Re: Request to change an academic course

Dear Student/Parent/Guardian,

At Varndean College, we want to ensure that students are on the course which is best for them. Students are offered a significant amount of advice and guidance during their application process through open evenings and school liaison events, application interviews, New Student's Day, and then, finally, at enrollment.

Having completed our course start materials and attending the first lessons some students have requested to change a course as they realise it does not meet their needs. We have worked hard to process these requests.

We would now ask that students stay in their current lessons. Staff are working hard to familiarise students with their courses and support them in settling into their groups. At this late stage, it is rarely in a student's best interest to start a new subject as there will be a lot of catching up to do, including all the course start material that students were asked to complete over the summer.

If after two weeks a student feels strongly that they are still not suited to their subject choices then they can book an appointment to see a senior member of staff at our enrollment review day which will take place on Wednesday 2 October from 2.30pm. These students will have met with their personal tutor who will have discussed whether a course change is both suitable and appropriate. Students can book an appointment at the student reception by our main entrance. A reminder students can only transfer to a new course if they meet the entry requirements and there is space available.

Please note that if students have any other enquiries relating to enrichment or issues with timetables then our enrolment enquiries desk will still be open in the Study Cafe (upstairs in the canteen) at lunchtimes and after college.

Yours sincerely

James Gordon

Deputy Principal