Welcome to Grantham College and University Centre INSPIRE - EMPOWER - ACHIEVE Grantham College & University Centre, Stonebridge Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG31 9AP Tel: 01476 400200 Email: [email protected] Web: www.grantham.ac.uk June 2020 DEAR STUDENT Welcome to Grantham College from all of the staff and governors at the College. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for choosing Grantham College to undertake your studies during 2020/21. Whether you are a new student, or a returning student, I both hope this academic year is a successful year for you – your success is our success, and we want to do everything we can to help you achieve whilst you are with us. I hope you find Grantham College to be a safe and Paul Deane supportive environment that puts students like you at Principal & Chief Executive the heart of everything that we do. We are proud of our College, and proud of you. Nevertheless, we can always improve and we welcome your contributions and comments as to how we can do that. In return, we ask you to work hard and to be committed to your studies. We also want you to have fun and to involve yourself in the life of the college – such opportunities include being an active member of the Students’ Union, or participation in sports and recreational activities. We also hope you will get involved in the life of the college and our community through voluntary work, charity fund-raising or paid employment. It’s a competitive world out there, so take the chance to improve your skills and experience and to stand out from the crowd. If there is something we do not currently offer in terms of these opportunities please let us know – we may not always be able to say yes but at least we can explain why. Most of all, we want you to enjoy your time at Grantham College and to maximise your potential. Our college values are based on respect for one another, honesty and equality of opportunity for all, so we ask that you help us to uphold these. I wish you a successful year at Grantham College, and look forward to celebrating your successes with you. TERM DATES FURTHER EDUCATION ACADEMIC YEAR 2020/21 First year inductions: Thursday 3 September 2020 and Friday 4 September 2020 Returners’ inductions: Monday 7 September 2020 Autumn Term: Thursday 3 September to Thursday 17 December 2020 Half Term: Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2020 Bank Holidays: Friday 25 December 2020, Monday 28 December 2020, Friday 1 January 2021 Spring Term: Monday 4 January to Wednesday 31 March 2021 Half Term: Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2021 Bank Holidays: Good Friday: Friday 2 April 2021, Easter Monday: Monday 5 April 2021 Summer Term: Monday 19 April to Wednesday 7 July 2021 Half Term: Tuesday 1 June to Friday 4 June 2021 Bank Holidays: May Day: Monday 3 May 2021, Spring Bank Holiday: Monday 31 May 2021 HIGHER EDUCATION ACADEMIC YEAR 2020/21 Autumn Term: Monday 21 September to Friday 11 December 2020 Spring Term: Monday 4 January to Wednesday 31 March 2021 Summer Term: Monday 19 April to Wednesday 16 June 2021 Student Progress Review Evening 2019-20 Monday 18 January 2021 HANDY HINTS & TIPS • There isn’t a uniform at Grantham College, we just ask that students don’t wear their hoods up and take hats/bike helmets off when entering the premises • You must wear your ID lanyard at all times when on college premises for your own safety and safeguarding purposes • Being punctual to your classes will set you in good stead for working life • The college has a dedicated smoking shelter so if you’re a smoker, please locate the shelter using the map on the back of this booklet • As a college, we don’t tolerate bad behaviour, bullying or any forms of violence • Your Student Mentor is here to help you, so please turn to them if you have any questions or need help with anything • You are welcome to bring your mobile phone to college but please don’t use it during classes • We have a counsellor that you can make an appointment with if you are struggling with any issues • If you require PPE for your college course, please ensure you have it with you at all times when at college • Your attendance should be maintained at 100% • The Student Union and Student Voice are there for you to take part in, share your views on the college and to enjoy, so please sign up and help us make the college an even better place to study • Finally, enjoy your time at college and you’ll go on to achieve great things! STUDENT INFORMATION TEAM The Student Information Team is central to the whole college site and provide a number of services to help support & assist with your time as a student at Grantham College. The Information, Advice and Guidance Team is central to the whole college site and provides a number of services to help support & assist with your time as a student at Grantham College. We can help with everything from booking careers or counselling appointments, room directions, applications, course information, general advice and guidance, course price enquiries, ID cards and that’s just the beginning! Advice & Guidance is based in the main reception area of the college and we are more than happy to deal with any enquiries, problems and queries you may have during your day at college. If we don’t know the answer, we will find out for you or be able to point you in the right direction. Team members are; Student Services Manager - Sarah High Advice & Guidance Coordinator - Amy Goswell Advice & Guidance Administrator - Fiona Ball Advice & Guidance Administrator - Gail Moisey Advice & Guidance Administrator - Jade Voller Advice & Guidance Administrator - Laura Philpotts Reception Apprentice - Sasha Lee Come and say hello! STUDENT MENTORS You will be allocated a Student Mentor for your chosen course. Student Mentors are responsible for your attendance & welfare and will support you with academic and personal issues which may arise during your time with us. If required, Student Mentors will liaise with parents/carers and, in some cases, internal or external agencies; this could be Mental Health Counselling, Learning Support Needs or Careers Advice. First and foremost, we want you to gain the best results from Grantham College. In order to achieve this, your attendance is very important. Your Student Mentor will keep your teaching staff informed of any absences you may have during the course of the year and monitor your progress. Student Mentors will also write your references for both employment and Higher Education. If, during the first month of your new course, you feel that you are not happy, then you can speak to your Student Mentor and hopefully they will help you sort out any problems. This could mean transferring you to another course or just helping you with your time management and organisational skills. Your Student Mentor will be there to advise you. The Student Mentors are based in the curriculum areas. They will meet your class in the first week of term and give you their contact details, ensure yours are correct and discuss the following:- • College Bursary • Transport • Code of Conduct We hope that you will enjoy your time at Grantham College on your chosen course. Good Luck! What to do if… You are ill… ■ Telephone your Student Mentor by 8.45am or as soon as possible and let them know; you can leave a message if you can’t get through for any reason. ■ Remember you will need to make up missed work. You are going to miss a lesson… ■ Tell your Lecturer and Student Mentor in advance. ■ Organise to catch up on missed work. You have an accident at College... ■ Report it to your Lecturer or Student Mentor if you are in class or to Reception. ■ Fill in an accident form. The fire alarm sounds… ■ Make your way to the nearest fire exit in a calm and safe manner. STUDENT FINANCE We understand that studying at college may cause financial problems. We have a Student Finance department that provides both existing and prospective students with advice and guidance in relation to Student Finance, while also providing financial support to students studying at Grantham College. We may be able to help you with support from the different funds available to us, depending on your age and personal circumstances. The funds available include: • 16-19 Bursary Fund • Further Education Free Meals • 19+ Further Education Discretionary Fund • Advanced Learner Loan - Bursary Fund • Childcare support for students aged 20+ • Care to Learn - Childcare for students aged under 20 on the first day of their course • Travel Fund - For students aged 16-18 who are travelling from outside of the Lincolnshire area • Higher Education Loans - Tuition Fee & Maintenance Loan If you need help filling in a form or just want to chat about the support that we can supply, please come and speak to Jo Bowman, the Student Finance Officer, or Billy Lowe, Student Finance Assistant, located in the Student Information area (Main Reception) or call them on 01476 400281. LEARNING SUPPORT The Learning Support Team aims to help all students achieve their full potential while studying at Grantham College, whether they are on a full-time, part-time, evening course or apprenticeship. Help is available for a wide range of difficulties/disabilities including: • Visual impairment- Grantham College works in partnership with the RNIB and can provide adapted materials, including Braille services and low vision aids.