Frequently asked questions about Greenhead College
THE COLLEGE
Greenhead College has been a Sixth Form College for over 25 years now and has grown significantly in size to our current roll of around 1830 students.
Where are the students from?
Two thirds of Greenhead’s students come from 12 partner schools. The remaining students are from more than 60 non partner schools in Huddersfield, Dewsbury, Halifax and elsewhere.
The College's special strengths
In addition to being noted for top class teaching, Greenhead has a friendly, supportive atmosphere, extensive opportunities for enrichment and nationally recognised value added and pastoral systems.
In its last full report in January 2008, OFSTED confirmed the continued excellent performance of Greenhead College. It rated all aspects of work as outstanding.
College Rules
We have relatively few rules and work on the philosophy and principle that everyone is an individual and is to be valued.
Why do students have to have a college ID card?
The Student Card is very important in order to help us keep the college safe and secure. It is also needed for identification in exams and our library. Outside college, students may find the card helpful for proof of age and student status, for example when applying for transport concessions.
THE TIMETABLE/ACADEMIC WORK
What is on the timetable?
- Four AS subjects plus key skills, tutorial, enrichment.
- A Tutorial session - an important time for careers support, guidance, progress monitoring, applying to University, etc.
- Communications key skill - integrated in teaching for the advanced level subjects with some extra sessions delivered during the tutorial.
- General Studies in some tutorial sessions in second year.
- In addition to the above, Maths students may also take Application of Number key skill.
What is enrichment?
The college offers a wide-ranging choice of non-examination activities, which are a compulsory part a student’s programme at college. These activities, known at Greenhead as ‘Enrichment’, play an essential part in personal development; involvement will also assist a student’s progression to higher and further education and the work place.
Can students change courses?
Students can normally change subjects up to the beginning of October providing there are places in classes. Average class sizes are around 20 at present. AS courses run for one year – changing later than this doesn’t leave much time to catch up.
Is it possible to resit GCSE’s in November?
We do November resits sparingly for Mathematics (where a student is doing A-levels and has just missed out on a grade C). Normally, however, a full year course is recommended.
How much homework should my son/daughter be doing?
We generally advise about four hours per AS-level, two hours per GCSE per week, some of which can be done in College, but not all.
We suggest students spend this time on a range of activities including
- going over lesson notes and writing them up;
- doing set assignments;
- reading around the curriculum;
- revising what has been done.
If students find it difficult to adjust to the study habits required they can get help by talking to their tutor or from staff at the study centre.
How big are the classes?
We start with 20/21 on average - a reasonable group for good academic interaction. Some students will sample five AS-levels and drop to four after four or five weeks. It is really the quality of teaching that counts. We have been working with similar class sizes for some years but look at the outstanding results we get!
How can we keep in touch with our son/daughter's progress?
- A report will be brought home by the student, and personal tutor's comments - once a term.
- Parents’ evenings. The dates are available on the college’s website, in the student diary and on the back of this evening’s programme.
- You can contact your son or daughter’s tutor or a senior member of staff - Principal, Vice Principal - about urgent problems at any time by telephone or letter. (Please let us know of any likely or prolonged absence.)
- A termly newsletter is posted home.
- Up-to-date information can be found on the college’s website at www.greenhead.ac.uk.
ISSUES
Settling Down
The personal tutor's role includes help with settling down: the introductory tutorials work on group-building and tutors are on the look-out for 'loners' etc - but if you're worried, ring in. Tutors are interviewing students individually at the moment.
Finance
Tutors have information outlining the types of support available. In the first instance they should speak to their personal tutor for more information. Schools will have given information to your son or daughter about the Educational Maintenance Allowance and most students have applied before they started at Greenhead. However, it is still possible to apply. Students should see Nina Birdi in the Student Registration Office for an application form.
There have been some widely publicised problems nationally with EMA payments. If you have not yet heard whether an application has been successful we would advise you to contact the EMA helpline 0800 121 8989 as soon as possible. This is open from 8.00am to 8.00pm on weekdays.
Holidays
Please try to keep them out of term-time. All students will take exams around the summer half term (mid-May to late June): please avoid holidays at this time. After the exams have finished college does not close. Workshadowing week starts on Monday 21st June and A2 lessons begin on Monday 28th June. There will be three weeks of actual class teaching, to begin the 'second year' course, before college actually closes on Friday 16th July.
Part-time Work
Please discourage excessive part-time work. This should not be during college hours. Remember students will be expected to do about 16 hours academic work out of classroom.
If there is a problem
The tutor is usually the first port of call however you are always free to contact the Principal or another senior member of staff if you wish.
