Information for Parents

This page includes information that relates to many aspects of college life including an outline of key contacts, whom to contact, attendance policy, paid work, holidays in term time and coursework policy. We hope that some of your questions are answered but if you need further clarification then don't hesitate to contact the College.

Information Booklet for Parents & Carers 2012-13

Term Dates

Important dates for your diary - term and INSET dates

Useful Contacts

Curriculum Area Leader

The Curriculum Area Leader supports his/her team of Personal Tutors to address issues of attendance, behaviour, organisation and achievement. It is the Curriculum Area Leader who will contact parents or carers should the need arise.

Personal Tutor

Each student has a Personal Tutor who will monitor their progress during their time at College.

Students can request a meeting with their personal Tutor at any point, and where concerns are raised about the student’s progress, a member of the personal tutor team will work with them to identify an appropriate course of action.

During the autumn and spring terms, students will also meet individually with their Subject Tutors to discuss their progress in each subject. On these occasions, parents receive a copy of the reviews, and they will also be invited to College during the year to meet Subject and Personal Tutors at Parents’ Evening.

Careers Advice

What next? You may decide to choose employment, a gap year or higher education. Getting help is easy. You can drop into the Careers Suite at any time or, through the Student Intranet or Moodle, access up-to-the-minute careers information from any workstation in the College.

Our Careers Programme introduces you to a wide range of opportunities. Individual interviews with a Careers Adviser and support from your Personal Tutor will all help you to move on to higher education or employment at the end of your course.

You will have the opportunity to benefit from:

• A College organised careers conference
• Preparation for employment – job searching, help with application forms, CV’s and interview tips
• Preparation for higher education - help choosing university courses, applying to UCAS, writing personal statements and student finance
• Visits to local universities and careers fairs

Students considering applying for Oxford or Cambridge Universities, or those who wish to pursue a career in medicine, dentistry or veterinary science have the opportunity to enhance their chances of success through the College’s Pre-U course. The aim of the Pre-U course is to further develop more able students, many of whom progress every year onto high flying career paths.

You will be encouraged, through a series of lectures and workshops, to think more critically and to explore ethical and moral issues. In addition you will benefit from:

• Advice on making applications
• Interview practice
• A range of external courses and events to broaden their knowledge and provide essential background information

Parents/Carers are encouraged to attend our annual Higher Education Evening (in February) to find out more about opportunities, how to apply and the financial help available.

We monitor where all are students go when they leave the College

Haywards Heath campus
Monday to Friday, 9.30 to 3.30pm (term time only)
Call: 01444 446847 or email careers.hh@centralsussex.ac.uk

Higher Education Evening (5 March 2012) presentations:

• Why go to university
• The Higher Education Programme
• Student Funding

Student Welfare

The College Welfare Support Adviser, Sofina Shad, is available Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 3pm. Sofina offers advice about financial matters related to studies at college, travel allowances and accommodation, and supports students who have health or personal difficulties.

Sofina can arrange access to specialist support such as counselling if necessary. All these services are provided on a confidential basis.

The aim of Student Welfare is to ensure that any issues which might affect a student’s non-academic life can be managed so that they can then concentrate effectively on their studies.

College Counsellor

The College Counsellor is in College twice a week.  Students can arrange confidential appointments through Sofina Shad on 01444 446823 or email sshad@centralsussex.ac.uk.

Learning Support

All students have the right to equal access to education. Those with a recorded learning difficulty or disability will be offered support by a member of the Additional Support Team. Contact Janice Brinley Codd on 01444 456281 ext 2240 or email jbrinleycodd@centralsussex.ac.uk.

Expectations

Paid Work

Students must not undertake paid work at times when they are required to be in College or are expected to attend course-related trips and visits which take place at times other than their normal timetabled lessons. Research shows that any job commitment in excess of 8 hours per week will interfere with students’ learning.

Holidays During Term Time

Students should not arrange to be away from College during term time or the enrolment period, even for family holidays. Any holiday taken during term-time will be recorded as unauthorised absence.