Being a Student

It is a unique feature of Doncaster College for the Deaf that the vast majority of our students are educated and trained on campus. Experience has shown that most deaf students make greater progress and attain better results when working with other hearing-impaired individuals, and receiving their tuition from specialist staff.

The College Charter

Our Commitment to You

The College will give all students access to:

  • a course of their choice subject to entry requirements and a satisfactory assessment period
  • suitably equipped workshops and study accommodation
  • qualified and experienced staff
  • courses delivered by using a range of communication methods appropriate to student needs
  • residential accommodation, if needed, giving choice wherever possible
  • an environment that encourages and teaches students to live as independently as possible
  • an environment that promotes good order and discipline, including access to Health and Safety information
  • a range of individual support, including:
    • course guidance
    • careers guidance
    • personal and social support
    • help in claiming suitable benefits
      and allowances
    • medical needs
    • audiological support
  • equal opportunities in all parts of provision;
  • a well-defined grievance procedure

Your Commitment to the College

The College will actively support relationships based on mutual trust and respect. To achieve this, the College expects that all students will conduct themselves in an appropriate manner.

The College expects each student to:

  • attend, on time, classes and/or workshops and work experience placements provided to benefit students as part of their chosen vocational course;
  • arrive prepared to do the work set for that day;
  • complete all coursework and homework;
  • be suitably dressed for the chosen area of study;
  • respect the right of others to learn;
  • respect property belonging to the College and to other students, and to be prepared to pay for any damage caused to property or equipment;
  • observe Health and Safety working procedures; and
  • observe the requirements set out in the College Codes of Conduct

If a student is unwilling or unable to commit themselves to a reasonable code of conduct, the College will apply measures to protect other students and the reputation of the College. Taking up your place at College will be regarded as your acceptance of the College Charter.

Maintaining Standards

We operate within a Quality Assurance Framework followed by all College staff with the aim of maintaining and improving the quality of the provision offered by the organisation. The system has been developed to support self-evaluation throughout the College's teaching and support areas.

We also consider it important that our students have the opportunity to express views on all aspects of College life, and we hope that you will feel sufficiently confident to do so. There are several ways to make your views known:

  • through you tutor at regular tutorial periods
  • through your Nominated Support Worker
  • through the House Committee (in your residential lodge)
  • through the students' comments log held in each residential area
  • directly through your Programme Manager, Head of Student Services, or to the College Principal

Your comments will be considered and you will receive feedback as soon as possible.

Representation

Each residential lodge has two elected Student Representatives who will be made known to you when you take up your residential place. Their role is to help other students, particularly those joining the College for their first year. Assistance may be in the form of helping individuals to understand College life, or helping to sort out concerns or complaints.

College Policies

Details of the policies that have an impact on students are available in full on the College's Intranet. The guidance in this handbook may include summaries of these main policies.

What to do if things go wrong

We hope that your time at College is enjoyable and successful and that you will have no problems. However, we will listen carefully to any criticisms or complaints you may have about your experience at College, particularly in relation to the commitment we make through the College Charter. If you do have cause for complaint you should first raise this with the member of staff concerned. Very often problems can be sorted out at an early stage without the need for further action. If this does not satisfy you then you should contact your Programme Manager or the Head of Student Services who will look at your complaint on your behalf. Student representatives are also available to help. If the matter is still not resolved and you wish to take it further, then the College has a formal complaints procedure. Your Programme Manager will discuss this with you to make sure that you understand the process and that you have a copy of the formal procedures. Remember that it is always better to raise your worries at an early stage, rather than later when issues may have become more serious. Don't bottle things up. As soon as something starts to worry you, let us know. A copy of the formal complaints procedure is available on request.

The Tutorial/Nominated Support Worker System

You will be allocated a personal tutor who will be a member of the teaching staff from your course area. Tutorials will be held at least once a week for guidance and administrative matters. Your tutor will also receive information from other staff about your performance and progress, and together you can discuss how to get the most benefit from your learning programmes. You will also have a Nominated Support Worker based in your residential area, who is available on a daily basis (including weekends) to give you practical help and advice on a range of personal or social problems. The Support Worker also contributes to your Individual Learning Plan and will provide help through programmes designed to support social learning and the gaining of independent living skills. The programmes take place in the evenings and you are expected to take part in these learning activities. Support Workers also act as a point of reference between the College and your family, helping with communication where necessary and when asked.

Support and Guidance

The Support Information and Guidance Network (SIGN) Centre is available if you need advice or guidance. The SIGN Centre is open from Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm, with experienced staff on hand to help with a range of problems or enquiries from students. If you feel that your personal problems are serious and are having an effect on your work or your life, SIGN Centre staff may be able to arrange an appointment with a counsellor from an external agency. Students with difficulties at this level may be advised to seek additional medical assistance if appropriate. Guidance in terms of education and career choices is available through the Student Tutorial system and from the College's Employment Liaison Department.

Data Protection

The College is required by law to maintain personal records relating to its students and their progress. All personal information is treated strictly in terms of the Data Protection Act 1998, which means that confidentiality is respected and all appropriate security measures are taken to prevent unauthorised disclosure. Personal information is used for stated purposes only and you will be advised of any changes. Some of the information processed by the College is classified as 'sensitive' under the 1998 Act, for example racial or ethnic origin, marital status, and health records. Appropriate security is in place to ensure that such information is retained confidentially and kept no longer than is necessary. We do all we can to make sure that data is accurate and up to date, so it is important that you let us know about any changes in your personal information. You are entitled to have access to and/or request a copy of the information held about you to ensure that it is accurate and that it is being dealt with properly. Photographing and Filming of Students The College regularly arranges for photographs of the campus and of students to be taken for marketing and publicity purposes. Whenever possible, and particularly for close-up photography, individual students and/or parents will be asked for permission to use them.

Study Facilities

You are encouraged to use the College Library and Resource Centre for personal study. With the exception of short periods to allow for staffing requirements, the Centre is open from Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4.30pm. The Centre has computers with Internet facilities, and also houses a careers database, providing access to information about training and employment opportunities. Staff are on hand to help with enquiries and requests for information. The facility is a designated study and reading area so users are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that allows other users to work without interruption.

Money Matters

Education/Tuition Fees

UK students will not normally have to pay or to contribute to College fees. The College will have entered into contractual arrangements with your funding authority to pay your fees. Exceptionally, international students and those not entitled to claim fees will be expected to pay for tuition and board. Details are available from the College Admissions Office.

Meals

All meals are provided free of charge while you are at College. A meal allowance is provided to students who attend other colleges or who are on work experience placements. An allowance is also provided to those students who are on independence training programmes that require them to cook their own meals.

Travel

Unless your funding authority has agreed to pay (and the College has a letter of agreement from them) you will be responsible for the cost of your travel to and from the College. The College cannot refund travel expenses under any circumstances.

Disabled Persons Railcard

A Railcard costs £14, saving up to 30% on a standard rail fare. The card is only for your use but those travelling with you to help you will also be able to travel at a discounted rate. The support staff in your residential lodge will help you with your application.

Television Licences

The television sets provided by the College in all its on-site residences are covered by a general licence. However, if you live in College accommodation on-site and have a television in your room for personal use, you will need your own TV licence. If you share an off-site College house with other students and it has a TV, you will be required to contribute towards the cost of a television licence, shared by the number of occupants. It is an offence to operate a television receiver without a licence and anyone caught doing so can be fined up to £1000 plus the cost of the licence.

Insurance

Students should make arrangements to insure their private property and personal belongings against theft, loss or damage as the College will not accept any liability for such items whilst on College premises. Advice about insurance can be obtained on arrival at College.

Pocket Money

Students are expected to bring with them enough money for their personal needs, and to provide their own toiletries etc.

Student Facilities

Social Areas

The dining room can be used by students as an area of relaxation. In the interests of other users and for reasons of health and safety, students should follow these rules whilst in the dining room:

  • no sitting on tables and no feet on chairs;
  • no sitting on window sills;
  • no bags on tables;
  • no overalls to be worn.

The sports hall, fitness suite, and swimming pool are open for student use on a sessional basis. Students are expected to have induction on the use of facilities.

The Sports Bar is open daily for recreational purposes, and during licensing hours is open for the sale of soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks to those over the age of 18. The bar has large-screen satellite TV, a pool table, darts, and numerous other recreational facilities. The area is staffed to monitor compliance with licensing laws and College rules.

Telephones

Students may use the Minicom facilities located in all residential areas. Fax facilities are also available on request.

Lost and Found

If you have lost something, please ask about it at the main reception. Similarly, found items should be handed in to the main reception.

Medical Facilities

The College has an on-site nurse who administers or arranges medical treatment for those students who require it. Students who have a medical condition should inform the nurse on arrival. Most residential staff are qualified in First Aid and are available throughout the College day and night. Doncaster Royal Infirmary is only minutes away so any student needing emergency treatment can be dealt with quickly. Students are encouraged to register with the College GP who visits the College three times each week and has a local surgery with an extensive range of medical services available.

College Hours

Most courses operate between 9.00am and 4.00pm although there are some that take place outside these hours. Your tutor will inform you of your course hours when you arrive at College.

Security

All student residences are staffed on a 24-hour basis and are locked during night hours. Staff will advise you of the times you are required to return to your residence.

At night security staff patrol the College campus, which also has CCTV cameras in operation. For the protection of staff and students all College buildings have a sophisticated fire alarm system which is linked directly to South Yorkshire Fire Service. The College has a strict fire evacuation procedure with which all students are required to comply. Fire drills are held at regular intervals. Information about fire safety and procedures will be given to you on arrival.

College Codes of Conduct

In joining Doncaster College for the Deaf you have chosen to continue your education and training. In taking up your place at College you are accepting responsibility for your own actions and progress, and we expect your commitment to the guidelines published within the College Disciplinary Policy and those which follow.

General Behaviour

We expect all students to treat staff and fellow students with respect and courtesy, and to abide by the rules set out in this handbook and within teaching and residential areas. You are expected to behave at all times in a way that reflects favourably on the College. If your conduct outside the College results in a complaint being received, the matter will be investigated and if substantiated will be considered a breach of College discipline. You are advised to have a look at the College Discipline Policy which is available on request.

These College rules must be followed at all times:

  • no alcohol or drugs (other than prescribed medication) to be brought on to the College site;
  • no consumption of alcohol (other than in the licensed Sports Bar) or drugs allowed on the College site;
  • no smoking within any College building;
  • no gambling permitted anywhere on the College site.

Attendance

You must attend all classes, workshops, work placements and any other appointment arranged by the College. Your attendance should be on time otherwise you will be marked as absent. Evidence of your attendance and punctuality will be submitted for Education Maintenance Allowance purposes and you may lose money if you are absent from or are late for classes.

Dress Code

There is no formal uniform. You may wear what you choose provided that it is suitable for work in College and is not dirty, distracting or offensive to others. Suitable sportswear should be worn when using the sports hall and other recreational facilities. Senior College staff reserve the right to decide the suitability of a student's clothing.

College Identity Card

You should carry your ID card with you at all times and show it to members of staff when asked. You will need to have your card with you when taking meals in the College dining room, and if you are unable to show it you may be charged for your meal.

Vehicles

The use of vehicles on the College campus is strictly regulated, and you will need to register your vehicle details with the main College reception. Cars and motorcycles must be properly insured and have an appropriate vehicle licensing (tax) disc and MOT certification. Students without valid documents will not be allowed to bring their vehicles onto the campus. The speed limit on campus is 5mph. Vehicles should be parked in the designated car parks, and not on grassed areas or in places that restrict access. You may bring a bicycle to College but it must not be ridden within any College building or in pedestrian areas.

College Property

You are expected to treat all College property with respect and care. You will be asked to make good or pay for any property that is wilfully or carelessly damaged.

Food and Drink

Food or drink must not be taken into College workshops or teaching areas. Due to the damage that can be caused by the careless disposal of chewing gum, all gum should be placed in the bins provided before entering College buildings.

Litter

Clean and tidy grounds help make the College a better and more pleasant working environment. Please put all litter in the bins provided.

Mobile Telephones, Personal Stereos and Pagers

Students who bring such items to College do so at their own risk (see the handbook advice on insurance). They must be switched off in classrooms and workshops, and are not permitted in any examination area.

Additional Information for students funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

As a DWP student you are contracted to follow the guidelines issued by the Department's Residential Training Unit (RTU). Your contact at your local Jobcentre will have already conducted a pre-training interview with you and made you aware of your obligations. Full details of your training conditions are shown in the RTU handbook, a copy of which is available on request from the SIGN Centre.

Work Experience Placements

These placements are usually arranged during holiday periods or for four to six weeks during the summer, and your attendance is compulsory. The College's Employment Liaison Department will make the arrangements for you and will undertake familiarisation and monitoring of your placement. Work experience placements are an important and valuable part of your training, giving you the chance to make an impression on potential employers and to show them what you can do.

Travel

You are allowed to claim a free rail ticket or equivalent travel expenses to travel home every fortnight. You cannot use your free travel to go to any other destination. Requests for rail tickets should be made at the College's SIGN Centre in advance of your intended travel date. Please ask a member of staff for details.

Disabled Persons Railcard

This will be provided to you for your own personal use. Please complete the necessary application form when you arrive at College.

Holiday Entitlement

This is arranged according to when you begin your course. You can expect to be working either at College or at a work placement when other students (funded by different authorities) are on holiday. Your tutor will advise you of your holiday entitlement at the beginning of your course.

Sickness and Unauthorised Absence

Under the conditions of your funding you must provide the College with self-certification for periods of sickness up to seven days. A doctor's certificate is required for periods over seven days. Periods of sickness amounting to three consecutive weeks or more, or any period of unauthorised absence, may result in your funding being withdrawn. It is important therefore that you inform the College immediately when your sickness begins.

Benefits

Your benefits should be arranged by your local JobcentrePlus before you start your training. You need to notify your Benefits Agency that you have started your course as some benefits may be affected because you have started College.

When you arrive at College, support staff will help you with any difficulties you might have with your benefits.

Local Facilities

Doncaster town offers a thriving shopping centre, a leisure park, cinemas, a civic theatre, museum, art gallery and libraries, parks and a wildlife nature reserve. The Dome, one of the largest indoor leisure centres to be found anywhere, is a short walk from the college.

In nearby Sheffield, the closest city to Doncaster, many students enjoy visiting the massive Meadowhall shopping and leisure complex. The Hallam FM Arena and the entertainment complex opposite offers something for everyone's tastes.

The attraction of other major cities can all be reached within approximately one and a half hours by train.

Doncaster is served by mainline north-south and east-west rail networks, and the M1, A1, M18 and M62 give direct road access.

Recreation and Leisure

Our sports complex offers entertainment and recreation facilities during leisure time, with a very popular bar and social area that includes a pool table, TV/video with large screen facility, snack bar area, and comfortable space for students to meet and get to know each other.

In a separate building is a heated swimming pool. Outdoors we have football, cricket, athletics and floodlit tennis facilities. The College boasts their own football team.