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
