The College aims to provide a fair system for student applications. It is important that we provide clear procedures about the application process so that anyone applying for a course is aware of the stages of the application process and the judgements we make when selecting candidates to courses. This policy also outlines how to appeal if your application is unsuccessful.


1 EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY

The College welcomes applications from all candidates with the potential to succeed, regardless of their age, race, gender or physical capacity. It is committed to equality of opportunity and aims to avoid unfair discrimination in accordance with the College’s policy on equal opportunities.

In addition, the College has provided a comprehensive statement on the Disability Equality Scheme and has identified positive steps to ensure that disabled applicants and students’ needs are met by the College. The College will continue to tackle barriers that discriminate against disabled people.


2 INFORMATION AND ADVICE TO APPLICANTS

The College aims to provide accurate and timely information and advice to prospective students about opportunities for study on offer to them and applicants will be directed to the prospectus in the first instance, and to the tutors directly for more detailed course information.

Where more detailed information is required and the tutor is unavailable, messages will be passed onto that member of staff with contact information from the applicant. It is an expectation of college tutors to follow up these enquiries.


3 FULL-TIME APPLICATIONS

(a) Applications to study on courses will be processed by the College, via the Admissions Office. Applicants are welcome to submit their application form as soon as possible although interviews generally do not commence until the beginning of the spring term. The Admissions Office receive applications throughout the year right up to enrolment. It is recommended you submit your application earlier to avoid disappointment.

(b) Once applications have been received by the Admissions Office they will be passed to tutors for a decision on whether the applicant can be offered an interview. The Admissions Office aims to observe the following timings for processing applications:

• Applications will be acknowledged by the College within 5 working days of receipt.

• If information is missing from the application form, such as details of qualifications or names of a referee the Admissions Office will contact the applicant to complete the outstanding information. Normally contact will be made by phone and so it is important to record telephone numbers including mobiles on the application form.

• Where applicants have not reached the academic level needed for the course chosen, an alternative will be proposed.

• Interviews will be arranged as soon as practicable but is subject to tutors availability and teaching commitments. Where the interview process is based on a group interview, delays may occur pending receipt of a sufficient number of applicants applying for the particular course. Every effort will be made to secure an interview as quickly as possible.

• Once an interview has been arranged a letter will be sent to the applicant with details of the time, date and venue of interview.


4 THE INTERVIEW PROCESS

The interview process is designed to enable tutors to decide on applicants’ ability to complete the course successfully. The interview process is generally 30 minutes in length and seeks to establish applicants’ motivations, ability, appropriateness and suitability for joining their chosen course. The interview will be a chance for the tutor to discuss course choices and explain alternatives, provide more detailed information about the course and College life.

Interviews are designed to be a two-way process and applicants are encouraged to ask questions. Parents and guardians of under 18s are welcome to attend the interview and should recognise that it is the applicant who is being interviewed and they should answer the questions being asked by the interviewer.

In most cases there will be one interview. However, sometimes it is necessary to request further interviews for example, if applicants have chosen a vocational course and need to demonstrate practical skills. It is the intention of the College to keep interviews to a minimum and only ask candidates to return if really necessary. If applicants decide to choose another course after initial interview, a further interview may be required particularly if it is in a different subject area.

Decisions on Applications
Following interview the tutor will make one of the following decisions:
• To offer a place unconditionally
• To offer a place subject to meeting certain conditions
• To offer an alternative course
• To reject the application.

In most cases offers will be made on a conditional basis such as achievement of the course entry requirements, acceptable references or some evidence of work experience. In some cases applicants will be asked to submit a personal statement or provide a summary of work experience.

It is important that applicants receiving conditional offers meet those conditions to enable them to join the course in September. Applicants for care courses will be required to apply for CRB clearance. The submission of an application does not guarantee a place on any course of study.


5 CRITERIA FOR ENTRY

The main principle in deciding whether to admit an applicant is whether they have a reasonable chance of meeting the learning outcomes of the course. Applicants should normally either have obtained or expect to obtain the qualifications needed to study.

If, after examination results have been received, the applicant has not received the grades needed for entry, an alternative course may be offered. Where applicants do not have the qualifications needed other factors can be taken into account such as work experience or career history.

The overriding principles for admission to courses are the capability and capacity of the applicant to complete the course.
Applicants currently in education need to supply the name of a referee from school or college. For other applicants a reference is required from the most recent or current employer.

Where applicants are unable to supply a reference from these sources, alternative references can be supplied from someone able to comment on the applicant’s abilities. References play an important role in providing further evidence of applicants’ capabilities.

In some cases information might be drawn from other areas which informs the decision-making process. Where an applicant has previously been excluded from Kidderminster College, the Admissions Office will refer the application in the first instance to the Section Manager.

It is at the Section’s Manager’s discretion as to whether the application can proceed to interview. Where applicant’s have been excluded from a previous educational institution, the onus of responsibility is on the applicant to disclose this information at interview. References will then be requested and the details given to the Section Manager for a decision to be made.

If applicants are known to have caused risk to others this may exclude them from joining a course.


6 REJECTIONS ON NON-ACADEMIC GROUNDS

In cases where information of a non-academic nature provided by an applicant, leads to the admissions tutor recommending the rejection of that candidate, the candidate retains the option to appeal. Where this option is exercised, the candidate will be interviewed by two tutors.

On reaching a decision, tutors will feedback to the Student Services Manager the admission or rejection of the candidate. This procedure may be involved where information is available concerning activities outside the law or the expression of beliefs which may present a danger to fellow students, College staff or members of the public using College facilities.


7 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS

Applicants with complaints about the admissions process are advised to write to the Student Services Manager.


8 OFFER OF ADMISSION

Each applicant who is successful will receive a formal offer letter from the Admissions Office setting out the course of study, the fees to be paid (if applicable), and any conditions which need to be met. Applicants will be asked to sign a form indicating that they accept or reject the place.


OFF-SITE PROVISION

Some full-time courses are delivered at alternative sites such as Stourport Training Centre. The admissions procedure may be different and applicants are advised to contact the centre directly to discuss the application process.


PART-TIME COURSES

Given the variety of courses on offer at the College, the offer of a place on the part-time route is governed by the nature of study. In some cases, interviews will take place and additional criteria applied for admittance to the course such as evidence of qualifications, clear Criminal Records Bureau checks or relevant work experience. For courses that are of a recreational nature, such measures may not be deemed appropriate.

Part-time courses requiring interview
Where part-time courses require an interview before the offer of a place, the Admissions Office will advise applicants. Normally this would involve applicants’ details being passed to the course tutor who will then outline the procedure for joining the course.

This could involve an interview, attendance at an open day, production of qualifications or proof of work experience. The tutor will counter-sign the enrolment form completed by the applicant as evidence that the candidate has been approved for acceptance onto the course.

In other cases, particularly for recreational courses, the completion of an enrolment form is sufficient. The College is taking responsibility for accepting the applicant onto the programme without further checks or conditions.