ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
FOR PARENTS
fe awards
2018
In association with
Winner
Sixth form college of the year award
Winner
Sixth form college of the year award
WELCOME
Congratulations on your son or daughter being offered a place at Birkenhead
Sixth Form College, the UK’s ‘Sixth Form College of the Year 2018’.
Starting any new chapter in life can be an exciting time but it can also offer some
challenges, especially when it comes to leaving high school. As a specialist College
for young people aged 16 and over, we are the most equipped and experienced sixth
form to help new students settle in and make the most of both their educational
and life experiences during their time with us.
This booklet will give you as parents/guardians an overview of everything you need
to know about your son or daughter’s next steps, as well as the College structures
and systems that are there to help them and you during A Level and/or BTEC study.
CONTENTS
Page:
3. What happens next? / Enrolment
4. New students’ first day
5. Find Your Feet
6. Support
7. Partnership with parents
8. College Core Requirements
9. Absences / Travel
10. Financial support / Timetables
11. Food & Drink
12. Who’s who?
13. Clubs & Societies
14. Applicants’ GCSE Results Day Clinic
16. College calendar & important dates
2
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Your son or daughter will receive an Enrolment Pack from the College
approximately two weeks before GCSE results day on Thursday 23rd August.
Inside it will be everything they need to know about Enrolment, including the
exact date and time of their Enrolment appointment, what they need to bring
and what they can expect on the day.
Your son or daughter’s Enrolment appointment at the College will be on a
specified time between Thursday 23rd August and Thursday 30th August
2018.
New students’ first day at the College is Monday 3rd September 2018.
WHAT HAPPENS AT ENROLMENT?
New students will meet with our specialist staff at the College and discuss their
final subject choices for A Level and/or BTEC. Tutors and subject teachers will be
on hand to have detailed conversations with each student about their choices
and to offer the best advice, even if a student wishes to change their options
from the selections they made when they first applied. The staff will also be
able to advise on the best course of action if a student’s GCSE results are not as
hoped.
Enrolment packs with all
the important documents
for enrolling at the College
will be sent out in August.
Please ensure that your
son/daughter completes all
the necessary forms and
is aware of their allocated
enrolment time.
3
WHAT HAPPENS ON A NEW
STUDENTS’ FIRST DAY?
At Birkenhead Sixth Form College, we know that it can be a big change to move
from school to a College environment so, for not only the first day but the first
month, we have a special programme in place called ‘Find Your Feet’ (see next
page).
New students start on Monday 3rd September, a day before our returning
students start the new year. It might feel a bit daunting at first, but everyone
who joins the College is a new student so everyone is in the same boat.
This first introductory day will start at 9am and finish at 3pm.
This day is about students meeting their new classmates, teachers and assigned
Tutors that will be with them throughout College. Lesson times are normally
90minutes but on this first day they will last for an hour, so students get the
chance to find their way around and feel comfortable.
By the end of the day, students will have met their new teachers, know where
their classrooms are and met all their new classmates.
Where to go on arrival
New students should head to the College main entrance – there will be plenty
of signs around and people on hand everywhere to help guide new students to
where they need to be.
Dress Code
As with every other day at Birkenhead Sixth Form College,
students can wear their own choice of clothes. There is
no ‘dress code’ as such – anything that students feel
comfortable to study in is fine so long as it is nothing
offensive or indecent.
What should students bring?
Students should be prepared with any stationery that will help them complete
work, take notes during lesson time and keep them organised. Any specific
subject-related materials will be provided by the College.
4
The ‘Find Your Feet’ programme runs for the
first month that students join us, and is designed
especially to help new students settle in.
Although academic success is the central purpose
of studying here, evidence shows that feeling
settled, making friends and getting involved in the
full College experience goes a long way to helping
students achieve their full potential – and Find
Your Feet is about just that.
What goes on?
• Clubs and activities run each day throughout lunchtimes to help break
the ice and facilitate friendships
• Sessions with assigned tutor groups centre around getting to know each
student, and for students to get to know each other
• We understand that a new building can be confusing and getting lost can
be stressful, so extra signage is put up all around the College and staff and
Student Ambassadors from the second year are in place to help students
find where they need to be
• There are designated areas for quiet lunch if some students are feeling a
little overwhelmed and Student Ambassadors, who were in the very same
boat just a year ago, are on hand to talk to
• Students can vote for their Song of the Day which is played out in the
students’ refectory area at the end of lunchtime. Last year, students
reported that this gave them a lift to get stuck into the afternoon’s work
• Funday Fridays involve fun games such as inflatable sumo wrestling and a
bucking bronco for students to play in the Sports Hall. They are fun to play,
but just as fun to watch!
FIND YOUR FEET
5
WHAT SUPPORT IS ON OFFER?
Student Development - Tutors
All students are allocated a Tutor and it is this Tutor who
helps a student navigate College life: watching attendance,
encouraging progress and advising on choices for the future. A
student’s Tutor is the first point of contact if they require any
advice or support. Students see their allocated Tutor in weekly
small group tutorial sessions and termly one-to-ones, but they
can also drop into the Student Development base whenever
they require. If you have any queries or concerns, you can
contact your son or daughter’s Tutor to discuss it with them.
There is a formal opportunity to meet the your son/daughter’s
Tutor at the New Student Parents’ Evening in September.
Academic Writing Programme
The College offers dedicated support for students to develop
their academic writing skills. This programme includes
assisting with structuring extended writing, interpreting exam
questions effectively and writing in a more formal style. Many
students have benefitted from this additional support to help
them achieve higher grades.
The Listening Service
The College offers a confidential listening service to students
who require specialist support to deal with a range of issues.
Learning Support
The College has a team of dedicated Learning Support staff,
including Dyslexia specialists, who can provide support, advice
and guidance for students with a wide range of learning
difficulties. If you would like to discuss additional support for
your son/daughter, please contact the Learning Support team
on 0151 652 5575.
Designated Mental Health Lead
The College has a trained designated mental health lead Tutor
to provide information, advice and guidance to students with
mental health concerns.
A wide range of support is available and can be accessed whenever needed.
These include:
6
PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS
Parent Portal
The Parent Portal is an online tool that gives you direct access to your son/
daughter’s up-to-date attendance and progress data. Account details, including
username and password will be distributed at the New Parents’ Evening in
September. We urge you to login regularly to the portal to see how your son/
daughter is doing.
New Parents’ Evening
Wednesday 19th September 2018
The New Parents’ Evening gives you the opportunity to meet your son/
daughter’s Tutor, learn more about the College, the courses and also ask any
questions that you may have at the start of the year.
Parents’ Evenings
Thursday 1st November & Thursday 8th November 2018
We hold Parents’ Evenings to provide an opportunity for consultation between
parents, staff and students. Students make their own timetable of appointments
with subject teachers and Tutors. We will send a letter of invitation prior to each
event. First year Parents’ Evenings take place in November while second year
Parents’ Evenings are held in February.
Second Year Transition Evening
This evening is an important opportunity for parents to learn more about the
second year of study and how they can support their son/daughter during
this crucial year. Parents will also be able to learn more about the application
process for university and the financial support available. There will be a
valuable opportunity to meet with your son/daughter’s Tutor. Details of this
evening will be sent out to you at the start of the second year.
We value the strong partnership we have between student, Tutor, subject
teachers and parent or carers. Ways to keep up to date with your son/daughter’s
progress are outlined below:
GETTING IN TOUCH
Your son/daughter’s Tutor is your first point of contact for all queries or problems.
You will receive an email with the Tutor’s details on the first day of term at the
College and/or you can phone 0151 652 5575.
7
COLLEGE CORE REQUIREMENTS
At Birkenhead Sixth Form College, students are taught by dedicated
professionals who work tirelessly to support them to excel in their
studies. College students are expected to take responsibility for their
own education and meet the following core requirements:
• Attend all lessons on time and be fully prepared.
• Be attentive and engaged in class and complete all work,
including homework as directed.
• Show respect to all staff and follow any directions given.
• Treat fellow students with consideration and allow them to focus
on their studies.
• Turn off your mobile phone and have it out of sight when in class
or in The Hub.
• In the unlikely circumstance of you being absent, you must
inform the College. You need to also email your teachers to get
work you will have missed.
• All study deficits to be cleared as required by your teachers.
• With the exception of water, no food or drink to be consumed in
the classrooms or in The Hub.
• Wear your College ID when on campus.
• Be ambitious and accept the challenge to fulfil your potential.
Be POSITIVE Be THOUGHTFULBe AMBITIOUS Be RESILIENT
8
ABSENCES
We expect students to be present at all lessons to ensure that they don’t miss
crucial contact time with their teachers or Tutors. We ask parents to support us
with this by scheduling personal appointments and activities outside of College
time.
Reporting absence through illness
If your son/daughter is too ill to attend College, we need to be informed as soon
as possible. If the absence is over more than one day, please also notify the
College on each day or indicate a likely date of return.
To report a student absence
Call 0151 652 5575 (Option 3) or email [email protected]
Students who become ill at College are asked to report to the Attendance Office.
If they are too unwell to travel home alone, you will be called and asked to make
arrangements to collect your son/daughter from College.
Attendance is monitored on an on-going basis by both subject staff and
assigned Tutors. We expect students to maintain a minimum of 95% attendance
at the College.
Holidays in term time
Students should not book holidays during term time. To assist your planning,
please refer to the College calendar on the back page of this booklet.
TRAVEL
The College is easily accessible by bus, train
or car whether you’re coming from Wirral,
Cheshire or the Liverpool area. Further
details of the subsidised College bus routes
are enclosed in this pack.
Daily, termly and annual College bus passes
will be available to buy at Enrolment, with a
10% discount on annual passes.
9
TIMETABLE
MONDAYS / TUESDAYS / THURSDAYS 9:00am - 4:15pm
First Lesson: 9:00am - 10:30am
Second Lesson: 10:45am - 12:15pm
Third Lesson: 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Fourth Lesson: 2:45pm - 4:15pm
WEDNESDAYS 9:30am - 3:00pm
First Lesson: 9:30am - 11:00am
Second Lesson: 11:15am - 12:45pm
Third Lesson: 1:30pm - 3:00pm
FRIDAYS 9:00am - 2:30pm
First Lesson: 9:00am - 10:30am
Second Lesson: 10:45am - 12:15pm
Third Lesson: 1:00pm - 2:30pm
All students are full-time students and are expected to be engaged in independent
study and learning in the times between lessons, tutorials and support sessions.
PART TIME WORK
We recognise that many
students have part time jobs,
which are valuable financially
and for work experience.
However, students need to
maintain balance. Their
studies must come first and we
recommend a maximum of 10
hours of part time work per week.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
10
We are committed to ensuring that all students have access to the right support to be
successful in their academic studies. Financial support is available to help cover the
cost of:
• Travel to and from College
• College trips & university visits
• Text books and other learning materials
• Free College meals to the value of £2.41 per day
• Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Students are encouraged to apply for financial support by completing an application
form. Applications are assessed on the students individual circumstances and
household income. For example, if your son/daughter is eligible for free school meals,
they will also be eligible for further financial support.
An application form is enclosed. It should be completed and the necessary
supporting documentation brought into College at your son/daughter’s
enrolment appointment. This will help us ensure that their financial support is in
place for the start of term.
FOOD AND DRINK
The College’s refectory, named 8SQ, consists of a canteen and social area
for all students.
The canteen serves a wide range of hot and cold meals, snacks and
drinks, catering for a variety of dietary requirements at very reasonable
prices. Students who qualify for free school meals can use their allowance
in 8SQ.
Contactless and Apple payments are accepted in 8SQ.
In addition, the College’s convenient location in the heart of Claughton Village means
there are a large number of shops along Upton Road available for students, including
convenience supermarkets and cafes.
11
WHO’S WHO?
Plus, our lovely receptionists, Angela and Sarah, are the first welcoming faces
your son or daughter will see when they come to the College.
MIKE KILBRIDE
Principal
Mike will deliver a talk to new students
on their first day, explaining the College
ethos and inspiring Positivity, Ambition,
Resilience and Thoughtfulness.
ROB MYATT
Deputy Principal
Rob oversees the teaching side at the
College and will be working with subject
teachers to help new students meet the new
challenge of sixth form study.
PAULA BLAKEMORE
Assistant Principal
Paula manages the ‘Find Your Feet’
programme and is in charge of helping
students settle into College life, making
new friends and having fun.
JO WOOD
Head of Student Development
Jo leads our team of Tutors who are
students and parents first point of contact.
Jo’s team take care of all students’ pastoral
needs.
We have over 160 staff at the College, all dedicated and specialists in sixth form
education. Senior members of staff include:
12
CLUBS & SOCIETIES
Arabic Language Club
Arts & Crafts
Badminton
Basketball
Board & Card Games Club
Boccia (indoor bowls)
British Sign Language
Chess Club
There is a large number of clubs, societies and activities that student can get
involved with, taking place throughout the week during lunchtimes and after
College. These include:
Competitive Team Sports
Creative Writing Group
Darts
Debating
First Aid Certificate
Football
Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award
Guitar workshop
Knitting
Law club
Lego club
LGBT+ and friends
Mandarin Chinese (for beginners)
Multigym
Netball
Photoshop for Beginners
Pulse: Exploring the Christian Faith
Student Newspaper
Table Tennis
TaekwonDo
Tag Rugby
Voluntary Work
(Elderly or Disabled & Primary Schools)
Is there something that your son/daughter is interested in but it’s not on the
list? Email enrol@bsfc.ac.uk with your suggestion and we’ll try our best to
arrange a new club or activity.
13
Taster sessions for clubs and societies will be running throughout the Find Your
Feet programme in September.
APPLICANTS’ GCSE RESULTS DAY CLINIC
If your son or daughter’s GCSE results are not as you had hoped, or you simply
want to talk to someone before the Enrolment appointment, we will be running a
GCSE Results Day Clinic at the College.
THURSDAY 23rd AUGUST 2018
2pm - 4pm
This will be a chance to talk to one of our Tutors about options for A Level and
BTEC study, and it will be on a first-come-first-served basis.
Please note: this will not take the place of your son/daughter’s Enrolment
appointment and each student will still receive expert advice and
counselling at Enrolment where final subject choices will be made.
14
COLLEGE CALENDAR
AUTUMN TERM 2018
First Half: Monday 3rd September - Friday 19th October
HALF TERM: MONDAY 22nd OCTOBER - FRIDAY 26th OCTOBER
Second Half: Monday 29th October - Friday 21st December
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY: MONDAY 24th DECEMBER - FRIDAY 4th JANUARY
*PLEASE NOTE: The College will be closed on Friday 7th December
SPRING TERM 2019
First Half: Monday 7th January - Friday 15th February
HALF TERM: MONDAY 18th FEBRUARY - FRIDAY 22nd February
Second Half: Monday 25th February - Friday 29th March
SPRING BREAK: Monday 1st APRIL - FRIDAY 12th APRIL
SUMMER TERM 2019
First Half: Monday 15th April - Friday 24th May
HALF TERM: MONDAY 27th MAY - FRIDAY 31st MAY
Second Half: Monday 3rd June - Thursday 4th July
IMPORTANT DATES
Enrolment
Appointments between Thursday 23rd August & Thursday 30th August 2018
New students start college
Monday 3rd September 2018
New Parents’ Evening
Wednesday 19th September 2018
Parents’ Evenings
Thursday 1st November & Thursday 8th November 2018
Birkenhead Sixth Form College
Park Road West
Claughton, Wirral
CH43 8SQ
/birkenheadsixthformcollege
@bsfc
bsfc_
www.bsfc.ac.uk
0151 652 5575
To report a student absence
Call 0151 652 5575 (Option 3) or email [email protected]
