Being a Student
Key and Functional Skills
Key Skills are the skills that you need to develop to have a successful career in any industry. There are six Key Skill areas:
• Communication
• Information Technology
• Working with Others
• Problem Solving
• Improving Own Learning and Performance
• Application of Number
There are several levels of Key Skills. All apprentices and students who are 16-18 years old will study Key Skills at
the level they need. Students over 19 are also encouraged to refresh and accredit their Key Skills alongside vocational study.
Facilities
Capel Manor Shop (Enfield)
The shop at Reception in the Duchess of Devonshire Pavilion is open from 9.00am - 5.00pm, weekdays and weekends, closed at the weekends between November and February. Students producing their ID card can claim a discount of 5% on books and 10% on stationery items. The Floristry Training Shop sells items for Floristry, Flower Arranging and Balloon Artistry and is a retail training shop for Floristry students.
Library and ILT Resources
Open access ILT facilities are available in the Frances Perry Library in the Duchess of Devonshire Pavilion on the Enfield Campus and in the Learning Resources Centres at Gunnersbury Park, Regent’s Park and Crystal Palace Park. All workstations have internet access. Office 2003 is the standard student desktop. The library service has a comprehensive collection of books, journals and reference materials to support our courses. In addition, students may also make use of Capella, the College's virtual learning environment, which provides on-line access to course materials, the student intranet and the library catalogue, both in and out of college.
Student Charter
We believe the best results are achieved from a partnership between the College and all those who use its services. The Students' Charter sets out what you can expect from the College. A copy is given to all students at enrolment and copies are available to all from Reception at all centres, from Student Registry or from your course manager.
We offer advice, guidance and support to anyone applying to study at any College centre. If you are dyslexic or have any other learning difficulty or disability, if you have difficulty with maths, writing or spelling, structuring an essay, completing an assignment or preparing for your examinations, the Study Skills Centre staff are on hand to encourage and support you.
Student Cards
All students are issued with personal ID cards which are to be worn at all times on College sites for security reasons. ID cards (which include proximity readers) enable access to libraries and college facilities. They may also be used to obtain discounts.
Tutorial System
Personal Tutors offer support and advice with your studies. The course manager may also be your personal tutor or you may have an additional personal tutor.
Work Experience
Most of our full-time courses include a period of work experience. We have an extensive database of approved placement providers in all our specialist areas. We also welcome proposals from students and employers for new placements in the UK and abroad.
Refreshments
Enfield
The Terrace Restaurant is open Monday to Friday from 8.15am - 4pm. During the summer months it is also open at weekends from 10am - 5pm.
Gunnersbury Park
A range of fresh foods are delivered daily around 12 noon. Hot and cold beverages and a range of snacks are available from the lobby vending machines.
Barking & Dagenham College
Capel students have full access to the canteen facilities at Barking & Dagenham College’s main Rush Green campus.
Regent’s Park
Students may use the numerous restaurants and cafés in the park. Alternatively, there are vending machines in the centre, providing snacks and hot drinks.
Crystal Palace Park
Hot and cold drinks and food may be purchased from the Park Cafeteria. There are also vending machines in the Croft building at the farm. The farm is open to the public for 300 days a year.
The Gardens
Capel Manor Gardens and the walled garden at Gunnersbury Park are an integral part of the College and are used to provide practical experience for students. The gardens at Enfield are also open to the public. The many visitors provide a part of the unique atmosphere of the College.
Student Services
Accommodation
Our Enfield centre has six study bedrooms available at Forty Hall Farm, which is within walking distance of the College. At present the College has accommodation for an additional twenty mature students in rented flats and shared houses. (Students under 19 years old are not eligible for college-managed accommodation at Capel Manor.) Priority for college-managed accommodation is given to first year students. Contact Student Registry for details.
Careers Service
Careers advice and guidance is available from the College’s Careers Advisor along with assistance for Higher Education applications. The service is supported by Connexions for 16-19 year-olds and the Nextstep service for adult students. The careers base has a collection of general and specialist information. Course tutors at all centres will also be able to give you help and advice on career routes. If you are unsure about which course is right for you, you can contact the Careers
Advisor by email at careers@capel.ac.uk
Counselling
Therapeutic counselling is available, by appointment only, to all full-time and part-time students at all of our centres. It is provided by qualified therapeutic counsellors. Contacts with other agencies such as local Mental Health teams or referrals to other agencies may also be carried out on behalf of students.
Grants and Loans
The College administers Learner Support Funds provided by the Government to support Further Education students' financial needs. This can help to pay for accommodation, travel, books, equipment and child care.
The College is a member of EGAS, an organisation which helps to provide grants for students in need. Student Registry will provide further information and application forms for all support funds.
For Higher Education Programmes such as Foundation Degrees, there are a variety of loans and means-tested grants available. These include student loans available through Student Finance England at www.studentfinancedirect.co.uk
Career Development Loans may also be available for those students who have received Local Education Authority support in the past. For detailed advice on Career Development Loans follow the Education and Learning link on www.direct.gov.uk
Higher Education students may also apply for some modest financial support from the University of London.
Financial support is available for those on low incomes who would otherwise be prevented from entering, or continuing in, higher education. A summary of the types of financial support available can be found on the Birkbeck website at:
www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/services/facilities/studentfinance
Education Maintenance Allowance
(EMA)
EMAs of up to £30 a week are available for 16-18 year old full-time students living in a household with an annual income of £30,000 or less. Further details are available from Student Registry and http://ema.direct.gov.uk/ema
Adult Learner Grants (ALG)
ALG is a means tested allowance of up to £30 per week available to adults resident in England studying full time for a first full level 2 or first full level 3 qualification.
Further details are available from Student Registry and www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning
For further information and how to apply please contact the Student Registry at:
Capel Manor College Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, Middlesex EN1 4RQ Tel: 08456 122 122
