A guide for Parents Find out what options are available for your child after they leave Year 11,so you can support them in the next step of their journey and help them to discover their true potential! Your child will be given every opportunity to achieve at New College Durham and receive the support they need to develop skills for work, university and life. New College Durham
College life Coming to New College Durham will allow your child to experience an exciting new environment and a wealth of opportunities! Our spacious campus offers a friendly and welcoming environment with plenty of opportunities to meet new people, make lifelong friendships and discover new interests. College will encourage and support your child into becoming more independent and more responsible for their learning. Getting involved in student life at New College Durham will help your child to increase their skills and broaden their life experience. Why New College Durham is the right choice Our Sixth Form Centre celebrated 100% pass rate in 17 subjects in the summer of 2017. 90% of our further education students progress to further study or employment. NCD destination data, academic year 2015/16 90% of our Advanced Apprentices that completed their programme sustained secure employment. 94.4% of our students passed their course. Based on 2015/16 further education student pass rates). Skills Funding Agency National Achievement Rate Tables 2014/15 New College Durham is a NCD data, based on 2015/16 achievements top performing college in the North East and nationally.
Top class facilities A recent 5 million re-development included an Advanced Manufacturing Centre, a bespoke Gas Testing Centre, and a visually striking Creative and Digital Suite. Online learning resources and study spaces in our refurbished Library and elc. Industry standard facilities including a hair and beauty salon; a restaurant, kitchens and bar; and an aircraft simulator. Up-to-date Steps2Fitness gym, sports hall and dance studio. A dedicated Sixth Form Centre. Onsite catering facilities and shops, including Costa and Starbucks. Plenty of social spaces for catching up with friends in between lessons. Take our Virtual Tour to see for yourself! Scan me! What further education pathways do we offer? We offer three different pathways for your child to follow after they leave school (post-16). The A-Level route A-Levels are the traditional route and will enable your child to study academic subjects in more depth. We have one of the largest sixth form centres in County Durham with an excellent reputation for success, and offer 18 different A-Level subjects. The Apprenticeship route The Vocational route If your child enjoys practical study and learns best by doing, then they will love one our full-time vocational courses. Your child will gain hands-on experience through our industry standard facilities, be taught by our specialist tutors, and have the opportunity to undertake work placements. Apprenticeships are linked to a particular job role and are a great first step towards a career. They comprise work-based training from an employer, in partnership with the college. We offer apprenticeships in over 20 different areas, up to degree level and beyond. Maths & English Maths and English skills are essential for the workplace and university. Therefore, alongside their full-time course, we will ensure that your child achieves a required standard of maths and English to support their future success and progression. Work experience Most of our full-time students undertake a work placement as an essential part of their course. This takes place with an external company, in a role that is relevant to their career aspirations, or in a realistic working environment here at college.
Student Support Personal Tutor A Personal Tutor will be allocated to your child as soon as they start college. They will be their first point of contact and will be responsible for your child s progress and wellbeing. PLCs (Personal Learning Coaches) PLCs provide one-to-one support and guidance to encourage students to make positive progress and achieve their full potential. ASC (Advice Support Careers) ASC offer impartial advice on student finance, careers, course guidance, future study options and employment applications, plus personal counselling. Learner Support Learner Suppot offer additional support services for students with disabilities, medical conditions and specific learning difficulties. Induction All new students attend a Welcome Day during their first week of term to help them settle into college life. Safeguarding We take the safety and wellbeing of your child extremely seriously and recognise that as a college we have an important role to play in safeguarding your child. All our staff receive regular training to keep your child safe and make sure they feel safe in the college environment. We also have a team of designated Safeguarding Managers who ensure any concerns are deal with appropriately. Enrichment These activities will help your child to learn a new skill, gain new experiences, develop employability skills, acquire life skills that employers and universities value, and most of all have fun. They include skills competitions, Sport Development Centres, volunteering opportunities, visits to higher education and career fairs, recreational sport and fitness, and competitive sport teams. Employer links We have extensive links with industry to ensure our students are gaining the skills and knowledge employers are looking for, through Employability Week, inspiring guest speakers, employer-led live briefs, support with job applications, workplace trips and visits.
Keeping you informed As a parent, we understand that your child s development is important to you, that s why we regularly inform you about their progress at college through frequent reports. We also have processes in place to monitor your child s attendance, progress, motivation and punctuality. We are delighted to answer any questions you may have at any time during the academic year, and you are more than welcome to contact us to discuss any concerns or issues. FAQ Will I still receive child benefit if my child attends college? Yes, if your child is in full-time education you will continue to get child benefit. (Apprenticeships are not considered full-time education as your child will be working for an employer.) Will a vocational course enable my child to go to university? BTEC students achieving good grades are just as sought after as students with good A-Level results. 95% of universities and colleges in the UK accept BTEC students, including Russell Group universities. How will my child get to college? We offer a travel scheme to help get your child to and from college. Students who satisfy the eligibility criteria will qualify for travel support in association with Arriva or Go North East. Will my child receive free college meals? Scan me! All eligible students aged 16-18 are entitled to free college meals. Your child will not be identified as someone who is entitled to free school meals, they will simply use their fingerprint at the till point and their meal will be automatically paid for. Scan me!
Progression Progressing through further education Throughout their time at college, your child will be fully supported to progress onto the next level of their course or apprenticeship, to the highest level they can achieve. Every student is guaranteed a place on the next level of study, if they successfully complete their course. The next step (post-18 education) We fully support all our further education students to progress to a positive destination and have an excellent success rate - last year, 90% of our further education students progressed to further study or employment. Progressing to an apprenticeship offers an alternative path into employment. Your child will learn a skill or trade, with on-the-job training and a salary.your child will be supported through: Advice and support finding an apprentice employer Getting you ready for an apprenticeship resource pack Access to apprenticeship job vacancies search Heading straight into the workplace from college will enable your child to earn a wage and start pursuing a successful career. Your child will be supported through: Independent careers advice Help with CV writing Engagement with local employers Going to university after college will allow your child to continue on their academic pathway and specialise in a subject they are passionate about. Your child will be supported through: Talks on HE/personal statements/student finance Help with UCAS application process Visits to UCAS Conventions and university open days Higher education taster sessions at college
We have an excellent reputation for success with 94% of our graduates in work and/or study.* Progression at New College Durham We can offer your child a fantastic range of flexible full and part-time higher education options. Studying higher education in a college environment suits a lot of students: They love our friendly and supportive atmosphere and small class sizes. We offer students a different experience from a traditional university, which it unique, positive and life changing. What higher education courses do we offer? HNC/HND (Level 4/5) Foundation Degree (Level 5) Top-up Degree (Level 6) Higher Apprenticeship (Level 4-5) Professional Qualifications (Level 3-7) Honours Degree (Level 6) Degree Apprenticeship (Level 6) Master's Apprenticeship (Level 7) * DHLE 2015 based on respondents of the independent Destination of Leavers Survey, carried out by The Careers Group, on New College Durham students completing higher education courses in 2013/14.
Important dates Information & Advice Events - first Tuesday of the month (term time) 4.30-6.30pm. Find out all you need to know by talking to our expert teaching staff and see our fantastic facilities. A-Level Open Events - take place in October and February. View our specialist facilities and find out exactly what it is like to study A-Levels at New College Durham. Prospective Parents Evening - takes place in June. Find out lots of useful information to help prepare your child for college life. Summer drop-in sessions We are open throughout the summer, including GCSE results day, for information, advice and enrolment. Even if your child didn t achieve the grades they needed, come and talk to us so we can find them an alternative course. Useful contacts Main Reception help@newdur.ac.uk 0191 375 4040 ASC (Advice Support Careers) asc@newdur.ac.uk 0191 375 4400 Check the website for more information on these events Admissions admissions@newdur.ac.uk 0191 375 4210 Learner Support learnersupport@newdur.ac.uk 0191 375 4381/4387 Stay in touch newcollegedurham.ac.uk *By using the word parent throughout this guide, we are referring to a parent, carer or guardian of a young person. New College Durham