Author Archives: Gower College Swansea

How do we use your Personal Information

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The College processes personal data about its learners and is a “Data Controller” in respect of this for the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998.  It processes this data to:

  • support its learner’s teaching and learning;
  • monitor and report on their progress;
  • satisfy health and safety requirements
  • provide appropriate pastoral care, and assess how well the college, as a whole, is doing.

This data includes for example, contact details, enrolment details, national curriculum assessment results, attendance information, characteristics such as ethnic group, special educational needs and any relevant medical information.

  1. This data may only be used or passed on for specific purposes allowed by law. We will send some of the information we hold about you to the Welsh Government (WG). This information forms your learner record held by WG. This is used by WG and the third parties detailed below for four broad purposes:
  2. For WG, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, Estyn, and the Wales Audit Office to carry out their statutory functions.
  3. For WG to produce anonymised data in statistical publications.
  4. For third parties, such as further education sector bodies, to use anonymised data to carry out research or equal opportunities monitoring that WG deems to be in the public interest. This information may be published.
    Occasionally WG may allow third parties acting on its behalf access to learner records including personal identifiers only to assist in linking learner records for the purpose of statistical research. Contractors will be required to sign confidentiality agreements in relation to the data, demonstrate that they operate satisfactory information security procedures, and destroy their copies of the data following conclusion of the research project.

Your contact details may be passed, by WG, to survey contractors to carry out the Learner Voice Survey, or other surveys related to education functions on behalf of the organisations listed. These contractors will use your details only for that purpose, and will then delete
them. If you do not want to take part in these surveys, please let us know.

The data you supply will also be used by the Learning Registration Service formally Managing Information Across Partners (MIAP) to issue you with a Unique Learner Number (ULN) and share information about your learning with organisations linked to your education and training. Further details of how your data is processed and shared can be found at www.miap.gov.uk.

The College may also share your data with Careers Wales West, the Local Education Authority, The Children’s University, Swansea Language Centre, Student Finance Wales and organisations that require access to data for registration, certification and examination purposes.

Your rights: Under the Data Protection Act 1998, you have rights of access to the data
WAG holds about you. For further information please email llwr@wales.gsi.gov.uk.

If you wish to access your personal data then please contact the Data Control Officer at the College. A nominal fee is charged for each request and the College has a time period of 40 days to provide the data (as per the Data Protection Act 1998).

If you have any questions about how we use personal information please contact Dave Hibbs on 01792 284065 or 01792 890718 or email dave.hibbs@gowercollegeswansea.ac.uk

Student Absence Recording

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If you are unable to attend College the following procedure must be adhered to. The College must be notified before 10 am on every day of absence. There are a number of ways you can do this.

Through our mobile site mob.gcs.ac.uk

You can download mob.gcs.ac.uk on your phone and add it to your your Home Screen.  You can report your absence, access news about the college and information about opening times and contact details.

Click on the absence symbol and enter the information requested on the electronic form.

Through www.gowercollegeswansea.ac.uk

  1. Enter www.gowercollegeswansea.ac.uk into your web browser
  2. Click on the Staff/Student Tab
  3. Click on the Report Student Absence Tab and enter the information requested on the template:
Your Full Name

Your Date of Birth

Faculty

Attendance (FT/PT)

Security Check

 Your student ID number

Reason for Absence

Campus

Select full-time or part-time option

Requesting your A (Absence) to be changed to an E (Explained) Absence

If you want the register to be marked as an E (Explained) you will need to provide proof that you were involved in an activity that can be marked as Explained (See Student Attendance Procedure).

If you receive EMA funding you must present this proof to the Student Funding Team based in Student Services.  You must do this within two weeks of the absence to ensure that you continue to receive the funding. If proof is not presented to the Student Funding Team your absence cannot be marked on the Register as E (Explained).

If you are not in receipt of funding you should provide the evidence to your Faculty Office who should file it in your Personal Record file.

Your Faculty monitors student absences and decide on the appropriate action to be taken in line with the Student Disciplinary Procedure. This may result in you being asked to leave college on the basis of poor absence.

Anti-Bullying Policy

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1.         Context

Gower College Swansea is committed to providing a supportive, friendly, safe and positive environment so that students can learn in a secure atmosphere and get the most out of their experience of college life. At Gower College Swansea bullying and harassment is considered Gross Misconduct.

Any incident of bullying or harassment will be regarded very seriously and may be grounds for disciplinary action as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct and Student Disciplinary Procedure.

2.         Scope

The policy applies to:

  • All students of Gower College Swansea
  • Students on work placement or educational trips
  • School pupils accessing college courses

3.         Body of Policy

3.1     Gower College Swansea wants all students to:

  • Feel valued and treat each other with respect
  • Be aware of the Anti-Bullying Policy and feel supported in the event of raising any concerns
  • To report any form of bullying with the understanding that they will be fully supported in doing so

 3.2     The College takes bullying very seriously and will put all measures in place in line with the Student Code of Conduct to put a stop to it.

3.3     All learners should know what the College policy is on bullying and what they should do if bullying occurs.

3.4     All staff should have an understanding of what bullying is and what the College’s Anti-Bullying Policy states.

Staff need to know how to deal promptly and effectively with incidents and allegations of bullying.

All staff, when applying this policy, must ensure that students are not discriminated against or disadvantaged as a result of their race, religion, gender or disability.

4.       Definition of Bullying

Bullying is when someone deliberately sets out to hurt another.

The student must decide whether to ask for help and whether to proceed with a formal complaint.  Examples of bullying behaviour include, but are not limited to:

  • Unwanted contact, assault or gestures
  • Derogatory remarks or malicious gossip
  • Insensitive jokes or pranks
  • Insulting or aggressive behaviour
  • Ignoring or excluding the individual
  • Public criticism
  • Intimidation by, for example, aggressive or threatening behaviour
  • Any other action or incident which the individual or group of individuals believes constitutes harassment or bullying
  • Offensive literature, pictures, graffiti, computer imagery
  • Offensive text or phone messaging
  • Cyber-bullying (offensive messages and images on the computer via e-mail or chat lines) including Facebook, MSN or Bebo
  • Criminal damage, taking or damaging a fellow student’s belongings

The actions listed above must be viewed in terms of the distress they cause the individual.  It is the perceptions of the recipient that determines whether any action or statement can be viewed as bullying.

5.         Definition of Cyber Bullying

Cyber bullying is the term used to define bullying behaviour that takes place via mobile phone or over the internet through e-mails, instant messaging and social networking websites.  Texts, messages or images are sent or posted on sites, which hurt, intimidate or embarrass another person.  Cyber bullying is not carried out face to face and people often don’t know the identity of the person targeting them.  (Definition taken from respectme.org.uk)

6.       Definition of Racial Harassment

Racial harassment is any intimidating or threatening act by a person of one racial or ethnic origin against a person of another because of their race or ethnic origin.

7.         Guidelines for Students

The College will offer support to anyone who is a victim of bullying.  Practical Actions you can take if you are a victim of bullying or harassment:

7.1     Talk about the problem with somebody that can support you (you can do this in confidence if you wish). A list of people you can talk to at College include:

Tycoch, Kingsway or Llwyn Y Bryn Belgrave Road
Personal Tutor Personal Tutor
Faculty Tutor Faculty Tutor
Student Welfare Officer Student Welfare Officer
Student Well-Being OfficerStudent Health Advisor Exchange CounsellorsStudent Health Advisor

If you do not feel comfortable talking to someone in College you can also contact external agencies e.g. Childline on 0800 11 11.

7.2     Keep a record of the bullying:

a.Keep a log of the bullying, with details dates and times of what has happened.

b.Make sure you keep a record of any offensive e-mails, text messages or internet chat room comments.  Block the person from social networking site.

c.If you have some examples of bullying on your mobile you could either ask your mobile phone operator to block their number – or change your own mobile number.  (Remember to keep the evidence)

7.3     Gower College Swansea can deal with the bullying through the Student Code of Conduct.  If you feel that you want to discuss a case in confidence, we will support you with this and look at ways of minimising the impact of the situation on you.

We will also be able to point you in the direction of external support and support available over the Internet.  This could be useful to you for times when you are on your own.

7.4     Once a member of staff has been alerted, they will inform the Faculty Tutor who will talk to you about the incident.  You will be listened to sympathetically and your concerns taken seriously.  A strategy to deal with the incident will be negotiated with you and enacted only with your consent.

7.5     If there is a case to answer, the next step may be the College’s Student Disciplinary Procedure.  An investigation may take place where the Faculty Tutor or other relevant member of the staff will interview you and the alleged bully/bullies separately.

7.6     In certain circumstance the College may feel it necessary to involve your parents but will inform you before doing so.

7.7     At all stages in the above procedure you may bring a friend or relative to support you.

7.8     The aim of the investigation is to gather all the facts pertinent to the case to inform a decision as to whether the allegations made constitute a breach of the Student Code of Conduct.

7.9     If the Student Code of Conduct has been breached, the alleged bully(ies) will be dealt with using the College’s disciplinary procedures.

7.10    If you are dissatisfied with the outcome, or with the way in which the complaint was handled, you may appeal using the College’s Appeals Procedure.

7.11    Complaints raised by students or a member of staff on behalf of a student will be reviewed seriously and investigated confidentially by the relevant Senior Manager.

8.         Guidelines for Staff

All complaints about bullying should be taken seriously and treated sensitively.  It is important to discuss possible/desirable strategies with the victim in the first instance and proceed as appropriate.

After a complaint about bullying has been dealt with by the College, the situation must be monitored to ensure that bullying does not recur and the investigation should include a recommendation as to the person who will be responsible for monitoring the situation and the relevant timescale.

As a result of the investigation some students may be disciplined using the practice set out in the College’s Student Disciplinary Procedure.

9.         Support on handling bullying and harassment at College

The College uses opportunities for promoting the anti-bullying policy and the College’s approach to handling bullying issues in a variety of ways, including:

  • Tutorial sessions
  • The Electronic Student Handbook
  • Student workshops
  • College events
  • Close links with outside agencies

Please ask out Student Services Team if you would like to use one of these sessions.

10. Related Documents

IT Code of Conduct

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You can use the college’s computing facilities to support your course through research and learning. On enrolment you will be issued with an ID number. This will allow you access to the college’s computing facilities, including email and internet.

You must follow the IT Code of Conduct outlined below. It is there to protect you.

Security

  •  Log off the computer once you have finished or are leaving the computer unattended.
  • Keep your password confidential at all times.
  • You must not attempt to disable or change the network in any way or attempt to bypass or tamper with any security measures.
  • You must not attempt to gain access to any system, service or account to which you have not been granted authorised access.
  • We routinely monitor activity. If you use the computer in an unacceptable way we can trace the user via your username.

Email Use

As a student you will be given an email address. When using this you must:

  • tell a member of staff if you suspect a virus has been introduced to your email account;
  • not store any unsuitable or unnecessary materials within your email account;
  • not use abusive or objectionable language in any email.

Internet Use

The internet is there to help you with your course. Please use it to its full potential, but note the following:

  • the internet should only be used in connection with your college courses;
  • avoid images or text likely to be considered as obscene or indecent, or that are likely to cause embarrassment, anxiety or annoyance;
  • do not use chat lines and games unless it contributes to your course;
  • avoid areas with potentially illegal information;
  • do not send unwanted materials to others, e.g. rude, offensive or any other materials likely to cause distress;
  • accessing inappropriate websites, gambling or other activities of disrepute is not allowed;
  • do not illegally copy materials protected under copyright law;
  • do not agree to a licence or download for which a licence fee is payable;
  • you must not attempt to disable or change the network in any way or attempt to bypass or tamper with any security measures; and
  • you must not attempt to gain access to any system, service or account to which you have not been granted authorised access.

Breaches of this code could result in you being locked out of the computer system temporarily or permanently or you could be subject to the college’s Student Disciplinary Procedures.

Health and Safety

  • We recommend that you spend no more than one hour at a computer without a break.

Applying to Higher Education

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Information Guide

As part of your career plan you may be thinking about going onto higher education at Gower College Swansea or at another institution.

Researching course options and entry requirements

Applying to higher education requires a lot of preparation and planning.  The College, via its Tutorial Programme and Careers staff, supports students through the application process.  It is, however, vital that students research their options thoroughly and gather as much information as possible in their first year.

The following list gives pointers and links to information useful in completing the research.

UCAS Deadlines

The college’s UCAS application deadline for courses starting in September 2017 is Friday 21st October 2015* with a final later UCAS deadline of Friday 13th January 2017.

The College provides full support to students applying to higher education and aim to process applications as quickly as possible.  However, as there are a large number of applications made, the College requires 28 working days to process and send your application form to UCAS or a higher education institution.

*  This deadline does not apply to those applying to Oxbridge, medicine or veterinary colleges.  Students applying to these colleges will be communicated these application deadlines through their tutor – the deadline is earlier.

Higher Education (HE) Day and Evening

During your first year you and your parents can attend the annual Higher Education Day and Evening.  Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to find out more about higher education and life at university.

Staff from a number of universities, accompanied by student ambassadors, will be able to answer individual questions on subject specific topics or, more generally, life as a student. The event includes advice on funding and applications.

Higher Education Visits and Open Days

There is no substitute for visiting an institution and seeing it at first hand.

NB. Some open days have limited places and need to be booked in advance.

Student Finance

  • Student Loans/Student Finance – www.studentfinancewales.co.uk
  • Fees, Bursaries and financial support – details for many institutions can be found via Course Search on www.ucas.com and in the Fees & Finances section of each course.

Parents/Guardians

Ask your parents/guardians to visit www.ucas.com/parents for information to help support you through the process of applying to Higher Education.

Reaching Wider

Reaching Wider is a project aimed at widening access to Higher Education for all students. The project focuses on students with disabilities, ethnic minority communities, Welsh medium learners and people living in ‘Community First’ areas.  We have a number of Reaching Wider Co-ordinators at the college who develop programmes designed to encourage progression from college to university.

As part of the initiative the college also participates in the Summer University programme* which provides students with the opportunity to enjoy a taste of life at a higher education level.   The feedback from those students who have taken part in this four week residential programme has been extremely positive.  The Summer University enabled them to meet new friends, broaden their horizons and help them make informed decisions about their future.

*Subject to confirmation

Lost Property

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Whilst on college premises you are responsible for your own property.  You must keep all your belongings with you at all times and do not leave bags unattended.  We cannot be held responsible for lost or stolen items whilst at college.  Where lockers are available, please ensure that you make use of them.
If you are unfortunate enough to lose any items or have anything stolen please contact student services or report the loss to a Reception area.

 

Health and Safety in the College

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Gower College Swansea is committed to the provision of a safe learning environment for its students and staff.  These guidelines aim to protect you and others, prevent accidents and set good working practices.  We all have a legal responsibility for our own health and safety and the health and safety of others.

First Aid in the Classroom or Workshop

During activities organised by the College, you must adopt appropriate behaviour and safe working practices in accordance with instructions from lecturing staff and technicians.  These ‘safe systems of work’ are tried and tested and have been developed through risk assessment, with you in mind.  Some areas within the College environment have been identified as higher risk.  Additional controls and local rules are in place in these areas and must be complied with at all times. Higher risk areas Include:

  • Science Laboratories
  • Engineering Workshops
  • Kitchens
  • Performing Arts Areas
  • Sports Science Areas
  • Public Services
  • Educational Visits away from the College

During your induction and lessons, you will be made aware of the local rules and you will receive specific instruction, such as the use of appropriate personal protective equipment, existing control measures, emergency procedures, and any prohibitions and restricted areas.  .  You may be subject to the student disciplinary procedures for repeat offenses to health and Safety requirements

We are all required to maintain the College in a clean and tidy manner. For example, placing litter in the correct bins, and at the end of class clearing away tools, equipment and materials, returning them to storage areas as appropriate.  . This practice helps to keep work areas available and safe for all students.

If you have any concerns on matters of health and safety at Gower College Swansea, please contact the Safety Officer or a member of staff who will be able to assist you.

Fire Safety and Emergency Evacuation

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For your safety, all members of staff are familiar with fire safety procedures.  In the event of an emergency follow their instructions.  To help you become familiar with emergency evacuation procedures a practice fire drill will be held early in September.  Other drills will be scheduled throughout the year, but remember every alarm must be treated as if a real danger of fire exists.

Fire Action notices are posted near fire alarm points throughout the premises.  Take the time to familiarise yourself with these instructions. 

It is particularly important that you follow all instructions from members of staff and designated fire marshalls during emergency situations, who will oversee emergency evacuations.  In emergency situations you must follow emergency instructions (especially if you are not under direct supervision at the time of the alarm):

If you discover a fire:

  • Raise the alarm by shouting ‘fire’ and breaking the glass on the nearest fire alarm point (located at intervals in corridors and near final exits);
  • Never attempt to extinguish a fire!
  • Leave the building immediately by the nearest safe exit.

Upon hearing the alarm:

  • Leave the building immediately by the nearest safe route and exit (do not run and try to remain calm)
  • Do not use the lifts
  • Do not stop to collect personal belongings
  • Go to the nearest assembly point
  • Report any fellow students who you think should be at the assembly point but have not arrived to the Assembly Point Co-ordinator or Fire Marshall (the person in the hi-viz vest);
  • Do not re-enter the building until you have received the ‘all-clear’ instruction from the Assembly Point Co-ordinator;
  • Do not leave the College site unless authorised to do so;
  • If you are unable to negotiate stairs, ‘safe areas’ have been identified with evacuation chairs and trained members of staff to assist;
  • Do not operate a vehicle while an evacuation is in progress.  Immediately stop your vehicle, leaving access for emergency vehicles. 

General Evacuation Arrangements

Individuals with temporary mobility difficulties, like crutches for a sprained ankle, should wait behind until the rush of people have gone so that can negotiate the stairs safely, i.e. reduce the risk of being pushed accidently by a crown of people descending the stairs in a hurry.

All individuals with known disabilities like wheel chair users, hearing or visual impairments must have the benefit of a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan.  Please contact student services or your faculty office if you feel the need for a personalised evacuation plan.