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Study

Support for our students

 

You will benefit from a range of support as you progress through your studies. This will come from your teachers and visiting professionals, from our inclusion team and through our pastoral programme, as well as from visiting industry contacts.

Each student will have their own personalised study programme, which will be used to monitor your progress. Regular feedback from your lecturers and personal tutors will help you stay on track. Specialist support is available for those students who have specific support needs.

Pastoral programme

When you join us, you will be assigned a personal tutor, who will be your main contact for your day-to-day needs. You will meet with your personal tutor and a small group of other students on a regular basis, but you will also benefit from regular individual progress tutorials, during which you can discuss your learning progress. Your personal tutor will receive regular feedback from your discipline lecturers and will also monitor your attendance.

 

Teachers and industry contacts

Your teachers and visiting industry professionals will be important contacts and sources of support and guidance during your studies. They will provide you with regular feedback on your progress, and teach and guide you towards achieving the vocational and professional goals you identify. They are also important sources of information about careers and degree courses.

 

Careers and university advice

We provide our students with a comprehensive programme of careers guidance.

This includes:

  • Support with applying to universities via UCAS
  • Support with applying to conservatoires through CUCAS
  • Guidance with the application and decision making process
  • Support with reflective tasks such as personal statements and CV building
  • The opportunity to attend relevant Higher Education fairs
  • Work experience opportunities

Our careers and university support is delivered through regular, in-house drop-in sessions for students twice a week. Personal tutors also spend time with students outside of tutorials, offering support on applications and on personal statements.

As well as attending large-scale events such as ‘UCAS Create your Future’, we also run our own careers event on site. These events are attended by leading Higher Education institutions giving students the chance to speak directly with universities and conservatoires.

Our emphasis on progression means students are encouraged to seek out opportunities to improve their employability skills within the safe environment of the college. This involves responding to live briefs, often set by external organisations (such as music gigs, dance performances or design competitions).

 

Student voice

At the beginning of your course, you will receive more information on how to join our elected Student Council, who are actively involved in decision-making and bring a student perspective to the overall organisation and daily life of the college.

 

Assessment and reporting

Your course progress will be continually assessed throughout the two years of your UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma. Our communication with your parents/carer/guardian will be important to help you progress in your studies, and also as you develop as a young adult, becoming increasingly self-reliant, independent and motivated. . We hold Parents’ Evenings in both years, at which you will be expected to attend with your parent/carer/guardian.

 

Students with Special Educational Needs and/or disabilities

We welcome applications from everyone with a passion for the creative and performing arts. If you have additional needs, a disability or medical needs, we would advise you to let us know about these early so that we can ensure appropriate adjustments are made at audition, if necessary.

For example, if you have an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP), please share a copy of this with us before applying, so that we can follow it to make sure you are able to perform at your best in the interview/audition.

You may also wish to have an informal confidential discussion with our Inclusion Manager before submitting your application, so that we can support you through the application process. Please telephone 0151 330 3232 or email admissions@lipasixthformcollege.org in the first instance.

Once you have been offered a place with us, please expect our SENDCO and inclusion team to contact you to help develop your study programme. This will ensure that any support you need during your studies can be identified and put into place, ready for when you join us.

 

Enrichment programme

You will enjoy a wide range of opportunities to enrich your learning and professional development beyond your study programme. For example, past enrichment activities have included directing, scriptwriting, choir, ukulele club, events management, drama and improvisation, poetry, urban/street dance and football. While studying at LIPA Sixth Form College, you may have the chance to:

  • Contribute to the production of performances on various scales, such as internal performances in our own Willy Russell Studio Theatre or at an external performing arts venue or event
  • Participate in masterclasses, seminars and workshops led by leading professionals who may also provide extended teaching for performance projects. This might involve you taking direction from a commercial dance choreographer or a West End director
  • Engage in community arts productions and be involved with the wider community as an integral part of our activities
  • Attend performances and masterclasses at LIPA and at other creative and performing venues across Liverpool and further afield
  • Participate in activities which help you develop morally, culturally, and spiritually
 

Employability and experience of work

In addition to your studies, you will also be offered the opportunity to carry out work experience both in college and outside. Placements can be arranged to complement areas related to your studies and/or career ambitions. These opportunities will give you valuable experience across a range of activities both within and outside your chosen pathway. We will also provide ongoing information and support to help you decide what to do when you leave us.