ADMISSIONS

All suitable applicants will be invited for interview when there will be an opportunity to discuss requirements and receive advice on the appropriate courses to study.

There are a number of events that enable you to visit the College for information and advice and to look round the College and its facilities.   Details of these are included with the prospectus or can be obtained by telephoning the Admissions Office.

We are an open-access college.  You will receive an offer of a place provided

·        we have an appropriate course
·        there are places available
·        we receive a supportive reference
·        your interview is satisfactory

Offers of places will be made within two weeks of the interview.

Further information on admissions can be obtained from the Admissions Officer.

FEES AND CHARGES

No fees are charged for students who are under 19 when they start a course, providing they qualify as  Home students through citizenship of a country in the European Union or of another country in the European Economic Area.   

If you do not qualify as a Home student you will be charged full fees at a rate to be determined annually.  Home students who are 19 or over when starting a course are required to pay a proportion of the cost of a course. Please contact the Admissions Officer for information on the current level of fees.


The College will provide, on loan, books and equipment necessary to complete the minimum requirements of courses.  Students will normally pay for field trips, foreign exchanges and visits arranged by the College.  Where students' families are in receipt of certain benefits, the College may assist with the costs through the Learner Support Fund. You may be eligible for an Educational Maintenance Allowance, and the College can advise you on this.

Each students' family is asked to make a voluntary contribution to a General Fund to enhance facilities.  Information on the current level of General Fund contribution can be obtained from the Admissions Office.

PUBLICATION OF INFORMATION

The College provides data on examination results for national publication.  Copies of the published information can be obtained from the College.

The College also compiles detailed tables of information to comply with Government requirements.  This information is sent to our associate schools and other organisations and can be obtained on request from the College.

Details of any inspections or other reports on the College  can be obtained from the College.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Esher College is committed to providing opportunities which enable all students to achieve their potential.

As a community we aim to develop and build upon practices and policies which provide equal opportunities and rights for all members of the College, regardless of their perceived ability or disability, gender, sexual orientation, creed racial group or social class.

The College also strives to appreciate and value the differences between individuals, in order to meet their academic, social and cultural needs.

We will actively challenge expressions of prejudice and seek to rectify discriminatory practice or behaviour.

The full version of our Equal Opportunities Policy (which includes a section on Race Equality) can be read on the College website.

STUDENT ENTITLEMENTS

INDUCTION

As part of your induction to the College we undertake to provide:

·        guidance and information about programmes of study that you may choose, based on your own interests, previous performance and personal circumstances.

·        information about College procedures and daily routine, a personal timetable of your programme of study, and a copy of the Code of Conduct for students.

·        an introduction to the facilities offered at the College to help you to benefit fully as a member of the College community.

PROGRAMME OF STUDY

In helping you to plan your programme of study we undertake:

·        to take account of your interests, requirements, levels of ability and career needs.

·        to arrange our timetable so that you can choose from a range of subjects.

·        to provide details of the courses available and the qualifications needed.

·        to provide continuing guidance from your personal tutor and others.

TEACHING, LEARNING AND ACHIEVEMENT

To help you achieve your potential we undertake that:

·        your subject tutors will use a range of teaching methods appropriate to the course and will set you assignments that will help you to understand the subject and cover essential coursework.

.        you will have the opportunity to comment on the quality of teaching and other provision through annual teaching and Learning surveys.

·        you will be given guidance on how to study in your chosen subjects and on how to use appropriate resources. 

·        you will receive regular assessments of your work and (apart from major coursework elements) can expect these to be returned to you within 15 working days.

·        you will be given evaluation of your progress that will include attainment and target grades. These grades will be communicated to your paren(s) or guardian(s) and you will be able to attend Consultation Evenings with them to discuss your progress with your subject teachers.

LEARNING SUPPORT

In order to meet a range of learning needs we undertake to provide:

·        literacy and language support as appropriate.

·        access to a specialist teacher.

·        specialist equipment for students with physical disabilities, to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act.

·        advice and information from the Skills Advisory Centre on issues concerning difficulties or disabilities which may affect your study.

SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE

To provide a secure base for support and guidance we undertake to provide you with:

·        a personal tutor who has responsibility for oversight of your progress, and who will have primary concern for your well-being and conduct.

·        a programme of Personal, Social and Vocational Education through which your personal and learning development can progress.

·        access to your Divisional Director and Tutor Team Leader for advice and support.

·        access to trained members of staff who are available to give counselling help to students who wish to have confidential and more specialised support.

·        an entitlement to advice and information on the opportunities for employment and continued study.    

FACILITIES

To provide an appropriate learning and social environment the College undertakes that

·        your teaching rooms will be furnished and fitted to meet specific requirements of the subjects based in them.

·       you have access to IT, library and private study facilities.

·       you have access to sport and recreational facilities appropriate to the courses you are taking.

·       students with physical disabilities will have access to all areas of the College, to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act.

STUDENT COUNCIL

To enable the Student Council to represent the students of Esher College and to organise activities on their behalf we undertake that:

·        all students are eligible for election to the Council

·        through the Council the views of the student body can be communicated to the College managers.

·        the President of the Student Council is a member of the College Corporation (governing body).

·        members of the Council represent the students on a number of staff/student committees dealing with aspects of the College policy.

In return for the entitlements listed above we expect all students to accept the responsibilities specified in their Learning Contract. These are:

• to produce all work to the best of your ability.
•  to meet all work and administrative deadlines set by staff. 
•  to attend all lessons and fulfil all other College obligations unless prevented from doing so by illness or other authorised reason.
• to behave responsibly at all times and show respect to all members of the College community in order to promote a supportive and friendly environment.

EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS

THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

The College undertakes:

·        to encourage students to play a responsible and responsive part in the life of the community.

·        to provide an occasional Newsletter to  neighbouring households.

·        to provide an efficient and friendly service when dealing with enquiries.

MAINTAINING STANDARDS

QUALITY ASSURANCE

The quality of services delivered by the College is monitored in a number of ways. These include:

.       annual self-assessments

.       customer satisfaction surveys

.       benchmark standards

.        performance indicator standards

A copy of the College's Quality Assurance Manual is available on request.

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

The College intends that formal complaints should be considered fairly.  If you wish to make a complaint please contact the Principal's PA and we will aim to resolve the issue quickly and informally, although a formal procedure is in place if necessary.