How can I support my son or daughter at OCVC?
We respect all of our learners as adults and as individuals, but support from parents and carers is invaluable. Here’s how you can support your son or daughter to make the most of their time at Oxford & Cherwell Valley College.
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Support them with their time management - the change from school to college is sometimes hard to handle, for example not having to be in at 8.45 every day.
- Talk to them about their work and progress. If you are concerned about their progress, don’t wait for a parents' evening, call their Tutor to talk about it. We value the relationship we have with parents and recognise the importance of working in partnership with students and their families.
- Try and find them some space at home where they can study in peace and quiet. The College has a number of areas, with computers, where students can study so encourage them to use those facilities.
- We like to give opportunities for parents and carers to discuss progress at parents’ evenings so please attend if possible. It may not always seem this way, but young people do like parents or carers to attend these evenings as it shows you care about them and how they are doing and our experience shows these meetings can be a launch pad for a really successful year.
- We recognise that part time work can inspire young people to develop wider skills. It is important that part-time work doesn’t get in the way of learning. Balancing the need to earn, learn and have fun is sometimes very difficult for young people. A general guide is that between 8-10 hours of part time work a week should be sufficient to earn enough for a normal social life.
- Asking for help is not a sign of weakness - it is a mature response to a difficulty. If young people are struggling with anything (including any emotional distress, anxiety, anger management problems, low confidence/self esteem, etc.) we can often help if we know about it. Please encourage them to talk to their Personal Tutor or to contact Student Services.
- We provide an innovative and extensive curriculum offer and believe we have something for everyone. Choosing a course is sometimes difficult. If your son or daughter feels that they may be on the wrong programme, please encourage them to speak to their Personal Tutor as soon as possible so that we can discuss options.
- We constantly review what we do and work with students as collaborative partners in the learning experience. We also recognise the importance of feedback from parents and carers. Talking about College and listening to your son or daughter ensures that any concerns are highlighted early so that solutions can be found.
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Finally, we all respond to praise! We love to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our students but a parent’s praise is worth its weight in gold.
