Folkestone College
Information for care leavers progressing to Folkestone College:
| Who can help you from Folkestone College? |
The College has a Designated Contact for Looked After Children and Care Leavers and they can be accessed prior to joining the College, throughout, and after your studies. For more information, contact: Michelle Elks michelle.elks@eastkent.ac.uk |
|
| Who will help me when I am a student? |
************Tutorial System—We have a tutorial system so that every student receives individual support and guidance. Progression Mentors—A team of Progression Mentors support full-time learners in their personal development, enabling them to become independent learners who enjoy their time at College and reach their full potential. A student can be referred to the mentors, or can self-refer if they would like to talk to someone. We encourage all learners to approach our staff with any concerns. We would also encourage parents, carers, guardians and key professionals to contact a Progression Mentor if they have any concerns. Progress Reviews and Parent/Carer/Guardian Evenings—Parents, carers and guardians will receive progress reviews and the opportunity to attend at least two Parent/Carer/Guardian Evenings a year. Each student will have a minimum of three formal review sessions every academic year. These consider attendance, attitude to work, participation in class, and work record, amongst other things. Written progress reviews will be issued to the student and their parents/carers/guardians. |
|
| ************ | ||
| Applications and Interviews |
Online: Visit our website, take a look at our courses and make your application online. By post: Contact us for a paper application form or download one from our website. Visit us: Drop in to our campus and our Support Services team can help you make your application as well as answer any questions you have. Once you’ve applied you will receive details about accessing My Portal .This puts you in control of your application and helps you stay in touch with us until you enrol in September. You will need to book your interview via the portal. |
|
| ************ | ||
| Enrolment | Over the summer you will receive details on your enrolment date. This will likely be in the last two weeks of August or first week of September. Keep an eye on your MyPortal account for details of what you need to bring. If you can’t make the date, please contact Support Services at your chosen campus as soon as possible . | |
| ************ | ||
| Induction | During the first 6 weeks of the first term, if you feel that the programme isn’t quite right for you, or the environment isn’t best suited to your needs, speak to your tutor, careers advisor or the DMS as soon as possible to discuss this and consider other options. | |
| ************ | ||
| Care Leaver Bursary (Vulnerable Learner Bursary) | We offer some financial support to Children in Care and Care Leavers—you can apply for funding from the Vulnerable Young Persons Bursary (VYP Bursary). This is up to £1200 for the year paid monthly over 10 months, students are expected to achieve 80% attendance in order to receive the payment. If your attendance drops below 80%, we will invite you for a meeting to address this. You can also apply for help with course related costs such as uniform or PPE. You can apply for the VYP Bursary on our Financial Support Application Form. | |
| ************ | ||
| PEPs | PEP meetings will usually be held at Folkestone College. The information recorded from the PEP will be uploaded to your ePEP where there is a section for you to complete. You will have at least 2 PEP meetings during the year at college, the first in November and the second around April. | |
| ************ | ||
| English and Maths | If you did not achieve a grade C or above in English and/or maths you will resit these alongside your chosen Study Programme. During your induction you will be allocated to a GCSE or functional skills class appropriate for your level. | |
| ************ | ||
| Progress | Both you tutor and Progression Mentor will monitor your progress at college and you will get the chance to discuss your next steps with the colleges Careers Adviser. | |
| ************ | ||
| Health & Well Being | College Life offers a lot of fantastic opportunities and there is always something to do. The campus has a student social space, designed by students for students (with the help of professional designers!) It is a lecturer-free zone where you can enjoy time outside of lessons, and find out about extra-curricular activities such as trips out and sports. We believe that EVERYONE who works or studies here at Folkestone College will share our core values. We have a responsibility to protect the rights of all, whatever their background, appearance, lifestyle, culture, status or belief. Throughout the year the Student Enrichment team put on activities, clubs, and invite external agencies in to talk to you about a variety of issues that may be relevant to you. |