harrow collegetaking the first steps into further education can be a daunting experience – for...

HARROW COLLEGEPARENTS’ GUIDE

Taking the first steps into further education can be a daunting experience – for both parents and students. Let Harrow College put your mind at rest by guiding you through the process and showing you just what we can offer to school leavers looking to embark on the next phase of their educational journey.

In this guide you will discover the wide range of courses Harrow College has to offer, the facilities we have to assist young people with their studies and the links we have with employers and universities. We’re offering students the best possible opportunities to successfully progress with the next phase of their careers.

“SERVING OVER 2,000 FULL-TIME STUDENTS IN AND AROUND LONDON, HARROW COLLEGE STRIVES TO HELP YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER REACH THEIR POTENTIAL”

Principal’s Address Pat Carvalho - 04

Student Union President’s Address Alma-Ella Bida - 05

Courses & Qualifications - 06

Support - 07

Steps to Apply for School Leavers - 08

Apprenticeships and Traineeships - 12

Career Colleges - 13

Progression Routes - 16

Student Profile Antone’s Story - 14

Student Sucess Anca Ramona Purcaru - 17

Student Profile Viktoria’s Story - 18

Student Sucess Andre Montell Tudor - 20

Financial Support - 21

Communication With Parents - 22

How to Find Us - 23

New Builds - 11

Facilities - 10

Education And Football Development Centre - 13

PRINCIPAL’SADDRESSPat CarvalhoWelcome and thank you for your interest in Harrow College.

We are committed to delivering the highest standard of education to our students. We have a successful record of high achievement and student career progression but we’re also determined to continue raising the bar so our students can compete for the best career opportunities.

In this guide you will find details of the most extensive choice of courses in the Harrow area. We’re confident you will be able to find a course that meets the needs of your son or daughters goals from both a personal and career perspective. Our expert staff will help them to make decisions about what is right for their development and find the course that gives them the best possible chance of success in the future.

In addition to the range of courses that can be studied here, this guide also covers the comprehensive range of support services and facilities available.

Harrow College continues to raise its standards. At our most recent Ofsted inspection, we were judged by inspectors as being “Good” – this is the second highest standard rating. Inspectors said that “the welcoming and inclusive atmosphere at Harrow College helps all learners reach their full potential”.

Please contact us if you would like any further information and we look forward to seeing you at Harrow College soon.

4 Harrow College Parents’ Guide

STUDENT UNION PRESIDENT’S ADDRESSAlma-Ella Bida Harrow College is a vibrant, multicultural and friendly college. I’m a firm believer in making education fun. If you enjoy what you are doing at College, your experience will naturally lead to success in your education.

The college has excellent facilities including the Learning Resource Centres which students can access throughout the day. Whether its help with research for their subjects, making use of the comprehensive IT packages or just finding a quiet corner to do homework, the Learning Centres are great. When it comes to filling out UCAS forms, job applications or CVs, the Careers team are on hand to support students through it all.

Aside from the fantastic teaching staff available to us students, there are also lots of extra-curricular activities on offer outside of standard lessons. From sports to student politics, whatever the interest is, there will be a club or society to match.

I’m getting a great all-round education at Harrow College. I have made many friends and continue to thoroughly enjoy myself which is an added bonus. I hope your son or daughter will get to experience this too.

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COURSES AND QUALIFICATIONSHarrow College offers a range of traditional and vocational courses and qualifications including A-levels, BTECs, Traineeships, Apprenticeships, Career Colleges, TechBac, Higher Education, GCSEs, and more across a range of subjects. Our courses for further education students are designed to prepare students for progression into employment, higher education or further study. Programmes of study are fully inclusive of English and maths and additional enrichment activities are encouraged. Our subject areas include:

ART AND DESIGN

HAIR, BEAUTY AND MEDIA MAKE UP

BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

CHILDREN’S CARE, HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

IT

CONSTRUCTION, ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION AND PLUMBING

ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES (ESOL)

FOUNDATION LEARNING AND SKILLS / SKILLS FOR LIFE

HUMANITIES

MATHS

SCIENCE

CREATIVE AND DIGITAL MEDIA

SPORT AND FITNESS


SUPPORTEach student at the college has a personal tutor, helping them with progression steps and the provision of pastoral care. Lecturers work with students to ensure that they achieve their full potential and regularly review their progress against target grades with action plans agreed where needed.

Students who have not achieved a GCSE grade C or higher in English or maths will continue to study these subjects alongside their main qualification. All students will develop important employability and enterprise skills alongside other skills that will support them on their future career paths.

Each student also receives an Enterprise Passport where they record their experiences whilst in college, as well as where and how they have demonstrated key development attributes. Students regularly feedback on their progression in areas like work experience and skills achieved with the aim to later write strong CV’s and application forms and thrive in interviews.

We believe there should be more to college life than studying. Not only will students benefit from fantastic facilities but they will also get the opportunity to take part in lots of activities that will help them to widen their knowledge, grow their skills, make new friends, keep fit and excel in the future.

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1. CHOOSE A COURSE

Once your son or daughter knows what subject areas they are interested in and what their career goals are, we will be able to advise them as to their best course of study. This guide has all the information that your son or daughter will need to apply for a course at Harrow College. Our website has a full list of all of our programmes with detailed information to help you make the right choice.

5. ID CARD

Once your son or daughter has completed their enrolment, they can collect their college ID card. They will then become a fully-fledged Harrow College student.

4. ENROLMENT

Once your son or daughter’s place at Harrow College has been secured, they will be asked to enrol in person at either our Harrow on the Hill or Harrow Weald campus. Enrolment takes place during August and September. Failure to attend could result in your son or daughter losing their place. Even if they have not achieved their predicted grades, your son or daughter can still attend their enrolment slot to speak to one of our dedicated careers staff that will be on hand to advise them on alternative programmes of study.

3. INTERVIEW

Following receipt of your son or daughter’s application, they will be asked to attend an interview at the college with one of our tutors. If successful during this stage of their application they will receive confirmation that they have secured a place at Harrow College, subject to achieving the required results.

2. COMPLETE AN APPLICATION FORMOnce your son or daughter has chosen the programme that they wish to study, they should submit an online application via our website. Hard copy forms are also available from our receptions at our Harrow on the Hill and Harrow Weald campuses. We do accept applications throughout the year, but to avoid disappointment with over-subscribed courses it is advised that you apply early.

STEPS TO APPLY FOR SCHOOL LEAVERSThere are many academic and social advantages to opting for a college education. If your son or daughter is thinking about furthering their education at Harrow College then let us guide you through the application process.


FACILITIESWith four campuses, access to excellent teaching and training facilities and well-equipped Learning Resource Centres, Harrow College really does aim to offerstudents an all-encompassing learning experience.

Students have access to up-to-date IT resources and more than 1,300 computers loaded with the latest software as well as free WiFi. We also have a custom built gym, Energise Fitness Centre, with state of the art equipment for students to keep fit. Our purpose built art studios, beauty salon, media centre, sports facilities and science laboratories offer students’ quality learning and a feel for the world of employment. We also have on-site catering facilities that offer a healthy range of hot and cold food and drink options. Our refectory allows students to socialise and enjoy their time away from study.


NEW BUILDSThere have been a number of new building and refurbishment projects to bring the college up to date with the latest facilities for students. The flagship Enterprise Centre has opened at the Harrow on the Hill campus with a key focus on career development. Here employers are directly engaged with students and staff to develop employment opportunities. The college has also recently invested over £1.5 million to replace and upgrade all 11 science laboratories across both main campuses. The media department has seen the creation of a brand new editing suite with a new media studio in progress. Finally a state-of-the-art centre is now open at the Harrow Weald campus designed specifically to meet the needs of students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

ENTERPRISE CENTREHARROW ON THE HILL CAMPUS

NEW CENTRE FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES AND / OR DISABILITIESHARROW WEALD CAMPUS

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We offer a dedicated Traineeship programme for young people that want to work but need the extra support before starting an Apprenticeship. Students that take part in a Traineeship are supported by Harrow College to develop the skills and workplace experience that employers require from their employees before progressing onto an Apprenticeship at the College.

Young people that enrol for a Traineeship at Harrow College will have an opportunity to undertake a work placement as well as skills training.

Harrow College provides a range of paid Apprenticeships for young people aged 16-24 years old. For a minimum of 12 months, students on an Apprenticeship will be making a head start on a career path while spending dedicated study time at the College, including support for English and maths which are essential to gaining the majority of nationally recognised qualifications.

With strong links to the local community and businesses, Apprentices are supported to develop the skills that they need to succeed.

APPRENTICESHIPS AND TRAINEESHIPSHarrow College is the largest college in the London borough of Harrow and the region’s leading training provider. We have an excellent track record in working with employers to train young people to become Trainees and Apprentices.


Harrow College has teamed up with Tottenham Hotspur Foundation to offer students the Education and Football Development Centre. Harrow College’s partnership with Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, the charitable arm of the club, sees Foundation coaches deliver first-class coaching, sports education and mentoring to Harrow College football students.

Qualified FA coaches from Tottenham Hotspur lead three coaching sessions a week and prepare students for their matches which include weekly games against other College sides or against Elite/International touring sides throughout the season. Our Education and Football Development Centre provides students with a programme of football training whilst they work towards achieving a full-time sports qualification.

Harrow College opened two new Career Colleges in September 2015. The Career Colleges specialise in:

- Digital & Creative- Professional & Business Services (a first for London)

Central to both Career Colleges is the development of enterprise skills to ensure that students are responding to the employment and business demands of the local community and across London. Students will be prepared for employment and higher study on high-quality vocational courses designed alongside leading industry employers whilst completing their study of English and maths.

EDUCATION AND FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

CAREER COLLEGES

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STUDENT PROFILEAntone’s StoryAntone Michael Jarvis, 18, secured a place at the highly respected San Jacinto College in Houston, Texas USA to develop his football career and study Sports Psychology.

Antone completed a Football Academy BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Sport at Harrow College in the summer of 2015. The academy is part of a specialist Football Development Centre which, in association with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, provides talented young sports people with the opportunity to develop their prospects of a career in football while continuing with their BTEC sports education.

It was during this time at Harrow College that Antone got his big break. An agency representing Antone flew out to a sports convention in the US with a video of Antone playing in an academy game. Scouts from San Jacinto College were really impressed by Antone’s talents on the pitch and were keen for him to join their college. Other US state colleges were equally impressed as were leading UK based football schools but with a successful history of developing football careers as well as a good football and education balance, it was San Jacinto College that Antone chose.


“My two passions are playing football and sports psychology.The experience of going abroad and playing in a country which is really developing its football will be fantastic. Studying at Harrow College has provided me with the perfect platform to hopefully progress to the top level.”

Antone Michael Jarvis

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PROGRESSION ROUTESIn 2015 81% of Harrow College students applying for a higher education course gained a place at university*. Harrow College has excellent relationships with universities across the country and holds an annual HE fair specifically for Level 3 and A-level students to discuss their options. All students are actively encouraged, with the College’s support, to pursue higher education or employment options. *Source: UCAS Destinations report, 2015

Higher Education Tailored to the needs of current employers, our higher education courses are designed to help students achieve their personal career goals and provide them with the initial two years of an undergraduate degree in the comfort of familiar surroundings at Harrow College.

Our students typically progress to universities and go on to complete their degree or they go straight into employment in their chosen area. We offer HNC/HND courses in Science, Business, Computing & Systems Development and Health & Social Care.

Careers and employability Students at Harrow College can call on our careers and employability team at any time for impartial, friendly, confidential and professional advice. We provide support in a range of areas to help explore course options and potential career paths including support with UCAS forms, progression within Harrow College, job applications and CV writing. Our teams are based in the Learning Resource Centre of both the Harrow on the Hill and Harrow Weald campuses.

Students are invited to participate in Higher Education, Employment and Progression Fairs. There are also opportunities to be involved in motivational talks and mock interview sessions with employers. Representatives are regularly invited to the college from industry and higher education to provide talks and interactive master classes for students.


STUDENT SUCCESSAnca Ramona Purcaru

‘‘My time at Harrow College has been the best of my life. Not only have I made lots of friends but I’ve also improved skills and built my confidence which led me to become the Student Union President. After achieving a D*D*D* in my BTEC Level 3 Business Extended Diploma, I’ll be joining Birmingham University to study Law.’’

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“I was very happy when I received the letter of acceptance from Eton College; it was a great opportunity for me to get to know like-minded students and to broaden my knowledge in the subjects I like.”

Viktoria Noel


STUDENT PROFILEViktoria’s StoryDuring the summer of 2015, Viktoria Noel, an AS level student from Harrow College, was accepted into a highly regarded summer school at the prestigious Eton College.

The summer school is a ten-day residential course for students at the end of their first year at sixth form and contemplating entry into university. Applicants should have the intention of going to a British university and be of the calibre of those applying for admission into Oxford or Cambridge.

The course supplements normal school work and avoids the topics covered during A-level teaching. The aim is to provide an intensive and exciting programme to enrich the intellectual experience of those participating and to give them the opportunity to exchange ideas with students displaying similar interests from other schools.

Viktoria, who is currently studying AS levels in Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Biology, has her sights set on a degree in Chemistry at university after she completes her course at Harrow College.

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STUDENT SUCCESSAndre Montell Tudor

‘‘Harrow College is just how a college should be – great teachers, great atmosphere and freedom to learn. I am now going to study History at Coventry University after successfully achieving the A-level grades that I needed.’’


The 16-19 Bursary Fund This is designed to help support young people (aged 16 or over and under 19 on 31 August 2015) who face the greatest financial barriers to participation in education or training.

Care to Learn (C2L)This is intended to help young parents under the age of 20 with the costs of childcare and associated travel up to £175 per week (in London).

19+ Discretionary Learner Support Fund (19+ DLSF)The 19+ DLSF is made available to support adult learners with meeting some of the associated costs of learning.

24+ Advanced Learning Loan (24+ ALL)This loan helps with the costs of a college or training course for students aged 24+. Courses must have started on or after 1 August 2013 and be an eligible Level 3 or Level 4 qualification.

24+ Advanced Learning Loans Bursary Fund (24+ ALLB)This is a scheme to help support learners who are in receipt of a 24+ Advanced Learning Loan and need additional financial support. This financial support is in addition to the loan amount received.

Fee AssessmentsStudents aged between 16-19 at the time the programme begins, only have to pay for materials and trip fees. Students above the age of 19 are required to pay the full course fee. However, they may be entitled

FINANCIAL SUPPORTThere is a range of financial support available depending on the level of study and circumstances. These may assist with some course fees, equipment, materials, childcare and travel.

to reductions in fees or a loan depending on their circumstances. All fees should be paid at enrolment unless an instalment plan is agreed. For an instalment plan, at least 25% of the cost must be paid at the time of enrolment. For more information on college fees and to download application forms, please visit our website www.harrow.ac.uk or contact Nicola Griffiths (Harrow Weald) on 0208 909 6239 room: 702, or Priya Patel (Harrow on the Hill) on 0208 909 6241 room: A018.

Travel DiscountsStudents who are studying in a London borough may be eligible for travel discounts, which is dependent on their age and level of study. Please visit www.tfl.gov.uk for more information.

More detailed information is available on the Harrow College website.

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COMMUNICATIONWITH PARENTSHarrow College aims to work in partnership with parents in order to achieve successful outcomes for students. Personal tutors are the point of contact for any queries. Please feel free to call if you have any questions or wish to discuss concerns. Both subject staff and personal tutors attend Parents’ Consultation Evenings where students’ progress can be discussed.

Studying at college can be seen as a stepping stone between school and university or employment; to this end, we treat students as mature learners. However if we have any concerns about behaviour, effort, work ethic, productivity, attendance or punctuality, these areas are followed up. Parents are informed if students are under 18. There is a formal College Disciplinary Policy that can be used in a supportive way aiming to change patterns if necessary.


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HOW TO FIND USHarrow College has a number of campuses in London. All have excellent travel links and are easily accessible by public transport.

Harrow on the Hill campus, Lowlands Road, Harrow, HA1 3AQ

Harrow Weald campusBrookshill, Harrow Weald, HA3 6RR

Harrow Skills CentreKenmore Avenue, Kenton, HA3 8LU

Whitefriars Training CentreTudor Road, Wealdstone, HA3 5PQ

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Harrow on the Hill campus | Lowlands Road, Harrow, HA1 3AQHarrow Weald campus | Brookshill, Harrow Weald, HA3 6RRHarrow Skills Centre | Kenmore Avenue, Kenton, HA3 8LUWhitefriars Training Centre | Tudor Road, Wealdstone, HA3 5PQ

www.harrow.ac.uk | 020 8909 6000 | [email protected]

Disclaimer: Every effort was made to ensure the information was correct at the time of print. The college reserves the right to withdraw or amend details published.

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