College Questions

> Will my son/daughter receive the level of support provided by their school?

> Will my son's/daughter's attendance and work be monitored, or could they
   fall behind without my knowing about it?

> Colleges have a huge choice of A Levels. My son/daughter wants to take a
   subject which wasn't available at GCSE - is this possible?

> Is financial assistance is available to me while I am studying at College?

> What if I experience any problems settling into the College?

> I have a disability. Is the College equipped to offer me the support I need?

> What will happen in the first week of College?

Answers

Will my son/daughter receive the level of support provided by their school?

Yes - colleges have structures in place to ensure that the good practice in schools continues seamlessly when they move on to college. Where pupils have received additional support, this will be replicated in college. Study support and pastoral care are available for all students. Each student is entitled to a diagnostic assessment on entering college, when any additional support required can be identified.

Will my son's/daughter's attendance and work be monitored, or could they fall behind without my knowing about it?

Each student's attendance and performance is regularly monitored. Any potential problems are identified and parents are involved in the process throughout. Regular reports are issued, and evenings organised for parents to come and meet staff to discuss their children's progress and any areas of concern.

Colleges have a huge choice of A Levels. My son/daughter wants to take a subject which wasn't available at GCSE - is this possible?

Many "new" subjects are available at colleges and, as long as the student has the entry qualifications specified by the college, they can take one of these subjects without any prior knowledge.

Is financial assistance is available to me while I am studying at College?

There are a variety of funds for students. Grants and loans available to support full time study are as follows:

• Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) LEA and Welsh Assembly Schemes

• Assembly Learning Grants (ALG)

• Scholarships (varies with individual colleges)

• Post compulsory education awards

• Career Development Loans

• Help towards tuition fees (FT)

• Full time student loan

What if I experience any problems settling into the College?

All full time students at College are allocated a Personal Tutor. Your Tutor is a key figure in helping you to cope with the transition from school to College and will guide you through your College life. Most Colleges also offer a personal Counselling Service is here for you and offers a confidential, professional service for both students and staff.

I have a disability. Is the College equipped to offer me the support I need?

If you are a student with disabilities, you will be supported appropriately by specialists and where appropriate you will be given specialist support to

enable you to access and engage in your learning. Colleges will provide you with the information you require to meet your specific learning needs. They will offer you advice and guidance at the application stage, through the Admission procedure, and the enrolment stage and provide support to you and your tutors to ensure they receive all the help required to guarantee your success.

If you require specialist equipment or assistance your College will apply for supplementary funding for this. The College needs to be informed at the application stage to make the necessary arrangements.

What will happen in the first week of College?

No one expects you to adapt to the requirements of your new College immediately. As a result, the whole of your first week takes the form of a “getting to know you exercise” during which you are encouraged to join College societies, to get to know other students and to find out more about the programme you are studying.