Induction
When you start at the College you will have an introduction to your course so that you know what to expect and how to succeed. We will also make sure we look carefully at your learning needs so that you know how to find any support you may need.
Tutorial support
Personal / Course tutors are a central element in the system of support for students at Greenwich Community College.
Your Tutor will:
- Encourage you to succeed.
- Support you to ensure that you meet or exceed your learning goals by setting challenging targets with you during the reviewing process.
- Agree your personal needs, and help you to plan and set targets reflecting these in your Personalised Learning Plan.
- Monitor your attendance, punctuality and achievement.
If you are a full time student you will have a tutorial session each week. These sessions are compulsory. Tutorial will be a mix of group activities and individual sessions to support your learning goal and ensure you are a safe learner who makes a full meaningful contribution to the college, society and the local community.
Tutorial topics will include for example:
- Writing or updating your Personalised Learning Plan.
- Conducting surveys to find out what you think about your course and the college.
- Preparation for higher education and assistance with the UCAS application process.
- Preparing and writing your cv.
- Developing your study skills, support for your academic progress.
Learning Resources
The Learning Resources Centre (LRC) at Plumstead provides a welcoming place to study and catch up on your learning. There’s a Library Zone containing over 50,000 books, DVD’s and journals, whilst our Computer Zone has over 80 computers and is available on a drop-in basis. You will have access to the Student Intranet, the Internet and specialist software. A smaller Cyber Cafe is available at our Greenwich Park Centre. The Student Intranet is networked across College sites and contains subject web pages with information about your course and a vast range of useful online learning resources and study skills advice. Many of the online journals, encyclopaedias and databases can also be accessed over the web from home. Ask in the LRC for a username and password for home access. For more information please contact the LRC on 020 8488 4813 or 020 8355 3983.
LEO (Learning online)://leo.gcc.ac.uk/moodle/ lets you access your course via the internet and is an exciting new way to learn while you study with us. Leo lets you study parts of your course via the internet and e-mail your tutor or class to discuss study topics. If any part of your course is available your tutor will give you a user name and password. For more information about LEO contact Leland De Cambra on lelandd@gcc.ac.uk or 020 8355 3933.
The e-Skills Centre at Plumstead also offers drop in access to computers as well as Learndirect courses and online exam facilities. You can contact the e-Skills Centre on 020 8488 4839 or e-mail them.
Childcare
The College has a range of childcare facilities at our centres but you need to book as early as possible because places are in great demand. There is a day nursery at the Plumstead Centre for children over 12 months of age and crèche provision at other centres. There is a charge for using the crèches and the nursery but many students are helped by the Learner Support Fund. If we cannot offer you a childcare place in one of our own facilities and you are eligible for help from the Learner Support Fund, we may be able to organise a place for your child or children with a registered child minder. If you think you may need childcare please contact the Childcare Services Manager on 020 8488 4820 to arrange an interview as soon as you have been offered a place on a course.
Careers Advice and Guidance
Our student advisers offer a range of services including one-to-one careers guidance, advice on applications for higher education, job search skills and information on fees and grants. They can also help you by:
- Providing information about other courses in the College.
- Talking to you about progression routes available on completion of your course.
- Helping you to make realistic decisions and planning your next steps into education or training.
Work experience
Some courses will require you to have a work experience placement. Your placement should give you an invaluable insight into how your studies fit into real practice. A current Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure is needed if you are applying for courses where you will have a work placement with children or vulnerable adults. A disclosure is a check undertaken by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) on all people seeking to work with children and/or vulnerable adults. This is to ensure that you do not have a criminal record, which would make you unsuitable for work of this nature. This must be applied for at enrolment and will cost you £36.