Your child is starting at college with us in September, so we wanted to make sure you have everything YOU need ahead of this.
Starting college is an exciting time but it can also feel like a leap into the unknown for you and your child.
A fresh start
Your child will receive a lanyard and ID badge, which they need to wear at all times while on campus.
We will send you further information about what will happen on your child’s first day but we suggest that they bring a pen and notepad, a packed lunch or money for food – we have cafes and canteens onsite at all our colleges.
A change in routine
College timetables (or learning schedules as we call them) are significantly different to school. Your child may not need to attend college every day and their day will be longer, with some classes ending in the late afternoon.
Your child will have free periods to complete coursework, research and revise and we encourage them to manage their time appropriately. However, there is also time for volunteering, part-time paid work or for interests such as sport, drama or music. Our colleges offer Students’ Unions, charity work opportunities and other clubs and activities.
New freedoms and responsibilities
Our students continuously tell us how they appreciate being treated as adults.
Your child will take responsibility for their own learning. They can call tutors by their first name and no longer have to wear a uniform. Overall, they will be given more freedom than they experienced at school.
But with freedom comes responsibility! Your child will be asked to sign our code of conduct to help ensure that our core value of respect is upheld by everyone. Students need to display the behaviour you’d expect in any workplace.
Places to recharge and relax
All our colleges have onsite cafes and coffee shops with hot and cold options for breakfast and lunch, healthy snacks, hot drinks and freshly made cakes and pastries.
Additionally, our college shops sell drinks, snacks and stationery, as well as other everyday essentials.
Faith rooms are available for prayer , meditation or as a quiet zone for reflection.
Unique opportunities to develop professional skills…
As an award-winning education group, we offer real world learning opportunities that schools can’t. We partner with businesses, from tech start-ups to global corporations, to take learning out of the classroom. And guest speakers from industry and top universities regularly visit our colleges to share their knowledge.
… and skills for life
With our support, your child will develop the core attributes that form the foundations for a successful start in life. For us, these are: professional, enterprising, confident, self-aware and resilient.
Consistent and supportive teaching
Unlike schools, we do not hire supply teachers to cover classes. Designated tutors will stay with your child throughout the academic year to help them achieve their objectives.
Our teaching goes beyond the curriculum to develop your child’s academic skills, such as note taking, essay writing and revision planning.
Our colleges do not close over the summer months, with facilities like our Learning Environments (libraries) remaining open for our students to use.
Support for you and your child
If your child needs additional assistance because of disability or educational needs, our learning support team can help. We also offer free confidential counselling for all students who need it.
We have a team of Head of Campuses across our colleges, focusing on ensuring our campuses are a safe, vibrant and welcoming environment for our students by collaborating with students and staff with the aim of building stronger communities.
More information for parents of new students
Further details can be found on our Supporting you, and Information for parents webpages.
For further information such as how to get to our campuses, virtual 360 tours and college life information, please visit our College Life webpages.
We look forward to welcoming your child to Activate Learning!