What support do I get?

At Westminster Kingsway College our dedicated teams offer a wide range of support to help you to achieve your goals.

Admissions and Advice

We are committed to making sure that you are supported throughout your studies and provide Admissions and Advice teams at every teaching Centre to help guide you in the right direction. The service is free, confidential and impartial, with qualified staff on hand to assist you in taking the next step.

The Admissions and Advice team offer:

• General information on courses
• Guidance on how to complete the application form
• Financial advice
• Careers advice to help you choose a suitable programme of study

The Admissions and Advice standard of service was confirmed when the College was awarded the Matrix Standard for Information, Advice and Guidance Services.

Careers Advisors

We have a dedicated team of Career and HE Advisors from the College and from Connexions Careers whose job is to help you find out what it is that you really want to do.

They are here to get you ready for life after College and can advise you specifically on:

• Different careers suitable for you
• Different qualifications available at every stage of your career
• Making decisions about the future
• Finding work, including writing a CV and interview techniques
• Information about sponsorship
• Training opportunities
• UCAS and entry into higher education
• Computerised careers materials

Welfare Advisors

Welfare Advisors can offer advice or referral on many issues including welfare benefits, finance, housing, immigration and personal problems.

Learning Centres

Open on every site from morning into the evening the Learning Centres offer a good selection of up-to-date books, e-learning tools and other resources, as well as computers with internet access. Staff will help you find information, use IT applications or improve your research and study skills. Most Learning Centres also run activities such as book clubs and CV writing workshops as part of their service. Whether you want a quiet place to study or somewhere to work with your class on group assignments, Learning Centres will provide you with what you need.

Tutors

All full-time students have access to a named Tutor while they are studying at the College. Your Tutor will be a source of guidance and support and will help you set and achieve your learning targets and goals.

Teaching

We are extremely proud of our teaching staff. With extensive industry experience in their area of learning, as well as many being examiners or moderators for the exam boards, they are on hand to help you learn everything you need to know to get the right qualifications and be prepared for the world of work. Many of our team are still working in the industry and offer the latest teaching methods to ensure that you get the most relevant training in your chosen career.

Connexions

A Connexions Personal Advisor is based at one of our College Centres and works with students aged 16 to 19 years (up to 24 years for disabled students). Connexions also have offices in the local community that you can visit and who work closely with our Student Support staff.

Child Protection

If you are under 18 years and you are suffering any kind of physical, emotional or sexual abuse, in or out of College, you can tell a member of the College staff and we will deal with the matter in the strictest confidence. Only those very few staff that need to know will be informed. However, we are bound to report this information to the local authority in which you live as they are responsible for undertaking any investigation.

Childcare

Our Childcare Co-ordinator will be glad to answer any enquiries about the childcare facilities available. Please call 0870 060 9801 and ask to speak to the Childcare Co-ordinator. If we are not able to help you with a place for your child in our nursery we may be able to assist you in finding a childminder or a nursery, which must be registered with the local social services department.

IT at the College

While you are at Westminster Kingsway you will have access to Blackboard; our virtual learning environment. This gives you online access to learning materials you may need for your course, as well as your marks and grades, your timetable and your attendance.

Keeping all students safe

Westminster Kingsway College always puts students' wellbeing and safety first. All Centres offer appropriate security staff, with College ID compulsory for all users of the building. Staff are recruited appropriately and given full training to ensure that you are well cared for while at the College. We operate a zero tolerance drug policy and do not accept inappropriate behaviour of any kind. Smoking is not permitted on any College site.

Functional Skills

It is very important that you have the skills and abilities to be able to clearly express what you learn through good written and verbal English and Maths and when using a computer. You are given the opportunity in your Functional Skills sessions to develop this range of vital qualities through an additional learning experience. This will give you the skills to research and present information well and at a level expected of you in College and when you move on to university or employment. This will help you communicate well enough to be able to do your course work and pass the assignment part of your work.

Functional Skills will also prepare you for the future as you communicate and use Maths in everyday and working life. You will join a programme that matches your individual learning needs, with students typically joining two Functional Skills programmes. However, students are offered extra support where needed, for example, additional support for students with dyslexia.

More than just somewhere to study

Becoming involved in College life is an excellent way of getting more from being a student. Not only will you meet other students but it can provide you with extra credit on your university and job applications.

Students' Union

The College is affiliated to the National Union of Students (NUS) so you will have the chance to apply for an NUS card, which gives you some great deals at clubs, cinemas, shops and lots more. Click www.nus.org.uk for more information.

Course Representatives

Course Representatives are elected for each course group to provide you with the opportunity to feedback your views about the courses and what it is like to be a WKC student to Tutors and the College Executive Team.

Student Activities

Student Activities staff and Tutors organise a range of enrichment opportunities for you to take part in. These include sports activities, talent competitions and trips away to venues such as Alton Towers; you can take part in as much or as little as you like. All activities are advertised on notice boards around the College and on the Student Intranet so keep an eye out for them.

Volunteering

We encourage students to become volunteers with external charities and voluntary groups and can put you in touch with a range of organisations. There are usually internal volunteering opportunities such as being a study buddy or peer mentor to other students as well as becoming a Fire Marshall at College events. Everyone who contributes as a volunteer in some way gets their participation recorded on their Individual Learning Plan.

Student Ambassadors

One of the greatest assets we have at WKC is our students. We recruit Student Ambassadors every year to help represent the College; they conduct tours around College Centres, visit local schools or help at Open Days. Each Student Ambassador works hard to ensure that everyone knows just what being a WKC student is really like.