Frequently asked questions (FAQ) at Priestley College

Frequently Asked Questions

16-19 FAQs

How many A Levels will I be expected to take in the first year?
Your course will depend on your GCSE results. Many students on AS/A2 programmes take 5 AS courses in their first year. At your enrolment interview you will discuss the course you can take depending on your qualifications and career aim. We think it is important that you enrol on a programme which you will suceed on, but which will challenge you to do well.

How many GCSE's are required to do an Advanced level course?
To start an advanced level course you will normally be expected to have at least five A* - C grades at GCSE. For some subjects an average grade of C is required and some courses will expect particular subjects at grade C or above.

Will my BTEC First count towards my GCSE score?
If you have passed an intermediate vocational programme at school you will also need to have at least 3 GCSE grades at C or above to start an advanced level programme. Vocational GCSE qualifications count as any other GCSE.

I have five GCSEs at C+ but got a D in Mathematics. Can I still take an
Advanced-level course?
You can still take an Advanced Level course but you will need to think carefully about your course. This reduces the number of options you can take. You will be guided by your tutors at the College to help you pick an appropriate course for your qualifications and your career aim. With qualifications like this, the following are possible options:

Three AS Levels + one GCSE

Two AS Levels + two GCSEs or Applied A Levels (Double Award) + two GCSEs
BTEC National Diploma + 1 GCSE
BTEC National Certificate + 1 AS + 1 GCSE

Can I do an AS course alongside an advanced vocational course?
We strongly encourage students taking advanced vocational courses to take an AS alongside their course (this will not be possible with Early Years courses).

What does the General Studies programme mean?
We offer a range of courses which are designed to broaden your overall programme. You can choose to take an additional AS in General Studies, Citizenship, Critical Thinking, World Development or Science in Society. Or you might choose to take part in one of our Ambitions Programmes such as the pre-teaching or pre-medical course.

I didn't do very well at GCSEs, can I still come to college?
Some students do not achieve what they expect at GCSE and so cannot progress to an Advanced level course. However, the College offers one-year Intermediate and Foundation level courses to meet the needs of those students. In most cases the programme involves a mix of Vocational and GCSE courses. Staff will help you choose the programme that best meet your needs. Remember many students complete an Intermediate-level course and then successfully progress to Advanced level the following year.

I would like to do some part-time work alongside my study at college. Is that acceptable?
Within reason you should be able to cope with a limited amount of part-time work whilst at college. However, you will be a full-time student, so your priority must be your college work. You must expect to be in college between 8.45am - 4.15pm every day. Part-time work commitments cannot intrude into the college day, since apart from anything else, timetables may change throughout the year. We recommend that you do no more than 15 hours per week during term time. Your personal tutor will provide guidance on this issue and you should consult them if you have any major financial concerns as there may be some help available through the Access Fund.

Will my bus travel to Priestley College be free?
If you use Warrington Borough Transport Services to get to College you will be able to buy a Town Saver pass. The Town Savers cost £6 per week or £19.50 per month whilst the Network Saver costs £7.75 per week or £25.50 per month.

These passes entitle you to use any WBT service any day of the week including weekends. To get your pass you will first need to be issued with a photo ID pass from College. These will be available from College at registration, but you will need to bring a passport sized photo with you (2nd Years note: you can use your ID pass from 2008/09). You will then be able to buy your weekly or monthly passes from College or the Interchange.

If you live outside of the Borough of Warrington and are unable to use WBT you will need to apply for your own pass from Arriva, Halton, or your local train or bus operator.

Halton passes are also available from College. These cost £12 per week and will be available at registration. Arriva passes can be bought online and can cost from as little as £6 per week, depending on where you live. Both Halton and Arriva passes can also be used any day of the week including weekends.

During 2009/2010 we will support those young people who spend more than £10 per week on bus or train fares. We will contribute up to £100 towards travel costs incurred for bus or train fares that exceed £10 per week. This will be paid in two instalments, one at Christmas and one in June. Only those students with an attendance rate of 90% or above will receive the full amount. Details on how to apply for this support are available from Student Services.

Will my course cost anything?
Generally courses are free for students aged between 16-19. However, certain conditions may apply, for example if you are a student from overseas. Text books will be provided by your course departments on a loan basis, however you are responsible for the purchase of your own consumables such as pens and paper etc.

Are hardship grants available?
Priestley College has an Access Fund, which is money provided by the government to help students through Further Education. It is means tested, but anyone can apply. Application forms are available from Personal Tutors.

Can I change my mind if I start a course, but I find that I don’t like it?
Yes, but your aim should be to make the best choice at enrolment. During the induction period, and up until the end of September, you can change a course after discussion with your Personal Tutor. It is not advisable to change courses after the induction period since you are likely to be too far behind to join a new course.

Helping young parents
Priestley College is committed to giving young parents support during their continued education. The head of student services is able to help you complete the Care to Learn form, and to advise on other financial matters. We can also advise and guide a young person about the most appropriate childcare facilities in their local community. Just give college a ring and you will be put through to Head of Student Services who will be happy to help you.

Educational Maintenance Allowance - What is it?
EMA provides a weekly allowance of up to £30 per week. You may also earn bonuses of £100 subject to your progress. It is there to help you through your education.

Who is EMA for?
You can get an EMA if your household income is £30,000 or less and you stay on at school or college to study on any FE course, such as GCSEs, BTEC, NVQs, AS/A2, up to and including A level standard.

How do I qualify for an EMA?
First you must fill in an application form giving details of your household income. Application forms are available from around April from a number of places, including schools, colleges, the Assessment and Payment Body who process applications and make payments, or Connexions.

Is that it? Do I need to do anything else?
You need to open a bank account to get your EMA payments. You must also sign an EMA Contract with college. This contract sets out the rules for attendance and agreement on coursework requirements and learning process.

And is that it? There's no catch?
Well, it is a "something for something" scheme. You must stick to your EMA Contract. A weekly payment can be stopped if you miss lessons without good reason.

What should I spend my allowance on?
That is entirely up to you. However, we would expect learners who get allowances to meet reasonable learning costs. Where costs are high you may also apply to your school or college for Learner Support Funds.

What happens if my EMA doesn't cover all my needs or meet my special circumstances and costs?
You may be able to get help from Learner Support Funds. In order to do this contact Student Services.

What happens if my parents are on benefits? Will they lose any money if I apply for an EMA?
Your family will not lose out on any benefits if you get an EMA. It will not affect any money that you earn from a part-time job either.

Where can I find out more on EMAs?
You can get further information on EMA by telephoning the helpline for young people and parents at 0808 1016219. Your local Connexions Service, school or college will also be able to advise you, or you can phone Connexions Direct on 080 800 13219. Alternatively, you can find the information on the EMA website: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/financialhelp/ema

What age do I have to be?
For courses which do NOT lead to a qualification you have to be 19+. All other courses are open to anyone over the age of 16yrs.

Is there any "paperwork" involved?
There will always be some "paperwork" involved in all of our courses, including our "leisure" courses. For our non – accredited courses, we try to keep it to a minimum and to ensure that it is useful to you as a learner. The documents will help you initially to understand what the course will cover, (the aims and objectives) and at this stage you will be encouraged to add things you may want to learn. If at all possible your tutor will try to accommodate your personal aims at some point over the weeks you are with us. If this is not possible you will be able to see from week 1 that maybe this course is not for you. You will also be asked to briefly reflect on what you have learned both mid course, end of course and at the end of each session. In this way your tutor will know if you feel confident with the teaching and the topics covered.

When are the courses held?
Our daytime courses are delivered in local community venues around Warrington. Classes tend to run from 9.30 – 11.30am or from 1.00 – 3.00pm, to fit around school drop offs and pick ups. In the evening the courses are held on Monday and Tuesday evenings at Priestley College usually starting at about 7pm. We do have some IT courses on Wednesday and Thursday evenings at Cardinal Newman High School in Latchford.

How much will my course cost?
Costs for the courses vary and are given in our Adult Prospectus (click here). Some courses such as the "First Steps to…,", "Starting Points ….", "Improve your Maths" and "Improve Your English" courses are FREE to all. For other courses you may be entitled to full fee remission depending on your area of residence or if you are in receipt of a means tested benefit. To check if you are eligible to enroll for a course free of charge, please phone Adult Learner Services on 01925 624455. You can pay for courses which cost £100 or more in 2 installments; half at enrolment and half 1 month later by post dated cheque.

Are there any refunds?
If we have to cancel a course because of low recruitment etc you will receive a full refund. If you decide that the course is not for you, you will only be entitled to full refund if you notify us IN WRITING within 1 week of the start of the course.

Can I join part way through the course?
You can join any of the Improve your Maths or Improve your English courses at any time providing we have spaces available on the course. Unfortunately, you cannot join any of our other courses part way through a course. There is some leeway if you miss only 1 or 2 weeks at the start of a course but this depends on the type and length of course, previous experience and the tutor's discretion.

Where can I find more information about the courses?
Information, advice and guidance about all aspects of the courses is available from our Adult Learner Services Department (01925 624455).

Can I use the Learning Resource Centre (LRC)?
Yes. Both floors can be used during term time and opens each day from 8.15am to 4.30pm (4pm on Friday). There is also limited access during the holiday periods and you should telephone Adult learner Services for details. You will need a College ID card to access the LRC.