Halesowen College

Information for Parents & Carers

We want parents and guardians of our students to feel fully informed about life and progress at College.

You may receive emails and phone calls from your son/daughter’s personal coach and possibly from other members of teaching staff.

We are also keen to hear your views and opinions about how well we are doing, so you may be asked to take part in telephone or paper surveys from time to time. Your views will help us maintain and develop a high quality service to students.

We are proud of the exemplary behaviour of the vast majority of our students.

A key difference from being in Year 11 is that, in College, students have to learn to accept responsibility for their own learning. We treat students as adults and expect them to behave as adults.

Students need to be able to get to class on time (without the help of school bells) and undertake more studying in their own time than they did for GCSEs. Developing independent learning skills is a key part of College life and a necessary preparation for university and employment.

Please encourage your son/daughter to:

Keep you regularly informed of the work they are doing
Use a defined workspace at home which is free from distractions, if possible
Seek help and advice from teachers, personal coaches, senior tutors, the student support manager and/or counsellors when they feel the need
Maintain a sensible balance between study and leisure time and, in some cases, the amount of time given to part-time jobs
Take holidays at College vacation times only
Make routine medical and dental appointments outside College time
Inform their personal coach of any changes to personal circumstances, eg new phone number, family illness
Inform the College of absence due to illness (the absence line number is 0121 602 7675)
Wear their student ID badge at all times around College to help maintain a safe environment for all

Reporting to Parents and Guardians

Teaching staff comment on student achievement at least four times a year. These comments are then discussed, together with overall progress, with personal coaches during one-to-one interviews at key Review and Direction points. Each students progress and achievement is recorded on our tracking system, My Halesowen.

You are very welcome to attend a Parents Evening where you can discuss your childs progress in detail.

Tutorial Support & Guidance

The Student Support Services Team provides support and guidance to help students achieve their potential and to maximise opportunities for progression.

The cornerstone of the structure is the support provided by over 200 personal coaches who are supported by heads of school, senior tutors, managers and specialist services.

The tutorial support function is central to student success. Every full-time student has a personal coach whom they see on a weekly basis. The personal coach monitors and tracks student performance against target and provides support and guidance. Tutorial lessons include study skills, career and progression planning and a number of pastoral topics and activities throughout the year. In brief it covers the following:

A general welcome and induction to the College
A Skills for Success qualification ensuring students are aware of the demands of their course, develop appropriate skills and make a successful transition from school to college
Helping with action plans and using My Halesowen to monitor progress in all lessons
Conducting regular reviews of student progress and commitment
Providing information for parents/guardians at parents evenings and when requested
Providing advice on College services
Advising on progression to employment or higher education and financial awareness
Leading theme weeks covering topics on Equality and Diversity, Health, safety and Careers
It is important to record the name of your childs personal coach and quote it when communicating with us. You are most welcome to contact the personal coach at any time to arrange a meeting to discuss your concerns or to find out how your daughter/son is progressing

Attendance and Punctuality

Punctual attendance at classes, tutorials and examinations is a major factor in student achievement and is compulsory.

Personal coaches and teaching staff monitor student attendance and punctuality and take appropriate action when necessary. This may involve contacting home to inform parents/guardians of student absence. Please note that attendance is a criterion applied to Learner Support Fund awards, payment of registration and examination fees, and progression on to a further course of study at College.

Absence from College has a detrimental effect on progress and achievement. We request that students do not take holidays during term time.

To help us monitor attendance please contact the Absence Line on 0121 602 7675.

Student Learning Contribution

We will do all we can to develop potential through help, support and guidance, but every student needs to play a part to ensure their own success.

Homework

Students are expected to work in their own time, both at home and in College, on assignments, homework, exam preparation and research. Teaching staff will set regular pieces of work for students to complete outside formal timetabled classes.

Care Experienced Learners

At Halesowen College we recognise that students have different living circumstances. Some may live with parents, family members, carers or may be living independently or with support. We want to make sure that our students are given the right support from the moment they apply to study with us.