Support for Parents
We’re here to help your child succeed with dedicated support services covering wellbeing, finance, careers, and academic guidance.
Information & Guidance for Parents & Carers
At Sandwell College, we understand how important it is for parents and guardians to feel confident and informed about their young person’s education. That’s why we’re committed to working in partnership with you every step of the way. From course choices and career ambitions to academic progress and personal development, we’re here to support your child throughout their journey with us – helping them to grow in confidence, achieve their goals, and take the next step into employment, apprenticeships, or university.
Discover more by reading the FAQs below. Have a further question? Email [email protected]
Frequently asked questions for parents
What can I do to help?
There are many areas in which you can be highly effective in helping your child succeed, and be fully involved in their education. You can reassure your child about the care we can provide for them or, if you have any concerns you think we should know about, you can get in touch with us by speaking to your child’s personal tutor, or our Welfare or Safeguarding team.
Attendance and punctuality are an important part of everyone’s life. You can help your child to plan their journey so that they attend College regularly and on time. This is an important trait for working life that employers value highly.
Our on-site facilities give students access to real-life working environments. This could include structured voluntary work as well. You could help your child to find work placement/s to enhance their experience.
You could encourage your child to value the importance of English and Maths and to continue to develop these skills. You can also encourage them to develop new interests by taking part in different activities.
From time to time we celebrate various achievements and festivals, and you can support your child by attending these celebration events. We will also invite you to College to give you regular reports on your child’s welfare and progress on their course. We will provide you with frequent updates about your child’s achievements and reports to help track their progress and keep you informed. We would like you to review these reports.
If you are not happy with the level of achievement and progress of your child, we would be delighted to talk things through with you. We welcome your views on how we can work better together to improve the quality of education.
We invite you to support your child to make the most of their time while studying at Sandwell College.
What range of support is available for my child?
The Hub, on floor three, is a one-stop shop for Welfare, Finance, Study and Support Services. It’s also the centre from where we run our library services, and includes a quiet-study zone. If your child has a question, a problem or a need of help, this is the place for them to come.
The Mentoring Team support students who have mental health/emotional wellbeing needs, such as anxiety, to access College services and help them to feel comfortable within the College environment. Student Support Officers are a signposting point, identifying other services that students can access including the Welfare Team and Safeguarding.
Teams of specialist teachers, learning coaches and learning support assistants can support students struggling with their learning. Careers Advisers can support learners to secure university places and look for work or work experience. Your child will be invited to careers fairs and university open days, and will be offered one-to-one interviews and group tutorials to help them to prepare for their future.
How will I be able to raise any concerns?
Parents, carers and guardians are encouraged to talk to the tutors or the Student Support team about any concerns they may have about the progress and potential barriers to learning our students may experience.
Our contact details are here:
College 0121 556 6000
Welfare 0121 667 5073
Safeguarding 0121 667 5101
Learning Support (Study Link) 0121 667 5064
Attendance Line 0121 667 5028
Careers Team 0121 667 5035
What enrichment is there?
Support to help young people develop and be prepared for life outside college: regular talks from expert speakers around important subjects such as Knife Crime and Sexual Harassment; also inspirational speakers and speakers around careers and finance. Organisations associated with health and wellbeing visit the college monthly to offer support and advice.
Student Voice: learners can have their voice heard and develop their knowledge of democracy through the Student Union and Student Council.
Faith and Contemplation
Our Multi-faith and Quiet Contemplation rooms are quiet spaces for people to sit and contemplate, to pray, to take a few moments to de-stress or just have a think about things.
Sandwell College Chaplaincy is available for the pastoral care of all members of the college community, regardless of their faith or beliefs. It aims to provide care and support where spiritual needs arise. Our Christian, Islamic and Sikh chaplains provide someone to talk to when you need a confidential ear, someone who can support you in emotional or spiritual issues, and – of course – someone to explore your faith with.
What we promise to you
• A supportive team of tutors, expert in their fields, who provide excellent teaching
• Ongoing guidance and support to guide your child to secure work, progress to further education, apprenticeships and university
• We will help your child prepare for a successful future.
The most important aspect of any young person’s education is that they gain the qualifications, knowledge and skills that they need to succeed in our highly competitive modern world.
We hope that you can support us to bring the best out of your child.
What's it like being a Sandwell College student?
Life at Sandwell College is about so much more than just what happens in the classroom. Our students are supported to achieve their personal goals while developing the skills and confidence they’ll need for the future.
Every student follows a tailored Study Programme designed to match their interests and career ambitions. That includes valuable work experience – at least 30 hours in a real-world setting that links directly to their course, so they leave us not just qualified, but job-ready.
If students haven’t yet achieved a grade 4 in English or Maths, we make sure they get the support they need through GCSE resits or Functional Skills classes – because we know how important these qualifications are for their next steps.
Outside of lessons, there’s a lot going on. From employer talks and enrichment activities to educational trips and sports, our students are encouraged to try new things, explore new ideas, and build the confidence to take on whatever’s next – whether that’s university, an apprenticeship, or heading straight into work.
How will my child travel to College?
Our College is situated in a great location with plenty of transport links.
West Bromwich Central tram station is right next to Sandwell College, making Birmingham City Centre or Wolverhampton easily accessible by Metro.
Sandwell College is just a two minute walk from West Bromwich bus station, served by buses from across the West Midlands.
Plus, all students will be given a FREE bus pass (via a mobile app) that allows travel on West Midlands buses in Sandwell, Dudley, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Solihull, Birmingham and Coventry, OR from anywhere along the Wolverhampton to Birmingham Metro line. You can pay a bit extra to top up one option to include the other, AND you can travel at any time, including evenings and weekends. This will be renewable termly if you keep up a good record of progress, behaviour and attendance.
What is the uniform policy?
There is no strict dress code as our student community is inclusive and diverse and encouraged to express its individuality. We do insist however that no hats, caps or hoods are worn, unless students are exempt, and that ID badges are worn at all times.
Does the College offer any financial support for students?
If you are aged under 19 on the first day of your course, full time courses are free.
DISCRETIONARY LEARNER SUPPORT FUND (DLSF)
If you are aged under 19 on the first day of your course, full time courses are free.
We can provide financial support towards College trips and activities, equipment, uniform and books (dependent on course requirements) for young people who were in receipt of free meals at school, and young people where household income falls below £36,000 (most other Colleges fix this at around £20,000).
FREE EDUCATION MEALS
We offer free meals to students who are from low income households. Eligible students will receive credit on their ID cards to spend at the catering facilities in College at the daily meal rate of £3 per day – £15 a week.
To apply for free meals students must be:
- Aged between 16 and 18 years on 31 August 2023, or aged over 19 and continuing on the same study programme (19+ continuers) they started before they turned 19
- Have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
Students are eligible for a free meal where they meet the criteria and satisfy the residency criteria set out in the EFSA ‘Funding regulation’ guidance for the 2023 to 2024 academic year.
Eligibility: Students being in receipt of, or having parents who are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guarantee element of State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC))
- Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after someone stops qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit with net earnings not exceeding the equivalent of £7,400 pa
Schools vs College?
We are well aware learning in a College is very different from a school. Learning in an adult environment can create anxiety and nervousness for you and/or your child. We have taken steps to ensure young people feel safe in the College environment and settle in easily. We have a large number of well-qualified and highly experienced staff who look after the welfare of young people so that they integrate and thrive in the College. We assure you that your child will be safe and well cared for during their time at Sandwell College.
Is there careers advice available?
We have a specialist team of Career Advisers who can support learners in thinking about careers and their next steps, securing university places and looking for work or apprenticeships. Your child will be invited to Careers and Higher Education Fairs, and will have access to online careers packages to help them research and understand career and labour market information. Your child will be offered one-to-one interviews and group tutorials to help them to prepare for their future.
If you would like to book a careers appointment for your child, or if you would like advice from one of our specialists, please contact the Careers Team on 0121 667 5035.
Further information and links to our Careers Policy, Careers Programme, guides and useful websites can be found on the Careers Information Advice and Guidance page.
Support Links
Access key support services, resources, and guidance to help you throughout your time at Sandwell College.
