Additional Information for the Start and Continuation of Your Studies at SGS College
Learn more Enrolment - Frequently Asked QuestionsFirst day at College - Vocational Courses
Since receiving an offer of a place at SGS (South Gloucestershire and Stroud) College, please click the link below to see when your first day will be:
Filton Filton Sixth Form WISE Stroud Queens RoadImportant - Construction Filton Learners
Filton Campus Enrolment ONLY
Your first day of college will be on either the 24th August or 25th August. You will be in college for 'maximum of two hours' so that we can check your enrolment details, allocate you to a tutor group and provide you with your induction timetable for the following week. Please bring the following with you:
- Your exam results slips / certificates, whatever grades received. These are 'VERY IMPORTANT', as we need your results in order to confirm your course. Failure to provide these will mean you cannot enrol.
- Photo identification
- Pen and paper
- Yellow Hi-Viz - if you have one
- Steel toe cap boots - if you have them
- Digital device
- Any other certificates or information about your previous studies that you feel will be of use on the day
- Any information regarding support needs if appropriate
- Evidence needed for bursary application so we can support with completing your application
- Emergency contact details. We will need their name, phone number, and email address
Early Years & Health & Social Care DBS Information
All applicants - please check your personal email, as you should have been sent a link to apply for a DBS, which is required to attend your work placement.
If not, please email [email protected]
Details of Uniform, Kit, Equipment and Materials to Purchase
First day at College - Joining Instructions
Filton Campus
A Levels (AS/A2)
A Levels AS Year One
A Levels A2 Year Two
Enterprise and Pathways
GCSE
Stroud Campus
Art & Design, Games Design, Music
L1 Diploma in Art & Design
L2 Diploma in Art & Design
L3 Diploma in Art & Design
L3 Extended Diploma in Art &
Design
L2 Diploma in Music
L3 Diploma in Music
L3 Extended Diploma in Music
L2 Diploma in Games Design
L3 Diploma in Games Design
L3 Extended Diploma in Games Design
Checklist
What You Need To Bring
I Didn't Get the GCSE Results Required For My Course
Fees/Costs and Financial Support Explained
Your Financial Data
Exams & Exam Re-sits
SGS College Holiday & Term Dates 2023/24
Education, Health and Care Plan
Taster Days
Probation Period & Progression
Learner ID Badges & Departmental Zones
Getting to College
College Parking
Debt Process
WelcomeFEST
ParentPortal
Meet The Tutor Event
Emergency Contact
Onsite Enrolment - Please Read Prior to Attending Enrolment
What You Need To Bring
Please ensure you bring with you:
You must please bring all your exam results slips / certificates, whatever grades received. These are 'VERY IMPORTANT', as we need your results to confirm your course. Failure to provide these will mean you cannot enrol.
- pen and paper
- digital device
- any other certificates or information about your previous studies that you feel will be of use on the day
- any information regarding support needs if appropriate
- evidence needed for bursary application so we can support with your application
- emergency contact details. We will need their name, phone number, and email address
I Didn't Get the GCSE Results Required For My Course
If you didn't get your expected grades - please do not panic! On GCSE results day we will have members of teaching staff and our careers team available who can discuss your options with you - do not worry, we will have an offer for you.
We will text all applicants on GCSE results day (24 August) and you can request we contact you to confirm your study programme.
Fees/Costs and Financial Support Explained
Do you need financial support with any of the following?
- Invoiced course material fees
- The cost of travelling to college
- Kit & equipment
- Uniform or PPE
- Text books
- DBS check
- CSCS card
- Professional membership fees
- Childcare costs whilst you are at college
- Food whilst you are in college
Do you know how you will be covering these costs?
- Direct payment via the college's payment portal
- A flexible payment plan
- A Level 2 or level 3 legal entitlement (aged 19 - 23 only)
- A low income or benefit fee waiver
- Free courses for jobs offer (certain level three courses only)
- An advanced learner loan (level 3 courses and above)
- CSCS card
*As invoiced costs are payable by the first day of your course it is important that you have either paid or applied for one of the above schemes.
Table A - below, shows you the type of fees that you may be invoiced for and the schemes available, that if awarded could waive these fees. Table B lists the various schemes and provides a general overview of the fee/cost area they could support with. To find out more about the financial support schemes that may be available to you, visit the MMS (Money Management Service) webpage: www.sgscol.ac.uk/mms and go to the section entitled 'What Funding Support Options are Available'.
TABLE A: Shows the type of fees that you could be charged and when those fees may be waived:
Course fees that may be invoiced | Fees may be waived if: |
---|---|
Tuition Fees: Are payable by learners aged 19 years and over on 31st August 2023 |
|
Exam Fees: (cost of registering the qualification with the Exam Board/Awarding Body): Are payable by learners aged 19 years and over on 31st August 2023 who are enrolling on the first year of their course PLEASE NOTE: Exam retake fees may be payable by all learners (any age). |
|
Material Fee: Some course fees may include a material fee charge to support with the cost of materials/resources required to complete the course. Payable by any learner on relevant course (any age) |
|
Trip Fees: Will not be charged up front, but optional trip fees may be charged throughout the course, depending on the study programme. |
N/A |
TABLE B: Shows the various financial support schemes and general overview of the financial support fee/cost area they could support with:
Schemes |
Support Information |
Flexible Payment Plans: Administered on behalf of SGS College by FlexPay. You can opt to spread the cost of your tuition fees using our Instalment plan option |
|
Bursaries: 16-18 Bursary Vulnerable Young Person Bursary (VYP) 19+ Hardship Bursary 19+ Advanced Learner Loan Bursary |
|
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA): For those aged 16-19 and living and travelling from Wales (External Scheme) |
|
Free College Meals: For those in scope for 16-18 Funding, including returners and those with an EHC Plan |
|
Care 2 Learn: Young parents aged up to 19 who require support with Childcare (External scheme) |
|
Legal Entitlement: For those aged 19-23 who have not achieved a Full Level 2* or a Full Level 3** *Level 2 - For Example: 5 GCSE's in five subjects, each at grade C or above, or grade 4 or above, or a Technical Certificate at Level 2 **Level 3 - For Example: i.e: 2 A Levels, 4 AS Levels or Tech Cert at level 3 |
|
Fee Waivers: For those aged 19 and over, who are completing a Level 2 course or below, and are either on a low income or on benefits |
|
National Skills Fund: A list of eligible courses for those aged 19 and over who are either in work or recently unemployed, and who want to achieve their first Full Level 3 qualification |
|
Advanced Learner Loan For those aged 19 and over who are studying a Level 3 course or above |
|
Your Financial Data
Please read the SGS College Privacy Statement: (www.sgscol.ac.uk/privacy) for information on how your financial data may be shared with third parties who provide services including, for example, the provision of Credit Control, Debt Collection and Payment Plan Services (such as Oriel Collections Limited) and/or if under the age of 18 parent(s) or guardian(s) within the same household.
PLEASE NOTE:
- As Funding may be limited, we recommend applying for financial support before starting at SGS College.
- Financial support from the Money Management Service team may not cover all costs. You are likely to still have costs left to pay even if you are awarded a bursary or any other form of financial support the MMS team may be able to offer.
Exams & Exam Re-sits
If you fail to attend an exam or do not give the Exams Department at least 48 hours' notice that you are unable to attend, this will be recorded as "No Show". Re-sit fees may be charged when you re-sit your exam. The Exams team will confirm any costs when you re-register.
SGS College Holiday & Term Dates 2023/24
Term Time Absence
The College does not support learners taking holiday in term time and
will record it as unauthorised absence against your attendance rate.
We believe full attendance supports a learner to achieve their full
potential.
Please make sure if you are absent from college for any reason you report it using our online form and contact your department.
View College Term DatesEducation, Health and Care Plan
If you have an Education, Health & Care Plan please let us know by emailing: [email protected] so that we can liaise with the appropriate Local Authority. We will be unable to provide the required support without agreeing provision and funding with the Local Authority first so please get in touch with the Learning Support department and let us know what your needs are.
Taster Days
If you could not attend your "Taster Day" - please don't worry. Activities you would have undertaken will be covered during your induction.
Probation Period & Progression
South Gloucestershire and Stroud College runs a probation system, and all learners are classed as being on probation during the first five weeks of their course. During this period, you will be assessed based on attendance, attitude, punctuality, aptitude and performance and this will be clearly stated within your course handbook which is issued to all learners at the start of their course. In addition, to pass your probationary period you will need to have either paid for your course in full or arranged a bursary or instalment plan.
Within your course handbook, it also states what you need to do to progress to the next level of your programme. This will be based on end of course achievement, attendance, attitude and disciplinary record.
Learner ID Badges & Departmental Zones
You will be provided with a valid ID card and lanyard. It is important that you always wear this whilst on college premises. The safety of all our learners is paramount to the College ethos and the wearing of ID cards and lanyards, plus being based in a dedicated departmental zone are mechanisms of knowing who should and, more importantly, who should not be on site. It is also a key employability skill.
Daily spot checks will be made and any learner who is not wearing their ID will be requested to purchase a replacement at a cost of £5. These will be available from our reception teams at each of our campuses.
We have many learners who come into college and see this as their only safe haven and we must be able to continue to ensure that they always view it as such.
Details of the Departmental Zones and lanyard colour can be viewed by clicking here.
Getting to College
SGS campuses are easy to find, with excellent transport links for train, bus, bicycle and car. SGS encourages the use of public transport and car sharing to reduce our carbon footprint.
Learn moreCollege Parking
SGS College runs a managed parking service at its WISE, Filton and Stroud sites.
The College is committed to ensuring we have a safe parking environment for learners, staff and visitors. The service ensures parking facilities are managed so they are not overloaded beyond capacity with non-users of the facilities and that responsible parking is adhered to.
If you wish to park your vehicle onsite you must register it by 1st October; after this date all parking queries / fines will be managed directly by the parking company UK CPM, not SGS College.
For further information and to register your vehicle please visit the link below:
www.sgscol.ac.uk/college-parking
Please note, parking is run on a first come, first served basis so is not guaranteed at any site.
Debt Process
If you do not pay your fees as agreed then we have a formal debt process that is outlined here.
WelcomeFEST
WelcomeFEST (Induction) is to be delivered on 4th to the 6th of September with some sessions rolling into the second week of the year. Following on from learner feedback we are diversifying and streamlining the WelcomeFEST period and introducing several new initiatives such as a Level 2, Year 2 Progression Event with our University Centre staff. WelcomeFEST 2023 is made up of four elements as below;
- Initial Assessment (JISC Self-Assessment, Career Pulse, Century Tech, Course Specific Initial Assessment)
- On-Site Tutorials (Principal's Welcome, Campus Tours, College Induction etc)
- Freshers' Fayre (5th September @ WISE, 13th September @ Queens Road, 27th September @ Stroud)
- Course Specific Induction (Based on the needs of the course)
Parent Portal
Parent Portal provides live digital data to parents and guardians. Parent Portal provides access to a range of information to help parents and guardians support their child's journey at SGS College. The Portal offers the following information:
- Academic Progress
- Attendance and punctuality
- Timetables
- Exams information
- Behaviour and attitude to learning at college through 'report to parents'
Parents can apply for access to the system through our website. Students and Parents will receive an email when to apply access will be turned on in the last week of September.
Meet the Tutor Event
From 3rd October through to 5th October Curriculum Teams will be holding "Meet the Tutor" events. These provide opportunity for Parents and Carers to meet the Tutor of their young person, and for them to discuss how the Tutor supports progress through the Study Programme, how progress is tracked and reported on, and the methods available for Parents and Carers to review and support progress of the young person.
Emergency Contact
Please ensure you bring details of an emergency contact so this can be provided when enrolling. We will need their name, phone number, and email address.
Onsite Enrolment - Please Read Prior to Attending Enrolment
Declaration
Please make sure you read each section carefully prior to your enrolment.
3a: Financial Statement
Enrolling on a course of study at SGS College constitutes the formation of a legally binding contract. Enrolment therefore carries with it an obligation to pay any fees that you have been made aware of prior to your course of study commencing. If you are under 18 years of age, you need to be aware that contracts for necessary materials, licenses and equipment, apprenticeships, employment, education, and other services for your benefit are binding upon you. Therefore, we will ask a parent, guardian, or carer to act as your guarantor and to take ultimate responsibility for any outstanding debt you may have with the College.
Please be aware that some additional fees may apply and invoiced at a later date such as memberships, kit/materials fees, trips, and exam resits (some of these fees will be optional).
3b: Student Learning Agreement
I confirm that I have received information and advice about my choice of learning programme through the prospectus and from College staff. Because of this information and advice, I can state that:
- I understand the entry requirements of my chosen learning programme.
- The learning programme suits my needs.
- I am aware of the financial costs of my course.
- I know what support and advice is available to me, and also what financial support is available.
I agree to abide by the College regulations and to inform the College in writing of the following:
- Any medical condition which may affect my performance on the learning programme or in other College activities.
- Any change of circumstances that may affect my fee status.
3c: ILR Privacy Notice 2023 to 2024
This privacy notice is issued by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) on behalf of the Secretary of State for the Department of Education (DfE) to inform learners about the Individualised Learner Record (ILR) and how their personal information is used in the ILR. Your personal information is used by the DfE to exercise our functions under article 6(1)(e) of the UK GDPR and to meet our statutory responsibilities, including under the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009. Our lawful basis for using your special category personal data is covered under Substantial Public Interest based in law (Article 9(2)(g)) of GDPR legislation. This processing is under Section 54 of the Further and Higher Education Act (1992).
The ILR collects data about learners and learning undertaken. Publicly funded colleges, training organisations, local authorities, and employers (FE providers) must collect and return the data to the ESFA each year under the terms of a funding agreement, contract, or grant agreement. It helps ensure that public money distributed through the ESFA is being spent in line with government targets. It is also used for education, training, employment, and well-being purposes, including research.
We retain your ILR learner data for 20 years for operational purposes (e.g., to fund your learning and to publish official statistics). Your personal data is then retained in our research databases until you are aged 80 years so that it can be used for long-term research purposes. For more information about the ILR and the data collected, please see the ILR specification at www.gov.uk/government/collections/individualised-learner-record-ilr.
ILR data is shared with third parties where it complies with DfE data sharing procedures and where the law allows it. The DfE and the English European Social Fund (ESF) Managing Authority (or agents acting on their behalf) may contact learners to carry out research and evaluation to inform the effectiveness of training.
For more information about how your personal data is used and your individual rights, please see the DfE Personal Information Charter (www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education/about/personal-information-charter) and the DfE Privacy Notice (www.gov.uk/government/publications/privacy-notice-for-key-stage-5-and-adult-education).
Contacting the DfE
If you would like to get in touch with us or request a copy of the personal information DfE holds about you, you can contact the DfE in the following ways:
- Using our online contact form: form.education.gov.uk/service/Contact_the_Department_for_Education
- By telephoning the DfE Helpline on 0370 000 2288
- In writing to: Data Protection Officer, Department for Education (B2.28), 7 & 8 Wellington Place, Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 4AW
If you are unhappy with how we have used your personal data, you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at: Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF. You can also call their helpline on 0303 123 1113 or visit www.ico.org.uk.