Swansea College

Infobox University
name = Swansea College


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caption = Swansea College Logo
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type = Further Education College
principal = Jeff Gunningham
staff = 1,000
students = 15,000
city = Swansea
province = West Glamorgan
country = Wales
address = Tycoch Road
Swansea SA2 9EB
telephone = [phone]
campus =
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website = http://www.swancoll.ac.uk/

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Swansea College is a further education college in Swansea. It is one of the largest further education colleges in Wales [ [http://www.independent.co.uk/student/into-university/az-uni-colleges/swansea-college-459087.html Summary for HE students by "The Independent".] ] with over 15,000 students and employing approximately 1,000 staff.

Swansea College provides preparation for a number of qualifications, including GCSEs, the IB Diploma Programme, A-levels and HNDs, as well as a number of vocational courses leading to BTEC First and National Diplomas, NVQs and other similar qualifications. It also runs EFL programmes for non-native speakers of English. [http://www.swancoll.ac.uk Swansea College website] ]

The College’s mission statement is: "We will provide high quality, relevant provision for all our learners."

Campus and Catchment Area

The College operates on several different sites in Swansea.
* Tycoch Campus – Sketty - Main site of the College, provides A level, IB and all Vocational Courses ranging from NVQs to BTEC awards.
*Llwyn-Y-Bryn – Uplands - Site for visual and performing arts.
*Kingsway Centre – city centre
*Business College- Llansamlet
*Several other sites, including Sketty Hall and local schools, are used for courses.

The College predominantly recruits from local schools such as Birchgrove, Bishopston, Cefn Hengoed, Daniel James, Dylan Thomas and Pentrehafod. The College attracts students from the City and County of Swansea, the adjacent local authorities of Carmarthenshire and Neath Port Talbot, and internationally.Failed verification|date=September 2008

Faculties and Services

A Level and The Arts

The faculty is split into two areas - a specially designed 'B Floor' at the College's Tycoch campus and purpose-built Arts, Media and Performance suites at Llwyn y Bryn. The faculty provides preparation for a number of qualifications, including A-levels, the IB and HNDs, as well as a number of vocational courses leading to BTEC First and National Diplomas, NVQs and other similar qualifications.

2008 results

* 99.3% of students passed their A Level courses.
* 15% of these had A grades, 47% A or B and 78 % A, B or C.

* 93% of students passed their AS Level courses

* 100% of students passed the International Baccalaureate Diploma.

The International Baccalaureate maintained its 100 % record of ensuring that every student who completed the course secured a place at university. [ [http://www.thisissuttoncoldfield.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=161637&command=displayContent&sourceNode=161405&contentPK=21075095&folderPk=88501&pNodeId=253132 Top Marks For City Students - news article] ]

port, Lifestyle and Business

Extra curricular opportunities are offered, including work experience, educational visits, visiting speakers and entrepreneurship guidance. Courses are designed to provide the student with the knowledge and skills to progress into employment or Higher Education in sport, leisure, tourism, business, hospitality or public services.

The faculty also houses the Centre for Sporting Development which is dedicated to the physical, personal and intellectual development of student athletes.

Engineering, IT and Technology

These courses are designed to provide students with a choice of routes into a range of disciplines for either Higher Education or employment. They give the student a chance to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding that underpin the creation of Engineering and IT systems and services..fact|date=September 2008

The faculty has fully equipped workrooms as well as specialist computer software.fact|date=September 2008

Student-built websites include:

http://www.laugharne.info

http://www.childcompassion.co.uk

http://www.carmarthenspinners.co.uk

Some coursework websites may be viewed at http://www.btecnatdip.co.uk

ocial and Vocational Studies

Students of Hairdressing, Beauty and Complementary Therapy may take part in work experience in a salon environment at either its Broadway or Cefn Hengoed Centre. Health and social care courses are also offered.

Community Operations

Community Operations work closely with partner organisations in Swansea to help to coordinate basic skills and adult community courses throughout the city. Opportunities are on offer to help people improve their employability by encouraging confidence and developing skills for life.fact|date=September 2008

Training for Business

The Business College is the commercial arm of Swansea College. Many programmes carry national accreditation. Others are bespoke, tailored to the student's particular needs. The Business College in based in Swansea Vale and offers the following training courses:

* NEBOSH General Certificate
* IOSH Managing Safely
* IOSH Working Safely (Basic Health and Safety)
* Abrasive Wheels
* CIEH Professional Trainer Certificate/Train the Trainer
* CIEH Level 2 Food Safety/Basic Food Hygiene
* CIEH Level 3 Food Safety/Intermediate Food Hygiene
* BIIAB Personal Licence Holders
* BIIAB Door Supervisors
* OCR Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) in National & International Passenger Transport
* OCR Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) in National & International Road Haulage
* RTITB Driver CPC (Coming in January 2009)
* 1 Day Leadership & Management Workshops
* CMI Introductory Certificate in Management
* CMI Introductory Diploma in Management
* ILM Award, Certificate and Diploma in Team Leading/Management (Level 2-5)
* 1 Day Personal Effectiveness Workshops (Including Time Management, Assertiveness & Public Speaking)
* First Aid Appointed Persons
* First Aid at Work
* NVQ Level 2 to 4 in Health and Social Care

Work Based Learning

Swansea College offers modern apprenticeships throughout the year. There are different levels of apprenticeships available and on successful completion students are awarded with a nationally recognised Modern Apprenticeship framework.

Levels include:Foundation Modern Apprentice (NVQ Level 2) Advanced Modern Apprentice (NVQ Level 3/4) Modern Skills Diploma (NVQ Level 4/5)

Results and Awards

In 2008 the College’s pass rates were:-

Level 3 Courses

* 99.3% on A Level Courses.
* 88% on National Diploma Courses.
* 80% on National Certificate Courses.
* 90% on NVQ Level 3 programmes.
* 100% on the International Baccalaureate Diploma.

The International Baccalaureate maintained its 100 % record of ensuring that every student who completed the course secured a place at university.

Level 2 Courses

* 93% at GCSE.
* 91% at First Diploma level.
* 91% on NVQ Level 2 programmes.

Others

* 95% on Level One GNVQ Foundation Courses.
* 92% on Introductory Courses.

Awards

The College won the LSDA Beacon Award (for Staff Development in ILT) in 1999-2000. [ [http://www.aoc.co.uk/download.cfm?docid=498FDFE7-4CDF-43A3-874142D92D24A2CA AoC PDF file celebrating 10 years of the Beacon Awards - p11] ]

References and External links

* [http://www.ibo.org/school/000614/ Summary for IB students by the IBO.]
* [http://www.btecnatdip.co.uk Student BTEC website work]
* [http://www.laugharne.info website built by BTEC students for Laugharne Corporation.]
* [http://www.childcompassion.co.uk website built by BTEC students for Child Compassion.]
* [http://www.carmarthenspinners.co.uk website built by BTEC students for Carmarthen Spinners weavers and Dyers.]