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Student Support & Policies

At BLC we are here to support you in your studies and help you on the path to the future you want. With our dedicated support staff and services we will be there to help you at every step of your BLC experience. The information below is relevant for all of our students; young people, adults and apprentices.

InformationSupportWellbeingTransportWeather
Equality & Diversity
Buxton & Leek College is committed to promoting equality in all aspects of College life. We want everyone who is involved with us to have the best possible experience and to feel included in every aspect of study and other activities. If you ever feel that your individuality is not being promoted and recognised please tell us. Equality is not just about celebrating differences, it is also about stopping any discrimination, and you can all help us with this by letting us know if there are any aspects of your life with us that you feel are not being addressed. We value each person in the College and want to ensure that you all have a positive experience, this applies to you whatever type of course you are on, whether you are based in College, are in work or whether you are studying part-time or full-time.

We’re committed to addressing inequality in relation to students’ age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion and belief, and discrimination is not tolerated by anybody connected with our College. We want you to tell us if there are aspects of our provision that we could improve for different groups. AT FE STARs meetings your representatives will let us know if there are changes we need to make in the College to make it a more inclusive place to study and enjoy other activities.

During your time with us many of you will be taking part in projects to learn more about our diverse society. You will create presentations, take part in competitions and other enrichment or tutorial activity to explore difference amongst individuals. You will be able to research new disabilities, religions, ethnic groups or cultures, or sexual orientations. You will discover how people are treated by society and what role you can have in promoting equality and challenging discrimination.

The Union of Students (US) is also committed to promoting equality and diversity and runs many events throughout the year to celebrate unity and diversity, why not get involved in some of these events? The Equality and Human Rights Commission promote and monitor human rights; and to protect, enforce and promote equality across the nine ‘protected’ grounds – age, disability, gender, race, religion and belief, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership, sexual orientation and gender reassignment.

Read our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy here.

Useful websites
Human Rights relating to Religion and Belief and Ethnicity – www.equalityhumanrights.com/en
Disability Information and Advice Line – www.dialuk.info
Disability network – www.disabilitynetwork.co.uk
Ethnic Minority Support Line – www.supportline.org.uk
Race Equality Foundation – www.raceequalityfoundation.org.uk

Sexual Orientation

LGBT drop in (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender)
Call in to our informal monthly drop in session in the Student Wellbeing Service (SWS), Ground Floor, Clarendon House. Contact us for dates and times.
The SU have a Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender Friends Society for anyone who is Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual or Transgender or anyone who is heterosexual who would like to support this society.

Useful websites
Stonewall works to achieve equality and justice for lesbians, gay men and bisexual people – www.youngstonewall.org.uk / www.stonewall.org.uk
Stop Hate UK is a charity that provides independent and confidential support to people affected by Hate Crime – www.stophateuk.org/where/derbyshire
Love Knows No Gender – Derbyshire Youth Forum’s aim is to prevent homophobic bullying (anti-gay) in schools in the Derbyshire area – www.love-knows-no-gender.piczo.com

Your Rights
Having made the important decision to accept a place at the University of Derby – Buxton & Leek College we welcome you into our community.

We want to provide a positive environment for all, so please be respectful towards all students, staff and visitors. We’re committed to promoting equality and will challenge discrimination. We expect you to attend all of your lessons on time and to come prepared with your study resources. During classes make sure your mobiles are turned off and out of sight.

It is important that you understand clearly what joining our college community means for you. There are both benefits and responsibilities. This statement will help you understand the spirit of the relationship between you, the college and the other members of our learning community – your fellow students and our staff.

In that sense this statement forms a Learning Agreement. The areas of support and responsibility detailed here are also areas that from our research our students have told us are important for their success.

Here at Buxton & Leek College we are committed to helping you make the most of your time studying with us. We want to challenge you intellectually and help you maximise your performance, enjoy your experience and achieve to your full academic potential.

There is also a range of support we pledge to offer, because being a student at Buxton & Leek College is demanding. We know this support is important to help you meet that challenge and succeed. This is support that we believe:

  • You have an entitlement to
  • You should expect to make use of
  • Actively using it will benefit you in your studies with us

We want you to use this support as you need to, and we want you to tell us about your experience to help us improve still further.

Being a member of the college community also gives you some responsibilities. These responsibilities are important in assisting you and other students to get the most from your time at college. Taking these responsibilities seriously and acting upon them will help to provide the right kind of environment for you and others to study, learn & grow.

Your Safety, Safeguarding & Prevent
Safeguarding our Students

BLC Safeguarding Addendum April 2022

Safeguarding is the term given to the College’s responsibilities to promote your wellbeing and make sure that you feel secure and safe.

We’ve particular responsibilities relating to our learners aged 18 years and under and learners with learning difficulties and disabilities, but we’re also responsible for ensuring the wellbeing of all our adult learners. The College has a child protection and vulnerable adults policy and a team of Safeguarding Co-ordinators.

We review whether we’re promoting your safety and wellbeing and would like to hear from you if you’ve any comments or suggestions about this.

If you have a general concern about your own security, safety and wellbeing then please let your tutor or one of your lecturers know.

If you have a particular concern then please contact one of our Safeguarding Co-ordinators and let them know that you have a concern about safeguarding so that you get a prompt response.

Safeguarding Lead: Nadia Shalan, Operations Manager – Learner Journey Team

Safeguarding Co-ordinators: Emma Kilbane, Paula Goodwin and Sarah Mahoney

Please see the below documents for more information regarding our Safeguarding policies and procedures:

1. Recognising Abuse Guidance

2. Procedure for Raising Safeguarding Concerns

3. Procedure for Handling Safeguarding Allegations Against a Member/s of Staff

4. Procedure for Safeguarding Co-ordinator and Deputy Team

5. Covid-19 Safeguard Policy- April 2020

Safeguarding
01538 322100

0800 1111 (Childline)

PREVENT

The Prevent duty is to ensure that the College safeguards students from becoming radicalised, which is the process of when a person comes to support terrorism and is drawn into violent extremism and the holding of extremist views, which refers to vocal or active opposition to the fundamental British Values.

Buxton & Leek College enables all students to:

• acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures to further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions
• respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England.

There is a duty to ensure that those identified with vulnerabilities are given appropriate advice and support. Some of the signs that a student could become radicalised are as follows:
• Isolating themselves from friends and family
• Talking as if from a scripted speech
• Unwillingness or inability to discuss their views
• A sudden disrespectful attitude toward others
• Increased levels of anger
• Increased secretiveness, especially around internet use

Safeguarding our students, staff and visitors is important to us. If students need support or there are concerns that someone is being radicalised you can report and access support through our Safeguarding Co-ordinators at the College.

First Aid
There are first aid points and trained first aiders at all sites; any member of staff will be able to find them for you. If you have even a minor accident make sure you report it so that it can be recorded and action taken to prevent it happening in the future.

Security

How can we help?

We are a dedicated team employed by the University of Derby. We will typically deal with things like: access control, incident management, lost and found property, and University policy compliance.

We can offer advice and guidance on personal and group safety and crime prevention among other things.

How to get in touch
Tel: 01298 330415
Email: security@derby.ac.uk

Fire Information
It’s essential that everyone does their best to prevent fires and, in the event of a fire, knows what action to take. If you’re a disabled student with mobility restrictions you will need a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) which your ALS Tutor can put in place for you. Please make sure you become familiar with the fire exit signs in all your classrooms, around the building and in your workplace. If you have any concerns let your tutor or assessor know.

Click the links below to view our policies and procedures

Student Conduct and Behavioural Policy

Absence and Attendance Policy 2019

Safeguarding Advice Health & Safety Equality & Diversity
Course Policies & Procedures
Supply Chain Fees and Charge Policy Appeals against internally assessed marks Plagiarism and Malpractice Policy Registration and Certification Policy Internal Verification Policy Exam Policy and Procedure Conduct of External Assessments Assessment Submission Flowchart Assessment Policy  Recognition of Prior Learning  Getting Started With ETrackr Subcontracting Policy (Supply Chain Fees and Charges) Cause for Concern Stage 2 Disciplinary Form  Student Conduct and Behavioural Policy 2023-24 Staff-Guide-Peer-on-Peer-Abuse Student-Guidance-Peer-on-Peer-Abuse Access to Scripts, Reviews of Results and Appeals Procedures Candidate Absence Policy Candidate Late Arrival Policy Certificate Issue Procedure and Retention Policy Complaints and Appeals Procedure Conflicts of Interest Policy (Exams) Emergency Evacuation Policy (Exams) Escalation Process Exam Contingency Plan Exams Archiving Policy Exam Fees FE Exam Policy Food and Drink Policy (Exams) Internal Appeals Procedure (Internal assessment decisions) Internal Appeals Procedure (Reviews of Results and Appeals) Leaving the Examination Room Policy Lockdown Policy (Exams) Managing Behaviour Policy Non-examination Assessment Policy Overnight Supervision Arrangements Policy Registration & Certification Policy Separate Invigilation Policy Special Consideration Policy Candidate Identification Procedure Malpractice Policy(Exams) Whistleblowing Policy Withdrawal of qualifications and Learner withdrawal/transfer Policy Word Processor Policy Attendance and Absence Guidelines for Students 2023 / 2024

 

Course Offers: Please note that offers onto programmes are subject to the programme recruiting sufficiently for it to be a beneficial experience to the student and also financially viable to the College. In the case of a programme being unable to run, the Curriculum Leader will liaise with the student (and parent if aged under 18) at the earliest point possible to offer an alternative.

Student Support
Buxton and Leek College is committed to providing a positive and supportive environment for all. However, we do recognise that there will be times when things do not go as well as you would like. There are comprehensive support and welfare services available for you to access; at times there may be more than one option available to you. Please use the information and links below to help you decide.

SEN Information Page 

SEN Information Page

Student Support Officer
The Student Support Officer can help you if something is getting in the way of your progress such as housing, health, family, financial issues, worry, stress or anything that is bothering you. No problem is too big or too small, so if you are upset or concerned just contact one of our mentors who will be happy to listen and help you decide on your next step. Just drop in for a confidential chat or contact by telephone or email.

Buxton:

Sarah Mahoney-  01298 330717 – s.mahoney@blc.ac.uk

Emma Kilbane – 01332 592621- e.kilbane@blc.ac.uk

Leek:

Paula Goodwin – 01538 322042 – p.goodwin@blc.ac.uk  

Progress Coach
All students will have a dedicated Progress Coach who will meet you regularly to:

  • Monitor your attendance and well-being.
  • Ensure that your learning needs are met.
  • Support you with your progression, whether this be employment, further/higher education or an apprenticeship.
  • Support you to achieve your overall goals.
  • Help you to overcome any academic or personal issues.
  • Refer you for any additional support should you require it.
  • Be an advocate for you.
  • Deliver future-focused sessions.

Tutors

(Buxton)

Fabio Feroleto –  01298 330424 – f.feroleto@derby.ac.uk

Carol Heathcote- 01298 330576 – c.heathcote@blc.ac.uk

(Leek)

Alice Painter – 01298 330764 – a.painter@blc.ac.uk

Jack Dendy – 01538 322117 – j.dendy@blc.ac.uk

Additional Learning Support
If you need extra support, you can drop into our Top-Up Zone for everything you need to enhance your learning in class to do well.

  • At enrolment/induction
    Initial Advice and Guidance at Advice Evenings and Open Days and events, Support during pre-course assessments, Support learners with induction process (e.g. assist with paperwork or with access around building), Screening to identify additional needs.
  • On the course
    After initial screening and assessment of the Learners requirements, we can provide:
    Learning support in class (for individuals or small groups) or additional sessions outside of class time, Adaptation of materials/resources, Specialist tutor support, Enabling technology including laptops, software, dictaphones etc, Adapted teaching and learning materials including material in Braille and in audio/electronic format, Mobility and travel training, Staff with a broad range of experience and expertise in diverse range of disabilities, learning difficulties and additional support needs.
  • During Exams
    After an assessment of the learner’s support requirements, if the examining board agrees we can provide:
    Extra time, Communication support, Readers, Amanuensis (scribe), Adaptation of exam papers (where allowed) – also mock and past papers.
  • At the end of the course
    Offer specialist exit guidance, Make connections with internal and external agencies about suitable progression routes

Additional Learning Support contact details:
01298 8330905
topup@derby.ac.uk

Funding & Finance

Meet the Team

Your student Money and Welfare Adviser

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet your Student Money and Welfare Admin Assistant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How can we help?

You’ve enrolled on your Full/ Part Time College Course and discovered there are some additional things you need to pay for to directly engage with your course, or you may have fallen into hardship and don’t know what to do.

If it is affecting your ability to participate then speak with our Student Money and Welfare Adviser.

We have a range of Bursaries/ schemes to help support learners on eligible courses pay for the items mentioned or to support you if you fall into hardship.
Alternatively if you need help filling out any forms or referring for external finance advice, I am happy to help.

How to get in touch

Contact: Eleanor Ives
Student Money & Rights Adviser

Learners across all 3 sites can contact me daily on:
T: 01298 330 817 (please leave a voicemail and I will call you back)
E: Studentmoneyadviceblc@derby.ac.uk

Or you can pop in to see me Face to Face at one of my drop in’s:
Buxton – DO/117
Tuesday: 12.30pm – 2.30pm
Thursday: 12.30pm – 2.30pm

Leek – The Hub
Monday: 12.30PM – 2.30PM
instance.
Derby – Access and DCCT – I work alongside your progress coach to provide support, please link with them in the first

To ensure that finance is not a barrier to participation there are plenty of schemes available to help fund your study or cover the additional costs of study if you need it.

Click here to find out more.

Careers

How can we help?

The College offers appointments with our impartial Careers Advisors and Coaches to help you to…

  • explore your career options
  • choose a course or career that is right for you
  • choose and apply to university, apprenticeships or employment

We can also help to develop your employability skills such as…

  • CV writing
  • applications
  • interview advice and practice

How to get in touch

More Careers information on this page: https://www.blc.ac.uk/careers/

You can book an appointment using this link: www.dby.ac/blc-guidance or by calling 01332 591 316. Your Progress Coach can support you with this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BLC INVEST

We want all students and apprentices across the college to be the best they can be, aim high and have a positive experience.

This ties in with the University of Derby’s core values which are:

· To be brilliant

· To be bold

· To be future focussed

· To value people

We will invest in all students and apprentices, but equally expect all students and apprentices to invest in themselves.

At Buxton & Leek College, we want all students and apprentices to participate in Evolve activities, to help develop their skills, behaviours and attitudes to help make successful futures. These include:

· Employability

· Vision

· Optimism

· Life Skills

· Voice

· Endurance

We will run a range of activities across programmes to help students and apprentices develop and enhance their skills in these areas

What are Evolve activities?

Evolve activities are the parts of a Buxton & Leek College study programme or apprenticeship that sit outside the qualification and assessment as part of your course. They relate to developing you as an individual, to equip you with the skills you need to succeed as well as your final qualification.

With a programme or apprenticeship at Buxton & Leek College, you’ll take part in a range of activities aimed at helping you to gain employability skills and life skills such as:

· Enrichment activities such as sports clubs, volunteering opportunities, skills-based sessions, certificates such as emergency first aid or debate club and upskilling courses like cookery and finance – these can enhance your CV, develop your skills and help you to meet new people

· Work experience and Industry placements

· Sharing your student voice and your opinion on the college

· Relevant external trips and visits

· External speakers and presenters to deliver sessions

· Regular future focus session in relevant subjects such as study skills, online safety, resilience, relationships, mental health awareness, nutrition, recycling, road safety, mindfulness and finance

· Careers and employability sessions on CV writing, interview skills, career pathways, presentation skills, progression opportunities and more

· Community events, projects and activities

To find out more about our study programmes and apprenticeships, and how Buxton & Leek College can help you to Discover Your Future Self, take a look at the subjects that we offer here.

Absence & Attendance
At Buxton & Leek College all students are expected to maintain excellent attendance in all classes and are expected to arrive promptly to lessons.

Absences
At Buxton & Leek College all students are expected to maintain excellent attendance in all classes. Attendance is monitored through individual progress reviews and through our monitoring tools.

To report an absence please complete the attached form : Absence Form or call College free on 0800 074 0099

  • If you have two consecutive unauthorised absences within any of your modules your personal tutor will request a meeting
  • Three consecutive unauthorised absences will result in a level 1 cause for concern
  • A continual pattern of unauthorised absence may result in you being withdrawn from your programme

The student is responsible for seeking approval for their absence from their personal tutor. All absences will be recorded as ‘unauthorised’ until a student has completed their ‘absence and attendance form’ with their supporting evidence; students under the age of 18 must also have a signed letter from a parent/guardian. Requests for absence must be made in advance or in the case of an emergency, on the first day of returning to college.

Please read our Absence and Attendance Policy 2019 for more details and information about authorised and unauthorised absences.

Progression
Students falling below 90% attendance will trigger an initial meeting with your Tutor/Programme Coordinator to look at issues affecting attendance. Actions and agreements will be made regarding support needs or disciplinary procedure.
In order to continue to the second year of their course, students must meet the 90% attendance monitoring and have completed all of their course requirements.
Students will be deemed to have left the course if they have not attended classes for four consecutive weeks.

Your Views
Buxton & Leek College is passionate about delivering the very best services to its students. We involve our students in as many different ways as possible, act on feedback received, and communicate outcomes to students promptly. There are many ways for you to have your say and be involved with your voice being heard and responded to at the highest level.

University of Derby Union Tutorials
Youth Development training provides learners with a fun and inclusive tutorial programme. As part of the Evolve programme the Union provides learners with a fun and inclusive tutorial programme. College Life Facilitators deliver the training, provided by the Union. Topics cover a broad range of personal, social, health and careers education and are quality monitored on a regular basis. Students’ feedback after each tutorial, informs, reviews and shapes future session planning.

Union of Students Clubs
The Union employs Higher Education University of Derby students to deliver a range of clubs to Buxton and Leek College Students. These clubs run for six weeks and have been developed based on the feedback from students, they include but are not inclusive of cooking lessons, budgeting, marketing and driver theory.

Youth Development Conference
This annual event is attended by Executive staff from the University and College and/or Senior Managers. Also invited are keynote speakers, officers from the NUS and the Students’ Union Executive. Workshops are created through negotiation with learners and the Students’ Union and aim to cover both personal and academic development topics. Feedback is collated throughout the day and fed back to College management through the delivery of a report, put together by the organisers, the Students’ Union.

Surveys and Feedback

At BLC student voice is at the heart of everything we do. Find out more about how we collect feedback from our students on our Student Voice page.

Complaints Procedure
A complaint arises when you feel that any aspects of your learning, college service, facility or site is unsatisfactory and should be investigated.
There are three stages to the procedure:

  • Informal
  • Formal
  • Complaint Review Stage

The Informal must be completed before proceeding to the formal stage.
Advice is available from your FE Union of Students Representative who will support you through the process, but remember you can always speak to your Tutor or Curriculum Leader.
See the links below for further information
Making a Complaint
Academic Regulations

Student Representatives
Course Reps
The Union of Students coordinates the Student Voice & Representation structure within Buxton & Leek College. We aim to strengthen the student voice, increase student engagement, and make the representation process more efficient and effective for all involved.

Course Rep Elections
One Course Rep will be elected per year off each course, across both the college sites. During September the Learner Coaches will deliver tutorials to learners which will cover the topic of democracy and introduce and promote the role of the Course Rep. Course Reps will be elected by their peers, the elections will take place in the tutor group session.

Training and Support
The Union of Students will provide training for all Course Reps, along with online resources and staff support throughout the year. Course Reps only need to attend one session, and the training will be focused on what their role is, how to get the most from it, networking with other Reps and will ultimately highlight the importance of Learner Voice.

Course Team Meetings
Course Leaders are expected to invite their Course Reps to attend Team meetings, allowing time and creating a supportive environment for the Course Reps to discuss any issues their students have raised and to highlight positive practice and experiences.

Course Rep Forums
Every month there will be a Course Rep forum on each site, run by the Union of Students and attended by SU staff, the SU President and/or Vice-President Academic Affairs, and all Reps. This will focus on gathering student feedback on a range of topics, sharing good practice and developing positive ideas for change, and facilitating discussions between Reps. These will be one hour sessions and take place on a range of days across the year in order to be as inclusive and accessible as possible.

For more information, please visit the UoD Union of Students website or contact emma.taylor@derbyunion.co.uk

Course Reps
We are looking for students who would be willing share their experiences of studying with the college and would be good role models for potential students. You’ll get the chance to assist with the following events/activities:

  • Advice days
  • Campus tours
  • Taster days
  • Meet and greet
  • Interview evenings

You’ll receive the following benefits of becoming a Course Rep:

  • Boost your CV
  • Skills development
  • Confidence building
  • Positive reference
  • Employability skills

This is a great opportunity to take part in an enrichment activity and will be recorded towards EEP hours.
To be considered, please contact m.harris@blc.ac.uk

Chaplaincy

How can we help?

We have a special interest in faith, belief and the meaning of life, but whether you’re into all that or not, we’re here to support you in any way we can!  Our wider team has colleagues of various different faiths and none – get in touch if you’d like to chat.

How to get in touch

We post our events on our Facebook page:
Buxton & Leek Chaplaincy – University of Derby

Chaplains: Ingrid Keith (Christian) and Ali Akbar (Muslim)
T: 01298 330376
Email: Chaplains@derby.ac.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Buxton, you’ll find us right at the top of Clarendon House in CL/301, usually on Tuesdays.  In Leek, we’re in TLG04, usually on Thursdays.  But we’re pretty flexible, so let us know if you’d like to chat to us outside these times.

Union of Students

How can we help?

Hey, we’re the Union of Students and we exist to represent you, provide you with lots of fun and exciting opportunities, and to make sure you have the best possible experience whilst studying at Buxton and Leek College.

How to get in touch?

Web: www.derbyunion.co.uk
Tel: 01298330812
Email: janis.wild@derbyunion.co.uk
Book an appointment:
www.derbyunion.co.uk/advice/onlinebooking/

If you have something that is affecting you in or out of College, feel free to contact us.

We are open throughout the year, including non-term-time periods, and the service we provide is tailored specifically for you.

Our specialist team offer confidential support, advice and guidance with personal issues you may be experiencing that may be impacting on your studies.

If you are a Higher Education (University of Derby) student studying at Buxton and would like general information regarding the support available, please go to the main University Student Wellbeing website

To find out what support is available at your campus, please open the appropriate tab

BUXTON       LEEK

HIGHER EDUCATION LEARNING SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS STUDYING AT THE LEEK CAMPUS

 

Contact us

We can offer wellbeing appointments with an adviser, in order to answer your query, provide access to specialist advice, or give you some information to take away with you.

Self-help information is also available in a variety of formats with a wide range of leaflets and information sheets.

If you can’t see what you need, ask or contact our Reception who can assist you.

Opening times: 9.00am – 4.30pm Monday to Friday

Student Wellbeing
University of Derby (Buxton Campus)
Clarendon House
1 Devonshire Road
Buxton
Derbyshire
SK17 6RY

T: 01298 330 414
E: swsbuxton@derby.ac.uk
Text: 07950 080 717

For information on student travel to and from Buxton & Leek College visit our Transport page here.

Weather information is controlled and managed by the University of Derby.
Please visit this page for further information.