Key Information for Parents, Carers and Guardians

We believe in nurturing each learner’s potential for a successful future.

Here at college, we prioritise creating a safe and supportive learning environment. Our open communication channels with parents and regular progress updates ensure that you are always well-informed about your child’s academic journey.

We believe in collaboration between parents, learners, and our college community, working together to provide the best possible experience for your child’s education and personal growth.

Our aim is to ensure that all our learners are treated with respect and that we equip them with the skills and qualities to succeed in life. Our values at the college are based on:

• Equality
• Trust
• Fairness
• Honesty
• Ambition

And we expect that all our learners will:

• Treat each other, staff and visitors with respect and courtesy
• Respect and celebrate diversity
• Take pride in the culture and language of Wales
• Make their views heard and participate in their communities
• Take full advantage of the education and training opportunities provided to them
• Aspire to the highest standards of achievement
• Conduct themselves responsibly, respecting their own wellbeing and safety and those of others
• Respect the environment and the resources provided for them
• Collaborate effectively and professionally with their peers
• Strive to develop their confidence and employability skills

Standards & Expectations
We reinforce the importance of professional behaviour amongst our learners at all times, and all of our learners must:

• Have excellent attendance and punctuality
• Wear their ID lanyards at all times - these help to keep our campuses safe
• Observe class and workshop standards, such a personal protective equipment
• Respect each other and our local community
• Behave professionally around the campus

We take our responsibility seriously in developing learners to become ‘good citizens’ both in the workplace and wider community.

What makes up a full-time course...

Whatever your aspirations for your child’s future, we have a course to make it happen. We have a wide range of vocational courses in more than 25 subject areas, as well as a broad A level curriculum.

Your child will also develop skills in communication, time management, independence, team work, social skills and work experience, preparing them for the world of work or higher education when they leave college.

Each learner’s study programme is tailored to their individual needs to help them achieve their education and employment goals. Initially based on their entry qualification, a study programme will be a clear route to show how each learner can progress from college to employment.

Alongside their full-time course, your child will also study:

English/Welsh & Maths:
If your child hasn’t achieved a C or above in Maths and/or English/Welsh, we will support them to retake these subjects as part of their study programme.

However, as retaking these GCSEs will be an additional demand on their time, it is in their interest to work to achieve them first time round. All learners, regardless of GCSE results, will be expected to make further progress in their literacy and numeracy skills. Opportunities to do this will be embedded in course assignment tasks, as well as in work experience and other activities. For many courses, we require a minimum number of GCSEs at grade A*-C, ideally including Maths and English/Welsh.

Digital & Employability Skills:
When your child starts college, if they have achieved their Maths and/or English/Welsh GCSEs, they will complete Digital Literacy and/or Employability as part of their study programme.

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales:
This new and innovative qualification is graded A*-E and carries the same UCAS points as an additional A Level.

The course helps your child develop essential transferable skills to support them to become effective, responsible and active citizens. It is highly regarded by universities and employers alike. As part of the qualification, they will learn about Global Citizenship, take part in community engagement, work on their own future destination, undertake community engagement hours and complete an Individual Research Project on a topic of their choice.

Why choose college?

Quality Teaching
Your child’s education is our priority. Our experienced and passionate tutors are dedicated to delivering high-quality teaching. We strive to inspire, challenge, and engage learners in a dynamic learning experience.

Experts in their fields, our tutors are able to bring their industry knowledge into the classroom - preparing our learners for the world of work.

Choosing to study at college means your child has access to a wide range of courses, specialist equipment supported by learning technology and dedicated lecturers who have professional experience in their area.

Enrichment Opportunities
We recognise that learning does not just take place in the classroom, and so we have an extensive enrichment programme covering key areas such as equality, environmental matters, staying safe, health and fitness and how to look after our mental health.

Activities take place throughout the year and are supported by our award-winning student union who work with us to help us to design the enrichment programme and encourage participation.

These can include taking part in many sports, at both friendly and competitive levels, as well as enrichment opportunities throughout the academic year. These activities can help them to develop independence, interpersonal skills, confidence and life experience.

Excellent Results
Every year our learners receive outstanding results and progress into employment or continue their studies at university. From doctors to business people, many of our learners have gone on to achieve remarkable accomplishments in various fields.

We take real pride in the positive impact our college has on shaping bright futures.

In 2024, our A Level subject area recorded an overall pass rate of 99% with previous learners gaining places at Oxford and Cambridge and other prestigious Russell Group universities.

17% of Vocational learners have achieved the highest Distinction or Distinction* grade, and 290 achieved a Merit to Distinction* grade in their qualifications.

Our apprentices have won a range of high-profile awards including Redrow’s ‘Apprentice of the Year’ and a ‘Medallion of Excellence’ at the WorldSkills final. Many learners take part in WorldSkills competitions and talented athletes from the academies have gone on to represent Wales at international level.

Outstanding Facilities
As a learner, your child will have access to state-of-the-art facilities only available here at college.

Recent investments have seen us open a new seven million pound sports centre at our Llangefni Campus and a thirteen million pound engineering centre at our Rhyl campus. This is only a fraction of our investment in ensuring that the college has some of the best facilities in Wales.

From virtual reality suites to beauty salons, our sites are equipped with the very latest industry standard equipment to give your child real-world experience and prepare them for their future career.

Learner Support
Here at college, we understand the importance of support, and our dedicated team is committed to providing a supportive environment for every learner.

From academic assistance to personal development, we’re here for them every step of the way.

All learners have a dedicated personal tutor who oversees their whole programme and provides a communication link with parents during the academic year. You will have regular parents evenings, telephone contact and up-to-date information shared on our online learner portal.

For information on all the support available to students visit our student support hub.

Financial Support
Financial support to help fund your child’s studies may be available. Depending on your individual circumstances, they may be eligible for financial help to support their studies. We have a team of advisers who will be able to guide you through the details. Financial support that may be available includes:

• Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
• Learner Support Fund (LSF)
• Daily Meal Allowance
• Free Breakfast

For information visit our financial support page.

College Transport
The Grŵp has campuses across North Wales and provides a number of ways for students to get to and from their main site of study.

Find out more on our college transport page.

What you can do to help...

Here is a checklist of things you can do that will help support your child’s progress and ensure that they settle in to college.

Ensure your child attends their induction
All learners will receive information letting them know what day their induction is, please ensure that they attend these. Induction provides them with important information about their course and college life.

Encourage excellent attendance
Evidence shows that those learners who have good attendance go on to achieve better results.

Encourage your child to wear their lanyard
All learners, staff and visitors must wear their lanyards when on campus. This helps us to keep our campuses a safe learning environment.

Ensure that your child completes any homework
All learners are regularly set homework as part of their course.

Attend parents’ evenings
You will be invited to attend parents’ evenings where we will work closely with you to ensure that you know how your child is doing at college.

Check whether they are eligible for financial support
Depending on your household income, your child may be eligible for financial support.

Celebrate their achievements and successes
Alongside achieving their qualification, our learners participate and win medals in a variety of competitions. Please celebrate their success with them.

Frequently asked questions...

How does my child apply for a course?
We have an easy-to-follow guide on our website that will help when applying for a course.

Is there any support over the summer break?
Yes, we have a dedicated team of Student Advisors available at each campus. Visit our contact page for more information.

What’s the difference between sixth form and college?
College offers the choice of studying A Levels in one of the highly regarded sixth form facilities or choosing to study in one of our state-of-the-art vocational areas.

Do you have to study long hours at college?
No, every course will have a bespoke timetable but full time courses are usually between 3-4 days at college.

Can vocational courses get my child into university?
Yes, successful completion of a full time level 3 vocational course will provide your child with the necessary UCAS points to apply for a higher education course in a related area of study.

My child has been invited to an interview, do they need to prepare?
If your child is invited to an interview they will meet with their tutor for an informal chat about the course. The tutor will ask about any prior qualifications, predicted grades as well as any support needs, so having this information available would be useful. This is an ideal opportunity to ask questions and find out more about the course.

What if my child does not know anyone at college?
Children come to college from many areas of North Wales. College is a great place to meet new people and make life-long friendships. There are classroom and enrichment activities that encourage teamwork and building friendships as well as a dedicated personal tutor and enrichment and welfare teams that will support your child to thrive in a new environment.

If my child came to college would I get regular reports/updates on performance and behaviour?
All full-time learners are assigned a personal tutor who will monitor progress against agreed action plans with your child. The personal tutor will prepare regular reports and invite you to attend parents’ evenings. They will be in touch to share good news as well as sharing concerns. We believe that working together gives your child the best chance of success so you will be kept fully informed about your child’s progress, behaviour and attendance.

Will my child get help applying for university?
Extensive support and guidance is provided to help your child gain a place at their first choice university. We have expert UCAS staff on site, experts in Higher Education funding along with your child’s personal tutor who can support your child with their applications, wherever they choose to study.

More information

Our Learner Services Team are here to provide advice, information and guidance to your child and also to answer your questions as their parent/guardian.

For details on how to contact us, visit our contact page.

Open Events
We have open events throughout the year where you and your child can visit our campuses and talk to our friendly staff about your options.

For more information on our dates and times, visit our events page on the website.