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Parents/Guardians
Frequently asked questions
If your question is not answered below, click here to ask us.
1. What are the differences between school and college?
2. I am concerned about personal difficulties my son or daughter is facing. What should I do?
3. How much homework will my son or daughter be given?
4. Will a BTEC National Diploma allow my son or daughter to progress to university?
5. Who should I contact if I have concerns about my son or daughter and their progress at college?
6. Will I still be able to carry on receiving Child Benefit if son or daughter stays on in college?
7. What eating and drinking facilities are available?
8. What further information is available about Deeside College?
9. What additional opportunities are there for my son or daughter at Deeside College?
10. What should I do if I wish to make a complaint?
1. What are the differences between school and college?
In many ways, school and college are remarkably similar. Attendance at classes is compulsory, students are required to meet all deadlines for the submission of work, and students are expected to behave in a responsible way so that they do not prevent others from learning. Deeside
College’s Code of Conduct outlines the rules and regulations which we expect students to conform to. Like school, no-one is legally required to attend college after the age of 16. There is no upper age limit; we have many adult students at Deeside College and, although most attend courses designed for adults, we welcome them on all our courses. It is possible, therefore, that there may be adult students in your son’s or daughter’s class; adult students are nearly always very committed to their course and work hard, so they set an excellent example to 16-17 year olds!
2. I am concerned about personal difficulties my son or daughter is facing. What should I do?
If you think the College can help, you are most welcome to contact your son’s or daughter’s course tutor or Personal Tutor, or the Gwasanaethau Myfyrwyr Advisers. If appropriate, we will do our best to put you in touch with a relevant agency outside the College.
3. How much homework will my son or daughter be given?
This will vary from course to course, but all students on full-time courses should be spending some time each week on work outside classes, which can include research for assignments and extra/supplementary reading as well as set homework. Less than 3-4 hours a week would be
unusual, and homework will of course increase at certain periods of the year, such as prior to examinations or assignment deadlines. If you are concerned that your son or daughter does not appear to be spending sufficient time studying, please contact their course tutor.
4. Will a BTEC National Diploma allow my son or daughter to progress to university?
Yes. The majority of universities accept BTEC National Diplomas which are equivalent to 3 A levels. Ask your son or daughter to speak to our Careers Wales Adviser for more information on university entrance requirements.
5. Who should I contact if I have concerns about my son or daughter and their progress at college?
Please contact their Course Tutor or Personal Tutor, or contact Gwasanaethau Myfyrwyr on 01244 834511.
6. Will I still be able to carry on receiving Child Benefit if son or daughter stays on in college?
If your son or daughter is 16, 17 or 18 and learning full-time, you will still be able to carry on receiving Child Benefit and Child Tax Credits. For more information, go to www.hmrc.gov.uk.
7. What eating and drinking facilities are available?
A wide variety of meals, snacks and drinks (including healthy meal options) are provided in college from Monday to Friday. These are available in the Café 6 within the Sixth form centre, or from the Café Talk near reception, and our main Refectory. We also have vending machines across the college.
8. What further information is available about Deeside College?
We have several policies and procedures which may be of interest to parents, including:
- Disability Statement
- Student Disciplinary Procedure
- Health & Safety Policy
Please contact Gwasanaethau Myfyrwyr on 01244 834511 if you would like details of any of the above.
9. What additional opportunities are there for my son or daughter at Deeside College?
All full-time students follow a programme designed to broaden and enhance their studies. As part of this programme, they will work towards extra qualifications in the Key Skills of Communication, Application of Number and Information Technology and the wider key skills. Many students also have the opportunity to study for additional qualifications alongside their main course.
In addition, at level 2 and above, students are encouraged to take part in our Cyfoethogi Programme which provides lots of opportunities to take part in a wide range of sporting and leisure activities. Full-time students can also take, with their tutor’s approval, any of the college’s part-time courses free of charge.
10. What should I do if I wish to make a complaint?
If you do have any concerns about your son’s or daughter’s course or any other matter concerning Deeside College, please contact their Course Tutor in the first instance, and a Gwasanaethau Myfyrwyr adviser, if you feel you need additional help. We do recommend that you talk through the problem with the course tutor or the Programme Area Manager, as on most occasions we have found this is the best way to resolve problems. However, if you would like to make a complaint, please write to The Principal at Deeside College.
