Advice & Guidance
At Canterbury College we really want you to succeed and we will offer you the support you need to reach your full potential.
Student Information Centre (SIC)
The Information, Advice and Guidance team is here to support you during your time at College and to help you progress onto university, further courses or jobs. All information, advice and guidance is free and impartial. The Student Information Centre offers ‘drop in’ or booked appointments and can cater for confidential appointments.
What about your future after college?
During your course you will get the chance to think about your life after college. The Student Information Centre and the Learning Resource Centre have careers information. You can use our special software to help you to make decisions about the sort of job which would suit you and also the opportunities for further studying.
Careers
Part of the tutorial programme on your course will involve careers education, applying for jobs and how to prepare your CV. There will also be the chance to have a one to one interview with a specialist member of the careers staff.
Careers help is also available from Connexions, the Student Information Team and Next Step.
Additional Support Team
The Additional Support Team works with students that have an identified disability and/or learning difficulty. We can support students to achieve by offering a number of
Services.
For general Additional Support enquiries, call 01227 811342 or
email: learningsupport@canterburycollege.ac.uk.
For Dyslexia screening and support call 01227 811373
or email: learningsupport@canterburycollege.ac.uk.
Campus facilities are fully accessible and compliant with the Disability Equality Duty (DED) and the Disability Discrimination Act 2001 (DDA).
Basic Skills Support
Support is available in the Essential Skills Centre. Trained Basic Skills staff can help with assignment writing, portfolio building, presentations and group work. It may also be possible to take our Acorn Course alongside your main course of study if your timetable allows. This 10 week course is for people who wish to brush up on their English and/or Maths and learn some computer skills and can lead to a City & Guilds or OCR qualification.
Essential Skills Centre
Our Essential Skills Centre is a drop-in centre which offers support for all students in a friendly, relaxed environment:
• Study Skills e.g. essay writing, revision
• English and Maths
• Tips on using IT to assist your studies including the Internet
• Research for assignments.
Equal Opportunities
Canterbury College is committed to Equal Opportunities. No one will be denied opportunity by any form of direct or indirect discrimination on grounds of race, gender, age, culture, sexual orientation, disability or background.
Safeguarding Children in Education
The College is serious about its duty to provide a safe and secure place for young people. There are specific arrangementsin place to promote an environment in which young people feel safe, secure, valued and respected; confident to talk openly and
sure of being listened to.
Sexual Health Clinic
An NHS nurse is available from 12-2 on Tuesdays (term time only) in the SIC to speak in confidence to students about
- Contraception
- Pregnancy testing
- Chlamydia screening
- Emergency contraception
- Free condoms
Other support
The Connexions Personal Adviser is based in the SIC and can provide support and referral for issues such as health, money and housing as well as providing general careers advice and advice for young people leaving care. They can be contacted via email at: connexions@canterburycollege.ac.uk or on 0783 4960049 or 01227 811111 ext.2060.
Disabled students seeking advice and support can contact the Disability Adviser, on 01227 811334 or email:
extrahelp@canterburycollege.ac.uk for information and advice about any aspect of life at the College. You can also drop in to see them at the SIC on Tuesdays 9.30am-11am and Thursdays 2-4pm.
Aimhigher
Aimhigher works nationally to encourage and support people from 14 to 30 years of age to progress through a variety of routes onto higher education. Aimhigher at Canterbury College provides support, such as events and activities, student ambassadors, drop-in surgeries and classroom talks as well as supplying information materials on subjects like student finance, UCAS, progression routes and courses.
To find out about Aimhigher Kent and Medway telephone 01227 811285, email Aimhigher@canterburycollege.ac.uk or visit them online at: www.cant-col.ac.uk/aimhigher
The Learner Support Fund
The aim of the Learner Support Fund is to assist with course costs for students on low income or benefit and this includes students dependent on parents or guardians on low income. Students must be enrolled on a course of at least twelve guided learning hours per week over a minimum of six consecutive weeks. Students must meet the residency criteria. For further advice and application forms please contact the Learner Support Fund team on 01227 811197.
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
The EMA (Educational Maintenance Allowance) is a weekly payment intended to help cover the day to day costs such as travel, books, equipment.
Will I get an EMA?
You may be entitled if:
• You are aged 16 to 18
• You attend a Further Education course of more than 12 guided learning hours a week (such as AS/A2 or BTEC)
• You meet the residency criteria
• Your household income is below £30,810 and you are not in receipt of Income Support, JSA or Incapacity Benefit. You may be eligible for up to £30 per week plus £100 bonuses. Call 01227 811157 and ask the team for more details.
Adult Learning Grant (ALG)
The Adult Learning Grant is aimed at students aged 19+ undertaking their first full level two or three qualification. Students must be undertaking at least 150 guided learning hours per term, which is approximately 12.5 guided learning hours per week and meet income, benefits and residency criteria. The grant could be either £10, £20 or £30, and is paid weekly during term time only.
