SCHOOL LEAVERS’ PROSPECTUS 2020-2021 1 Do you want to see what college life is like? Then come along to an Open Evening! Warrington & Winsford campuses 5.30PM - 8.00PM: Thursday 10th October 2019 Wednesday 13th November 2019 Thursday 5th December 2019 Wednesday 25th March 2020 OPEN EVENINGS OPEN Open Evenings are a great way to explore our campuses. You will get to chat to current students and industry specialists, tour our top-quality facilities and discuss the best course for your chosen career. Register now: wvr.ac.uk/openevenings The information in this prospectus is correct at the time of publication (September 2019). Warrington & Vale Royal College will endeavour to inform applicants of any significant changes prior to enrolment in September 2020. 2 CONTENTS Welcome 4 Why choose us? 6 Warrington campus 8 Winsford campus 12 Your route to success 18 Learning Resource Centre 20 Support for students 22 Support for students with 24 CONTENTS special educational needs Getting to college 26 Careers advice & guidance 28 Your Study Programme 34 Work placement 36 College life 38 Student voice 40 English & maths 42 Myth busting 44 Entry requirements 46 Foundation learning 48 Apprenticeships 52 Vocational courses 70 FAQs 164 How to apply 166 Higher education 168 The college offer at a glance 170 3 WELCOME TO WARRINGTON & VALE ROYAL COLLEGE College is an exciting step in any young person’s life. It is the beginning of a new chapter and a time to study a subject you really enjoy and want to pursue further as a career. Thousands of students choose to study with us each year. Join us in September 2020 and begin your journey towards a successful career, learn new skills and make new friends. Our prospectus will help you to find the course that best suits you, your future career and will give you an insight into student life at VALE ROYAL COLLEGE ROYAL VALE Warrington & Vale Royal College. & We look forward to seeing you at one of our Open Evenings! In this prospectus, you will find... • Subjects you can study and careers this may lead to WELCOME TO WARRINGTON WARRINGTON TO WELCOME • Student success • A glimpse of our incredible facilities • What sets us apart from other colleges …and lots more. 4 WELCOME TO WARRINGTON & VALE ROYAL COLLEGE 55 WHY CHOOSE US? We boast some of the highest pass rates in England, with the latest figures ranking us in the top 10 colleges nationally for the third year running!* • To date, we have secured unprecedented improvement for our 16-18 year old students, with our student achievement data now WHY CHOOSE US? CHOOSE WHY well above the national average • Over 90% of apprenticeships at Warrington & Vale Royal College lead to full-time permanent employment • Almost two thirds of students completing a Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma achieved a Distinction grade or higher, and over a quarter of students achieved the highest grade possible of a Triple Distinction Star, worth the equivalent of 3 A*s at A Level • 96% of our students say they receive good support from their tutors. 96% say the teaching on their course is good and 94% say they would recommend the college to their friend • We are in the top quartile of colleges nationally for both English and maths GCSE. *Further Education and Skills Agency (March 2019) 6 WHY CHOOSE US? CHOOSE WHY 7 WARRINGTON CAMPUS Our Warrington campus is located just outside the bustling town centre of Warrington and is easily accessible by car and public transport via a main route into Warrington, the A49. The largest of our campuses, Warrington has a university feel and houses a number of specialist industry facilities. The site boasts two blocks of engineering and construction facilities which each house custom-built workshops. In addition it also houses a large, fully-fitted mechanics garage with 8 built-in vehicle lifts, tyre fitting bay, snap on tools and a mock MOT bay. The on-site Sport and Public Services Centre offers student access to state-of-the-art fitness testing equipment, sports science laboratories, fitness suites and a fully equipped gym. Furthermore, open to the public, as well as staff and students, the Warrington campus offers hair and beauty treatments within the professional salons located in The Academy. Additionally, hungry diners can take advantage of our award-winning restaurant - Buckley’s, which regularly hosts lunch and dinner services providing students studying hospitality and catering with the opportunity to prepare and WARRINGTON CAMPUS WARRINGTON serve restaurant quality meals within a commercial and real-life setting. The Warrington campus also boasts a 160-seat theatre which regularly hosts performances from our very talented performing arts students. Our Warrington campus offers students everything they need for the best possible college experience. 8 WARRINGTON CAMPUS WARRINGTON 9 WARRINGTON CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS Costa Coffee We are delighted to have Costa Coffee on campus tempting us with velvety flat-whites, frothy cappuccinos and intense espressos. The urge to resist may be futile! Crescent Café Our student café serves a huge selection of hot and cold food including mouth-watering lunch choices and healthy snack options, alongside favourites such as home-made cakes and Christmas dinner! Sport and Public Services Centre Sports and Public Services students have access to our new dedicated on-campus Sport and Public Services Centre, featuring modern classrooms and a fitness suite boasting a range of cardiovascular and resistance equipment, free weights and strength and conditioning machines. WARRINGTON CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS CAMPUS WARRINGTON The Gym Our on-site gym provides a range of aerobic and resistance equipment including a free weights area. Once inducted, students can use the gym whenever they have free time. 10 Buckley’s Restaurant Buckley’s is our AA Rosette restaurant run by college students, providing a real working environment for those studying Hospitality & Culinary arts courses with us. r e s t a u r a n t The Academy WARRINGTON CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS CAMPUS WARRINGTON Featuring hairdressing and beauty therapy salons, nail bars and spray tanning rooms, our students provide a range of treatments as part of their study programme. Learning Resource Centre We have a dedicated Learning Resource Centre with expert library professionals on hand to help. Our students have access to over 200 PCs, laptops to loan for the day and support with their studies, plus Apple Macs, e-books and e-journals along with thousands of books specially selected by tutors to support your learning. The Hilary Tucker Arts Centre Creative and Performing Arts students have access to art suites equipped with Apple Macs, purpose built art, dance and drama studios, and an 160 seat theatre with a backstage area and box office. The Colin Daniels Construction and Engineering Skills Centre Our students study in fully simulated working environments, utilising the latest technologies, and are taught by tutors with years of industry experience. 11 WINSFORD CAMPUS Our modern and contemporary Winsford campus has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere similar to that of a sixth form college. Situated within walking distance of Winsford town centre the campus can be easily accessed by car and is serviced by the local Arriva bus network which operates throughout Cheshire. The on-site facilities are tailored to the subjects offered at the campus, with dedicated art and design suites which not only offer students a creative atmosphere to study in, but also double up as an exhibition space to showcase their creative talents and work. Additionally, the ground floor houses engineering workshops equipped with state-of-the-art, industry equipment and tools to ensure our learners gain first-hand experience of a real life engineering environment. The first floor of our Winsford campus is home to a fully-equipped Learning Resource Centre and also houses the campuses exceptional technology facilities. There are a number of computer and Apple Mac suites primarily used by students studying computing, graphics, media, games design, but open to all college students. WINSFORD CAMPUS WINSFORD Between lessons students can relax in the Atrium cafe where they are provided with delicious choices for breakfast and lunch in addition to a selection of hot and cold beverages. To the rear of the college students can access the newly refurbished Winsford Town Park, which has seen a huge capital investment deliver an exceptional outdoor space for local residents. Our students regularly use the open grassed areas, multi-use sports court, picnic tables and fitness equipment. This light and airy campus situated in Winsford offers local students everything they need to make the most of their college experience. 12 WINSFORD CAMPUS WINSFORD 13 WINSFORD CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS Art Studio Our Winsford campus art studio features creative art suites equipped with cutting edge Apple Macs, purpose-built arts studios and ceramic facilities including gas, electric, raku and glass firing kilns. Specialist Workshops Our students utilise the latest technologies within fully equipped workshops and digital classrooms. Learning Resource Centre We have a dedicated Learning Resource Centre with expert library professionals on hand to help. Our students have access to laptops to loan for the day and support with their studies, Apple Macs, PCs, e-books and e-journals along with thousands of books specially selected by subject tutors to support your learning. Atrium Café Students can relax between classes in the Atrium and enjoy a coffee, or grab some lunch from the café, where a range of hot and cold food WINSFORD CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS CAMPUS WINSFORD and drinks are available. Winsford Town Park Students can take advantage of our neighbouring Winsford Town Park, a recently refurbished multi-purpose outdoor space which features grassed areas for relaxing and a sports court. 14 WINSFORD CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS CAMPUS WINSFORD 15 16 “I’ve had so many opportunities at the college and gained a wealth of experience.