Parents And Carers

Information before applying

Your son or daughter will be given plenty of opportunities to find out about Weston College and the courses on offer. They will also be given the opportunity to receive advice and guidance from specialist Career Advisors at the College.

This section is intended to answer some of the questions a parent or carer may have about a young person in their family choosing to study at Weston College.

Is it better for my son or daughter to stay at school?

At the College we believe in giving advice and guidance based on the individual student. Many young people feel they have outgrown school and there can be many advantages to college life.

Colleges can offer a wider selection of courses than school. They usually have a broader range of facilities and resources, and encourage young people to begin thinking, working and studying more independently, whilst still enjoying the benefits of close tutor support.

College provides opportunities for students to train for a fulfilling career and prepares them for university life.

Will I have to pay for the course?

There are no tuition fees for students aged 16-18, though students may be required to purchase specialist equipment. Many courses offer residential trips and visits but some financial support may be available to help meet some of these costs, whilst many courses also require students to carry out fundraising to help meet the cost of such trips.

Can I continue to get child benefit?

The parent or carer of any student under 18 can continue to receive child benefit whilst they remain in full-time education.

Educational Maintenance Allowances (EMAs)

Students born between 1.9.90 and 31.8.93 (subject to circumstances), will be entitled to claim a weekly amount of between £10 - £30. They may also be entitled to claim bonuses of up to £400 payable over two years, based on progress with their Individual Learning Plans and 100% attendance. EMAs are based on household income being less than £30,810 and students studying more than 12 hours per week.

For further information please call Student Services on 01934 411 411.

How will my son or daughter get to College?

In order for your son/daughter to easily access either our Knightstone Campus or our University Campus, we have been working very closely with First Bus. This will help to ensure we have a comprehensive bus service covering both campuses. This enables the majority of our full-time students to travel easily to either of our College campuses from across the region. This may be a dedicated bus service or by using the normal bus route depending on where you live.

There are frequent buses from within the Weston area, as well as direct buses from Bath, Bristol, Clevedon, Nailsea, Portishead, Burnham-on-Sea, Wells, Bridgwater and the surrounding areas. This gives students the flexibility to come and go to suit their study needs.

Due to increases in students travelling from outlying areas, two new dedicated Bakers Dolphin bus services are running directly to both campuses. Click here for more details. All full-time students are entitled to a subsidised bus pass enabling them to travel to Weston College from across the area. Currently the cost per term is only £35.

Can I visit the College?

All potential students will be written to and asked to attend an interview with their course tutor. Family members are actively encouraged to attend the interview and ask questions about the course and other aspects of being at College. You are also welcome to visit the College and view the facilities available.

Please ring Weston College 0n 01934 411 411 to arrange a visit.

Will my son or daughter have a timetable?

Your son/daughter will be given an individual timetable when they start at Weston College. The hours are very different from school hours in terms of start and finish times. Private study periods are an essential part of the course and students are expected to use them for study and/or to make use of the library. The majority of students have no timetabled lessons on Wednesday afternoons, to enable students to participate in the many sports and activities the College offers. Click here for further information.

Is careers advice available?

If your son or daughter is unsure about which course is suitable for them then careers advice is available. We work in association with Connexions West of England to offer regular careers advice sessions on site, which can be arranged through the College Reception (01934 411 411).

What if my son or daughter would like to progress on to a university level course?

In 2007 over 250 students progressed to higher education, with some courses boasting over 90% progression rates. In association with the University of Bath, Bath Spa University and the University of the West of England, Weston College offers a range of degree level qualifications, so students can study without leaving the area. We support all students with their UCAS applications and personal statements including those who want to study further afield.

Will I get feedback on my son or daughters progress?

Students have to attend College regularly and act responsibly while they are here. Attendance and progress are carefully monitored and you will be kept informed of this. You will also be invited to parents’ evenings to discuss your son or daughter’s progress and you will receive end of year reports. Parents are always welcome to discuss their son or daughter's progress with their Personal Tutor.

For further details of the College links with parents, please ring Student Services on 01934 411 411 and ask for a copy of our Parents' Guide.

What we need from you

Studying at college can be very different for students. They will be given all the support and encouragement they require to successfully complete their course, but they will also be given more responsibility and have greater expectations placed on them.

If problems arise over unexplained absences from college, failure to complete coursework or bad behaviour then we will contact you. We hope you will assist us in overcoming any problems to ensure your son or daughter continues to study effectively at college.

Further questions or comments

If you have any further questions or need any further information, please contact Student Services. This is an important time for both you and your son or daughter; decisions made now could have a significant effect on their future. The information provided within this Prospectus has hopefully given you the information to help your son or daughter make the right decision.

If you have any questions or comments then please give us a call, Student Services will be happy to speak with you and answer any questions you may have, on 01934 411 411 or click here to send us an online message.