New Students’ Parents’ Evening September 2017 Name, Role and email: @bolton-sfc.ac.uk

My Role as a Progress Tutor To have an overview of your son/ daughter’s performance at College including… - being the initial contact if you or your son/ daughter are concerned about anything that might affect their College performance -monitoring and supporting their academic progress and pastoral welfare, including attendance and punctuality -meeting with them in a tutor group setting, as well as in regular one-to-one reviews during the year

Tutorial support includes… Regular tutorial group activities ..regular contact is a crucial part of the College’s pastoral sixth form experience, focusing on study skills, time management strategies as well as career and progression guidance, citizenship, health and progress safeguarding …amongst others! One-to-one reviews …individual meeting, by appointment, with me every half term to discuss progress to date, successes and on-going/future targets in addition to any concerns regarding attendance, performance etc.

Attendance, Progress & Reports 100% attendance rates are expected as the norm and are monitored DAILY. The College’s attendance policy and expectations have been explained during induction and are contained in the Student Planner and your Parents’ Handbook. You can also monitor your son/daughter’s attendance through the ‘Parent Portal’. Attendance and success go hand in hand. Balancing study, part-time work and a 16/17 year old’s social life is an early tutorial theme. They may need help from home to get the balance right! Research suggests more than 12 hours a week part-time employment impacts upon grades achieved.

GCSE resits Some students need to combine a GCSE resit in English or Maths, with their main course. 100% attendance rates and sustained commitment are expected as the norm, as for any other subject; it is an integral and compulsory part of their course. It is an intensive one year resit. Success with GCSE resits is not only important for future onward progression to Higher Education or employment, but may also prove to be essential for progression onto the next year of the course.

Current Working Grades Your son/daughter’s current working grade (CWG) will be monitored and measured against their ‘minimum performance grade’ (MPG) to ensure their potential is maximised. The MPG is informed by GCSE entry grades. The CWG is linked to the quality of work produced in class, in homework and test/ mock exam results. Future one-to-one discussions and new targets then follow.

Financial Support Students at BSFC do not pay course fees, or pay for course text books. BSFC also do not charge for exam board registrations; first exam/ module entries are free (students pay for exam resits). Essential course trips are free. Other trips may be subsidised. Full bursaries are only payable in specific circumstances. However, your son/ daughter may be eligible to apply for the discretionary bursary, travel grant or college meals allowance.

Mock Exams and Assessment Weeks Assessment Weeks and Mock Exams are incorporated into the College calendar, providing essential feedback on performance. Pre-Public exams take place at the end of the first year. Key dates are contained in the student’s own Planner and also in your Parents’ Handbook as well as on the Parent Portal. Teaching staff and Pastoral Support Tutors will then meet with each student to review their performance. The expectation will be that they should at least be working at their minimum performance grade (MPG), students should ideally exceeding it.

Parents’ Portal Accessed through the College’s website it is a secure password ‘window’ into your son/ daughter’s day to day progress. Click 1

Click 2 Parents’ Portal

Parents’ Portal Click 3 Click 4. Type in your unique Parent ID number & your own password

Parent Portal Demonstration http://parents.bolton-sfc.ac.uk/Account/Login.aspx There is a Parent Portal help desk tonight: Learning Resource Centre (first floor) See Andy Lythgoe and the team for help

absence. Extended absence requests cannot be accommodated. Policies & Procedures The Parents’ Handbook and Parents’ Portal contains key information and policies. Parental contact relating to any absences is essential, telephoning the College before 10am on the morning of each day’s absence. Sick notes will be requested for longer periods of absence. Extended absence requests cannot be accommodated. Upon enrolment all students agree to and sign an IT user policy (web access for College use) and a code of conduct; these are also contained in the Parents’ Handbook for your information.

. And finally… Take some time to read your copy of the Parents’ Handbook and take my contact card for future reference. Learning Services Team (First floor ‘Pod’) The Enrichment Team is present tonight to show you just some of the enrichment on offer from the college that you should encourage your Son/Daughter to participate in. Your feedback on tonight is welcome! .