Collaborative options are a wide range of courses to give breadth to your studies
Collaborative Vocational Options
All learners will study English, Welsh, Maths, Science, Religious Studies, Physical Education and various elements of the Learning Core and these are essential for your future whichever pathway you choose to follow.
In addition, you will be asked to choose a number of options which could be any mix of general and vocational courses. Most courses are provided in your school, but some courses are collaborative. Collaborative courses this year take place at Coleg Cambria and will have a mix of learners from your school and other schools in the area.
Collaborative options are a wide range of courses to give breadth to your studies and are delivered by Coleg Cambria. They are available through your school and the Wrexham 14-19 Network which is a partnership of school and colleges in the Wrexham area.
Collaborative Provision
Half-day collaborative courses commencing for Year 10 in September 2024 will take place on a Wednesday afternoon and are listed below:
- Hair and Beauty Level 2- Coleg Cambria
- Public Services Level 2 – Coleg Cambria
- Hospitality and Catering Level 2 – Coleg Cambria
- Health and Social Care Level 2 – Coleg Cambria
- GCSE Computer Science Level 2 (MAT) – Coleg Cambria
- Sports GCSE – Coleg Cambria
- Business GCSE – Coleg Cambria
If you choose a collaborative course, you will be expected to work hard, have an excellent level of attendance, and behave responsibly and appropriately in order to achieve your potential. Your school is informed each week of your attendance and will receive regular reports on your progress. Once a place has been gained on a course you will be fully expected to see the course through to its completion.
Course Offer
All courses have a maximum number of places. This is due to teaching space capacity or health and safety requirements. As a result, a robust selection process is applied. Learners applying for collaborative courses will hopefully have an opportunity to visit Coleg Cambria as part of the course selection process.
The provision is supported by funding contributions from the Welsh Government, as well as Wrexham Council and Wrexham High Schools. Courses offered will only take place if there is sufficient interest and funding is available.
Transport
Learners will be transported to course providers at the start of each afternoon teaching session. Courses will finish at 4.15pm and learners and their parents/carers must make arrangements for transport home.
Course Equipment
Learners are expected to provide specific equipment appropriate to the course and this varies according to the course being studied.
Course leaflets (which are available here – http://www.cambria.ac.uk/14-19-network) contain further information about the equipment required for each course and the likely costs. Any difficulties with providing this equipment should be discussed with your school.
Further information including course sheets, tutor videos and ‘my choice brochure’ is available at – http://www.cambria.ac.uk/14-19-network
Homework
Homework can take a variety of forms including written tasks, revision exercises, online tasks and preparation for coursework or practical examinations. The aim of homework is to supplement the learning that takes place in the classroom and instil independent learning, a crucial lifelong skill. Staff aim to give ample time to complete homework tasks so learners should plan their own time carefully in order to meet deadlines. The frequency of homework can vary depending on the number of lessons offered over a fortnight.
The majority of subject areas make use of Google Classroom to communicate any homework requirements to the learners. I would encourage learners and parents/carers to check Google Classrooms regularly. Please note that college link courses will have their own google classrooms separate to those in schools.
Parents/Carers should endeavour to provide a quiet space for their children to complete homework tasks. Where this is not possible, the school does provide such places for learners to access in their lunchtime or afterschool hours. Please encourage learners to discuss this with their tutors or progress leaders in the first instance.
Lessons are provided in school for college link learners to complete any college work.
Feedback
The college tutors will provide feedback to the learners in accordance with their own policies. Feedback could vary from course to course.
Coleg Cambria do provide learner reports at various times during the year.
Assessment
Learners will be assessed at various points throughout their chosen college course. The nature of the assessment will vary depending on which course a learning is following. Some courses have external examinations at various points during the year, for example, at the end of year 10.
Support Toolkit
Links & Resources
Staff Roles & Responsibilities
Vocational Courses
The staff delivering these courses are based in Coleg Cambria. For information or advice please contact them directly. Alternatively, if you have any questions before beginning a course then please contact Mr I Thomas, Assistant Headteacher at Ysgol y Grango.