Progression Day for Foundation Year, Friday 17 January

Dear Parent / Guardian & Carer(s)

We will soon be asking all of our Foundation Year (GCSE/Level 2) students to submit a bespoke application form to continue their studies at Varndean College from September 2025. As you know, the young person in your care was enrolled on a Foundation Year programme at the start of this academic year, meaning they will need to complete an internal application form and attend a progression interview to continue their studies as an Advanced Level student. Students will be guided through a specific system at College and led through Tutorial sessions. The information below explains this process in more detail. 

Returning to Varndean College - Progression Day Event

To support students in understanding their progression options for September 2025, all Foundation Year students have been invited to a bespoke Progression Day on Friday 17 January held at Varndean College. We will confirm key times and locations after the Christmas break.  

During this event, students will hear from our Careers experts about progression options, access guidance on Advanced Level 3 courses at Varndean College and learn about the progression criteria. They will also complete the bespoke application form with expert support and guidance to ensure that their choices enable them to progress to their desired future destination. This is a compulsory event and will offer students a valuable opportunity to further consider their future options and to access guidance. 

Following successful completion of their applications, students will be required to attend an interview with a senior member of staff. Students will receive individualised communication regarding their interview time and date. If students do not complete and submit their application and/or attend their scheduled interview they will be at risk of not securing a place at Varndean College in September 2025. Therefore, we welcome your support. 

Progression Criteria

For students to progress to an Advanced Level study programme they must meet the following progression criteria by the end of the year:

  • 90%+ Attendance
  • Minimum of Merits in Vocational Studies (CTEC / BTEC qualifications)
  • Minimum of Grade 4 in GCSE English Language (if taken)
  • Minimum of a Grade 4 in other GCSE subjects
  • Good Teacher / Tutor References
  • Good effort grades on reports
  • Students on any Amber / Red Action Plans should have demonstrated significant progress in meeting their set targets                                            

These criteria are in place to help motivate students to achieve well this year. We also recognise the academic demand of Advanced Level qualifications and the skills required to achieve on these courses. You will be able to view the progress of the young person in your care via Parent Portal https://parent.varndean.ac.uk/

After an interview,  successful students will receive a conditional offer. The final offer of a place is dependent upon final Foundation Year results and will be confirmed until after final results are published in late August.  Appointments will be made with myself or Helen Chong (Assistant Head of School) to help support those students who are currently demonstrating that they may not meet the criteria set above. It would be beneficial for all learners to use the Varndean College website ahead of the Progression Day to explore Advanced Level courses and the entry requirements https://www.varndean.ac.uk/courses/

Planned Study 

Planned Study sessions have now been added to all Foundation Year students timetables. These sessions are timetabled to serve as a reminder to students of some of the time they should be dedicating to their students outside of lessons. This is not a registered session and students are expected to engage in these independently. This is to further help develop the student skills required to study at an Advanced Level and support the process of progression. 

Work Experience

Foundation Year students should access Work Experience from 3-7 March. We highly advise that students engage in this as it will offer skills and experience that will help to further shape their future plans. Our Work Experience Coordinator has already visited all Foundation tutorials and given advice to students about how to source their own placement. The deadline for sourcing a placement is 10 January 2025. Please encourage students to talk with friends and family over the Christmas break. If, for any reason, students are not able to gain a work experience placement they must attend all their usual timetabled lessons. 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this process or student progress please do not hesitate to get in touch with their Tutor or myself. Wishing you and your family a restful winter break. 

Yours sincerely

George Marshall, Head of Foundation Year & Director of Student Engagement


 
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