this includes all of the above but also the descaling of all sinks, joint responsibility. toilets and taps. The carpets are steam cleaned and all hard floors stripped and polished. This time is also used to complete Inspections are carried out weekly to ensure safety and hy- any large maintenance works so it is essential that the houses giene of student rooms and communal areas. are left in a suitable state. If rooms or communal areas are Failure to keep rooms/ houses clean and tidy may lead found to be in an unacceptable state a charge to residents for to sanctions which may include a missing a training session or the cost of cleaning will be charged at approximately £20 per even a match. hour.

Reporting Problems At the end of the academic year students are expected to Any problems or concerns must be immediately reported to a completely clear their houses/rooms of ALL belongings. Bin member of the Residential Team by text to the duty number or bags will be provided for rubbish. Kitchens and fridges and in person. This includes domestic matters such as breakages, freezers must be emptied and washing up completed. Failure to wear and tear, light bulbs, toilet rolls, lost keys and cleaning clear rooms/and houses will result in all remaining items being issues. This is particularly important for incidents where disposed of and invoices being sent to parents. someone could be hurt or potential health and safety issues. Issues with the accommodation which take place out of hours Returning to College can also be reported by email (Servicedesk- titled ‘Residential’) Residential Staff will be available from 4pm - 10pm on Sundays to ensure a timely response. [email protected] and occasionally on Bank Holiday Mondays prior to the new term starting on the Monday (or Tuesday) morning. Students Damages must come to the Student Lounge to collect their keys from the If there is deliberate damage anything in accommodation the member of staff on duty and sign to confirm receipt. If students cost of replacing it and the work undertaken will be invoiced expect to return to College outside of the times that Residential to the parents/carer. If the perpetrator is not known, all the residents of the house will be held accountable and charged an staff will be available (4pm - 10pm) they must inform the equal proportion of the costs. Where invoices are not paid the Residential Manager before the end of term to see if alternative charges will be deducted from your deposit. arrangements can be made. Please be aware that staff will not be available on site before 4pm.

8 Student Responsibilities

Respect Student Cars on Campus It is essential that the houses, the College grounds and Residential students who drive need to register their vehicle property and particularly the people and animals that share it with the Head of Residential in advance of bringing the vehicle are treated respectfully. The College has a working farm and to College. The Head of Residential will arrange for the car to be therefore the student will experience aspects of farming life you logged on the College ANPR system. are perhaps unfamiliar with. The independent parking warden completes regular checks and anyone found to be breaking the parking regulations will As part of enrolment and induction the student will be asked receive a parking ticket. to sign the Student Code of Conduct (at the back of this booklet). It clearly sets out the expectations of the College and The entire College campus has a speed limit of 15mph, which responsibilities of the students to keep themselves and others is enforced by our Health and Safety Manager. Students who safe while insuring the College remains a positive learning drive irresponsibly and breach the regulations will have their environment. residential car parking permit revoked and be banned from bringing their vehicle onto the College campus. Regular speed ID Cards checks are carried out throughout the academic year and there As a student at Oaklands College your son or daughter will be are sanctions for those who break the limit or drive irresponsibly. issued an ID card when they enrol. They will be required to wear this ID card at all times whilst on campus. They will need their Visitors ID card to claim meals from the refectory and to use the college Please be aware that no non-residential students are allowed in facilities such as the Learning Resource Centre. Without an ID the student accommodation either during the College day or in card they may not be admitted to the College buildings. If they the evenings. lose their ID card the staff in the Learning Resource Centre will We have a strict protocol about visitors to ensure the safety issue a new one for a small charge. of all our students. Only by prior approval can parents, family members or family friends access the residential All staff members wear ID cards so they can be easily identified. accommodation. You must notify the member of staff on duty Do not admit anyone to your accommodation who does not when your visitors arrive and when they leave, you can do this have an ID badge or is not accompanied by a member of the by telephone, text, email or in person. Residential Staff Team. If in doubt call the duty phone number. The residential student will be held responsible for the behaviour Student Safety and conduct of their guest; it is therefore in your interest to For the safety and wellbeing of students we ask that they ensure your guests are aware of the rules and regulations of the always inform the member of staff on duty if they are leaving College and the residential department. the campus outside of regular College hours. It is essential that If visitors are parking vehicles on the campus they must pay for we are aware of where all students are in case of emergency. a parking ticket, display the ticket clearly in the vehicle and park We also require confirmation when a student returns in a marked bay in a designated parking area. Cars which are to the College site. This can be done by text message but if parked outside of allocated parking spaces or blocking access students are staying out overnight they must have parental routes will be issued a penalty notice. consent (please see consent forms). Visitors must leave by 10pm. Any visitors found on site after 10pm or who have not been signed in with the staff member on If they are staying out overnight (if you have given parental duty will be asked to leave immediately. The Residential Team permission), after 10pm or going home for a few days (including reserves the right to revoke this privilege at any time for both weekends) then you must inform Residential staff. This is a the visitor and the residential student if they are found to be in Health and Safety requirement so that if there is a fire or some breach of the rules of residency, College policies, or acceptable other emergency, staff will know that the room is empty and behaviour expectations. will not have to search for the student. No visitors are permitted to stay overnight in accommodation under any circumstances. To assist in the Colleges’ safeguarding requirements students must have a mobile telephone to live in Residential accommodation.

Every student must text the residential phone every morning prior to 10:30am to check in with the residential team. 9 Student Support

Medical Issues & General Health Please remember that if a student is ill and cannot attend A health declaration is required to be completed by all residential training or lessons it is essential that tutors and/or coaches are students so that the College is aware of any illnesses or informed. In the event that students are ill and cannot continue medications that are pertinent to you. It is essential thatall with College, parents will be informed and requested to collect medical conditions are disclosed on the Health Declaration them until they have recovered. If family cannot be contacted, form. Where medical conditions are not disclosed in advance they will be cared for in their room by the Residential Team until students may be asked to leave the accommodation until a such time as the family are contacted. care plan and risk assessment can be completed to ensure the Residential staff are equipped to provide adequate care. If a In the rare occasion of illness or sports injury it may be decided student has any medical concerns we urge them to also speak that the student cannot be safely supported within the to the Head of Residential to ensure we are providing you with Residential provision and will need to be supported back home. the best possible care. We will notify you on any such occasion and ensure a supported transition. This will normally be parent collection but may be We suggest that all students register with one of the local GP approved as an independent travel if authorised by the Head surgeries before moving to College to save time if treatment is of Residential. required during term time. They will need their NHS number to register. Dentist It is recommended that a student registers with one of the local Students can also call NHS Direct on 111 for medical advice and dentists listed below to save time if they require treatment. information on 24 hour pharmacies in the area. Alternatively, they can return home to use their own dentist. The contact details below are also in the Residential Information Each house is provided with a first aid kit which is checked and folder which is kept in the communal area of each house. restocked monthly. If students require more stock they need to inform a member of the Residential Team. • Victoria Dentist Clinic, 103 Victoria Street, St Albans, Herts AL1 3TJ, Tel: (01727) 853300 When a student is ill and requires a doctor’s appointment they • The Maltings Dental Surgery, should call the duty phone number so the member of staff on 54 The Maltings, St Albans, Herts, AL1 3HL, duty can arrange an appointment and a chaperone if required. Tel: (01727) 837376 The direct contact details for the doctor’s surgery are also • Jersey Farm Surgery, The Health Centre, posted on the notice boards and in the Residential Information 2A St Brelades Place, St Albans AL4 9RG, Folder which are in the communal areas of the student houses. Tel; (01727) 846417

The doctors’ surgery will ask a student to register with them, Call NHS Direct on 111 for out of hours Dentists in an emergency. which consists of completing some basic forms. It is free to see the Doctor; you will only have to pay a prescription charge for medication if applicable. It is important that the Administration office or Residential Team are notified of any medication prescribed as this must be documented so that the College is aware of authourised medications being used on College premises.

Every student is responsible for the taking and safekeeping of your own medication.

Students should be given their NHS medical number and the name and address of their home GP in case of medical need, this should be ideally saved onto their mobile phone.

10 Student Support

Health and Safety Fire and Emergency Procedures Health and Safety forms a large part of our responsibilities to All new appliances should be safety checked and most electrical our students. It is essential that all our students are aware of stores / electricians should offer a testing service for a small fee. the potential risks caused by behaviour and breaches of the code of conduct. The Residential staff complete weekly Health Use of items that do not carry an electrical safety tag is not and Safety checks on student houses. Breaches of Health permitted in residential accommodation and maybe confiscated and Safety protocols are taken very seriously; these include by staff. Please also ensure any extension cables you may bring tampering with safety equipment (such as fire extinguishers), onto site are new with a built in safety fuse. failing to evacuate during fire drills, tampering with any utility access points or misuse of equipment supplied. REMEMBER ….. If in doubt – Call us out Electrical Appliances Policy Mobile Number: 07789633869. All electrical appliances brought into College accommodation must possess an electrical safety check tag from a qualified appliance tester, if over 12 months old.

All new appliances should be safety checked and most electrical stores / electricians should offer a testing service for a small fee.

Use of items that do not carry an electrical safety tag is not permitted in residential accommodation and maybe confiscated by staff. Please also ensure any extension cables you may bring onto site are new with a built in safety fuse.

11 Charges for Damaged Items

Appendices A1

Damaged Item or Offence Minimum Charge Charges Damaged or Replacement Items Replacement key £10 each The following table provides examples of possible fines Small kitchen electrical items i.e. slow cooker £30 and charges that could be incurred for breaches of the tenancy, this list is NOT exhaustive. Fines may vary Small furniture items i.e. bedside table £30 dependent on the level of damage, cost of replacement Damage to college property and signs £30 items and number of offences. All replacement charges Damage to doors, windows or locks £50-£200 will be at the cost of replacement talking into account fair wear and tear. In addition it may be necessary to Large kitchen appliances i.e. washing machine £200-£300 apply labour charges to rectify the damage. Charges Large furniture items i.e. wardrobe £70 will be undertaken in conjunction with the disciplinary process for such violations. Laptops & gaming consoles £300 Personal equipment i.e. Torches £6.00 Misuse/damage to fire safety equipment £100 Process for Charging Damages (parents will be notified in all instances) Discharging fire extinguisher £100 Additional cleaning due to damage £25 per hour 1. Discussion with student/s to establish accountability. Where damages are isolated Replacement fire extinguisher £50 minimum to a single bedroom the individual tenant will Replacing fire doors £300 be charged. Where damages have been in Replacement fire sign £30 communal areas of a property it may be the case that all tenants of that property will be charged if Fire extinguisher clips and tags £45 accountability cannot be established. Replacing fire blanket £30 Cleaning kitchen floor* £15 2. An invoice will be sent out to parents, we expect these to be paid within 6 weeks of the invoice Cleaning microwave* £10 being sent. If the invoice is not paid in full the Cleaning fridge* £30 Residential Team will withhold your deposit or part thereof which may include additional Cleaning freezer* £30 surcharges. If damages exceed deposit amount, Wall Wash - Large or with cupboard fronts £25 formal discussions will take place with parents/ Wall Wash – Small £15 guardians for alternative payment arrangements Removal of rubbish* £10 per bag Clean ceilings/light Fittings £15 Student Behaviour Clean Work Surfaces* £12 The College takes the behaviour of its students very Clean blinds (each)/curtains (per pair)* £15 seriously and implements the student behaviour policy when necessary. We are also totally committed to keeping Clean sinks* £15 parents informed of any issues to ensure a collaborative Carpet clean in corridor/entrance* £65 approach to improving and removing negative behaviours. Carpet clean in room* £40 The Residential Team also work with the academy coaches to develop practical sanctions for any students who Full bedroom clean £50-£65 have fallen below the College standards of behaviour. Bathroom/Shower room clean* £50 We support students to undertake community service Clean window/glass door £15 style activities helping the housekeeper, tidying upthe grounds or similar. These specific activities are developed Paint wall large £65 to help students understand the process of cause and Paint wall small £30-£50 consequence by raising their awareness of the cost to the College of the damages or mess coursed by inappropriate Rubbish disposal & cleaning of bedroom £20 behaviours. *These items are an additional charge when required outside of the standard regular cleaning provided by the Housekeeper i.e. a deep clean is required due to student neglect.

12 2018/19 Term Dates For students applying for 2019/20 these dates are for guidance only.

Moving in day is always one day prior to term start date and moving out day is the last teaching day of that term.

Term 1

Monday 10 September –Monday 17 December Half –term 29 October – 2 November Christmas closure 21 December - 2 January (inclusive)

Term 2

Monday 7 January - Thursday 5 April Half-term 18 - 22 February Easter holiday 30 March - 13 April (inclusive)

Term 3

Monday 23 April - Friday 28 June Half-term 27 May - 31 May

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