Information, Advice & Guidance

Strode College Learner Journey

Strode College Information Advice and Guidance Services

Strode College Information Advice and Guidance team is made up of specialist staff who are here to help you join the right course and successfully complete it.

We have a team of Admissions Administrators, Student Support Team, Counsellors, Transport and Financial Advisors plus a Careers Team, Connexions Personal Advisor and Local Services Team Personal Advisor.

If you have any questions or difficulties during your time as a student, our dedicated team is here to help.

This page is available as a PDF document.

Admissions
We offer a number of information services to full and part time individual learners (services for business are dealt with in the Business Development office) including: course place availability; interview planning and arranging; enrolment planning and arrangements. In collaboration with the marketing function, we hold leaflets and prospectuses covering all the courses offered in the College. We offer advice and guidance to individual learners on fees and fee discounts and signpost enquiries for more detailed information as appropriate.

Full Time Admissions enquiries: 01458 844444 email: ftadmissions@strode-college.ac.uk
Part Time Admissions enquiries: 01458 844448 email: ptadmissions@strode-college.ac.uk
Employers Admissions enquiries: 01458 844419 email: busdev@strode-college.ac.uk

Reception
The Reception team is happy to help with any query that you may have, whether course related or non-course related. They provide a range of services including: receiving visitors; dealing and directing incoming calls; general enquiries; giving out prospectus and course leaflets; transport payments and enquiries.
Main Reception Opening Times, Tel: 01458 844400:
Monday 08.30 - 17.15 hrs
Tuesday  - Thursday 08.30 - 21.00 hrs (Term time), 08:30 - 17:15 (College holidays)
Friday 08.30 - 16.45 hrs
Enrolments take place between 09.30 - 16.00 daily.

Transport
In association with Somerset County Council, we participate in the County Ticket scheme. We can provide assistance for learners with special transport  requirements.

We monitor bus movements and adherence to timetables and liaise with the County Council on services. We ensure that a high standard service is provided and we monitor student behaviour.  Contact the Admissions Team on 01458 844444.

Financial Advice
Financial Advisor
For information about sources of funding while at College (such as Discretionary Learner Support Funds, Care To Learn and Career Development Loans), benefit entitlement and other financial matters including budgeting and debt problems, contact the Financial Advisor on 01458 844546.

Education Maintenance Allowance/Adult learning Grant Office
If you are  aged 16-18 you may be eligible for an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) of up to £30 per week.  This is a means tested benefit, based on annual household income. The household income needs to be below £30810 per year to apply for EMA.

Payment of the weekly allowance is dependant on 100% attendance, and once you become eligible for EMA a separate information booklet will be issued to you to guide you through what is expected of you regarding attendance and what we allow as authorised absences. You will also be eligible for bonuses and details of these, and how to achieve them, will be issued to you at a later stage after your application has been processed.  For example if you are doing a 2 year course you will be eligible for 4 Bonuses totalling £400 over this period.

If you are a student studying more than 13 hours per week aged 19 years or older on 31 August and are studying for your first level 2 or level 3 qualification and your income is less than £19,513 (£30,810 if co-habiting), you may be eligible for an Adult Learning Grant (ALG).

For further information about EMA or ALG please contact the College EMA/ALG Co-ordinator on 01458 844472.

Additional Learning Support
This service has been developed to support learners in accessing the campus and their studies whilst at college. This service focuses on providing information, support, advice and guidance to learners who may have additional needs such as learning difficulties and/or disabilities, before and during their studies. Learners who would like to access support, should contact the Equality and Diversity Manager on 01458 844433 at any point during the application process.

Study Skills Support
Students will be screened to identify if they need any additional help with their literacy and numeracy skills to help them achieve their learning programme. The study skills team are based in M Block on the first floor.  Drop in sessions are available daily from 12:00 - 14:00, but learners with identified needs will be offered a weekly timetabled one-to-one or small group session. If you have any concerns or queries about the support available contact the Essential Skills Manager on 01458 844469.

Student Support
If you have a question, concern or a matter you wish to talk over with someone – no matter what it is! (it does not necessarily have to be about College), then contact the Student Support Centre and a member of staff will be able to help you or will refer you onto someone outside of College who can offer the help or support you need.

Call into the Student Support Centre any time between 8.45am and 5.15pm (5pm on Fridays) or telephone the Student Support Manager on 01458 844454. Independent and impartial advice is available on a range of issues, both personal and academic, from the from the Local Services Team Personal Advisor.

Counselling
Having time and the space to talk through thoughts and feelings can often help gain clarity as to what the actual problem is. It can help when needing to make important changes in your life, taking control of situations or to simply make sense of what is going on. To arrange an appointment to see one of the Counsellors call in to the Student Support Centre or phone on 01458 844545.

Student Liaison
Part of College life is also about having a say in the way that the College is run. Students are encouraged to join the Students Association and to get involved. The Student Support Manager based in the Student Support Centre can offer information about this and many other student-focused activities within the College. Contact the Student Support Manager on 01458 844477.

Careers
Our experienced team of advisors offer one-to-one guidance interviews.  These can cover any careers related matter including Higher Education, employment, College courses or Gap Year opportunities. Whether you need ideas for your next step or assistance in making an effective application, we can help. Sign up on the door of the Careers Interview Room in the Learning Centre for an interview or feel free to browse our extensive Careers Library.  Telephone 01458 844458.

Complaints
Strode College is committed to providing our students with the best possible service; we always aim to treat everyone courteously, fairly and efficiently. If you believe we have failed, please tell us. We promise to take your complaint seriously, to investigate it thoroughly, to do our best to put the matter right and to inform you promptly of the action we have taken. We suggest you contact your tutor in the first instance, otherwise the following - as appropriate: the Student Support Manager, the Head of Quality and Staff Development, or the Principal. Further details are in a leaflet you can download here.