Parents/carers guide

Stourbridge College offers the following qualifications:

• BTEC Level 2 First Certificate in Health and Social Care
• BTEC Level 1 Introductory Certificate in Construction (brickwork/carpentry and joinery/painting and decorating)
• ABC Level 1 Award in Motor Vehicle Studies

How will my son/daughter choose the qualification they want to do?

A formal application process will be followed involving both the school and the College. Students will be interviewed by staff from College, successful candidates will be offered a place.

What type of group will my son/daughter be taught in?

All students in the group are Key Stage 4 pupils and some may be from other local schools.

What about police checks on staff?

From 1st April 2002 the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) has been responsible for carrying out pre-employment checks on employees working with children and vulnerable adults. It was created to strengthen existing arrangements and acts as a central access point to criminal records held on the Police National Computer, the Department for Education and Skills’ “List 99” and the Department of Health’s “Protection of Children Act List”, both of which contain details of people considered unsuitable to teach or work with children or vulnerable adults.

The College shall CRB-check all members of the College’s staff in accordance with the then prevailing legislation and guidelines, and shall use its reasonable endeavours to ensure that in all cases where the College is required to provide supervision of your son/daughter on the College’s premises, the supervision is provided by an approved adult who has been police-checked. The College shall use its reasonable endeavours to ensure that no adult (whether a member of the College’s staff or a student at the College) who has not been police-checked shall have substantial unsupervised access to your son/daughter whilst your son/daughter is on the College’s premises to participate in the Programme.

How will I find out more information?

Your son/daughter will be issued with an induction pack which should be read in conjunction with the parents’ guide. The College will be happy to answer any further questions or concerns you may have – in the first instance, contact the Services to Schools team on 01384 344364/344488.

14–16 Curriculum

When your son/daughter is at College most of their time will be spent in lessons with their group and class lecturer. The class lecturer will be their first point of contact if they have any concerns. However, the College Services to Schools team includes a dedicated student support worker who will be available at all times in case students may want to discuss any issues.

Travel Arrangements

Students will travel independently to and from the College to attend their course. The majority of students will either walk or use buses to travel from school. Transport to and from the College is the responsibility of the school.

Attendance

It is vital that students work hard to achieve excellent rates of attendance throughout their course. Attendance will be closely monitored by the College and results fed back to the school on a daily basis. However if there are concerns over your son/daughter’s attendance, the College will raise the issue with the school and appropriate action will be taken. Students will receive an annual report on their performance at the College.

Health and Safety

When your son/daughter begins their course in September, their tutor will go through the health and safety policies that apply to the area in which they will be working. To ensure the welfare of all students and staff at the College, students are required to obey health and safety rules. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action.
Students will also be expected to wear the personal protective clothing identified by the staff in these areas.