College Policies
Admissions Policy and Procedure


Relevant to entry for the academic year 2010/2011 and thereafter (and relating to full time 'daytime' education for 15/16 year old applicants).

Introduction

Other Policies
1.1 As an institution operated under regulations relevant to the Further Education sector, admissions to the College are arranged in accordance with the relevant provisions of the 1992 Further and Higher Education Act and procedures and policies laid down by the Department for Education and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) for the operation of Sixth Form Colleges within the Further Education sector. The College will admit students in line with the College Mission Statement.
 
1.2 The target number the College will admit will depend upon the nature of the proposed student programmes, the target level of units of activity allocated to the College by the LSC and the number of students continuing on programmes with the College. This will include the level of demand from those seeking re-admission who have a good educational case for further study and the ability of the College to provide adequate accommodation and resources. Regard will also be taken of subscription levels for particular courses in relation to resources available. The College will also offer a programme of one-year A and AS Level courses to 18/19 year old students and will admit a small number of students for this programme at age 17/18 and very occasionally at 19.
 
1.3 The College's priority admission area is composed of the combined catchment areas of a number of designated secondary schools (this was instigated by Essex County Council in 1987 upon reorganisation of secondary educational arrangements in the Colchester area). These schools are: Alderman Blaxill, The Gilberd, Philip Morant, St Helena, Sir Charles Lucas, Stanway, Thomas, Lord Audley and Manningtree High. Pupils whose home address lies in this area and whose educational best interests indicate a need for a place at the College for a programme of study for which they are appropriately qualified, have a right of admission to an appropriate programme/course at the College. This right is irrespective of which school they have attended for Year 11 education. St. Benedict’s R.C. College and Honywood School are College ‘Partner Schools’ and pupils have an equal right of admission, but St.Benedict's and Honywood catchment areas have no relevance to the College's priority admission area.
 
1.4 The College ‘Partner Schools’ are Alderman Blaxill, The Gilberd, St. Helena, Sir Charles Lucas, Stanway, Thomas, Lord Audley and Manningtree High, St. Benedict’s, and Honywood.

Policy Regarding Admission of ‘New’ Students

2.1 The College will normally give priority to admitting suitably qualified students who are 15/16 years of age at the time of application and 15/16/17 at the time of enrolment, who have completed GCSE or equivalent qualifications. Details of entry requirements for particular programmes of study and individual courses will be outlined in the annual College Prospectus (available from September each year). As far as possible, the educational best interest of the individual student will be paramount in questions of admission to the College. When, however, it is clear that demand for places will be greater than the number the College intends to admit, places will be allocated in the following order of priority:
 
  2.1 (a) Pupils who attended the Year 11 of a ‘1987 designated’ or ‘Partner School’ or whose home address lies within the priority admission area – as outlined in category 1.3 or 1.4 above.
 
  2.1 (b) (i) Pupils living outside Colchester whose parental residence is closer to Colchester than any alternative state provider of sixth form education outside of Colchester.
 
  2.1 (b) (ii) Pupils living outside the priority admission area who attend 11-16 ‘Link Schools’. Link schools’ are those that meet the following criteria:
  • ‘Link Schools’ welcome progression opportunities being made available for a number of their Year 11 students to study at the Sixth Form College, Colchester and the school supports and establishes progression arrangements e.g. provision for information materials to be distributed, talks, organising interview programmes, providing student references, involvement in curriculum links, liaison with College learning support staff.
  • The schools are located within a 25 mile ‘Travel to Learn’ radius of the College and there have been traditions of a number of applicants progressing to the College on an annual basis.

For 2010 entry the Link Schools are:

East Bergholt High School
Hadleigh High School
Holbrook High School
Ramsey College (Halstead)
Tabor Science College (Braintree)
Notley High School (Braintree)
Alec Hunter Humanities College (Braintree)
Stoke College (Stoke by Clare)
Amberfield School (Ipswich)
St Mary’s School (Colchester)
Colchester High School

Other schools meeting the above criteria will also be considered for inclusion.
  2.1 (b)

(iii) Pupils who have attended Year 11 in one of the 11-18 schools in Colchester including those whose parental home address lies outside the College priority admission area.

 
  2.1 (c) Other 15/16 year old applicants living outside the priority admission area or who do not otherwise fall into category 2.1 (a) or 2.1 (b).
 
 

(i) Those pupils for a particular programme of courses which is deemed appropriate in terms of career aspiration and ability, but where some of the desired courses are not available in the chosen combination at a more local school or College and/or who wish to study a particular subject which is under-subscribed from applicants in category 2.1 (a) or (b).

(ii) Where applicants in category 2.1(c)(i) cannot be distinguished in terms of the strength of the case in 2.1(c)(i) the allocation of places will take into account the assessment of suitability made by the interviewer and the length of travel times and or distance between the parental residence and the College.

(iii) In some exceptional instances places may be allocated on very strong ‘personal’ or ‘social’ grounds, if it is felt likely to be in the applicant’s educational best interest. This may include health and learning support issues or priority being given to the children of College staff.

(iv) The College will allocate up to five places annually for applicants living in non-European Area Countries although, in line with Government regulations, this may often be on a fee paying basis. The level of fees is determined and reviewed annually by the Governing Body
 
  2.1 (d) For all other categories of suitably aged applicants who do not fit into category 2.1 (a), (b) or (c) places will be allocated according to travel time and/or distance between the parental residence and the College.
 
2.2 Students who are offered places at the College are informed that their offer is subject to:
  • Our receipt of a supportive reference from the school
  • Attendance at Induction
  • Achievement of the GCSE entry criteria listed in the prospectus for their programme of study.
 
2.3

Parents of any applicant who is refused a place have a right to a review of the decision made. Any parents wishing to have their case reviewed should write to the College Principal and request a review, within two weeks of notification that a place is not being offered. It is important that the appellant states the section of the Admissions Policy which is being used as the basis for a review of the decision. Parents who wish to request a review of the Principal’s decision should write accordingly to the Clerk to the Governors, within two weeks of receiving notification of the outcome of the Principal’s decision. The case will then be reviewed by an Appeals Committee of the College Governing Body.

Parents who feel their case has not been fairly dealt with may make a complaint to The Essex Learning and Skills Council, Redwing House, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 5BP.

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