
Why College?
Our aim is to give every young person the opportunities to achieve to the best of their abilities, so they can progress to further study with us, to find employment or an apprenticeship or progress to higher education. We are committed to ensuring they get the best education possible and we’ll do everything we can to help them achieve their goals.
The aim of this short guide is to give you some useful information about the College, the standards we expect, the services and support we offer, and where to find further information so that you can be fully involved in the learning experience. We look forward to a successful partnership, working with you to ensure your young person’s success.
Janet Meenaghan
Principal of Stamford College
Qualifications explained
English & Maths
If your young person hasn’t achieved their GCSE English or maths A* to C | 5 it will be mandatory for them to continue to study English and maths alongside their main qualification.Maths and English form an important part of your young person’s study programme and we will ensure we support them to achieve these qualifications whilst studying with New College Stamford.
A Levels
Studying A Levels will give your young person a broad knowledge base to continue to university. Although A Levels are an academic, theory-based route, we pride ourselves on our modern approach, which includes practical elements, live projects and community work.
Diplomas
These subjects will allow your young person to gain the skills and knowledge to progress to employment. Level 3 diplomas are equivalent to 3 A Levels and are an alternative route to University. If your young person knows the career path they would like to take, or prefer to learn in a hands on way – this is the route for them!
Apprenticeships
As a parent/carer guardianyou want your students to get the best possible start in their career. An Apprenticeship is a real job with training which would allow your students to earn while they learn, gaining a nationally recognised qualification.
Myth Buster
MYTH: A Levels are better than BTEC Diploma qualifications.
FACT: Level 3 BTEC Vocational qualifications are the equivalent to three A Levels in terms of UCAS points. Vocational qualifications allow for the development of invaluable skills and students gain real skills for real life, so they’re prepared for the real world. At Stamford College you will find that our industry standard facilities replicate real working environments, and that we have links with over 4,000 local employers for work experience opportunities. Work experience ensures your young person will have a strong CV and this will be implemented within their course as part of their Next Steps Passport.
MYTH: You need to study A Levels to get in to university.
FACT: Students studying Level 3 Vocational qualifications such as the BTEC Extended Diploma can gain up to 360 UCAS points (depending on their grades) equivalent to 3 A* at A Level. UCAS points along with the development of real work skills ensure that our students can progress to university level study. Apprentices can also progress to university level study with Higher Apprenticeships (Level 4).
MYTH: You have to go to university to get a degree.
FACT: You can study university level qualifications at Stamford College. We have a dedicated University Centre that offers a range of higher education qualifications such as HNCs, HNDs and Foundation Degrees. These career-focused courses are a great alternative to moving away to University and if you want to ‘top up’ to a full degree you can do in just one further year. We are partnered with University of Bedfordshire and Bishop Grosseteste University who offer guaranteed progression to top up upon successful completion of year 2.
MYTH: You don’t run a college bus from where we live.
FACT: Our buses pick up from 85 different locations throughout Lincolnshire, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire, and most service buses run by Lincolnshire County Council also stop at the College. If you need to more information, our Transport Advisor Nicole can help or if think you may have difficulty paying for the transport, financial support may be available to subsidise these costs. Contact us if you need us: 01780 484300 ext. 344 or email transport@stamford.ac.uk
MYTH: My young person is still undecided and will miss the application deadline.
FACT:We don’t have a deadline for applications, in fact our applications stay open until late September! However if your young person knows what they want to do it’s best to get their application in quick as some courses are very popular. Even if your young person starts a course they’re not happy on, our 6 week transfer window will ensure they are on a course they love and are successful with. If they are undecided, visit our taster event.
Study Programmes
Study programmes have been designed to boost the employability skills of our students. Students enrol on an individual Study Programme comprising of four main areas:
- English & Maths (if a grade C|5 has not been achieved at GCSE)
- A main qualification in their chosen subject area
- A tutorial programme
- Next Steps Passport Plus
- Work experience and employability skills Enrichment
All components of the study programme need to be completed to the expected standard for the student to pass. Students are encouraged to stretch themselves and will always be supported to reach the highest grade possible to help maximise their progression and employment options in the future.
On successful completion of their study programme, students can progress to University or employment. Students will typically attend College 3 to 4 days per week with non contact time provided to allow students to undertake independent study, complete homework assignments or participate in work experience or enrichment. Where possible we design our timetables to reflect the expectations of the industry they may go on to work in.
Keep In Touch
Application & Enrolment
When your young person has applied to study at Stamford College they will receive an interview with the lecturer of their chosen course. Throughout the year we will send them information to remind them what they need to do in order to secure their place at college. We will also send you information at key times so you know what stage their application is at.
Parents Evenings
When your young person starts college you will be invited to attend at least two parent evenings. You will receive information on when these will be held nearer the time. As a guide, this year they are being held in September and February. To ensure you are kept up-to-date with information on your young person’s progress, please check we have your current email address and mobile phone number.