Student Life

Hearsay, rumour, fake news… Who knows how or why people come to think the way they do. Let it be stated right here, that the following popular beliefs are phonus balonus...

Myth #1 College is just like school

Nope. Coming to college is very different. Ask anyone. For one, you don’t have to wear a uniform and for another you can call your lecturers by their first names, which they will like.

There are many other distinctions but the key one is that college offers a much more varied range of courses. Instead of A-Levels we offer Diplomas, Apprenticeships, degrees, HNC courses, NVQs, professional qualifications. Whether you’re practically minded or academic or like a bit of both in your studies, we have the course for you.

I just want to do what I want to do

Happy days… College allows you to focus on just one subject you love. So if you want to be a forensic scientist, you can study forensic science; if you want to be a bricklayer, you can study that too, and if you want to work on the west end stage, our musical theatre course is just the ticket.

Alongside that lot you will pick up other qualifications like maths and English GCSEs which practically every job anywhere demands.

Myth #2 Only people who can’t do A Levels come to college...

...And there you have the greatest myth of them all.

The truth of course is that the only people who come to college are those who want to. And among them are very many people who in fact chose not to do A-Levels.

Why is that so? The courses we offer enable you to immerse yourself in depth in the subject you love, rather than studying a more general programme. That’s a good alternative to A-Levels because it gives you a head start, if say you want to go straight into work on an Apprenticeship or higher Apprenticeship, equally it gives you an advantage in many other subjects if you’ve already achieved a great deal more, or built up a portfolio of work.

Even if you didn’t get the grades to do A-Levels at school or sixth form, college gives you a chance to start a diploma at a level that suits you – before you know it you’ll have progressed onto a higher level possibly equivalent to an A-Level programme.

Myth #3 But if I can’t do A-Levels does that mean I won’t be able to go to uni?

Absolutely not. A level 3 Diploma is worth up to 420 UCAS points, which is the equivalent to 3 A* A-Levels. And universities like college students.

Last year nearly 400 of our students went to leading universities including Cambridge, Durham and York. Not surprising, as Universities love students from West Suffolk College – the work is impressive, the people are more experienced, more confident and better able to adapt to university study having been through college.

Myth #4 I just want to get a job, coming to college is more time wasted

You couldn’t be more wrong. The time you spend here will in fact save you time by preparing you for work better than starting the job unqualified. It will also enable you to progress further and faster than unqualified people, whatever their experience.

Apprenticeships have also been shown to give you an advantage over graduate trainees – you spend more time in the business so learn more quickly how business works.

This information has been provided to support understanding of what students, parents and carers should expect during periods of college closure or student isolation relating to coronavirus (COVID-19).

West Suffolk College has taken a number of measures to mitigate the risk of coronavirus transmission and will remain open for students as far as reasonably possible and while it is safe to do so.  In the event of a local or national lockdown, the College will continue to remain open for vulnerable students, but this will remain under review.

During the Autumn term, teaching and support teams have worked closely with students to ensure they are all familiar with their online learning environments and have had the opportunity to experience online, remote delivery. 

We have also taken the time to get to know students who have barriers to remote online learning due to lack of a suitable device or internet connectivity and have either loaned a device or provided alternative arrangements to enable all students to achieve to their full potential. If a student’s circumstances change for whatever reason such as the learning environment at home is no longer a good place to learn or access to a suitable device becomes an issue, they should contact their Personal Support Tutor, who will ensure that support arrangements are put in place as soon as reasonably possible.  This arrangements may include the opportunity to attend the College during any period of lockdown.   

The information below provides further detail on specific areas of delivery.

The remote curriculum: what is taught to students at home

14-16 Elective Home Education

Our EHE programmes are designed to complement the ongoing education being delivered at home. The part time individualised study programmes have been offered this year on a blended learning basis i.e. for all programmes there has been expected attendance on-site and also elements of remote or home-based learning. Due to the latest lockdown we are temporarily moving most learning activities to online remote sessions.

16-19 Education Programmes for Young People

All students enrolled on our study programmes have had the opportunity to regularly undertake remote online teaching and learning activities to ensure they are fully prepared and familiar with the delivery platforms in case of a local or national lockdown.  All students are fully aware of the standards of behavior expected of them when engaging in online remote sessions, especially around ‘netiquette’ and online safety.

In the event of college closure due to coronavirus, students will be expected to follow their individual timetable provided by their tutor.  Attendance will continue to be monitored and recorded as normal and all non-attendance will be followed up.  Remote online learning will comprise of a variety of different activities including online live taught sessions, pre-recorded sessions, pre-prepared online materials and activities, long-term projects and assignments and self-directed learning.  In some circumstances, printed workbooks / worksheets may be issued, but these will be in specific circumstances.

Tutors will check students understanding of new knowledge, skills and behaviors developed within the sessions by asking questions, asking students to complete assessments and through the completion of assignments.  Feedback will be provided both verbally to students at the time and within sessions and in writing following the completion of assignments.

Progress towards students’ individual qualification target grade will be reviewed on a regular basis and recorded in Markbook, which students and parents have access to though ProMonitor and the Parent Portal.  Teaching staff will also provide updates to parents if there are any concerns with progress.

Courses which require students to access specialist equipment and facilities have prioritised the delivery of the curriculum to ensure, as far as reasonably possible, students are not disadvantaged in the event of a future lockdown.  We are confident students will be able to achieve to their full potential if they were to be required to work remotely for a period of time.

Students with SEND

All students enrolled on our Supported Learning provision are in possession of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) therefore we have continued to provide daily provision on-site. For most students this has meant attending two or three days per week. We have also introduced a variety of individualised learning tasks which can be completed away from College, these tasks compliment the students’ learning goals and, in some cases provide evidence for assessment within their qualification frameworks.

Supportive communication channels have been developed to ensure parents and students have the opportunity to discuss progress on regular occasions.

Students who are temporarily unable to attend College, for example those that have been identified as Clinically Extremely Vulnerable have been and will be supported remotely with appropriate supportive learning resources. Some learners who are unable to attend college for considerable amounts of time have been or will be allocated a Learning Mentor who will work with the student on a regular individual basis.

Join our Sports Academy for professional football, rugby, netball or basketball coaching alongside studying a full-time course.

It's not all play

The Academy will give you the opportunity to join the first high quality Academy in the region focussed on academic qualifications as well as elite sport. You will have a structured timetable dedicated to training, matches, well-being and health and academic studies.

You can enrol on a number of partner courses at varying levels. Courses will include: Sports Science, Sport, Business and Public Services (other subject areas may be available). Additional Qualifications may include FA Football Coaching and Sports Leaders Award. And you'll build your confidence, communication, team-working and leadership skills.

Training Programme

The Sports Academy training programme is very thorough but fun. There are two-hour coaching sessions everyday that include all technical aspects of the game and fitness. You'll be given an individual fitness programme that focuses on building your speed, agility and strength, in addition to advice on diet and nutrition, along with comprehensive sports injury back-up. Although not compulsory, we suggest that you take out your own private medical insurance policy.

Book onto a training session

Progression

From our Sports Academy, you could continue to Higher Education or employment as well as guidance on further playing opportunities and sports scholarships. Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope developed his skills at our Sports Academy.

What people say

The Grade Portal is an online platform where you will be able to log in to view your results. 

• Level 3 results - made available from Thursday 15 August 2024

• All other levels including GCSE Maths and GCSE English - made available from Thursday 22 August 2024

Making an enquiry about your results

Please email your tutor or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for results queries.

Please note that not all results are available through the portal. If you cannot see your result, please contact your course director or tutor, or call reception on 01284 701 301 and we will put you through. 

Student Handbook

Extended Opportunities across the Eastern Education Group

Across the Eastern Education Group, students can extend their knowledge outside the curriculum through various educational experiences including events, work experience, clubs and societies and educational visits.

Enrichment at West Suffolk College

Clubs play a vital role in college life. While students attend college primarily to learn and succeed academically, we recognise that those who really enjoy college life are often engaged in a variety of enrichment activities. These activities not only allow students to acquire new skills, but also offer opportunities to create friendships, unwind, and have a good time - all of which contribute to overall success.

The diverse range of clubs and societies offered across the group enhances and expands the curriculum and participation is open to all students, regardless of the course you’re studying. Students can take part in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Sustainability programmes, act as ambassadors for these areas, and lead on charity events throughout the year. We take pride in welcoming various speakers to talk about current events and topics of interest.

Student Leadership

Within the group, students have the chance to take the lead within their curriculum areas and extra-curricular activities, as student ambassadors and student union officers. These students:

• Represent the college at open events, host tours with parents and prospective students
• Act as a role model for both current and prospective students
• Embody college ethos and values
• Take an active role in the community and at external events
• Support and lead within subject areas

Educational Visits

An exceptional range of trips are available to students within the group, ranging from sporting events and competitions to curriculum-aligned activities, workshops and visits to universities and businesses. These opportunities give students the chance to broaden their horizons, enhance interpersonal skills and develop their resilience.

Over the last year, students from across the group have visited countries such as Thailand, Nepal, Vietnam, Tanzania and South Korea. Many of these experiences have been linked to the United Nations sustainability goals, providing students with opportunity to volunteer and fundraise for charity.