We want all our learners to get the most out of their time here at Orbital South Colleges. To ensure everyone is treated fairly and as individuals, we have a range of policies in place to protect your interests. College Policies and Schemes are outlined below. Please use the links to download a full copy of a policy as required. Alternatively, copies can be requested from staff in our Client Services department and the Learning Resource Centre.
Downloadable policies are in PDF format. If you do not have Adobe Reader already installed on your PC download a free copy from the Adobe website.
16 to 19 Tuition Fund
16 to 19 Tuition Fund
Scope:
Orbital South Colleges (East Surrey College and John Ruskin College) are committed to ensuring their allocated funding is used in accordance with the Government’s guidance for the 16 to 19 Tuition Fund by:
- Producing this statement setting out how the Fund will be used to support the most disadvantaged students.
- Publishing this guidance on the College website
- Recording the use of the Fund, including references to individual students who receive support, the needs of those students, the number of hours of tuition delivered, retaining the evidence of the tuition provided and demonstrating the impact of this support.
- Delivering the extra tuition and spending the allocated funds in the academic year
- Notifying the Education Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) of any underspend from the Fund for it to be reclaimed
Statement:
The Government has provided some funding to colleges that will enable small group tuition for 16 to 19 year old students enrolled onto a study programme where learning has been disrupted. The College has prioritised support for students who have not yet achieved a grade 4 or 5 in English and/or maths and those who are from an economically disadvantaged background and are in need of support. Students will be assessed against these criteria based on their prior attainment in maths and English GCSE and/or whether they are in the lower 27% of the relevant academic year IMD (Index of multiple deprivation) based on their home postcode. (Data available from Ministry of housing https://imd-by-postcode.opendatacommunities.org)
The 16 to 19 Tuition Fund funds small intervention groups of between 5-7 students led by an expert teacher to recover gaps in knowledge and skills across a range of subject areas, but particularly focused on Maths and English.
Examples of small group tuition include:
- Additional workshops for Maths and English including a Breakfast club and small group tuition throughout the year
- Additional practical vocational sessions for progressing students who missed out on these and meet the economically disadvantaged criteria
- Additional academic sessions for knowledge/skills for progressing students who missed out on this delivery and meet the economically disadvantaged criteria.
The success of these interventions will be judged on student attainment of target grades and progression onto positive destinations.
Accountability Statement
Accountability Statement
Admissions Policy
Admissions Policy
The College’s Mission Statement is “To provide inspirational, high quality education and training which meets the needs of individuals, employers and our wider communities”. The purpose of this Policy is to ensure that all students are considered for courses and/or training on a consistent basis and can access high quality and impartial information, advice and guidance as appropriate.
Attendance & Absence
Attendance & Absence
We have found that the biggest single factor in success on our courses is regular attendance and punctuality for both subject and learning support. Those students who attend regularly tend to do very well indeed. The College aims at 100% attendance in all areas. Only absences due to illness, hospital or other obligations which cannot be rearranged are considered to be legitimate absences. We will make every effort to help you attend regularly and may also enlist the support of your parents/guardians/sponsors. Persistent lateness will lead to disciplinary action.
It is your responsibility to contact the relevant curriculum helpline to report why you are unable to attend. A parent or guardian can also do this on your behalf.
Please let us know via the OSC Connect app or the Learner Hub website: www.admissions.osc.ac.uk
Careers Strategy
Careers Strategy
Orbital South Colleges (OSC) commits to providing consistent excellence in the quality of its advice and guidance to ensure all potential and current students, their parents/guardians, community workers, and employers can access a wide range of current, informative and varied information to support individualised qualification and progression choices.
The College is dedicated to supporting students in making choices suited to their interests and abilities, helping them develop the skills they need ahead of leaving College and entering the workplace, maximising their opportunities for future career progression.
CCTV Policy
CCTV Policy
College Security
College Security
At Orbital South Colleges we want to provide you with a secure environment for you to go about your studies. We ask you follow a few simple guidelines to ensure this happens.
Identification Cards
ID cards are supplied to all learners registered on a programme and are valid for one academic year. It is mandatory for all those on College grounds to wear and display their ID card at all times. Failure to produce your ID card may result in you being asked to leave College premises. The card is also required for use in the Learning Resource Centre, minibus transport and prior to sitting your exams.
If you do forget your ID card, you will be able to gain entrance to the College with a temporary ID card which you can get at reception on both sites.
Please note: there is a charge of £5 for a temporary ID card.
The College has a CCTV system that is monitored and recorded, and Premises Officers also patrol the College.
Parking, Valuables & Lost Property
Parking for student cars is very limited at both sites and controlled through a parking permit scheme. Permits will be issued, on application, to holders of disabled badge holders and students with special circumstances. Parking of mopeds and motorcycles is permitted at the allocated spaces at Gatton Point South for East Surrey College and at the front of John Ruskin College . Cycle racks are also available on most sites.
The College has designated disabled parking spaces in a number of different locations. Please ensure that you only park there if you are displaying a valid disabled parking badge.
We advise that cars and cycles should be kept securely locked, and valuables removed. The College can accept no liability or responsibility for damage to vehicles or contents brought on to any of its sites.
East Surrey College provides a free minibus service from Gatton Point and Gatton Point South to Redhill town centre at peak times. The service runs in the morning and afternoons during term time and is on a first come first serve basis. Timetables are available from our Client Services team and at reception.
As personal possessions are your responsibility, we advise you to consider personal possession insurance that would also cover educational visits and work experience. Personal possession insurance details are available from the Student Union.
Please hand any lost property that you may find on site to our Reception staff.
Enrolment Terms and Conditions
Enrolment Terms and Conditions
The application form and the enrolment terms in the document below set out the basis of your application to be enrolled as a student at Orbital South Colleges and will form part of any agreement between ESC/JRC and you.
Equality Policy
Equality Policy
At Orbital South Colleges we believe that Further Education should be available for all and strive to ensure that everyone in the community is able to progress either at the Colleges or with our partnership organisations. We work with each student to ensure a programme is tailored to meet their individual needs. At the same time, we are developing College facilities to ensure that all learners benefit from improved accessibility and resources. We constantly upgrade our service and facilities with everyone in mind.
To view these files in an alternative format please contact the Client Services Team on 01737 788444 or email clientservices@esc.ac.uk
To view this file in an alternative format or if you have any queries please contact HR on HR@esc.ac.uk.
Examinations Policy
Examinations Policy
Freedom of Information Act
Freedom of Information Act
It is a legal requirement under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for all public bodies to have information available through a Publication Scheme. The Scheme describes the information routinely published by the College. It is set out in groups and ‘classes’, which indicate the type of information published and how this can be accessed.
The purpose of the Scheme is to ensure that information is readily available to the general public. The College is using the Model Publication Scheme for Further Education Colleges approved by the Information Commissioner. Individuals have the right to ask if the information exists and to receive it, subject to exemptions which are legitimately applicable such as information covering personal data, security or commercial sensitivity. Requests must be put in writing. There may be a charge for the information.
General Data Protection Policy
General Data Protection Policy
We are pleased to share a copy of our General Data Protection Policy.
Health & Safety Policy
Health & Safety Policy
Everyone in College has a responsibility to those around us, and to ourselves, to ensure that we all remain safe in the College environment.
Do not bring knives and other sharp implements into College. Do not misuse College property or equipment.
Fire Drills
Make sure that you know where the fire exits are and how to use them. Do not tamper with fire alarms or fire extinguishers. The College will hold fire drills at each term; make sure you know the procedure to follow.
Procedures in the Event of a Fire
On discovering a fire, activate the nearest fire alarm.
On hearing the fire alarm, leave the building by the nearest available exit (including fire exit doors). Do not use lifts. Lecturers are responsible for ensuring that the classroom in which they are teaching is evacuated. Fire Marshals are present on each floor and in each department and will sweep their designated area.
ESC Fire Assembly Points:
- the fire assembly point for Gatton Point South is adjacent to the gravel car park
- the fire assembly point for Gatton Point is behind the barrier to the car park, away from the building, along the pathway.
- the fire assembly point for SLDD staff and students located within the Zone A is to the rear of the Summer Garden, furthest away from the building.
Do not re-enter the premises until told by the controlling officer to do so.
JRC Fire Assembly Points:
There are 4 fire assembly points depending on your location within the College.
Do not re-enter the premises until told by the controlling officer to do so.
Arrangements for disabled persons
Wheelchair users above the ground floor should be escorted to the designated refuge points, as per their personal evacuation plan and the College fire team should be notified immediately.
Accidents & Incidents
If you see anything that could be of danger to anyone then report it immediately to a member of staff – do not try to deal with it yourself.
In the case of an accident or incident, contact the nearest member of staff or Reception.
Smoking Policy
The College is a non-smoking campus and smoking is not permitted anywhere on the sites or car parks. To safeguard the health of all students and staff, smoking is strongly discouraged and help is available to assist you in giving up.
First Aid
We have trained First Aiders who can be called if there is an emergency. Contact Reception or any staff member.
Health & Safety on your Programme of Study
You will receive health and safety guidance related to your programme of study as part of your induction. Some courses require you to wear protective clothing/equipment in the workshops. This is a condition of attending these courses.
A full copy of the Health and Safety Policy is available from Client Services and the Learning Resource Centre.
Privacy Notices
Privacy Notices
Public Interest Disclosure Policy
Public Interest Disclosure Policy
Orbital South Colleges (comprising East Surrey College, Reigate School of Art and John Ruskin College) (The College Group) is committed to operating in an ethical and principled way. The aim of the Public Interest Disclosure Policy and accompanying Procedure is to provide employees and workers (referred to collectively as ‘workers’ in this Policy) with a means for raising genuine concerns of suspected bribery, breaches of the law and other serious wrongdoings.
Quality Assurance Policy
Quality Assurance Policy
Refunds Policy
Refunds Policy
Safeguarding Policy
Safeguarding Policy
Orbital South Colleges is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and to ensure that action is taken to support our learners.
The College ensures that procedures and policies are in place and all staff are aware of these procedures. Students, parents and carers are welcome to read the Policies on request.
Occasionally we may need to share information and work closely with other agencies when there are concerns about a student’s welfare. We will ensure that any concerns are discussed confidentially with the student or their parents/carers first, unless we have reason to believe that such a move would jeopardise the young person’s welfare.
To ensure that appropriate support is in place during your time at college we can provide the following services:
- Financial support
- Food and transport
- Careers advice and guidance
- Pastoral care and counselling
As part of the application process, we also provide support prior to you starting your college programme.
We understand that at times you may experience pressures in college or at home and our Safeguarding Officer can provide individual support through any aspect of your time at college and ensure you get the help you need.
For further information please contact the Safeguarding and Wellbeing Lead, by emailing dsl@esc.ac.uk or call 01737 772611.
Note for Parents: The Parent Portal allows access to a secure website where you can view key information about a (full-time) student’s progress. This includes assessments, attendance, punctuality, targets set, subject reviews and general updates from lecturing staff. Letters are sent to the homes of all full-time students (shortly after the start of the course) detailing a step-by-step guide of how to use the new Parent Portal and a unique username and password.
Student Bursary Policies
Student Bursary Policies
Our Student Bursary policies can be viewed or downloaded here:
Subcontractor Information
Subcontractor Information
Payments to Subcontractors:
Subcontractor Fees Policy:
Subcontractors Handbook:
Teaching and Learning Framework
Teaching and Learning Framework
