Preparing for the start of college – What to consider for this September!
Calling all parents!
It’s not too late for your young people to apply to the RNN Group – Rotherham College, North Notts College, Dearne Valley College and University Centre Rotherham – to start with us in September!
Our learner recruitment teams are working over the summer to ensure every student has the place they want on the course they want.
Rotherham College
Rotherham College in the centre of Rotherham is the home of Arts, so why not consider a performing arts course or a course in fashion design?
Our new Construction Centre of Excellence opened in late 2024 for students who want to learn bricklaying, construction, plumbing, joinery, engineering as well as our digital suite for students interested in digital courses.
Rotherham College also has fantastic facilities for budding chefs as well as media make-up and hair and beauty artists and students wanting a career in aviation.
Dearne Valley College
Dearne Valley College just six miles north of Rotherham College has a spacious campus for animal lovers to study animal management, dog grooming and where you can look after llamas, sugargliders, meerkats and more exotic animals.
Our brand-new health suite at Dearne Valley College trains the future employees of our health service and includes AI robots that simulate real life conditions.
Finally, our esports centre is one of the best where students get to compete online as well as learn all about one of the fastest growing industries in the world.
North Notts College
Over the border in North Nottinghamshire, is North Notts College where students will be able to enjoy a multi-million-pound T Level development as well as state of the art Hair and Beauty facility. Students in digital, health, education, hair and beauty, media make-up and construction and engineering will benefit from this investment.
Alongside the motor vehicle centre which teaches students about hybrid cars and has its own charging stations, sports students can enjoy fantastic sports facilities along with the protective services students.
University Centre Rotherham
The Group also has its very own University Centre in Rotherham and teaching starts again from 21st September. This purpose-built building is now entering its eighth year as a centre for Higher Skills Education and Development.
Courses are both full time and part time to suit a range of individual needs in the areas of accountancy, arts, graphics, digital, engineering and performance and much more!
Preparing for college
What preparations can my young person make for college life?
Firstly, if they have not confirmed their place, then they should do so. On 21st August, ensure their GCSE results meet the entry requirements and then they can accept their offer formally and complete any enrolment paperwork.
Ensure your young person does any summer prep work your college has provided and sort out some supplies including notebooks or refill pads, pens, highlighters and a USB stick or cloud storage setup. RNN Group is a google reference college so Google will be perfect!
Your young person will most likely be familiar with tools and apps such as Microsoft Teams, Google Classroom, or Moodle, but do check!
My young person is nervous – what can I do to give them reassurance with this next step?
We offer personal tours throughout the summer holidays so book on to have a tour and get the reassurance you need by coming in and familiarising yourself with the layout and talking to staff.
Check your college website which has an information area that will answer most questions you may have including questions on transport and timetables, lunch and food, attendance and deadlines and the college day.
Making friends is always a worry but everyone is in the same boat! Your young person might be joining a new environment – but encourage them not to be afraid to talk to new people whether in class, or clubs, and to join enrichment activities or societies if your college offers them to make new friends.
Each college organises mental health and wellbeing support. Know where to go if you’re struggling – pastoral care, tutors, or a college counsellor are available for support.
Financially, most colleges have a 16-19 Bursary Fund and if your household income is low, apply for help with travel, meals, or materials. You can ask your college for the application form and evidence needed. If you don’t have one yet, open a student bank account for any bursary payments or part-time job income.
So what are you waiting for!
Let your young person know to Apply Now, there’ still time and preparation time before your young person starts at Rotherham College, North Notts College, Dearne Valley College and University Centre Rotherham!