Support for students > A Sixth Form College... What can you expect?

Huddersfield New College is a sixth-form college committed to enabling individual students to achieve their full potential in a supportive and inclusive environment.

What you can expect from us

• Every student should expect a full and relevant programme of study which will provide opportunities to progress to higher level study or employment.
• You should receive clear guidelines on the subject content, skills and assessment methods for each of your courses. Within the first 4 weeks of term you will be given a course guide for each subject or course.
• You will be able to develop a system of individual learning support from specialist tutors using the study centre.
• You will be given regular informal and written feedback on your progress, identifying how you can achieve at a higher level. Your teachers may talk to you about your work or they may put it in writing.
• The college will maintain regular contact with your parents/guardians to provide feedback on your progress and request support where appropriate. There will be regular reviews of your progress and these will be shared with your parents each term.
• You will have the opportunity to take part in a wide variety of enhancement activities such as field trips, foreign exchange visits, work placements, sporting activities, drama and music.
• You will have an opportunity to obtain Key Skills qualifications.
• The college has a team of Careers and Higher Education Advisers who can offer you professional careers advice on employment and further study. You will be able to continue to access this team after you leave college.
• To ensure you have pastoral support you will have a programme of tutorial support with your own personal tutor. Your personal tutor plays a very important role in helping you to achieve.
• To support you in your studies you will have access to specialist facilities such as Information Technology Centres, Library, Study Centre and Guidance centre.
• From time to time you may find yourself in difficult circumstances. You will be able to receive help with financial, welfare and other services.
• The college provides an environment which upholds equal opportunity and in which you are entitled to be treated with respect and without discrimination because of your gender, ethnic origin, social background or sexual orientation.
• We provide protection from personal harassment. If you feel you are being harassed there are a number of personal harassment advisers who can support you.
• To ensure you stay safe, you will have induction training as a safe learner and refresher safety training at appropriate times.
• You will have the opportunity to take part in Student Council activities;
• You will be provided with a fair and open reference on request. Your tutor will help you with applications to higher education or employment.

What we expect from you

The College aims to create an adult atmosphere and therefore keep rules to the minimum. You are however expected to observe them in order to create a safe environment, suitable for learning. A review of your time at the college will involve checking your attendance and punctuality, your attitude to study, your behaviour in college generally and your levels of achievement or results and your personal qualities.

• We expect you to attend all classes, learning support sessions, tutorials, examinations and assessments on time. Poor attendance is the most common reason for students underachieving or failing. If you are not in the lesson you can miss out on important information.
• You should inform your tutor and subject teachers of any absence that you are aware of in advance. Where possible avoid missing any of your classes.
• If you are ill, contact the college on the first day of absence. To receive your EMA you must contact college each day you are absent.
• You should hand in homework on time and meet deadlines for coursework. This allows your teachers time to mark your work and give you feedback on how to improve.
• As a young adult, you are expected to maintain acceptable standards of behaviour both within College and whilst taking part in College activities outside College.
• To get the best out of your courses you need to be well prepared. You should provide your own equipment (e.g. pens, pencils, notepaper, files, calculators etc.).
• From time to time there will be opportunities to go on course related trips / visits / activities which could enhance your understanding or appreciation of the course. You will be required to meet the appropriate cost of any out of college activities you choose to participate in, including contributing to transport costs as appropriate.
• The college will provide you with access to a range of resources. You are expected to take care of college property and return any learning materials or text books you have on loan at the end of your course. You will be expected to pay for lost, damaged or unreturned learning materials and books.
• The college is constantly working to improve the environment for students. In return we expect you to respect the environment by keeping student areas clean and tidy. Use the many bins provided for your rubbish!
• Students are required to comply with health and safety rules. In some subjects you will be required to wear personal protective clothing and equipment. You may also be required to undergo training in safety where appropriate.
• The college is a community and you are expected to treat all other students and staff in a way which values them as individuals and is free from discrimination and harassment.
• To ensure the college is a safe place you should carry your college identity card with you at all times. If you are aware of anyone visiting the college without the authority of staff you should report these unauthorised visitors to Reception or a member of staff immediately.
• College car parks are for use by staff and students only. You must display a parking permit if you bring a car to College to show it has been registered. A fee is charged for this permit.