The Student Charter - Prepared to Learn, Preparing to Earn 

All our students are required to sign up for our Student Charter. These are the standards we expect from our whole student community to help everyone get the most out of their time at the College. By meeting these standards you will also be preparing yourself for future work because you will have developed the skills employers say they want their employees to have.

Student rights:

• To be treated with respect
• High-quality learning
• To feel safe
• Industry-related related opportunities
• The support to fulfil your potential

Student responsibilities:

• Treat everyone with respect
• Wear your College ID badge
• Attend all of your Study Programme classes on time
• Be a good team member
• Always do your best

Student behaviour code

We expect high standards of behaviour from all our students. We want every student to have the opportunity to learn and to feel safe and supported. We will not tolerate bullying or harassment or any other behaviour that makes you feel uncomfortable about being in College or prevents you from studying. This Code applies to all students. Any member of College staff can challenge your behaviour and ask you to identify yourself by showing them your ID card. If you are not able to meet these expectations, we will use our Student Disciplinary process to give you warnings and the chance to improve.

To meet the Student Behaviour Code:

Around the College you need to:

• Always wear your Student ID and show it when asked by a member of staff
• Act with respect, politeness and consideration to students and staff. Any form of bullying, including via social media will be treated seriously and may lead to exclusion from college
• Behave and speak in a way that does not offend others, i.e. using abusive language, sexist or racist behaviour or anti-social behaviour such as spitting
• Never be violent, aggressive or intimidate others
• Behave, act, communicate and dress in a manner that is courteous and respectful to both students and staff
• Follow the College’s Health & Safety rules at all times
• Sign up to the College’s IT Acceptable Use Agreement
• Do not allow part-time work to interfere with your college commitments
• Treat all college property with respect.
• Smoking is discouraged. If you wish to smoke, please do so only in the designated areas
• Keep us informed of any issues; we will try and help you

In class, workshops and salons you need to:

• Take responsibility for your own learning and for finding out what is expected of you on your Study Programme
• Work hard, attend 100% of your timetable, arrive on time and stay until the end
• Submit all your work within the agreed deadlines.
• Take an active role in class without disrupting lessons
• Follow your class rules.
• Call your attendance line when you have a valid reason for not attending college or if you are delayed
• Agree with your tutor what you need to do to catch up if you have been absent
• Make sure all work produced is your own work
• Do not take food or drink (except of water) into classrooms, workshops, salons or the LRC
• Speak to your tutor if you are thinking of leaving the course.
• Ask for help if you need it

Consequences

Students who do not follow the Student Behaviour Code will be supported by teaching and student support staff to work through any problems. However, where a student continues to break the standards of behaviour, our College Disciplinary Process will be implemented. It is everyone’s responsibility to manage and maintain these standards to help make the College a professional, safe and supportive place to learn. You may not be able to progress on your current Study Programme or on to other college courses if you break the Student Behaviour Code and improvements in your behaviour are not made following support via our Student Disciplinary process.

Student Disciplinary Process

The College has a Student Disciplinary process which explains the actions that will be taken if your behaviour is unacceptable. Initially any member of staff can issue you with a verbal warning. If your behaviour does not improve, your tutor or Curriculum Head will support you to produce a Stage 2 Action Plan. The aim of this is to help you make the required improvement to your behaviour. This will be recorded on your eTrackr. If your behaviour continues to be unacceptable, you will then be asked to attend a Stage 3 Formal Meeting with your Curriculum Head. In some cases when there has been a serious incident, you may go straight to this stage. One possible outcome of this Stage 3 meeting is that there will be a recommendation that you attend a Stage 4 Formal Hearing with your Assistant Principal or another member of our Senior Leadership team. You have a right to appeal at all stages. Full information about the Student Disciplinary Process is on the Student Portal or you can get a copy from the Student Centre.

Attendance and punctuality

Two of the most important ways of ensuring success on your Study Programme and in future employment is to be there (attendance) and to be on time (punctuality).

We expect you to:

• Be present for 100% of your timetabled Study Programme sessions 
• Report your absence via the eNotify app or the text line to explain if you are not able to come to college 
• Be in class ready for the start of your lesson - if you arrive after the start of the class you will be late 
• Know your own attendance levels and regularly review them on eTracker 
• Not take on work or other commitments that clash with time at college 
• Complete outstanding work from missed classes as homework

Your tutors will:

• Make sure you know about our expectations regarding attendance and punctuality and explain what will happen if you do not meet these expectations 
• Follow up within 24 hours any time you are absent from any class 
• Ask you to complete a Learner Return Form when you come back to college (sickness is not an authorised absence) 
• Ask you to explain why you are late if you arrive after the start of the class 
• Review your attendance record and discuss it with you on a regular basis 
• Refer you to a Student Mentor if you need support to improve your attendance or punctuality 

We will always take into account and be responsive to students with disabilities, learning difficulties or other support needs that may affect your attendance or your ability to arrive on time. In these circumstances, we ask that you discuss this with your lecturers or with our Additional Learning Support team at an early stage so we can work with you to ensure that reasonable adjustments and support are in place.

IT acceptable use agreement

Our computers and networks are a great resource that will help with your studies and learning. However, you also have a responsibility to use the technology safely and responsibly.

Keeping yourself safe

How you can minimise any risks to yourself and others from misuse:

• You understand that there are risks associated with using computer networks which include: accessing illegal, harmful content such as games or websites, images or videos videos with inappropriate content, as well as viruses and other harmful programs 
• You will not disclose or share personal information about yourself or others when online, including usernames and passwords 
• You will actively take part in sessions on e-safety and follow instructions from your tutors or other members of staff

Code of conduct

What you can and can’t do when you are using the College network and computer technologies:

• You understand that the College ICT systems are primarily intended for educational use and that you will not use the systems for personal or recreational use 
• You will be polite and responsible when you communicate with others. You will not use strong, aggressive or inappropriate language 
• You will respect others’ work and property and will not access, copy, remove or otherwise alter any other user’s files without the owner’s knowledge and permission 
• You will not try to download copies (including music and videos) where work is protected by copyright, and when using sources from the internet in your work you will reference them appropriately 
• You will not use the technology for cyberbullying which includes sending offensive messages, posting offensive images or harassing others

Reporting

You will immediately report to your tutor or a member of Student Services: 

• Any behaviour by other students which affects the safety and security of the ICT systems or other users and is against the Acceptable Use Agreement 
• Any incidents including communications from outside the College that make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe. You can click on the KEEP SAFE logo on Moodle or the intranet to directly report any incidents or concerns to the Student Mentor Team You can click on the KEEP SAFE logo on the Student Portal or the intranet to directly report any incidents or concerns to the Pastoral Mentor Team.
• Any damage or faults involving equipment or software, however this may have happened

Consequences

You understand that you are responsible for your actions both in and out of College: 

• If you do not follow this Acceptable Use Agreement and are involved in incidents of inappropriate behaviour, you will be subject to disciplinary action as in the College Student Disciplinary process 
• This may also apply if you are out of college and where the inappropriate behaviour involves members of the College; for example, cyberbullying, use of images or personal information,  or harming the reputation of the College 
• You understand that you then may lose access to the College network, be suspended from college and in the event of illegal activities, involvement of the police

What you can expect from the College

When you start College we will make sure you:

• Are given information on what you have to do and where you have to go 
• Are aware of what is involved in all aspects of your Study Programme 
• Are designated a tutor and, if needed, a Pastoral Mentor to support you through your Study Programme 
• Understand the College procedures and regulations
• Are assessed to identify your individual needs and you have additional learning support arranged if required

You will be given information about:

• Student support services
• Financial support
• College facilities available to you
• Enrichment activities available to you

When you are on your Study Programme you can expect: 

• Good teaching, enjoyable learning and thorough assessment
• Support that is individual to your needs 
• To develop your English and mathematics skills and ability appropriate to your level 
• To be treated equally, fairly and with respect
• To be given a Student Voice and share your views
• To be given information, support and guidance on your progression and employment opportunities 
• The opportunity to attend Get Involved and Get Active enrichment activities outside of your timetable

We will provide:

• Well qualified and experienced staff
• Teaching that suits the way you learn
• Target Time that helps you keep on track and achieve your targets 
• Regular feedback on the progress you are making
• Appropriately equipped, safe classrooms, workshops/salons 
• Access to our Learning Resource Centre and online learning 
• Student support services including counselling, Pastoral Mentors and impartial careers advice 
• Effective College procedures to keep you safe

Support equal opportunities:

• Respect, celebrate and value the rich diversity of everyone who make up our college community 
• Equality and Diversity is actively promoted throughout all of our services and activities 
• We are firmly opposed to any form of discrimination and we will take positive action when necessary to minimise the impact of disadvantage 
• We will provide a positive environment where discrimination, harassment or victimisation are not tolerated

What the College expects from you

Around the College:

• Always wear your Student ID and show it when asked by a member of staff 
• Act with respect, politeness and consideration to students and staff. Any form of bullying, including via social media will be treated seriously and may lead to exclusion from college 
• Behave and speak in a way that does not offend others, i.e. using abusive language, sexist or racist behaviour or anti-social behaviour such as spitting 
• Never be violent, aggressive or intimidate others
• Behave, act, communicate and dress in a manner that is courteous and respectful to both students and staff 
• Follow the College’s Health and Safety rules at all times 
• Sign up to the College’s IT Acceptable Use Agreement 
• Do not allow part-time work to interfere with your college commitments 
• Treat all college property with respect
• Smoking is discouraged. If you wish to smoke, please do so only in the designated areas 
• Keep us informed of any issues; we will try and help you

In class, workshops and salons:

• Take responsibility for your own learning and for finding out what is expected of you on your Study Programme 
• Work hard, attend 100% of your timetable, arrive on time and stay until the end 
• Submit all your work within the agreed deadlines
• Take an active role in class without disrupting lessons 
• Follow your class rules
• Notify the College when you have a valid reason for not attending college or if you are delayed 
• Agree with your tutor what you need to do to catch up if you have been absent 
• Make sure all work produced is your own work
• Do not take food or drink (with the exception of water) into classrooms, workshops, salons or the LRC 
• Speak to your tutor if you are thinking of leaving the course 
• Ask for help if you need it