B&FC Parent / Carer Handbook

WELCOME TO BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGEDear Parent/Carer,

This document provides information about College

services, facilities, and the rights and responsibilities of you

and your son/daughter so that you can support them as

they progress through their learning programme in

the College.

Our College is a high performing, leading edge organisation

that keeps our students at the heart of all decision making.

The learning environment is a very supportive one. Our

highly qualified, experienced staff are totally committed to

ensuring that our young people are happy and that they

successfully achieve their learning aim.

Through working with our students and parents, we seek

to maintain a culture of mutual respect as we see this as

a foundation stone on which to build a young person’s life

and career. We believe that the behaviours learned by our

students at College will be the behaviours that they will

take with them into the workplace and further study and

we seek your support in ensuring that all of our students

are best placed to take advantage of the opportunities

available to them.

To strike the right balance between study and relaxation,

we also provide a range of interactive social activities that

often lead to new friendships and help students to settle

into College. I would urge you to persuade your son/

daughter to take advantage of these opportunities if they

have not done so already.

Finally, I hope that your son/daughter’s time with us is

enjoyable and rewarding and look forward to working

with you to ensure that this is indeed the case.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Pauline Waterhouse OBE

Principal and Chief Executive

OUR MISSION

Leadership in Learning; Excellence at Work.

Blackpool and The Fylde College serves individuals, communities and employers by providing excellent learning opportunities that enhance social development and contribute to economic success.

Our College transforms lives by inspiring learners to achieve their potential in a supportive learning environment.

Parent/Carer Handbook 2012/2013

SENIOr MANAGEMENT TEAM WhO aRE ThEy?

Pauline Waterhouse OBE Principal and Chief

Executive

Cheryl Dunn Director of HE

Mike Phelan Director of Business

and Skills

Cath hill Vice Principal Curriculum

and Standards

anne Edgington Director of Finance

Stuart Crane Director of Estates

andy Iredale Director of Communications

and Marketing

Ruth Paisley Vice Principal resources

and Planning

Barbara Jones Director of Hr

Chris Thomas Director of 14-19

Ian Smith Director of Quality

and Standards


COLLEGE CAMPuSES WhERE aRE ThEy?

BISPhaM CaMPUSAshfield road

Bispham · FY2 0HBStudent ServicesTel: 01253 504 350

Steven Clough

Head of Construction

Linda harstonHead of Business and Professional Studies

Simon hughesHead of Engineering and

Computing

Pauline PenningtonHead of Academic Studies

Mandy PritchardHead of Society, Health and

Childhood

John SwannieHead of Hospitality, Tourism

and Sport

Jackie WoodingHead of School of Access

UNIvERSITy CENTRE Bennett Avenue

Blackpool · FY1 4DWStudent Services Tel: 01253 504 470

Maggie Woodings

Head of Art, Media and Performance

aNSDELL CaMPUSChurch road

Lytham St Annes · FY8 4APStudent Services Tel: 01253 504 637

Pam Cadden

Head of Hairdressing, Beauty and related Therapies

NaUTICaL CaMPUSBroadwater

Fleetwood · FY7 8JZStudent Services Tel: 01253 779 123

John Matthews

Head of Maritime Operations

ThE COLLEgE vaLUESat Blackpool and The Fylde College we; • Put the learner at the heart of all that we do• Show fairness, courtesy and mutual respect• Consider teaching and learning to be the key

to our success• Aspire to excellence: quality is everyone’s

responsibility• Work together to get the best results• Empower others to achieve their full potential



ThE STaFF/STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCTAll College members share responsibility for creating

a positive learning environment. For College life to run

smoothly, we need to treat each other and our environment

with respect. The welfare and wellbeing of all College users

is dependant on the appropriate behaviour of everybody.

We expect all who access our College to abide by the

College Code of Conduct and Guidelines provided by

tutors during induction.

There are eight aspects to our code; 1 Arrive on time, ready and prepared

for learning and/or participation2 use respectful behaviour and

language at all times 3 Maintain a calm environment4 ID badges to be worn at all times5 respect and follow all health and

safety regulations6 Save phone calls and messages

until after the lesson or meeting7 Only smoke in designated areas8 Make sure litter goes in the bins

TERM DaTES aND hOLIDaySaUTUMN TERMFull-time courses start 03 September 2012

Part-time courses start 10 September 2012

Higher Education courses start 10 September 2012

Courses end 26 October 2012

haLF TERM 29 October - 02 November 2012

All courses start 05 November 2012

All courses end 21 December 2012

SPRINg TERM*Staff training day 07 January 2013

All courses start 08 January 2013

Courses end 15 February 2013

haLF TERM 18 - 22 February 2013

All courses start 25 February 2013

All courses end 28 March 2013

Good Friday Bank Holiday 29 March 2013

Easter Monday Bank Holiday 1 April 2013

Easter 2-12 April 2013

SUMMER TERMAll courses start 15 April 2013

May Day Bank Holiday 06 May 2013

All courses end 23 May 2013

* Staff training day 24 May 2013

haLF TERM 27 - 31 May 2013

All courses start 03 June 2013

All courses end 21 June 2013

*Learners are not required to attend College on staff training days (this does not apply to School Links 14-16 courses).


EMERgENCy CONTaCT aND hELPFUL NUMBERSIMPORTaNT CONTaCTSCollege Minicom (text phone) 01253 355 755

Main College 01253 352 352

Student Admin 01253 504 632

STUDENT SERvICESThe Student Services advice Team can be contacted by:

Email [email protected]

Bispham Campus

General Enquiries 01253 504 350

Welfare/Accommodation Advisors 01253 504 298

Counselling 01253 504 298

Careers Team 01253 504 351

University Centre, Central Blackpool Campus

General Enquiries 01253 504 497

Welfare/Accommodation Advisors 01253 504 496

Counselling 01253 504 496

Careers Team 01253 504 474

ansdell Campus

All Enquiries 01253 504 637 Information is also available on the College Website – Student Services, including a virtual 360 link.

gENERaL CONTaCTSCourse Enquiries [email protected] 01253 504 343

Examinations Office [email protected] 01253 504 227

Health and Safety Office [email protected] 01253 504 244

Learning Support Service [email protected] 01253 504 356

Student suggestions/complaints [email protected] 01253 504 087


gENERaL CONTaCTS continued…College Travel Agency [email protected] 01253 504 186

Courtfield restaurant - Bispham [email protected] 01253 504 378

Art Shop - Palatine road 01253 504 454

Sport and recreation Office [email protected] 01253 504 184

Apprenticeships [email protected] 01253 504 313

haIRDRESSINg aND BEaUTy SaLONSAnsdell 01253 504 639

The Cutting Edge, The Hub, Bispham 01253 504 187

TRaNSPORT TO COLLEgEBUSES TO COLLEgE A number of buses serve our main College campuses, please visit the websites below for further details on how to plan your journey to College.www.traveline-northwest.co.uk www.blackpooltransport.com Information regarding travel is also available from each of the Student Services Advice Centres.

RaIL Beacon Travel (based at the Bispham Campus) is currently looking into providing Student rail Cards offering huge discounts for learners. For further information please Email: [email protected] or Tel: 01253 504 186 or 01253 596 979 or visit Web: www.blackpool.ac.uk


STUDENT ID CaRDS

Staff, students and visitors must wear an ID badge at all

times whilst on College premises. Indeed, access to College

facilities is dependant on wearing an ID badge and students

may not be allowed to sit examinations, for example, unless

they have a badge with them.

EQUaLITy aND DIvERSITy STaTEMENT

At Blackpool and The Fylde College we are committed to

equality and diversity in all our activities for everyone who

learns and works here.

We respect and value differences in race and ethnic origin,

gender, disability, mental health, sexual orientation, age,

religion and belief, learning needs, economic and social

background.

hEaLTh aND SaFETy

The College attaches great importance to the health, safety

and welfare of its staff, learners and visitors and considers it

essential that everyone should work together to achieve a

safe, healthy environment for themselves and others.

We expect that all students will:

• Abide by the local Health and Safety rules that apply in

their curriculum area

• Take care of their own health and safety and that of others

who may be affected by what they do or do not do.

• Take notice of any warning signs in and around the College

A full copy of the College Health, Safety and Environment

Policy can be found via http://moodle.blackpool.ac.uk

SaFEgUaRDINg – BEINg SaFE aND FEELINg SaFE

Blackpool and The Fylde College recognises that staff

and learners have an important role to play in helping

to safeguard the welfare of all of our learners and those

who access College, including children, young people and

vulnerable adults.

The College has, in consultation with schools, other

colleges, Police, Social Services and local safeguarding

boards, written a comprehensive Safeguarding policy to

ensure the welfare and protection of all of our learners.

Anyone who would like to see a copy of this policy or

discuss any safeguarding issues should contact, via email,

the Head of Student Support and Guidance, Dr Judith

Poole [email protected], or Student Services Manager,

Maggie Whittle [email protected].

CREaTINg a POSITIvE LEaRNINg ENvIRONMENT


STUDENT PROgRESSParent/Carer Handbook 2012/2013

Student achievement is the principle focus of the College.

We are committed to making sure that your son/daughter

is able to make the necessary progress that allows them

to at least meet and, in most cases, exceed their projected

targets based on their results from school.

However, in addition we appreciate that students should

also develop as individuals in their time with us to ensure

that they are better prepared for employment, university or

the world outside of College.

TUTORIaL ENTITLEMENT

All of our full time 16-19 year old students have a named

Personal Tutor who provides regular review meetings to

support achievement and to provide a first point of access

to additional support. Individual reviews carried out with

Personal Tutors help to ensure that each student achieves

their maximum potential.

On arrival to the College there will be an induction period

in which the Personal Tutor will make sure that all necessary

information about the College is made available.

Throughout the year there will be lots of opportunities

for your son/daughter to access cross College activities

(including sports, societies and clubs). In addition, each

School runs a varied and interesting programme of events,

visits and speakers. Information about these events will

be delivered through Personal Tutor meetings.

PaRENTaL SUPPORT

The partnership between student, parent or carer, and the

College is very important in supporting achievement and

ensuring that all of our learners reach their full potential

whilst with us.

The College is keen to involve parents from the very start of

the course. We will make contact with you regarding issues

that are likely to affect student progress (eg, undeclared

absence or non-completion of set work) at the earliest

possible opportunity.

ThE E-TRaCkER RECORD: SUPPORTINg aChIEvEMENT

The College employs an electronic recording system that

allows appropriate staff and students to look at

the up to date markbook, set and record

challenging targets and review them

periodically.

This system is known as the

“e-Tracker record” and it has been

used to good effect to make sure

that students are appropriately

challenged on their

course and to

provide an

easy check

for students,

parents/carers

and staff

that good

progress is

being made.

The e-Tracker

record can be viewed by

students at any

time including at home through

the internet at www.blackpool.ac.uk/

etracker. All students are shown how to

do this early in the course.

Many parents take this opportunity to look

with their son/daughter at progress and

targets. We consider this best practice

and are currently working to develop

systems through which parents

can access their son/daughter’s

e-Tracker record directly

through the College’s Parent

Portal. We will keep you informed

about developments in this area.


MEET ThE TUTOR EvENINg

Additionally, in the second week of term, each curriculum

area will offer all parents/advocates of students on its 16-19

programmes, the opportunity to attend a “Meet the Tutor”

evening. Your son or daughter should bring this letter home

with them when enrolling at the College. Alternatively it

will be provided for you through the post.

At this event, Personal Tutors will meet with

parents/advocates to introduce the College, the

curriculum area and themselves. We see this

as a vital opportunity to establish a positive

relationship with parents/advocates from

the very start of the course and would very

much recommend that you attend this if

at all possible.

In addition, Meet the Tutor evenings

provide an opportunity for Personal

Tutors and parents/advocates

to, where suitable, exchange

contact details to ensure that all

communications are carried out

using the most effective method.

STUDENT REvIEWS: TUTORIaL

1:1 SESSIONS

Each student’s progress is reviewed regularly

by their Personal Tutor. This ongoing review

takes into account attendance, punctuality and

progress against targets. The review is essentially

a discussion between student and personal tutor

using the e-Tracker record as a guide to progress.

It results in targets being agreed for the next

6 weeks.

We term these “1:1 reviews” and they help to guide

students to make sure that they get the most out of

their courses. As a part of the discussion that takes

place, the students obtain an action plan, that is

part of their e-tracker record and can be viewed

by students at any time including at home

(please see e-Tracker on the opposite page).

STUDENT PROgRESS continued…


REvIEW DayS

In addition, parents/carers of students who are studying

on our 16-19 programme are able to attend four further

planned opportunities during the year to visit the College

to discuss student progress. These will take place during

the weeks commencing 3rd October and in December,

March and May. The individual dates for your son/daughter

will vary depending on the dates chosen by the School

but all students will be informed of this from the start of

the year and the dates will be available at the Meet the

Tutor evening.

If you are unable to attend, a copy of the review will be

sent out to you, and you are welcome to contact your son/

daughter’s Personal Tutor to discuss general progress or

specific issues.

Subject area

Tutor

Review day 1

Review day 2

Review day 3

Review day 4

hOLIDayS INTERM TIME

It is important that students attend all sessions planned

throughout the year, and we advise not taking holidays

during term time, as this may impact on whether they

can successfully complete their course.

gENERaL INFORMaTIONREWaRDS, CELEBRaTIONS, PRaISE

Each of the College’s Schools reward learners who have

done well; for example, learners may be given a ‘cause for

praise’ which is recorded on your son/daughters e-Tracker

record and recognises how well they have behaved or

performed. Parents/advocates can gain access at home

to these records through logging in through your son/

daughter’s access.

There are also award evenings in each School at the end

of the academic year (June).

Staff can also put student’s names forward for an external

award so that achievements and efforts are recognised

outside of the College.

COMPLaINTS aND COMPLIMENTS

If you feel you or your son/daughter has been unfairly

treated or if you wish to appeal against any decisions made

by the College – please Email [email protected] The

same e-mail address can be used to register compliments

and suggestions.

If you need help making your compliment or complaint,

please telephone one of the Student Advice Centres (see

Main Contact Details for Student Services advice Centres)

or call in and speak to an advisor in person. Help in making

your compliment or complaint will be given in confidence.

Copies of the Complaints Policy and Procedures are

available from our Quality and Standards team.

DRUgS aND aLCOhOL

The College does not tolerate the use of drugs and alcohol

on our premises. Any person found under the influence

of alcohol or using, possessing or dealing in any illegal

substance will be suspended with immediate effect,

pending investigation. The College misconduct procedures

will be implemented and the police may be informed,

resulting in criminal proceedings.

RELIgIOUS FESTIvaLS

The College community is a diverse one, and we value the

fact that our learners follow a variety of religions and faiths.

We understand that some religious festivals fall during

term time and some learners will wish to take time off to

participate. All we ask is that a written request is submitted

for an appropriate amount of time off to your tutor well in

advance of the day of celebration.

SPECIaL CONCESSIONS OR aCCESS aRRaNgEMENTS

If your son/daughter has previously had access

arrangements, exam concessions or any other special

arrangements to help their studies, or you think they may

be eligible for them, you should encourage them to tell

their tutor as soon as possible at the start of your course.



STUDENT SERvICESaDvICE CENTRES

Student Services are based at three main advice Centres:

1) Bispham Campus (adjacent to the main reception area)

2) university Centre Central Blackpool Campus (ground

floor of the university Centre, adjacent to reception)

3) Ansdell Campus (ground floor room next to reception

Staff also provide a drop-in service at all Blackpool and

The Fylde College Campuses.

kEy SERvICES

Student services provide a number of Matrix Standard

services including;

• Welfare (Student finance, funding for equipment, access

to help with transport and childcare)

• Careers (Career and Training advice, uCAS applications for

entry to Higher Education, support with applying for jobs)

• Chaplaincy (A contact for people of all faiths or none)

• Counselling Service

• College Nurses

Students wishing to access these services are advised to attend

one of the centres or use the specific telephone contact details

provided above.

LEaRNINg aND STUDy SUPPORTBlackpool and The Fylde College has a team of experienced

and friendly Learning Support staff, dedicated to

supporting learners who are experiencing difficulties with

their studies.

This may be because of:

• disabilities or temporary disability (for example,

broken bones)

• a prolonged period of absence through ill-health

• other issues that may affecting your overall progress

at College

Support will be tailored to your son/daughter’s specific needs.


TEL 01253 352 352 EMaIL [email protected]

www.blackpool.ac.uk

BISPhaM CaMPUSAshfield road · Bispham · FY2 0HB

UNIvERSITy CENTRE Bennett Avenue · Blackpool · FY1 4DW

aNSDELL CaMPUS Church road · Lytham St Annes · FY8 4AP

NaUTICaL CaMPUS Broadwater · Fleetwood · FY7 8JZ

www.facebook.com/blackpoolfyldecollege

www.twitter.com/B_and_FC

www.youtube.com/batfcollege

B&FC Parent / Carer Handbook

Documents

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college transforms

learning excellence

learning aim

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ian smith director of

apstudent services tel