The Principal's Newsletter

Summer Assessments and reviewing progress

Students have now completed their year 1 mock exams and, over the next few weeks, they will be reviewing their progress this year, with their tutors. We expect to publish full reports on Wednesday 25^th June and there will be a parents’ evening on Thursday 26^th June. As ever, if you have concerns about your child’s progress or wellbeing, you don’t need to wait for the parents’ evening. Please do contact their Personal Tutor.

Attendance

Thank you for supporting us in ensuring students maintain regular attendance in all lessons including Registration, Tutorial and Additional Studies and that all absences are notified in advance. 

Students can notify us of an absence themselves by emailing their Personal Tutor and cc’ing you, as parent/carer into the email.  Alternatively, you can log the absence directly onto our register system – CEDAR.  Details of how to log an absence is on our College website - here. 

We will be speaking with Year 1 students over the next half term about their next steps after College and the importance of maintaining excellent attendance, punctuality and behaviour.  These aspects are all included on a College reference, as they are vital attributes for future employers and further education.

Next steps – life beyond College

The first year of College is nearly over and now is the time for students to start planning their next steps. About 80% of our students progress to university, and those who have other plans often make a university application as a back-up. Students considering university should be researching universities and can now begin their application via the UCAS Hub.  A ‘Parents Guide to University’ can also be found within the Careers, University and Employment section of the College website under Parent Information/Presentations

On Thursday 3^rd July and Friday 4^th July, all Year 1 students will be involved in our main progression event of the year. Academic departments have invited employers, apprenticeship providers and universities to provide a huge range of information talks to students.  Students will sign up to 8 talks over the two days. The talks won’t be recorded, so they need to make the most of the opportunity. The event concludes with a University and Employment Fair of over 70 attendees who will answer student questions and provide bespoke guidance as needed.

There will be a large variety of events taking place in July, before term ends on Wednesday 16^th July.

We have our annual Arts and Culture week, sports events, performances, field trips and exchange visits. Students also continue with their lessons and full attendance remains important. Please note that students will be working from home on Monday 9^th June so that we can accommodate staff training and on Tuesday 24^th and Wednesday 25^th June so that we can welcome new applicants to the College for their induction days.

Study leave has started and public exams are well under way. Students have been briefed about exam rules and procedures and how to prepare for exams and manage stress. Although formal lessons have finished, students are of course still very welcome to contact their teachers to get extra assistance.

This is an intense time for students. They have had a lot of advice and information about staying calm and healthy during the exam season, including a 15 minute video created by the Mental Health Support Team with tips on how to cope with exam stress.  Students can access this video again via estream (however please note that estream is only accessible within College).

All too soon, these exams will be over, and it will be time to relax and wait for the results of all their hard work! Students should return all resources loaned from the College by Tuesday 1^st July 2025 please.

Results dates – Summer 2025

A level / Level 3 qualifications:    Thursday 14^th August 2025

GCSE / Level 2 qualifications:       Thursday 21^st August 2025

Further information regarding post results services can be found on the College website under the Exams section.

What happens on A level results day?

Students will be able to access their results remotely via CEDAR from 08:00am.  They should take a screen shot of the results page of CEDAR straightaway, as access will be revoked in September.

Students can check the status of their university application via the UCAS website from 08:15am. Please do not rely just on exam grades – some universities will accept students with lower grades onto their course or offer a slightly different course. 

Students that gain the grades for their firm (1^st) choice university will find that they have been allocated on the UCAS Hub and their insurance choice deleted by default. 

Students who have not achieved their firm choice university will be considered by their insurance choice who will either accept or reject via the UCAS Hub. 

Students who have not been accepted by either their firm or insurance universities will be entered into “clearing” where they can apply to universities for places that are still on offer.  Universities will have an allocated clearing telephone number on their website that students must call directly. 

Students can phone more than one university but can only accept one place (further places held will prevent other students from securing that place). There will be deadlines by which to accept the clearing place – universities are open on the Saturday to enable visits to any clearing option by agreement.

If students need further support, there will be a team at College on and after results day who can help.  Students and parents are welcome to contact College to arrange an appointment.  You can also contact them via email: Senior Tutors  STSupport@colchsfc.ac.uk; the Exams department exams@colchsfc.ac.uk and our Careers department careersoffice@colchsfc.ac.uk

Graduation & Awards Event

In October we will send invites to 2025 leavers and their parents/carers to our annual Graduation and Awards Event which will be held at The University of Essex in December.