Supporting you to reach your full potential

Pastoral Support

During your time at Runshaw, you may find that particular difficulties arise which prevent you from performing at your very best and you may need support from someone other than your Personal Tutor.

On the A-level programme, we have a team of specialist support staff who are led by the Heads of Studies whose sole responsibility is to ensure that every student is supported to achieve their full potential. Our team of Pastoral Support Tutors and Learning Mentors are trained and equipped to provide the support and guidance that will get you back on track.

This may just be for one or two weeks, or longer if necessary. They will liaise with your subject tutors and, if required, external agencies and other support functions within the college to ensure you get the appropriate support to help you to achieve your goals.

Personal Tutor

When you join Runshaw you will be assigned a Personal Tutor. Your tutor will guide you through your course, support you through any difficult times and, above all, celebrate your successes. Your Personal Tutor will help you to settle into college and agree an individual action plan with you to help you to meet your targets. They will carefully monitor your progress and help you with careers guidance, choosing university courses, study skills, health issues and developing your progress file.

Academic Support Tutorials

To achieve your full potential, you need individual attention. So, in addition to the informal support which you can expect in and out of the classroom, Runshaw also offers its unique provision of Academic Support Tutorials (AST).

AST is timetabled support for individuals or small groups. This allows teachers to meet the needs of students on a one to one basis. The subject of the session could be to clear up a topic which caused you a problem during a lesson, review a piece of coursework or agree an action plan to achieve or improve upon your Minimum Target Grade.

AST is in addition to the college’s Study Support Unit and offers extra assistance to students with learning difficulties such as dyslexia and who need extra help with some aspect of their studies.

AST is certainly not just for students experiencing problems. Students who want the very highest grades or who need extra help to move from very good to outstanding will also benefit from the support received in AST.

Professional Studies

Some careers and higher education courses demand that you have professional qualifications and experience in addition to your A-levels. You can participate in a range of activities to help you develop an understanding of your chosen career, such as work experience, volunteering, careerrelated enrichment and employability workshops.

Work Experience / Work Shadowing

We actively encourage work experience. It will provide you with a valuable addition to your curriculum vitae and will enhance your knowledge of your chosen career. Recent placements include media, veterinary and doctors’ surgeries, care homes, schools, law firms, scientific laboratories, accountants and theatres. Work experience is undertaken during holiday periods so it will not impinge on your lesson time.

Parent – College Relationship

We believe that your parents or guardians will play a vital role in ensuring your success at the college and we are committed to maintaining a productive and successful relationship with them. We will communicate with them on a regular basis and will always welcome enquiries about your progress or any concerns.

Parents will receive:

• an invitation to an induction progress evening to meet their child’s personal tutor
• prompt contact in the event of poor attendance or progress
• an invitation to attend progress evenings in each academic year
• a higher education guidance evening during the first year
• progress reports twice a year
• the opportunity to join a parents’ focus group which meets to discuss new developments and any concerns

Study Support

If you experience any difficulties coping with your college work or feel that you could do better with some extra help, we have a dedicated study support team to help you.

They can assist you with:

• organising and planning your work
• managing your time effectively
• arranging for extra workshops in skills such as English, Maths or IT
• developing your study skills to maximise your potential
• arranging specialist equipment e.g. software for students with dyslexia
• helping you with language skills if English is not your first language
• identifying and exploring your individual learning needs

We also have a team of tutors and Educational Support Workers who work with students who have disabilities or learning difficulties / differences e.g. Dyslexia, Asperger’s Syndrome etc. Look at our booklet ‘Enabling Success’ (Disability Statement) for more information. Our Disability Equality Scheme will also tell you about our work with learners with disabilities and our plans for the future.

Student Services

Your welfare is our priority and we will help you to overcome any obstacles to your success, achievement and progression.

We will help you with:

• career decisions and higher education routes
• applying for universities
• job vacancies and employment opportunities
• managing your finances
• work experience and volunteering
• individual counselling for your personal difficulties

Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults

Runshaw College holds as one of its highest priorities the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone involved in activities that come under the responsibility of the College and has a duty to ensure that their staff fulfils their responsibility to prevent and report any abuse discovered or suspected.

Safeguarding means:

• Promoting health & well-being
• Ensuring safety
• Protecting from abuse and neglect
• Preventing bullying and harassment
• Offering the best life chances

There is a designated Safeguarding Team at the College with a senior manager who is responsible for any safeguarding matters affecting students.  We also have a Child and Vulnerable Adults Protection Policy, which explains how the College deals with any safeguarding concerns.

A copy of the policy is available for you to download:  Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy (89.82 kB)               

If you have any concerns about any issues outlined above or would like further information please contact:

Janet Hodgson (Designated Senior Person)
Head of Student Services
Telephone: 01772 622677           
Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it