Handbook 2014/15 Contents 4 Welcome from your Principal 5 Who’s who at 8 Helping students achieve 9 Let us know what you think 10 GEM - Getting good at English and maths 11 GAP – Adventures in the working world 12 Parents and Carers’ Charter 14 Student Code of Conduct 16 Supporting you @whertscollege 18 Financial support 22 Student activities 24 Useful information 26 College calendar /westhertscollege 27 Useful contact numbers 28 How to find us

College opening times West Herts College Monday 8.30am - 6.00pm Tuesday – Thursday 8.30am - 8.00pm Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm

Holiday opening hours @westhertscollege Monday – Friday 8.30am - 5.00pm 3 Who’s who at West Herts COLLEGE

Welcome Gill Worgan Hello and welcome, Principal West Herts College is an outstanding college and we regard our commitment to student support as particularly important. This handbook is your quick Sarah Knowles guide to what you can expect from us. We want students to enjoy themselves, work hard Deputy Principal and achieve. Being happy is an important part of this. Our students tell us they love the freedom that college life brings. We also appreciate that it can Sandra Thornley take a little while to get used to college after so many years at school. And, of course, life in general Director of Curriculum isn’t always straightforward for young people. Professionally trained support staff are always available – for our students and their parents or carers. You can speak to us at any time, either on Gill O’Connell the phone or by visiting of our campuses, Director of Curriculum we’re here to support you every step of the way. I wish everyone a very successful year. Emma Doree

Director of Student Experience

Gill Worgan Principal Cath Gunn

Director of Teaching and Learning

4 5 Who’s who at John McMahon West Herts COLLEGE Engineering

At West Herts College our subject areas are separated Gill Short into schools, with each one managed by a Head of Foundation Studies School. The College’s Heads of School are:

Louise Thurston Gary Dixon Adult and Community Learning Food Academy, Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy

Georgina Jones Scott Isaacs Art and Design HE and Professional Studies

Annette Field Roger Parker Additional Learning Support and LLN Performance, Music and Media

Kurt Kadiroglu Tammy Nuthall Business and Computing Sport, Travel and Public Services

Maureen Daly Anne Harris Care and Early Years Learning Resources

David Anderson Lisa Corns Construction Student Support

You can contact any of our staff members through the main College switchboard on 01923 812000 6 7 Working with Let us know you to help our what you think students achieve At West Herts College we want you to be involved in your child’s Parent and Carer evenings education right from the start. There’s no doubt your contribution At West Herts College we welcome and encouragement can help your child achieve their goals. your involvement and as parents It is our belief that a partnership between parents, carers and and carers, your views are extremely important to us. Student reports the College helps to ensure students achieve their potential. are compiled during October and There’ll be lots of opportunities for you to feedback your thoughts and then again in February. You will be opinions to us during the year, through surveys and dedicated parent and invited to a parent and carer evening carer evenings. Your views are important to us and we will always welcome shortly after these are finalised to and take note of your comments. discuss your childs’s progress and achievement. It is our belief that Target setting, progress and attainment a partnership between parents, We want every student to achieve think about what they may achieve carers and the tutor helps to ensure their qualification and to succeed while at College, on their course students achieve their potential, and be happy during their time and in wider projects, activities and therefore your attendance at these at College. To help our students work-related opportunities. evenings is strongly encouraged. achieve their goals they will have If you have any questions about These evening also give you the regular target setting, progress and your child’s progress at College opportunity to talk to members of attainment sessions and be set an please contact us at any time during our Senior Management Team and individual learning plan (ILP) by their the academic year. We look forward complete surveys. tutors. The ILP will help students to to working with you.

8 9 English GAP - Adventures in and maths the working world Life gets interesting when you’re good at English and maths So what exactly are GAP experiences? Words and numbers are everywhere job and a place at university will be We’ve teamed up with local employers to bring you GAP and if you can use them well you’ll yours for the taking. work experiences: a fresh approach to giving our students get on fast – at work, at home, in life. That’s why at West Herts College what it takes to land their first job. It’s about a future full of promise we’re determined to change the Work experience is an increasingly All our students have access to our whatever route you take. The best way we all use – and think about important step towards getting that GAP website, which lists our full range employers will want to give you a – English and maths. first great job – enabling students to of opportunities, giving you plenty of find a career they’ll enjoy, build up choice to develop your skills. their CV and improve their skills in a Are you an employer? You could We call it GEM real working environment. make all the difference to a GEM is a new way of learning English and maths. It’s special GAP experiences target the young person by offering a to West Herts College and we’ve got big ambitions for it. real skills young people need work placement opportunity. We want GEM to make a real main course of study, enhancing for success in ways which suit Our GAP work experiences difference to how we all use words their existing skills and developing them and the employer – meaning are designed to deliver very real and numbers. That’s why we’ve set new ones. If your child hasn’t yet they’ll be busy every time they benefits to your business and our up a brand new team of GEM tutors. achieved a GCSE pass in English go to work and can expect to get specialist team can make sure the Each of them specialises in English and/or maths they’ll take GEM completely involved in projects process is straightforward and your or maths and it’s their job to bring classes and work towards resitting and tasks. experience is a positive one. these essential subjects to life. their GCSE exams. Your child’s GEM programme will Whatever route they take it will be a be personal to them. If your child whole new way of learning. GEM is has GCSE passes (that’s grades all about getting the skills needed to A*- C) we’ll build GEM around their get on – here at college and in life.

Want to find out more?

If you have any questions or want to find out more about English and maths skills at the College, you can speak to your child’s tutor – call us on 01923 812345 and we’ll be happy to help.

10 11 Parents and Carers’ Charter Your The College welcomes the involvement of all parents and carers and we hope that we will have a successful partnership contribution with you, working together to encourage your child to achieve their full potential. • To ensure your child understands • To inform us of any changes in We ask that parents and carers read the Student Code of Conduct so they know and meets the obligations personal circumstances, and understand what we expect of students in terms of behaviour and approach outlined in the Code of Conduct for example change of address, to work, as well as what students themselves can expect from the College. for Students telephone number or The College expects that students Nevertheless, there is a continuing role • To inform us if you become domestic situation will accept responsibility for their own for parents and carers to play in that concerned about any aspect of • To contact us to authorise your learning and academic progress and process, and the College will liaise with your child’s progress child’s absence from College take full advantage of the support that you accordingly, taking into account • To discuss Progress Reviews and • To only take holidays outside will be provided to them by their tutors. the needs of individual students. Reports with your child of term time

The College’s Provision for all students under 18 Quality Assurance You can expect the College to provide: It is important that you have the opportunity to give us your views on all • A safe learning environment • A prompt response to any query aspects of College life. There are several ways you can express your views: • A personal link with the College or concern • By raising general concerns through We want all our students to succeed through tutors and Head of School • An appointment with your child’s our parent and carer evenings with us at College and we are committed to providing them the best • An opportunity to discuss your tutor or Head of School if there is • Speak to your child’s tutor or possible opportunities to achieve this. child’s progress with subject tutors a need to discuss any aspect of Head of School To support them to do this we have at parent and carers’ evenings, their progress. During parent/carer • Respond to any questionnaire a Code of Conduct and Procedures twice a year evenings we provide an opportunity which may be sent to you to speak to senior managers of for Managing Performance and • Contact from the College if there Surveys are sent to parents and carers the College Behaviour. If this is the case we may is concern about your child’s from time to time. The findings of require a meeting with students and • Copies of the College’s policies and attendance, progress or behaviour these surveys will be presented at their parents or carers to set mutual procedures on request appropriate College meetings and action plans and targets to support copies will be made available to you, them to get back on track. on request.

12 13 Code of Conduct for Students Our commitment Our students’ to our students commitment to us What our students can expect from us: What we expect from our students: • Respect at every stage and • Confidential financial information • Wear your student ID card at all • Pay all fees and charges on time throughout the duration of and advice times so that all staff can see you • Help to keep the College a healthy, your course • Information about assessments, are a student safe and secure place for everyone • Secure storage of personal assignments and examinations • Only wear hats and have hoods • Follow all College policies, information in compliance with • Appropriate support to meet up if you are outside codes, regulations, guidelines the Data Protection Act your needs • Follow requests from members and procedures • Equal access in line with the • Careers information, advice and of staff • Look after, and return, all Disability Discrimination Act guidance to prepare you for • Attend all classes, work placements, equipment and materials borrowed • Equal treatment in line with your future tutorials and activities on time from the College the Equality Act • A range of enrichment activities • Inform the College and work • Only smoke in the designated areas • A safe, healthy and enjoyable • Events and publicity to celebrate placement providers if you are and do not bring alcohol on site or learning environment your success unable to attend consume alcohol during the College day • Impartial information about • Opportunities for you to air your • Take your holidays out of services, facilities and support views and be consulted term time • Not to take part in any illegal, • Skilled and qualified teachers and on improvements • Complete all of your assignments disruptive or disrespectful activities support staff at all stages • A complaints procedure which and homework to the best • It is important you never invite of your course is easy to understand and possible standard people who are not members of the provides feedback • Meet all assignments and College onto the campuses without homework deadlines set by the permission of a member of staff West Herts College is committed to empowering all its members to your tutors achieve their very best. We work to raise ambition, remove barriers to success and maximise achievement. We strive to build around each individual the support that they need to succeed.

14 15 Supporting you Our LRC opening times are: campus: 01442 221581 During their time at College we want every student to enjoy Monday 8.45am – 5.00pm themselves, work hard and achieve – being happy and getting Tuesday 8.45am – 7.30pm involved is an important part of this. We’ll take the time to Wednesday 9.30am – 7.30pm get to know our students so we can offer them help and Thursday 8.45am – 7.30pm encouragement all the way. Friday 8.45am – 4.00pm

Advice and guidance King Langley campus: 01923 275672 We’re here for our students. Our If you wish to discuss your child’s Learning Resource Centres Monday 8.45am – 5.00pm Student Support staff are available on support needs during their course or In our LRCs, our students have the Tuesday 8.45am – 5.00pm every campus and we’re on hand to want more information you can talk to world at their fingertips. As well as a provide advice on finance, personal their tutor or contact: substantial collection of books and Wednesday 10.30am – 5.00pm issues, careers information and much • The Learning Advisor journals, they have access to a range Thursday 8.45am – 5.00pm more. Students can drop in and see of electronic databases and websites in your school Friday 8.45am – 4.00pm us any time or can call or email us for – all there to help research and • Email additionallearningsupport impartial advice and guidance. complete studies and assignments. @westherts.ac.uk campus: 01923 812554 Need to talk? There are open access computers, specialist software and high-speed Monday 8.45am – 5.00pm To speak to one of our Student Advisors The VLE and our internet connection. Tuesday 8.45am – 7.30pm or to make an appointment, just drop student portals in to Student Support, or email All West Herts College students will One-to-one support Wednesday 9.30am – 7.30pm [email protected] have access to the Virtual Learning If a student ever needs extra help Thursday 8.45am – 7.30pm and we will contact you. Environment (VLE) from any online with assignments they can book a device – inside and outside the Friday 8.45am – 4.00pm Student Support is open from 8.30am one-to-one study skills session with College, 24/7. The VLE gives access our LRC staff. Our specialist staff to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday and to materials and coursework as well 8.30am to 4.30pm on Fridays. Feel members provide advice on planning as links to useful websites for quizzes workload, research, drafting work, free to contact us between these and other helpful resources. times on 01923 812575. revision techniques and completing All full-time students also have access assignments. It’s all part of a service Learning support to ProPortal and E-Portfolio. Here they dedicated to helping each student During the first few weeks of term can access grades, track progress, achieve the very best grades they we assess all our students. This is so monitor attendance and see their can. Sessions can be booked we can identify any areas where they predicted grades. These all help to at the LRC or by emailing may need extra help with their studies. keep students on track and really do [email protected] We can then offer individual support make studying easier. such as specialist teaching, adapted materials, classroom support and special examination arrangements.

16 17 Financial support Confidential information and advice is available to help students manage their money and apply for financial assistance. For further information visit any Student Support Centre, call 01923 812575 or email [email protected] Travel In addition to support from the For timetable information to plan College, if your child is a your child’s journey to College please resident they will be able to apply to visit www.traveline.org.uk or call the Herts County Council SaverCard 0871 200 2233. Learner Support Fund Childcare costs scheme. The SaverCard will cost Remember if your child is having Help is available to students through Care to Learn provides help with £20 per year and allow your child difficulty paying for their journey to our Learner Support Fund to assist childcare and associated travel costs a discount of up to 50% off tickets College they can pop in and speak with essential costs such as travel, if your child is over 16 and under 20 on any Hertfordshire bus for the to someone in Student Support who equipment, lunches and childcare. years of age on the day their studies academic year. From 1 August 2014 will be able to help. If you are receiving benefits or have start. For an application form call your child can pay £5 less for a a low household income there are , or log on to SaverCard if they apply for it online 0800 121 8989 funds available to support your child using the link below. This only www.direct.gov.uk/caretolearn while they are studying. For further applies to online applications If the student is over 20 years of age information you can drop in to and to applications made on or they can apply to our Learner Support Student Support on any campus, after 1 August 2014. For further Fund for help with childcare costs. call or email information and to apply visit 01923 812575 [email protected] www.hertsdirect.org/savercard or call 0300 123 4050. If your child is living in a Borough and are aged between 16 and 18 they may be eligible for the 16+ Oyster Card. To see what discounts are available and how to apply visit https://account.tfl.gov.uk/oyster

18 19 Financial support

24+ Advanced Learning Higher Education Professional and Career Loan and Bursary Student Finance Development Loans If a student is starting a course on or For information about loans, grants A Professional and Career Up to after 1 August, they may qualify for and online application details for Development Loan is a bank loan. a 24+ Advanced Learning Loan. This Higher Education courses visit Students can make an agreement £10,000 new scheme has been developed to direct.gov.uk/studentfinance with a participating bank to borrow an help adults back into education. So or call 0300 100 06 07. amount between £300 and £10,000. if you’re interested in doing a part- Then once they’ve stopped studying, time course to boost your career, and Higher Education they pay it back in the normal way. need help with the costs, you may be College Bursary Call the National Careers Service on eligible for a loan. The purpose of the Higher Education 0800 100 900 for further information student bursary is to provide students or to get an application pack. with financial assistance towards the Students can also visit the National cost of studying including travel and Careers Service via a link on the course materials. gov.uk website: For the 2014/15 academic year www.nationalcareersservice.direct. the maximum individual payment gov.uk/advice/courses/funding/ available to full-time students is pages/loans £750. Part-time students may also apply for the bursary and payments will be made on a pro-rata basis. To apply, students will need to complete an application form, which will be assessed on an individual basis by the College. Applications will be assessed on a first come, first served basis. For more information students can pop into Student Support on any campus, or email [email protected]

20 21 Student activities

We offer lots of exciting extra-curricular activities for students to sign up for. These include visits, work experience, talks from employers, trips and sports clubs. Sports and leisure activities Enhancing the Have your say Boosting CV and We are one of the few in College experience Senior managers and governors university application to have our very own Sport Every year a full programme of regularly meet with student College activities are more than an Maker. Their job is to ensure that every activities are planned to add to the representatives from across the opportunity to have fun – students student has the chance to participate West Herts College student experience, College to discuss issues that are have the chance to meet lots of in sports and activities, some of which making their time with us both important to us all. We pride ourselves people from many different courses they will already know and love and educational and fun. These include: on listening to our students, we and to make a difference to College some that might be completely new. encourage everyone to make the most • Talent shows and live music events life. Additional activities also look of these opportunities to have their great on CVs and UCAS personal Sporting activities include judo, • Health and social awareness say about College life. statements – giving students a basketball, badminton, rock climbing, activities – including anti-bullying story to tell about their teamwork, football, rugby, street dance and many week and no smoking day more – with plenty of opportunities to leadership and communication skills. • Summer and Christmas fairs continue through local clubs. • Workshops and drop-in sessions Students will also have the to help you improve your CV opportunity to become one of our or interview skills Sports Champions. We’re looking for • Charity events enthusiastic students to encourage and motivate people from around • Inter-college sports competitions the College to participate in sport … and much more. and clubs. Information about activities and clubs are posted around the campus and students have access to all this information through StudentNet – the student intranet.

22 23 Useful information Security and safety Feeling safe and secure is what Inside, all staff are alert to the need for communities like colleges are all a safe environment. Community police about. At West Herts College our officers and other staff also give talks campuses are happy places for our on safety. students and staff. Learning may be Regular safety checks are part of this challenging at times but campus life routine. Conducted by qualified staff, should not be. we see this safety measure as our Parent’s Portal Student Portal We support wellbeing, using a range of responsibility. By responding to the You can now log on and view your Through the Student Portal, students security measures which are reviewed problems posed by modern life, we child’s report online. Information can access their personal ‘U’ drive and on a regular basis. Professional security can work towards keeping West includes attendance records and the ‘V’ drive - their course folder. staff operate at the main entrances to Herts College safe and secure for personal tutor comments. all our campuses. everyone, everyday. There are also links to: To access the parent’s Pro Portal: • StudentNet • Log on to https://promonitor. • Student email westherts.ac.uk/parentportal • VLE • Enter your child’s student ID number followed by a ‘P’ • Pro-Portal eg ID = ABC12345678 • LRC Online Parent ID = ABC12345678P Students can also book a slot on a • Enter the password which is your Learning Resource Centre computer. child’s date of birth (ddmmyy) Students can access the Student eg 180596 Portal by visiting http://portal.student. westherts.ac.uk/

24 25 College Calendar Useful contact

Month W/C Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Notes July 28/07/14 August 04/08/14 College open - no teaching numbers 11/08/14 18/08/14 25/08/14 Enrolment College closed September 01/09/14 08/09/14 HE enrolment FE induction 15/09/14 HE induction and teaching Contact Campus Number 22/09/14 29/09/14 October 06/10/14 Switchboard All 01923 812000 Teaching weeks 13/10/14 20/10/14 Parent and Carer Hotline Dacorum 01442 221530 27/10/14 Half term (HE directed study) November 03/11/14 HE Graduation 10/11/14 Parent and Carer Hotline Watford 01923 812646 17/11/14 24/11/14 Parent and carer evening Parent and Carer Hotline 01923 275604 December 01/12/14 08/12/14 15/12/14 Student Support All 01923 812575 22/12/14 Winter break College closed 29/12/14 January 05/01/15 Exams Watford 01923 812507 12/01/15 01923 812299 19/01/15 26/01/15 February 02/02/15 Exams Kings Langley 09/02/15 and Dacorum 01442 221527 16/02/15 Half term (HE directed study) 23/02/15 March 02/03/15 09/03/15 16/03/15 23/03/15 Parent and carer evening 30/03/15 April 06/04/15 Spring break 13/04/15 20/04/15 27/04/15 May 04/05/15 11/05/15 18/05/15 25/05/15 Half term June 01/06/15 08/06/15 15/06/15 22/06/15 29/06/15 July 06/07/15 Summer break 13/07/15 (some part-time courses still running) 22 20/07/15 27 S t a t i o

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