The Entry Programme

The Entry Programme

What is the Entry Programme?
The Entry Programme is a one or two year full-time programme of studies for students who have not had the opportunity to gain formal qualifications but wish to remain in full-time education. A student programme will be designed to offer you the chance to improve your functional skills in English, Maths and I.C.T. as well as the chance to look at jobs in various areas: Retail, Sport & Leisure, Travel & Tourism, Horticulture, Media, Care, Arts & Craft and Catering. The programme will be designed to give you the necessary skills to prepare you for your future life.

Is the Entry Programme suitable for me?
Every year students are involved in a review of their studies. From this review students have commented on how supportive all the tutors have been and that they are treated as adults. In order for them to learn they liked being in a small group size with learning support assistants in each class.

Some students have to travel by bus to college and found the college day much longer than a school one. This takes a little while to get used to and can mean you are tired in the early part of the course.

How will I learn?
A small team of lecturers will teach you and most classes will also be helped by a learning support assistant. You will regularly spend time with your tutor where you can monitor your progress and agree your own learning targets.

How will I be assessed?
Your work will be continuously marked and placed in a portfolio for when you are ready to claim your qualifications. These might include:

BTEC Entry Level Vocational Studies

Functional Skills in Maths, English and I.C.T.

Award/Certificate in Personal and Social Development

Progression
You will have lots of choices at the end of this programme and you will receive plenty of advice on what to do next. Some students decide to continue their education at Alton College on the BTEC Introductory Diploma in Vocational Studies.

Katie decided she would like to work with children and enrolled on the Foundation course in Health & Social Care.

Some students moved on to other colleges:

Joe enjoyed horticulture as part of the Entry Programme and went onto Sparsholt College†s Foundation Land Based Studies course. Steven went onto South Downs college to complete a Foundation IT course.

Other students joined a local training provider:

Kirsty also liked gardening and attends a training centre for two days a week, to continue improving her basic skills in numeracy and literacy and has three days a week in the garden centre. She is able to receive free transport and earns a small allowance.

Whilst other students found employment: (Peter enjoyed Retail and obtained a job with a local supermarket).

Course costs:
All students will be expected to provide their own textbooks, stationery, computer disks and calculators (where appropriate).

Essential: The course has a catering module and all students are asked to contribute financially to this weekly (£2.00).

Desirable: Trips and visits cost approximately £30 a year.

If the cost of equipment, materials and trips may cause you financial hardship, there is the opportunity to apply for help from the College Access Fund.

Course: BTEC Entry Vocational Studies

Entry Requirements No formal qualifications are required but a good attitude to learning is important.