Parents & Carers

Leaving school is a big step for teenagers – and for their parents / carers too, but it is also a very exciting one.

South Kent College (SKC) makes sure teenagers are well cared for and that everything is in place to help them enjoy their studies, reach their full potential and progress to where they want to go eventually: into higher education or into employment.

Education at South Kent College
SKC Feedback for Parents / Carers
Student Support
Employment Opportunities

Education at South Kent College

South Kent College will prepare your teenager for employment or for higher education, depending on his/her choice of course and how long he/she wants to study. Please request our SKcene brochure for the courses available to 16-18 year olds at South Kent College.

What courses can my teenager choose at college?
This depends on your teenager’s abilities, interest, age, personality and goal.
Colleges are probably the place where teenagers can choose from the widest range of further education courses; South Kent College offers an academic route as well as vocational courses or work-related qualifications (a mixture of academic studies and work experience) all of which can lead to higher education (also available at the College) or employment. It’s all about choosing the right course at the right level.

My teenager did well at GCSEs. Are A Levels the only option?
Certainly not. A young person with good GCSE results has a wide choice of Level 3 courses which can also lead to University degrees. Vocational qualifications such as a BTEC National Award or NVQ 3 may sometimes be a better choice for teenagers keen to have a hands-on approach to learning while keeping their higher education options open.

My teenager did not do well at GCSEs. What are the options?
All is not lost. Your teenager can carry on with his/her studies. It will just mean that he/she will start at a lower level on arrival at College. Your teenager will progress at his/her own pace gaining qualifications to help them reach their original goal.

Can my teenager apply to University after attending a Further Education College?
Definitely. After gaining a Level 3 qualification, young people can apply to University courses via UCAS or carry on at College. South Kent College offers a vast choice of higher education courses at Level 4 and above, many of which are accredited by the University of Kent or Canterbury Christ Church University. South Kent College is an Associate College of the University of Kent.

SKC Feedback for Parents & Carers

School-leavers entering college discover a new environment, no more uniform, more freedom, more responsibilities. Whilst being a very exciting moment for youngsters, parents/carers want to know more about how colleges deliver learning and also the help available to students.

Open Days, Parents/Carers’ Evenings and Reports
Parents are welcome to attend Open Days with their teenagers and get more information. While students are studying at South Kent College, parents/carers will be invited to two Parents’ evenings: one in December, one in March. They will receive a letter asking them to make appointments with the lecturers they wish to meet. Parents/carers will receive a student report by post twice a year, before Parents’ Evenings. These reports will be shown to and discussed with the student before being sent to parents/carers.

How will attendance and punctuality be monitored?
Students’ attendance and punctuality are monitored every day and our lecturers keep a register for each class. In case of sickness, students or parents/carers are expected to phone the College. Attendance is of great importance and the College will telephone students, parents/carers in cases of absence or persistent lateness.

What about bullying and discipline issues?
Bullying, behaviour and discipline are important issues at South Kent College. As an equal opportunity institution, we do not tolerate bullying and will deal with it as soon as we are made aware of it.

South Kent College has a team of mentors, the Progression Team, which will help students improve their behaviour during and outside classes. There is a discipline procedure in place at South Kent College. In extreme cases (bullying for instance), students may be excluded.

Student Support

Equal Opportunities for All
SKC is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment which actively promotes equality of opportunity in all aspects of education, training and employment. We aim to ensure that every student, regardless of background, race, marital status, gender, disability, religion, culture, age and sexual orientation is treated fairly and equally.

What does South Kent College do to help my teenager settle in at College?

South Kent College initially assesses all students to help identify their learning needs and appropriate starting levels to ensure that they stand the best chance of achieving their ultimate goal.
South Kent College offers an Induction to all new students; they will meet their personal tutor and the Progression Team, be made aware of the College policies and procedures i.e. sickness and be encouraged to take part in student activities and the Students’ Union.
Students will receive a Personal Development Folder containing tutorial information, course details and the College diary.
Last but not least, team-building activities will take place during Induction to help learners settle within their group of peers.

How will my teenager be supported during his/her studies?

Each student has a Personal Tutor, who they meet with each week. Students have group tutorials, when they will cover different tasks and themes e.g. charity work, social issues, time management and study techniques to help them broaden their minds and improve their social skills. The Personal Tutor will also have one-to-one reviews with learners to check they are settling in at College, that they are progressing through their programme and that they are getting all the help they need.
South Kent College has a Progression Team to support learners in academic work, helping them to catch up with lessons if they have been ill or are having difficulties; the Progression Team also runs workshops for students to help them with essay writing, revision, etc.

What if my teenager faces personal difficulties whilst at College?
South Kent College offers free and confidential counselling services to any young person facing difficulties in life, whether related to health, family, relationships or other worries (eating disorders, anger management depression, sexuality issues).
A College Nurse is available to help students with health and sexual-health related issues.

Will there be any help for teenagers with a learning difficulty or disability?
South Kent College has a Additional Learning Support (ALS) service, available to students with any kind of learning difficulty or disability such as:

physical disabilities
hearing or visual impairments
specific or more general learning difficulties
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
enduring mental health problems
emotional and behavioural difficulties
long-term health-related problems
Dyslexia/Dyspraxia/Dyscalculia
Autistic Spectrum Disorders - Autism and Asperger's

Specialist staff will meet with your teenager to discuss and assess his/her particular support needs.

Employment Opportunities

Will there be someone to help youngsters with educational and career guidance?
Our matrix-accredited Educational and Careers Guidance Advisers can give teenagers impartial and free advice regarding courses or careers both before they enrol and also whilst they study at College.

Will my teenager gain work experience while at college?
This depends on the course chosen. Vocational qualifications (Apprenticeship, BTEC, NVQ) and some higher education qualifications are all, to an extent, work-related.

Will my teenager receive advice about the specific skills needed for the job he/she wants to do?
Our lecturers are mostly people with a great experience in the industry, enabling them to give students the best up-to-date advice.

Every year, South Kent College organises a Careers’ Day where students will meet local employers, national organisations and be able to get advice about the jobs they would like to do, and what qualifications or personal skills they need to reach their goal.

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