Parents & Carers
Working With Parents
Walsall College prides itself on working with parents to ensure stable, supported programmes of work for all students attending the college. The college expects all students to attend on a regular basis as part of the student’s Individual Learning Plan.
If your son or daughter is absent from college, we would appreciate that the tutor is contacted by phone or letter. Unauthorised absence can result in students missing essential course or exam work and may affect their success in their chosen course. It will also result in EMA/ ALG payments being withheld. Holidays taken during term time are discouraged as it can cause serious disruption to study.
If a student becomes ill, please telephone the tutor to inform them at the earliest convenience. If your son/ daughter becomes ill at college we will ensure that you are contacted and informed before your son/ daughter is allowed to go home.
Students are encouraged to take care of their own personal belongings such as books, coursework and stationery. Students are asked not to bring expensive pieces of equipment, as the college cannot accept liability for loss or damage. Homework is a vital part of each student’s independent learning and an integral part of the college provision.
Homework is set per module on a regular basis. We encourage parents to check that homework is completed appropriately and on time. This reinforces the parent/ college links and encourages good study habits. The college will encourage attendance prior to examinations and assessments for revision clubs at lunchtimes and after the official college day has finished.
Pastoral Care
We aim to create a secure, friendly and appropriate learning environment in which students can grow intellectually, emotionally and socially. In order to achieve these aims we will ensure that each student is allocated a personal tutor who will be responsible for their care, progress and achievement. Tutors will guide, support and encourage students to achieve their full potential and alert both parents and students to potential difficulties and the proposed solution to these issues.
Reports and Assessments
All students are entitled to know how well they are progressing. It is as important that praise is given as well as improvements being identified. Parents will also be made aware of their son/ daughters progress on a regular basis. We will give full details to parents concerning: student’s behaviour in class, homework and exam/assessments, comments from the personal tutor and areas for improvement/ praise.
We will also issue parents with a simplified Assessment Procedure, which will outline what grades and marks mean, in order for you to gauge how your son/ daughter is progressing. This will also be the focus of Parents Evenings. These are held at key points throughout the years to inform parents how their son/ daughter is progressing and give ideas for improvement or development. We will give as much notice as possible and encourage you to attend with your son/ daughter. Should you need to speak to someone about your son/ daughter other than at these times please contact the Course Tutor in the first instance.
Information, Advice and Guidance
Whilst at College, students are able to access a variety of support from the Student Services Team, based in the Customer Advice and Support Centre. Guidance Officers can help students find information and advice on all aspects of support including Careers Education and Guidance. There is a wide range of relevant and up to date material to guide and help students decide which options to follow, what qualifications are needed and how to make the first step towards their career choice. We have a well stocked careers library which is available to all students and their parents/guardians.
