As your student takes on adult responsibilities, your role will change, but your student still needs you. Students need you to support their growth, development, and independence, and to be a stable force in their ever-changing world. On occasion, they even need your advice—but they may or may not ask for it.
Learning to navigate this challenging time can be difficult, rewarding, scary, and even humorous for you, and for your student. Below you will find advice and additional resources to help you throughout your student’s educational journey.
As part of our support programme for parents we will look to send you information on how your son / daughter is getting on at college, for example, via termly progress reports. To do this we need your most up-to-date contact details which can be provided via this short form which will only take a few minutes to complete our contact form, click the button below to gain access to the form.
College is a new experience for both student and parent/guardian. That's why we think it's important to keep connected, even if it's as simple as a text/whatsapp during their lunch.
New experiences and growing up means more challenges for your student. Don't feel that you can't ask questions about their studies, college life or next steps. Just don't bombard them on their first week.
College and the experiences associated with it can effect changes in social, vocational, and personal behaviour and choices. Change is natural, inevitable, and it can be inspiring. You can’t stop change, you may never understand it, but it is within your power to accept it.
Utilise our website and discover the range of activities and opportunities your student can get involved in. Helping your student to navigate a new change and new college by referring them to appropriate resources is one of the best ways for you to mentor your student during this transition to adulthood.
We know parents/guardians like to plan ahead when it comes to holidays, time together as a family unit, which is why we always try keep our term dates as up to date as we can. Visit our term dates section on our website.
You are just as important component to your students college journey as we are, which is why we operate an 'If In Doubt, Reach Out' approach. If you have questions about anything regarding your students time at college reach out to us via phone, email or social media.
If you need help with the cost of childcare while you’re at college, you may be eligible for help from the Learner Support Fund.
Awards will be granted to you if you’re found eligible. This is based on your income and your use of registered childcare providers.
Find out more here:
For further information about childcare provision and funding, contact the Student Finance Team.
Email: studentfinance@tcg.ac.uk
Tel: 0161 952 4694
If you’re a young parent, you may be eligible for help with childcare costs of up to £160 per child per week. Please contact the Care to Learn helpline on 0800 121 8989 for further information and an application pack.
Childcare Expenses, including travel expenses to and from a childcare provider for young parents aged 16-18, can also be accessed through the national Care2Learn scheme.
Further advice and Guidance – Government Publications
Safeguarding is about doing everything we can to make sure all of our students and staff are kept safe and protected from harm. That is why we adhere to all government guidance and pride ourselves on going above and beyond to make the college a safe, happy and thriving environment for all.
It is important to us that all Marple Sixth Form users are treated with respect and dignity and feel safe and listened to.
Our dedicated Safeguarding team are here to help and support every student during their time at Marple Sixth Form
Visit the Student Services team on campus. You will be directed from the Main Reception or email safeguarding@tcg.ac.uk
Concerns about personal safety contact the police on 999 or 101 and for concerns regarding health & wellbeing contact out of hours GP or 111.
CEOP helps children and young people under the age of 18 who are being pressured, forced or tricked into taking part in sexual activity of any kind. This can be something that has taken place either online or in ‘the real world’, or both. The CEOP Safety Centre has clear information and advice on what can be reported to CEOP, the reporting process and what will happen if you do decide to make a report. You can visit the CEOP Safety Centre and make a report directly to CEOP by clicking the Click CEOP button.
If you, your student or someone you know is experiencing online bullying please speak to an adult you trust. You can also talk to Childline at any time on 0800 1111 or at www.childline.org.uk.
Marple Sixth Form College has the skills, knowledge and expertise to deal with a range of safeguarding incidents, including:
A dedicated NSPCC helpline is now available to support anyone who has experienced sexual abuse in educational settings, or if you have concerns about someone or the issues raised. The dedicated NSPCC helpline number is 0800 136 663 and more information is available at: dedicated helpline for victims of abuse in college NSPCC.
Whatever the ambition and passion of our students, Marple Sixth Form College is here to help them succeed. Our college is part of the Trafford College Group, and every year, hundreds of students join us on courses that are designed to further their career prospects, enable progression into higher education or simply satisfy a desire to learn new skills and support wellbeing.
Whether you still think of us as The Ridge, or even The Willows, Marple Sixth Form College has been at the heart of the local community for over 80 years. Throughout this time, we have upheld a tradition of high academic standards, excellent student guidance and an inclusive approach to learning which helps prepare students for the next stage of their lives.
Our offer at Marple Sixth Form College consists primarily of academic education (A Levels and GCSEs) and vocational education (such as BTECs). In addition, we have our highly successful Choices provision for students with high needs. For most of our students their goal is progression to
university – and many have gone on to study at Oxford, Cambridge, or Russell Group institutions. For some students, a more vocational route may be preferred – which is why we also offer an exciting and diverse programme of courses and extra-curricular activities linked to business, careers, and enterprise.
Our college is based on Buxton Lane, close to the centre of Marple Village. We continue to invest in our accommodation and resources for students; and over the next 12 months we will have invested around £1m in upgrading our facilities at this fantastic campus.
Do take the opportunity to look through our website to see further details on all the courses and support that we offer. Come and visit on one of our open days, speak to our colleagues, meet current students, and have a look around our facilities. We will make your experience an incredibly welcome one, and we will provide you with all the information you need to make those all-important decisions on the next steps in your education and career journey.
Best wishes
James Scott
Principal & CEO