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May 2025 End of Year Letter

May 2025

Dear Foundation Year Students / Parent(s) and Guardian(s)

Well done for all you have achieved this year thus far, we are sure this has been a year of personal and academic growth for you. We hope you are now focused on using the remainder of your time at Varndean to prepare for your final coursework submissions, exams and progression planning for your next steps. Please find your end-of-year information in this letter and the details regarding your results and enrolment interview for September 2025 below.

Final Dates

Foundation Year lessons will continue until 23 May, just ahead of the May half term. All students are expected to attend until this time and ensure they have submitted all of their coursework. Some lessons may continue if there is a need to finish final tasks, it is best to speak to your subject teacher regarding this.

Tutorial sessions are now only focusing on 1:1 appointments scheduled during the timetabled Tutorial Time. Your final Tutor session included important information about exams and support available at the end of the year. Your Tutor will have explained the below but as a further reminder, here are some key details for you to remember:

  • Your exam timetable is accessible via My Varndean and it is your responsibility to check this and ensure you attend these examinations to complete your qualifications. If you have any questions or concerns about your exams you need to contact exam@varndean.ac.uk
  • After 23 May you can only return to the site for continuing lessons, study area access, exams or pre-arranged appointments with a staff member.
  • Following your final exam, you will no longer be able to return to College campus without a pre-arranged appointment.
  • As you know, you have been accessing a one-year placement at Varndean College which is coming to an end. If you wish to apply to return you should have completed this process and had an interview by now. If you have any questions or concerns about this please contact admissions@varndean.ac.uk

End of Year Guidance

  • Please ensure that you have returned any borrowed library books to the library, and any other equipment to the relevant teacher before the Summer holidays.
  • Please ensure that you have completed all of your exams and submitted your final coursework.
  • Remember, you can still access progression advice from the Careers Team and you can do this via your 'My Varndean' page and 'Next Steps'.

Exam results

  • Results will be available on My Varndean on Thursday 21 August after 8.00am. You will need to go to My Varndean - Learning Tab and then 'Exam Results' in the drop-down menu.
  • Information regarding exam certificate collection will be sent out at a later date.

Enrolment Interviews for September 2025

  • You will be sent an individual time slot to attend an interview in late August. Further information will follow about the key dates in August. You will not receive an interview allocation if you have been told directly that you are unable to return to College in September 2025. However, you can still contact the College for support and advice.
  • You must attend your interview promptly at your allocated time slot. If you are unable to attend your allocated interview slot please contact Admissions in advance via admissions@varndean.ac.uk
  • You have been made aware of the Progression Criteria in place and what you needed to do to ensure your place at Varndean College next year. As discussed at your most recent interview, your place depends on your exam results and whether you have met the Progression Criteria listed below.
    • Good Attendance Record
    • Merits in Vocational Studies (CTEC / BTEC qualifications)
    • Grade 4 in GCSE English / Maths
    • Good Teacher / Tutor References
    • Good effort grades on reports.
    • Students on any Amber / Red status should have demonstrated significant progress.
  • These criteria are in place not only to help motivate students to achieve well this year, but also because we recognise the academic demand of Advanced Level/Level 3 qualifications and the skills required to achieve.
  • If you are worried that you have not met the Progression Criteria and need some further help or support, then it is best to contact the College on Results Day to relay your situation. We will do all we can to support you and help you find your next steps.
  • If you wish to access further Careers support after Results Day our Careers team will be available during the enrollment interviews in August.
  • If you do not return for your allotted interview, you will be referred to the YES programme in Brighton and Hove to ensure you can access support that you require to identify your next steps. You can find out more about their services here.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this process or student progress, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me or Helen. Please be aware that Varndean College closes for the Summer period on 16 July and you will not be able to contact us until after Results Day.

Wishing every student the very best of luck with their exam results and a happy and healthy Summer break.

Yours sincerely

George Marshall & Helen Chong

Head & Assistant Head of Foundation Year
sent by STS