Northumberland Career College: 14-16 College Admissions Policy Introduction

The purpose of this policy is to set out the admissions process for the Northumberland Career College. From 2012 the government made it possible for all 14 year olds to leave school and take up a full-time place at their local college. Northumberland College has created Northumberland Career College to allow young people to access a range of high quality learning opportunities and develop skills that will prepare them for their chosen career path. Northumberland Career College is committed to equality of opportunity for all potential learners at the College. We aim to create and maintain the conditions whereby applicants are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of ethnic origin, disability, gender, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation or other distinction.

We will offer free, unbiased advice and guidance about all the programmes available at the College. We aim to recruit students to the programme that best suits their prior qualifications, experience, career aspirations and interests.

Our goal is to provide all potential learners with the opportunity to study the programme of their choice providing they meet the entry criteria as outlined in College publications.

In some cases the number of applicants who meet the entry criteria for a course will exceed the available places for a programme. In this event we aim to recruit with integrity and ensure that available places are offered to applicants based on our commitment to widen participation and equality of opportunity.

Candidates who meet the entry criteria for a programme but to whom we are unable to offer a guaranteed place will be kept informed of the status of their application and provided with appropriate advice and guidance about other available programmes at the College.

Policy Statement

Northumberland Career College is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for all 14-16 year old applicants. We will ensure that:

• All applicants are managed in a manner that is clear, fair and consistent.• All places are offered and allocated in accordance with the Admissions Policy for full-time 14-16

year old applications. • The Admissions Policy is published and fully accessible to potential students and parents/carers and

will work in collaboration with local authorities and other appropriate agencies to promote the offer to students.

• Students aged 14-16 and currently enrolled in year 9 can apply directly to Northumberland Career College; the application must be made by the parent/carer.

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Admissions Number

Northumberland Career College has four specialisms, Engineering, Construction, Hospitality and Rural Tourism, 15 places in each specialism. It is anticipated that the Career College will attract viable groups that will provide a stimulating and successful learning environment for those young people who would most benefit from an academic/vocational pathway. A designated area within the college has been identified.

Applying for a place at Northumberland Career College

• Applications for places should be made directly to Northumberland Career College.• Y9 Career College open events will enable learners to learn more about their chosen route and

receive personalised guidance and support. • The Northumberland Career College will offer opportunities for prospective learners, parents and

carers to visit the college prior to commencement of the programme in September each year. They will be able to liaise directly with the Director of 14-16 and Career College on any issues of concern and will be supported in making their application.

• Young people and their parents/carers who are interested in Northumberland Career College will be invited to a meeting to discuss individual applications. Only, after a direct application is received signed by a parent/carer and at least one meeting has been held with the student and parent/carer, will consideration be given to the offer of a place.

• When applying for a place in Year 10, potential students will be expected to indicate their preferred vocational pathway within the four specialisms of Engineering, Construction, Hospitality and Rural Tourism.

• A series of events will take place to allow the young people to learn more about their chosen pathway and receive individual guidance and support to ensure that they are on a pathway that is right for them and their future career aspirations.

• Specialist support staff will be able to give advice on SEND and Looked after Children.

• Places will be offered to learners who are committed to embarking upon a full time programme of Level 2 vocational course combined with academic GCSEs, over a period of two years. Applicants will have to demonstrate that they can achieve Entry 3 or above in literacy and numeracy before they are accepted on to the programme based on results gained through initial assessment.

• Some Vocational pathways may not run depending upon viable learner group sizes.

• If a course is oversubscribed a waiting list will be in operation.

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Admissions Criteria

• Places will be offered to those young people who Northumberland Career College considers will most benefit from a full-time offer of vocational programmes of study combined with academic GCSEs.

• Applications will only be accepted from students’ parents/carers currently in year 9.• Students must demonstrate total commitment to their chosen pathway and be able to explain how

they intend to link this choice to their future career plans. • The potential students’ attendance, behaviour and effort at their current school will be a key factor

in the decision of the offer of a place. Therefore students must demonstrate current school attendance of at least 95%.

• At least one application meeting with the students’ parent/carer must have taken place at the College.

• Parent/Carer must bring the young persons’ latest school report to initial meeting. This report must indicate a positive reference to student development and progress.

• Students will be expected to bring a short piece of writing (250 words maximum) to the admissions discussion meeting. The title for this can be either:

1. Why I would like to join the 14-16 college?’ Or 2. ‘My aspirations for the future’

• Confirmation of places will be given once interview and taster has taken place as part of the interview process. All applicants will be given the opportunity to experience a taster session in the vocational pathway of their choice.

• Applications after the final deadline of the 29th June 2017 may be considered at the discretion of Northumberland Career College.

• Where a place is not offered, parents will be informed of the decision in writing.• Parents/Carers whose application for a place is unsuccessful are entitled to appeal; the appeal and

representations should be made in writing to the College Principal within 28 days of being informed that a place has not been offered.

• If the issue is not resolved following an appeal to the College Principal parents/carers have the right of appeal to an independent and impartial Appeals Panel clerked by someone with an understanding of the current Schools’ Admissions Appeals process and the criteria used for the allocation of places. Details of how to appeal to the panel will be sent to parents/carers in this instance.

• A full consideration of the individual learning needs and how the applicant can be supported to achieve success on the programme will have taken place.

• If an Educational Health care plan is in place an assessment will take place to ensure that the entitlement of the EHCP is met and that the learner is fully supported in his/her programme of study.

Director of 14-16 and Career College March 20173