Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope that the young person in your care has settled well into their Foundation Year and is enjoying all of the opportunities that Varndean Sixth Form College has to offer. I am writing to let you know about the focus of the Foundation Year at Varndean Sixth Form College and the wealth of support and guidance available during this time.

Welcome to Foundation Year

The Foundation Year at Varndean Sixth Form College is a fast-track year to support students in increasing their GCSE profile. Students have a range of opportunities available to them throughout this year. Students who complete their Foundation Year at Varndean Sixth Form College have several progression platforms available to them, and we are very proud that a large proportion of our Foundation Year students progress onto advanced level study at Varndean Sixth Form College. We will be in touch about this process later in the year and outline the system of applying and the progression criteria which students are required to meet.

Pastoral Support

Students at Varndean Sixth Form College have access to several support networks and extension opportunities. All Foundation Year students have the support of a Personal Tutor who meets with learners weekly to discuss set pastoral curriculum topics and offer 1:1 appointments to support individual learners and their progress. Personal Tutors support students from a holistic perspective and offer regular 1:1s to help learners set targets and work towards meeting their potential.

Tutorial Sessions and Curriculum

These registered Tutorial sessions are invaluable for learners and not only ensure they are aware of College events and updates, but also further develop their personal values and further prepare them for life outside of college. I am sure you appreciate the important nature of the content of this kind, as we aim to prepare all of our students to be independent and informed citizens at Varndean Sixth Form College and beyond.

Upcoming Tutorial Curriculum Content

Our Tutorial curriculum will soon be focusing on key personal safety issues, including healthy relationships, sexual health, consent, substance use and also online safety. A session on consent and healthy relationships will be delivered in Tutorial sessions in the week beginning 1st December. The topic of sexual health will be supported by the SHAC (Brighton and Hove Sexual Health and Contraception Services) in the following week (w/b 8th Dec), and additional support and information are available to students throughout the week through this external team.

This pastoral curriculum provision is highly valuable for all students to attend and continues the development of understanding that would have been started through statutory sessions provided at secondary school. Having carefully considered the content, if you have any concerns and you do not wish the young person in your care to attend the sessions detailed above, please email information@varndean.ac.uk to notify us of their absence from a particular session in advance.

Safe And Well at School Survey - Brighton and Hove Council

This term, pupils/students across Brighton and Hove in Years 4-6 / 7-11 / 12-13 will participate in the Safe & Well at School Survey. This is an online, anonymous bi-annual city-wide survey for children and young people aged between 7 and 18. The survey asks a range of questions about school/college, health and wellbeing and other experiences. We participate in this survey to help further understand the wider experiences of our young people. Data from all schools and colleges is also collated to provide city-wide information about young people's experiences, and this is used to improve services and support for children and young people through Brighton and Hove Council.

This survey will take place in Tutorial sessions where students will be informed of the reasons for the survey and how the information shared helps to inform the provision in the City for young people. During this time, it is also explained to all that this is a confidential survey and they cannot be identified by the information that is collected. Students are also asked to speak to a member of staff or other trusted adult if participating in the survey makes them feel worried or concerned. If you have any questions regarding this survey and would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Foundation Year Work Experience

This year, alongside the Tutorial curriculum, we are providing an exciting new work experience programme through Tutorial. Students will be made aware of this through their engagement in weekly Tutorial sessions. The first of these Work Experience sessions takes place on 27th November, and students will attend either a morning or afternoon session held at the College.

Compulsory Work Experience this year will be run onsite at College on 27th November, Tutorial sessions in the weeks beginning 2nd and 9th March and culminate in a Social Action Fair on 26th or 27th March. Students will be notified directly of the sessions they need to attend on the 27th November and their involvement in the Fair in March.

All Foundation Year students are expected to complete this programme of Work Experience to further develop skills, awareness and confidence in the world of work and beyond. If students are keen to access an addional external work experience placement, they are welcome to do so in Half Terms/holidays; our Careers Team will be able to help guide and support them with this.

Finally â?¦

The young person in your care is directly supported by their Personal Tutor and if you should have any questions or concerns about this correspondence or general college life, they are your first point of contact. You will be able to find the details of the assigned Personal Tutor via the Parent Portal and access an email address for them on this platform. Other members of the Foundation Year pastoral support team include School Lead, Helen Chong, and myself as Head of School. We will be in touch later in the year with further updates on the Foundation Year journey.

Yours sincerely

George Marshall

Director of Pastoral and Safeguarding & Head of School Foundation Year