Parents FAQ

Home Parents FAQ

Want to know what to expect when your child starts at Derby College? Read our Parents FAQ for information on what to expect from the College, what happens when your child starts College and the support we offer.

Our Learner Journey details the application process for young people and includes details of what will be sent through the post and when. We have also put some information on the application process together for parents.

We hope you will find the answers to most of your questions online. However, if you need any more advice you can contact us on: 0800 028 0289.

Who can I contact at Derby College?

If you have any questions during your child's journey with Derby College, you can contact us on: 0800 028 0289. Our team are happy to help with enquiries on everything from open evening dates, to applications and interviews and beyond.

When is the next Derby College open day?

We hold Information Evenings throughout the year. Dates are listed online and are also published in the full-time prospectus.

Do you offer Additional Learning Support?

Yes. Our Additional Learning Support services were rated as "outstanding" by Ofsted. Specialist staff provide support for learners of all abilities and needs. If you have any concerns, you can contact the Additional Learning Support team even before your child applies to College.

What happens once College starts?

When learners start at Derby College they receive a learner handbook, which states what Derby College expects of each of its learners including:

• 100 per cent attendance unless learners have a valid reason for not attending eg - sickness
• Being on time for classes
• Behaving in a responsible manner towards staff, other learners and College visitors
• Meeting assignment deadlines on time

What can learners expect in return from Derby College?

• An Individual Learning Plan (ILP) to set targets and goals for their studies
• Regular reviews to ensure they meet their targets
• Support from experienced and qualified Derby College tutors and Connexions Advisers
• The opportunity to experience a variety of ways of learning
• Access to appropriate, state of the art learning resources
• Relevant support for learners with learning difficulties or disabilities
• A welcoming safe learning environment
• An opportunity to develop and improve their personal skills and gain skills that will help them move onto the next step of their career
• To be treated with respect and according to our Equality and Diversity policy
• Access to Moodle which provides Derby College with an easy and comprehensive way to interact, and share resources, with learners outside of the classroom

What can parents/carers expect from Derby College?

• Regular updates on your child's progress in the form of Parents' Consultation Evenings or reports
• A prompt response to any enquiry regarding your child’s learning programme

Where can I get extra information on my child's options?

There are plenty of additional resources for parents, including:

• Connexions Derbyshire
• The National Apprenticeship Service
• Directgov
  

What will my child be able to do after they have successfully completed their College course?

Derby College is an inspirational place to learn, but don't take our word for it, read the experiences of some of our former students, from Games Tester to Michelin Chef. All subject area pages include information on what your child can do next.