Parents & Carers
Working Together Parents & Carers Booklet
Studying with Kirklees College
Our students are at the heart of who we are and what we do. We strive to deliver a fun, safe and inspirational learning environment for everyone, students, teachers and parents/carers, by working together to build a supportive partnership that create opportunities and changes lives.
We appreciate that as parent/carers, helping to make decisions about career choices and further study can be daunting and you may have questions.
We are here to support you through the process, enabling you to help make the right choices at the right time.
We pride ourselves in being a college of opportunity and we offer a wide range of vocational courses not readily available at school sixth forms. Our courses are underpinned by strong links with employers, providing students with work experience opportunities to help prepare them for work.
We offer an inclusive learning environment where we celebrate diversity, embrace challenge, encourage success and enable opportunity, all positive stepping stones for our students as they work towards building a rewarding future.
As a parent/carer, you can always see how your young person is doing via the parent portal. If you have any concerns then you can contact their Pastoral Mentor or tutors. We work very closely with parents/carers to support our students to achieve the best results they can. You will be invited to two parents’/carers’ evenings which take place either face to face or online using Student Cloud.
When a young person enrols as a student at Kirklees College, they are agreeing to uphold our values and meet the expectations of the behaviour for learning.
Kirklees College is an
Ofsted Rated ‘Good’ Provider
Virtual Parent/Carer Information Evening
Missed our information evening? Catch up with our webinar!
Has your child already applied for a course to start in September or are they unsure of what they want to study? Catch up with the recording of our Virtual Parent/Carer Information Evening to get the information you need.
At our Virtual Parent/Carer Information Evening, we presented a short webinar to provide further information about college life and expectations, the support available and how you will be kept informed about your child’s progress at college.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Student Recruitment Team on 01484 437092 or email sturec@kirkleescollege.ac.uk
Virtual Parent/Carer Information Evenings
These events will be hosted by our Vice Principal and Assistant Principal team. They will provide further information about college life and expectations, the support available and how you will be kept informed about your childs progress at college.
Letter and emails have gone out to all applicants holding an offer who are in Year 11. They are not subject or centre specific, general information.
Book online. Links in letter and email.
Which Virtual Parent/Carer Information Evening will you be attending?
You will need Microsoft Teams installed on your device in order to join one of our sessions.
Joining on a mobile device
If you are using your mobile device to join us you will need to download the Microsoft Teams app. Head to the App Store, search Microsoft Teams and download, once downloaded come back to this page and click on the URL link below a few minutes before the event is due to start.
Joining on a Laptop
If you are joining us on a laptop once you have clicked on the link, “click watch on the web instead” then click “join anonymously” when prompted. If you need further help or more information on how to join our live webinars please call 01484 437070.
Trouble downloading Microsoft Teams on an Android device?
If you are having trouble downloading Microsoft Teams on your Android device, this short video will explain how to overcome the error and get connected https://www.kirkleescollege.ac.uk/cert
Virtual Parent/Carer Information Evenings
Programmes and Open Days
Which way now? We offer a wide range of options – but which one is right? Our team is here to support you make the right choice.
The Personal Development Programme has five different strands designed to support students’ personal development alongside their curriculum knowledge.
Your Personal Development Coach will cover five themes: Keeping Safe, Wellbeing, Behaviours and Attitudes, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Upskilling and Progression. All students have this programme built into their timetable.
Please email support@kirkleescollege.ac.uk if you need the contact details for your young person’s pastoral mentor.
Come and join us at our Open Days! Our website has plenty of information regarding courses but an Open Day is a chance for you to see what studying at Kirklees College is really like.
Taster Sessions
Taster sessions are an excellent way for you to try a subject area before you enrol on the course. Our taster sessions are available to years 9 – 13, and would normally take place in college either during the school day or in a twilight session after school.
Reporting an Absence
We operate an absent reporting procedure. Students are expected to report and take ownership of their own absence, we do however appreciate that this is not always possible and that a Parent/Carer will inform us of a student’s absence.
We expect a high level of attendance from our students. It’s important for their wellbeing and progression and demonstrates value and respect for their education and those providing it.
Via Text
Text 07860097457 before the first lesson of the day using ONE of the following buzz words:
Sick
When you are unwell
Stuck
Problems with getting to college due to transport
Medical
Doctor, hospital, dental appointments
Formal
NUS business, probation, court appearance, job interview
Late
If you are delayed coming into college
Respect
Bereavement/Funeral of close family member
Example: MEDICAL 110275
Reporting an absence
You can also call or email the college to report an absence, but please make sure you do this by 8:45am.
Everything you need to know
As a parent/carer you can review the progress of a student through the parent portal. To gain access to this you need to be the first next of kin contact registered on our system and have provided an email address so we can send you your unique log in details. If you wish to enable a second parent access please contact us.
We hold parent/carer evenings twice a year and you can contact the study programme leader (SPL) any time to discuss progress over the phone.
Please contact the study programme leader (SPL) or the curriculum Progress Coach if a student wants to discuss changing courses. The college career’s service is also available by appointment, students can book an appointment at college
Students that are aged 16-18 without a grade C or above in their GCSE English and Maths must continue to study these subjects as part of their study programme.
This is government legislation and applies to all students irrespective of which institution they study at.
As a parent/carer of a Kirklees College student, it’s important that you are kept up to date with your child’s progress and development, all of which we discuss at our parents’ evening. You’ll receive a letter inviting you to attend, and when and where the evening will be.
The College’s Designated Safeguarding Lead is Polly Harrow, Assistant Principal Safeguarding & Inclusion. Deputy Designated Safeguarding leads are Nathan Shaw (ext 7372) and Rory Hillas (ext 2409). Alternatively, if a student feels they or someone else is at risk they can speak to any member of staff who will help them.
Any student can apply for the college bursary for support with travel costs, equipment, childcare, trips and free meals. This is means tested – find out more at Financial Support
Quite often a complaint can be resolved at an informal level. If you e-mail your complaint to the college or telephone you will be advised about the formal and informal complaints process.
Should wish to make a formal complaint, please download the complaints form and policy here and Email us here
- Access to work experience and employment opportunities
- Participation in:, Enterprise and Skills competitions; Reward and recognition awards and events
- Enrolment lanyards /student card
- £5 print credit
- Access to Free Wifi
- This is our voluntary work service scheme, which helps students gain valuable experience working with charities and experience to create a stronger CV
Our Commitment to you
Ofsted Report
It’s GOOD news for Kirklees College as we have been awarded a Grade 2 (Good) for the second time in recognition for the achievement and progress that learners make whilst studying with us. Inspectors said the college had maintained the good quality provision and outcomes achieved by students and apprentices.
