A message for students from Cheri Ashby, Deputy CEO, Activate Learning.
I hope that the start of life at college has gone well and that you’re settling into your course and making new friends.
Encouraging positive behaviours
Developing and maintaining positive behaviours on campus is also an essential part of your success at college.
This is stated in our Code of Conduct and our Safe Students, Safe Staff, Safe Spaces campaign.
- Embracing British Values
- Solving problems peacefully
- Acting positively
- Helping keep everyone safe.
We all have a part to play in creating safe and welcoming campus communities.
Another great habit to help support us in keeping you safe is to ensure you always wear your college lanyard while on campus. Please report to your Advice and Admissions Centre if you forget to bring your lanyard.
The importance of good attendance
We know from experience that good attendance is linked to better results. Students with good attendance records are more likely to achieve higher grades and better results in their programmes. Turning up and putting in the hard work is central to our Learning Philosophy and sets up the great habits that will help you in life and employment beyond college.
To help work together to promote good attendance, if you are under the age of 18, from Monday 30 September, we will automatically email your registered guardian if you are absent from lessons. We will alert them in the morning and afternoon.
If you are due to be absent, please report this by calling us on 0800 612 6008 and selecting Option 2. Or alternatively, by emailing attendance@ActivateLearning.ac.uk
Let us know if you need any support
I recognise college can feel very different to school and we want to make sure that you’re doing well and have all the support you need to get ahead and do well.
Remember there is always support for you at college if you need it, so please do speak to your tutor or our various support teams if you feel like you would benefit from it.
Here is a reminder of the student support teams available to all students and what they do:
Safeguarding Advisors: The Safeguarding team support students who are experiencing or are at risk of harm, abuse, neglect or exploitation. They also support students experiencing significant mental health difficulties, those who are cared for by the Local Authority, care experienced, young carers and young parents.
The team can be contacted by emailing safe@activatelearning.ac.uk
Learning Support: The Learning Support team helps students if they are finding their studies challenging. For those students with diagnosed learning support needs and/or Education Health Care Plans, they are able to offer more specific and bespoke sessions to meet their needs.
The team can be contacted by emailing gss@activatelearning.ac.uk
Counselling: The Counselling Service offers eight weeks of counselling sessions to students who would like more in depth support in a confidential space to discuss their worries and concerns.
Students can self-refer or ask their tutor to refer them.
Behaviour and Welfare: Every college has a Behaviour and Welfare Officer who supports with incidents on campus, such as bullying, harassment and anything that requires police involvement.
Students can find them in our Advice and Admissions Centres and at the main gates each morning where students can approach them for support.
Wellbeing Advisors: Wellbeing Advisors assist students with mild to moderate mental health difficulties, including anxiety, low mood, panic attacks and low self-esteem. They offer one-to-one support providing practical strategies for building resilience and coping skills.
Referrals to the Wellbeing Advisors are made by the students’ tutor.
Financial Support: There’s a range of financial support and bursaries available for eligible students. They may be used to pay for essential travel, meal credits, books, equipment or childcare. They are discretionary and the amount received will depend on individual circumstances and financial need.
More information and bursary forms
Careers: The Careers team provides in-class group sessions and one-to-one appointments for students looking to discuss their future career progression options, explore further study routes into university or apprenticeships, and seek support with CV writing and finding part-time work.
Students can book appointments on Activate Learning Online (ALO) via the Careers page.
I hope that you enjoy your first term at Activate Learning.
Warm regards,
Cheri Ashby
DCEO
