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Information For Parents/Guardians

Safe, cared for, and challenged to succeed – with your full involvement

The most important aspect of any young person’s education is that they gain the qualifications, knowledge and skills that they need to succeed in our highly competitive modern world. Whatever your child comes here to study, our experienced lecturers will do their level best to ensure that they fulfil their potential.

But there’s more to it than that. We also want you to be sure that your child is safe and cared for during their time here, and we want you to be involved in their education.

Here's what you can expect:

  • Your Involvement

    You’re welcome to attend open days and interviews with your son or daughter. We’ll encourage you to come to parents’ evenings and hear about your child’s progress. We will provide you with regular information about their progress and achievements.

  • What to do if things go wrong

    If you are not satisfied with something, it is important that you let us know as soon as possible so that we can attempt to put it right. We want to learn from our experiences and improve our service to you. If you have concerns or you want to complain, most problems can be sorted out by talking to tutors and Heads of Department. If this still does not resolve the situation you can fill in a complaint form which is available at Reception.

     

    You can contact the College by calling 0121 556 6000. We’re happy to talk things through with you.

  • What to do if you have concerns about your son or daughter’s welfare

    The safety and wellbeing of our learners and staff is very important to us:

    All of our staff have received safeguarding training and we have Welfare Officers in College who can support learners with financial or emotional needs. For emotional or financial support you can contact a college Welfare Officer on 0121 667 5073.

    We have a zero tolerance policy towards bullying and treat all allegations seriously. If you have concerns please contact the Course Tutor or call us on 0121 556 6000 and say that you have a ‘safeguarding’ issue.

    We have teams of specialist teachers and learning support assistants who can support students struggling with their learning. If you have concerns please contact the Course Tutor. For learning support, you can also contact Study Link on 0121 667 5064.

  • What to do if your son or daughter is ill

    The College expects full attendance by learners. If your son or daughter is too ill to attend, please contact the College as soon as possible and leave a message for their tutor.

  • Student Code of Conduct

    We want all of our learners, staff and visitors to feel safe in College. We expect learners to treat the College and those within it with respect. Central Campus is equipped with a full CCTV system, an electronic access barrier that only admits registered staff and students and pre-booked visitors, as well as a trained team of security guards who are always nearby if needed.

    The Disciplinary Policy can be viewed here. A copy is also available in your son’s or daughter’s College Diary. If students are misbehaving in or around the College they may ultimately face exclusion from the College.

  • Careers Advice and Further Courses

    We have a specialist team of Career Advisers who can support learners in thinking about careers, securing university places and looking for work or work experience. Your son or daughter will be invited to careers fayres and university open days, and will be offered 1:1 interviews and group tutorials to help them to prepare for their future.
    Careers Guidance Policy

    If you would like to book a careers appointment for your son or daughter, or if you would like advice from one of our specialists, please contact the Careers Team on 0121 667 5035

  • Trips and Activities

    A range of trips and activities will be offered to learners throughout the academic year. We require parental permission in order for learners below the age of 18 to attend. We also require permission from your son’s/daughter’s tutor. Tutors require learners’ work to be up to date and attendance/behaviour at college to be good before these requests are granted.

  • Faith and Contemplation

    Our Multi-faith and Quiet Contemplation rooms are quiet spaces for people to sit and contemplate, to pray, to take a few moments to de-stress or just have a think about things.

    Sandwell College Chaplaincy is available for the pastoral care of all members of the college community, regardless of their faith or beliefs. It aims to provide care and support where spiritual needs arise. Our Christian, Islamic and Sikh chaplains provide someone to talk to when you need a confidential ear, someone who can support you in emotional or spiritual issues, and – of course – someone to explore your faith with.

What we offer:

Study Programmes at Sandwell College

All 16-18 year olds have a study programme at Sandwell College. The study programme includes a number of elements and is unique to the students’ individual needs to support their career ambitions. Students are required to complete all aspects of their Study Programme in order to achieve.

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Main Qualification

This makes up the majority of the study programme. The main qualification will be a mix of theory and practical work which will stretch your son’s/daughter’s understanding of the subject.
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English and Maths

If your son/daughter hasn’t already achieved a grade C or grade 4 in their GCSEs in English and Maths then the college will help them work towards achieving a grade 4-9 in these subjects. If your son/daughter has already achieved their GCSE in English and Maths then they will continue to build on these skills.
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Work Experience

Your son/daughter will complete a minimum of 30 hours of meaningful work experience related to the core area of their study programme. Work experience will help them to develop employability skills and apply their learning in real life situations. All learners enrolled onto Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 programmes will complete a minimum of 30 hours of work experience.
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Enrichment Activities

Your son/daughter will complete 30 hours of enrichment activities to help them develop the job related skills, experience and confidence required to progress to employment, further or higher education. This includes free and subsidised trips, activities and events, Freshers’ Fair, fundraising, tutorials, personal and social development, volunteering and sport.

Work Experience

Work experience is an essential part of the 16-18 study programme and all students enrolled onto Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 programmes will need to complete a minimum of 30 hours of meaningful work experience which relates to their main area of study. If your son/daughter is under the age of 18 he/she will be provided with a consent form for you to complete before he/she can begin their work experience placement. Once provided, consent forms need to be returned to the Work Experience Team within two weeks.

The benefits of work experience are:

  • Work experience can motivate students to do well in their studies and give the opportunity to practise theory learnt in the classroom.

  • It provides students with greater knowledge of organisations and careers and can raise aspirations

  • It is a great opportunity to practise and develop employability skills

  • It builds self-confidence

Whether it is preparing for work or further training, work experience is an essential part of any future progression plan. The aim of our work experience programme is to introduce our students to the world of work and build key skills that may be required for Higher Education and employment. If your son/daughter is planning on progressing to university, it is a requirement of some degree courses that work experience has been completed.

The work experience team and tutors will do their best to prepare each student for a successful placement but it will be down to your son/daughter to put the time and effort into getting the best from this valuable experience.

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My work experience was a fantastic opportunity to get my foot in the door for my chosen career path and I feel blessed for being granted with it. It has enabled me to express my new skill sets acquired from my course which in turn granted me even more opportunities in the form of a full-time job.

The week was definitely one of the most informative weeks I have ever had, and it was carefully planned for my arrival. The week was full of tasks which armed me with more knowledge, experience and skills which I never thought I could acquire within just a week.

Ismail is currently studying a level 3 1st year Computing course. Ismail completed his work experience at Salvation Army donation centre West Bromwich. We received feedback from Dennis: “The above students finish with us today. Can I just say what excellent students they have been throughout the week with us. They are a credit to the college and themselves.”

Sport students have been working at the YMCA’s new health centre while they complete their personal training qualifications. They offer health and fitness advice and volunteer with administrative duties.

THE HUB

THE HUB, on Floor Three, is a one-stop shop for Welfare, Finance, Study and Support Services. It’s also the centre from where we run our library services, and includes a quiet-study zone. If your son/daughter has a question, a problem or a need of help, this is the place for them to come.

Welfare Team

Our award-winning Student Services Team offers practical, impartial information on education and personal matters which enables students to get the support they need to succeed. The Welfare Team is available to advise on:

  • Personal problems

  • Financial Support – Learner Support Fund

  • State benefits

  • Homelessness

  • Childcare

  • Student rights

  • Staying safe

The work experience team and tutors will do their best to prepare each student for a successful placement but it will be down to your son/daughter to put the time and effort into getting the best from this valuable experience.

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