Welcome to Itchen !

Information for students and parents

Welcome to Itchen Sixth Form College! By joining us, you will:

 be joining a college with an outstanding record of achievement and a well-deserved reputation for excellent pastoral care;  be given expert advice and guidance at all stages of the admissions process and throughout your college career;  be able to participate in many enrichment activities, including our highly successful Academy of , our Creative Arts Academy and, for gifted and talented students, our High Performance Academy;  have access to experienced and highly qualified staff who are genuinely committed to helping each individual student;  become part of an enthusiastic and hard-working body of students

who organise social events and fundraising activities.

Principal, Alex Scott Tel: +44(0)2380 435636 Itchen Sixth Form College Fax: +44(0)2380 421911 Middle Road, , , S019 7TB. www.itchen.ac.uk (Last updated 30/09/2019)

What our students say:

‘I like Itchen College because it gives me the freedom to conduct my own methods of learning whilst still giving me the support I need.’

‘The subjects I study here are taught by very nice people who have real life experience in their fields.’

‘Itchen has given me a lot of opportunities to express who I really am and create bonds with both teachers and students’.

‘I would sum up this college as friendly; you get a community feel, kind, supportive. It’s a great little college where lots of people are down to earth and easy to get along with.’

‘My teacher takes the time to help students individually to make sure they achieve the highest possible grade and teaches in a way that enables the class to fully interact and participate in every lesson.’

‘Living with my host family makes me feel secure and comfortable and reminds me of home.’

‘Teachers are very kind and helpful and answer all my questions. I regularly receive one-to-one help and they really care about my academic progress.’

‘I had a dazzling experience at College where I could focus on subjects I have a strong interest for. The teachers have been wonderful with me because they could see my strengths and not my weaknesses. I will never be grateful enough.’

‘I have to thank my host family, because without them I wouldn’t be the person I am today. They cheered the loudest when I succeeded in a particular subject and I found a second family with them. They are wonderful people who accepted everything of me, encouraging me to go telling me that I am a clever boy

and I am going to win any battle life offers. They are truly inspiring.’

Principal, Alex Scott Tel: +44(0)2380 435636 Itchen Sixth Form College Fax: +44(0)2380 421911 Middle Road, Bitterne, Southampton, S019 7TB. www.itchen.ac.uk (Last updated 30/09/2019)

What happens next?

Congratulations! We have offered you a place at Itchen College.

If you have not yet done so then, to accept your place at the college, please return your signed Acceptance of Offer and completed Parental Consent Forms. We will confirm all course choices at enrolment when you will have the chance to discuss your options with the enrolment team. If you want to talk about your course choices before this time then please do not hesitate to contact us.

What pre-Arrival information do we require?

Please complete and return the Pre-arrival documents sent to you once you have accepted our offer. When you are completing the forms, please remember:

 It is important to give honest & accurate information about medical conditions or medications that you take.  If you have any special dietary requirements please include details.  If you have allergies or do not want to live in a household that has pets, please tell us.  Please provide as much details as possible about yourself and the kind of family you would like to stay with so we can find you a family that best matches your needs.  Please note that all our families are non- smoking.

Providing you with Host Family Accommodation

All students live in Host Family accommodation whilst on a programme of study at Itchen College. We will confirm your new host family details before you travel and you will be able to contact them to introduce yourself. Caroline Flood is our Accommodation & Welfare Officer and she will be the person who contacts you.

More details about our half-board Host Family Accommodation is available on our website www.itchen.ac.uk/international/accommodation/

Principal, Alex Scott Tel: +44(0)2380 435636 Itchen Sixth Form College Fax: +44(0)2380 421911 Middle Road, Bitterne, Southampton, S019 7TB. www.itchen.ac.uk (Last updated 30/09/2019)

Before you travel

It is important to send us your flight details as soon as possible, so that we know when you are arriving.

We will send you an enrolment appointment before you travel so you know what time you need to come to the College to meet with your teachers and enrol on your chosen courses. To ensure you we timetable you for the correct level classes, we may ask you to take English, Mathematics or Science tests as part of this process.

What happens when I arrive in the UK?

Tuesday 25th August 2020 is our free Meet & Greet Collection Service at Heathrow Airport for flights arriving before 10am. Our staff will be in the terminal to meet you and accompany you on the coach back to College from where your new family will collect you.

Please note that we will only be leaving the airport once we have collected all the students so if you arrive on an early flight you may have to wait with us until the final students arrive. Whilst waiting you have an excellent opportunity to get to know each other.

If you are arriving at a different time or date then we can arrange for an airport transfer by Private Taxi. The driver will meet you in the Terminal and take you to your arranged Host Family accommodation. A transfer from London Heathrow costs £100. We can provide costs for other airports on receipt of flight details.

If you are arriving with your parents or want to make your own arrangements then useful websites are:

National Express https://beta.nationalexpress.com/ National Rail http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

Principal, Alex Scott Tel: +44(0)2380 435636 Itchen Sixth Form College Fax: +44(0)2380 421911 Middle Road, Bitterne, Southampton, S019 7TB. www.itchen.ac.uk (Last updated 30/09/2019)

Wednesday 26th August 2020 & Thursday 27th August 2020 will be enrolment at college. If you wish to discuss any aspect of your application or enrolment, please do not hesitate to contact us. After enrolment, your tutor and the International Team will deal with any concerns, which you or your parents may have. You will have the opportunity to look around the College and meet other new students.

Friday 28th August 2020 to Wednesday 2nd September 2020 will be our Welcome Week trips & activities. Full details will be available nearer to your arrival date.

Lessons will begin on Thursday 3rd September 2020

Principal, Alex Scott Tel: +44(0)2380 435636 Itchen Sixth Form College Fax: +44(0)2380 421911 Middle Road, Bitterne, Southampton, S019 7TB. www.itchen.ac.uk (Last updated 30/09/2019)

Frequently asked questions:

Q: Will I need to buy my own books?

A: No. All textbooks that are necessary are provided for study on whichever course you choose. However, certain courses such as Photography and Geography etc. may on occasion require students to make contributions towards the cost of field trips, materials and other equipment like a digital SLR camera.

For English & IELTS, you can purchase extra revision material if you wish. Your teacher will advise you.

Q: Is attendance in lessons compulsory?

A: Yes. We expect 100% in all of your lessons. We recognise that students may occasionally miss lessons for a variety of reasons. All students are required to contact the college daily if they are unable to attend lessons due to illness or any other reason. You can do this by telephone or email. We will contact parents to discuss any concerns regarding attendance.

Q: What happens if I want to change my courses?

A: Do not worry – we confirm your subject choices at enrolment, so you will have plenty of time to think about the courses, which will suit you. Once you have started college you can discuss any concerns you may have about any aspect of your courses with your tutor or the International Office.

Principal, Alex Scott Tel: +44(0)2380 435636 Itchen Sixth Form College Fax: +44(0)2380 421911 Middle Road, Bitterne, Southampton, S019 7TB. www.itchen.ac.uk (Last updated 30/09/2019)

Q: I am a 1-Year student. If I take GCSE Maths & English early in November & achieve grade 4/5 or higher can I remove these lessons from my timetable.

A: This will depend on your timetable. We may have to find you an alternative to ensure you have a full timetable.

Q: How often is progress reviewed?

A: Your subject teachers, your tutor and the International Office will carefully review your progress. The college’s review system allows staff to track your progress at regular intervals throughout the year. Your parents will regularly be sent subject reviews during the Academic Year.

Parents have access to our online Parent Information Pages (PIPS) where they can see information about their son or daughter’s attendance, progress at college and student reviews. We will send login details to parents after enrolment as long as they have supplied us with an up-to-date email address.

Q; What sort of food can I buy at college? Is it expensive?

A: The canteen and the college shop provide a variety of inexpensive and healthy meals, salads, sandwiches, snacks, hot and cold drinks etc. There are also shops outside the college where you can buy a variety of food. Microwaves are available in the Student Centre if you want to heat your own food.

Principal, Alex Scott Tel: +44(0)2380 435636 Itchen Sixth Form College Fax: +44(0)2380 421911 Middle Road, Bitterne, Southampton, S019 7TB. www.itchen.ac.uk (Last updated 30/09/2019)

Q: Do I need insurance?

A: Our prices do not include travel or medical insurance. We recommend you take out the necessary cover before you travel to the UK.

Q: Can I access Healthcare in the UK?

A: The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) provides Accident & emergency services for everyone, free of charge, but for other treatment there are fees for ‘overseas visitors.’

See https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/visiting-or-moving-to-england/ We advise that you should take out medical insurance before you travel to the UK

Q: How do students travel to Itchen?

A: The majority of our students live in host family accommodation within walking distance of the College. If you are living further away then you may be able to use a College contract bus and full details of the routes is available on our website at http://www.itchen.ac.uk/parent-information/travel- information/overview/

The cost for an annual bus pass on the College Contract bus will be approximately £375 for Academic Year 2020-2021. If you live on a College bus route, you can purchase the annual pass when you come to college to enrol.

For Public transport see:

First Bus - https://www.firstgroup.com/

Blue Star - http://www.bluestarbus.co.uk/

Discounted College Bus Passes can be purchased at the Travel Shop in the City Centre. The application forms are available in the International Office.

Train - http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ (our nearest station is , which is 15 minutes’ walk from the College). Principal, Alex Scott Tel: +44(0)2380 435636 Itchen Sixth Form College Fax: +44(0)2380 421911 Middle Road, Bitterne, Southampton, S019 7TB. www.itchen.ac.uk (Last updated 30/09/2019)

Q: How can I keep fit?

A: Itchen College has its own fully equipped gym, which students are freely able to use outside of their lesson times.

We also have a large hall, which enables students to play football, badminton, , volleyball & many more sports.

We have a grass football pitch in front of the College, which is used for football, Rugby & fitness. We also have a purpose-built dance studio.

We offer sports for all abilities and you can choose to participate in your chosen sport alongside your academic programme. We also have very successful sports teams that compete against other Colleges. Information will be available at enrolment for students wishing to attend sports trials for any of the College teams.

Locally we also have a leisure centre within 20 minutes’ walk, which offers fitness classes and gym facilities for an additional fee. There is also a swimming pool complex in the city centre.

See: https://activenation.org.uk/venues/bitterne-leisure-centre/ https://activenation.org.uk/venues/the-quays-swimming-diving-complex/

Many other sports are available in the city if you search for whatever you are interested in.

Principal, Alex Scott Tel: +44(0)2380 435636 Itchen Sixth Form College Fax: +44(0)2380 421911 Middle Road, Bitterne, Southampton, S019 7TB. www.itchen.ac.uk (Last updated 30/09/2019)

Support at Itchen

Itchen College is strongly committed to supporting each individual student’s academic and personal development. You will have a personal tutor. There are also college counsellors & a careers advisor on site. The Student Services team can help with a range of issues including & work experience.

 Your tutor will probably be one of your teachers and will get to know you well during your time at college. Your tutor will pass on important college information, maintain an overview of your progress and attendance, and discuss any concerns that you may have.

 Our Learning Resource Centre (LRC) also offers fantastic support for our students by providing a wide range of resources, quiet and silent study areas.

 The International Office is also open throughout the college day for additional support & the staff can help with a wide range of issues.

Contact details for the International Staff are as follows:

International Marketing & Admissions Lynne Jones [email protected] Finance & Administration Nicola Hobbs [email protected] Academic Administration Shirley McClure [email protected] Accommodation & Welfare Caroline Flood [email protected] International School Manager Marie-Flore Hodgson [email protected]

The 24-Hour Emergency telephone number for urgent issues only is +44 2380 439203

Principal, Alex Scott Tel: +44(0)2380 435636 Itchen Sixth Form College Fax: +44(0)2380 421911 Middle Road, Bitterne, Southampton, S019 7TB. www.itchen.ac.uk (Last updated 30/09/2019)

Important Dates for Academic Year 2020-2021:

 Tuesday 25th August 2020 is the Meet & Greet Collection at London Heathrow Airport for flights arriving before 10am Local Time  Wednesday 26th August 2020 is when enrolment will begin by appointment  Friday 28th August to Wednesday 2nd September 2020 will be Welcome Week activities

Teaching Dates: (Each term has a one-week break from teaching at half term)

Autumn Term Thursday 3rd September to Friday 23rd October 2020 Monday 2nd November to Thursday 18th December 2020

Spring Term Monday 4th January to Friday 12th February 2021 Monday 22nd February to Thursday 1st April 2021

Summer Term Monday 19th April to Friday 28th May 2021 No teaching on Monday 3rd May 2021, which is a Bank Holiday in the UK Monday 7th June to Friday 2nd July 2021

Please note:

 There will be some non-teaching days within the term dates above & we will confirm these, at or before enrolment. We will endeavour to arrange student trips or enrichment activities on non- teaching days.

 A list of the compulsory trips & social events will be available at or before enrolment.

 Students are required to attend lessons on all teaching days and we ask that you do not arrange return flights during term time as this will not be authorised and will affect a your attendance.

Principal, Alex Scott Tel: +44(0)2380 435636 Itchen Sixth Form College Fax: +44(0)2380 421911 Middle Road, Bitterne, Southampton, S019 7TB. www.itchen.ac.uk (Last updated 30/09/2019)

 If you have any questions or concerns before you arrive, then please do not hesitate to contact us by email: Marketing & Admissions Lynne Jones [email protected] Finance & Administration Nicola Hobbs [email protected] Academic Administration Shirley McClure [email protected] Accommodation & Welfare Caroline Flood [email protected] International School Manager Marie-Flore Hodgson [email protected]  Our contact telephone number is +44 2380 435636 (select Option 3 for International).

 Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or YouTube or install our College App.

Itchen Sixth Form College International School

Itcheninter

@ItchenInter

College App ItchenSixthFormCollege

 Further information about our college is also available on our website www.itchen.ac.uk

Principal, Alex Scott Tel: +44(0)2380 435636 Itchen Sixth Form College Fax: +44(0)2380 421911 Middle Road, Bitterne, Southampton, S019 7TB. www.itchen.ac.uk (Last updated 30/09/2019)

We look forward to welcoming you at Itchen College for the academic year 2020-2021...

Principal, Alex Scott Tel: +44(0)2380 435636 Itchen Sixth Form College Fax: +44(0)2380 421911 Middle Road, Bitterne, Southampton, S019 7TB. www.itchen.ac.uk (Last updated 30/09/2019)