Parents and Carers FAQ

Research shows that young people are influenced by many factors: their parents/carers, their teachers, their peers, their siblings, careers advisers, current trends and the media to name but a few. If you are a parent/carer you will want the best for your son or daughter, and therefore it is important to encourage them to keep an open mind during the decision making stage. Always encourage them to consider all their options before making their final decision.

Both the Lansdowne site at Bournemouth and North Road site at Poole are well served by local bus routes. Bournemouth, Parkstone and Poole railway stations are in close proximity to The College’s main sites. See our directions page for more information

The Bournemouth & Poole College has excellent support services and is highly inclusive.

The main source of help will be from personal tutors and lecturers. However, many learners benefit from additional help and support, which is available through the Study Advice Centres. We also have fully equipped Learning Resources Centres at our Lansdowne, and North Road sites.

There are no tuition fees for learners aged 16 – 18 on full time courses.

What about books and materials? Will there be a charge for exam entries? What about travel? Are grants available?

These questions are asked frequently and their answers are not always straightforward.

To receive more information please telephone (01202) 205660 or call into Student Services. You can call The College helpline on (01202) 205205

Some learners are eligible for financial assistance.

Yes, very carefully. At The College we have strict rules and codes of conduct. We expect learners to be dedicated and to work hard and have a mutually respectful approach to their tutors and fellow students. Good manners are highly valued. As with everything in life, the more you invest the greater the final reward. Students are encouraged to form a bond with their personal tutor, who is responsible for monitoring their progress, attendance and for dealing with any issues, worries or concerns.

In most cases classes will be much smaller than at school. Generally classes have an average of 18 students - large enough to generate a lively exchange of views yet small enough to ensure personal attention. Every student belongs to a small tutorial group led by a personal tutor.

Classes for full time learners will not normally be timetabled to begin before 9am or finish after 5.30pm but this may vary according to the course. Each learner has an individual timetable and it’s a good idea to make sure you have a copy of this so that you know when they will be in college.

On average, a learner will have between 15 - 16 hours a week of contact time (teaching hours) spread through the week. Every learner will also have college work to complete at home. This will include, for example, course work, assignments, research and individual study.

We keep you informed through parents’ evenings and/or written reports. Student’s progress is very carefully monitored and regular tutorials will ensure learning goals are being met. Every full-time learner works towards their Individual Learning Plan. If you are concerned at any stage we encourage you to contact the relevant Head of Curriculum.

Your views and comments will always be welcome.

There are many advantages to college life. It very much depends on the individual concerned. The benefits of moving on from school to a more adult learning environment will vary from one individual to another. Many young people by the end of year 11 find they are ready for a college environment, which offers greater experience of the ‘real world’ and acts as a great preparation for employment or university.

We think our size is our strength as it allows us to offer a very wide range of courses. This, together with staff whose responsibilities include tutorial/pastoral support, ensures that all students will belong to a small part of a large organisation. We also ensure individual needs are not overlooked by keeping class sizes relatively small and giving every learner a personal tutor. 

The most important thing is that a young person is on the course and in the environment that is most suited to their career ambitions and personality.

Leaving school is a big step, but we believe that the right course is the most important factor. College life is different from school in many ways, especially as The College gives students extra independence providing an excellent stepping-stone to higher education or to employment.