At NKC Dartford College, every learner aged 16-19 is enrolled on a Study Programme designed to provide a well-rounded, purposeful education. These programmes follow national government guidelines and are carefully structured to prepare young people for their next steps, whether that’s employment, further study, or an apprenticeship.
Each learner’s Study Programme is more than just their main qualification. It usually includes: A main qualification (such as a Vocational course, Academic pathway, or T-Level) Work experience or an industry placement to gain valuable real-world insight Employability skills development to prepare for the workplace Regular individual progress reviews with tutors to monitor and support their success Opportunities for personal development and enrichment through a range of college-led activities English and/or maths lessons if the learner hasn’t yet achieved a minimum Grade 4 at GCSE. Why Are Study Programmes Important? Study Programmes are designed to ensure learners leave college with the qualifications, experiences, and skills they need to progress confidently to the next stage of their journey. We only offer courses where we believe learners are likely to succeed and progress, and we support them every step of the way in achieving their goals. Attendance and Commitment By enrolling at NKC Dartford College, each learner commits to taking part in all parts of their Study Programme. This is a full package, learners cannot opt out of elements like work experience, personal development sessions, or English/maths (if required). Full attendance is essential, not only for learner progress but also to meet government funding rules. Consistent participation in all areas ensures learners are getting the most from their time at college and gives them the best possible chance of success. If you have any questions about your child’s Study Programme or how we support their progress, please do not hesitate to contact their course Tutor in the first instance. At NKC Dartford College, our dedicated team of fully qualified subject specialists are committed to supporting learners in achieving their best. Each year, many of our students study English and/or maths as part of their programme, recognising the importance of these essential skills for future success. For many learners, English and maths are a key part of their journey and at NKC Dartford College, we are here to support them every step of the way. Why Is My Child Studying English and/or Maths? If your son or daughter has not yet achieved a Grade 4 (pass) at GCSE in English or maths, they are required by government guidelines to continue studying the subject as part of their college programme. This involves 100 hours of learning over the academic year. Achieving a Level 2 (GCSE Grade 4) can: Improve job and apprenticeship opportunities Open up future pathways to higher-level study Support the development of skills like confidence, resilience, time management, and independent learning. What Does This Look Like in Practice? One session per subject, per week (3 hours per session) Timetabled as part of their normal study programme Learners will receive a text message during induction week with their English/maths schedule, tutor name, and room number Lessons begin from the week of 15th September 2025. What Happens If a Learner Misses a Session? English and maths lessons are mandatory, and attendance is taken seriously. Good attendance is a college expectation and there are consequences for learners not meeting our high standards. If your child misses a session: They must contact their tutor and arrange a catch-up session, ideally within the same week Attendance is expected to be at least 90% Missed sessions are followed up with communication to both the learner and the parent/carer Persistent absence may affect their ability to progress to the next year of study. Exams and Qualifications All learners are expected to make progress and work toward a formal qualification: Most learners will sit their GCSE resit exams in May/June 2026 Some learners may sit Functional Skills Level 1 exams if appropriate for their level (equivalent to GCSE Grade 2) A small number may be entered for the November 2025 GCSE exams if they meet specific criteria. Main exam dates will be published on the college website, please make a note of them, as missing exams may affect progression. How Will My Child Be Supported? We understand that every learner is different. Our English and maths team have planned lessons and systems that support all learners, including those with additional needs: Have a Question? We’re here to help. If you have any questions or would like to speak with a member of the English and Maths team, please contact our Curriculum Administrators: As part of your young person’s Study Programme at NKC Dartford College, they will take part in both one-to-one tutorials and group tutorial sessions with their personal Tutor. These sessions are designed to support their academic progress, personal development, and well-being. In one-to-one tutorials, your young person will meet with their Tutor to discuss: These meetings are a great opportunity for learners to ask for help, share any worries, or even request extension work if they’re ready for more challenges. Tutors also set personal targets with each learner through our online portal, eTrackr, to help them work towards their Aspirational Target Grade. Group Tutorials Group Tutorials cover important topics that prepare learners for adult life, the workplace, and staying safe. These sessions help learners develop key skills, values, and awareness of real-world issues. Discussions are linked to Fundamental British Values, including: Respect, Individual liberty, The rule of law, Tolerance of different beliefs. We also respond to local safeguarding concerns to ensure topics remain relevant and meaningful for our learners. What Will Students Learn in Group Tutorials? Each term has a different theme. Here's what your young person will explore throughout the year: Term 1 Start Strong: Developing Skills for Success Focuses on college expectations, Prevent, well-being, contextual safeguarding, and building positive routines and work-ready behaviours. Term 2 Contributing to College & Community: Encourages learners to reflect on their development, take part in democratic processes, and explore topics like professionalism, financial literacy, and community values. Term 3 Step Forward: Goals, Growth & Good Choices Covers SMART goal setting, cyberbullying, critical thinking, leadership, and building personal strengths for success. Term 4 Choices, Challenges & Change: Staying Safe and Succeeding Helps learners understand digital threats (e.g. deepfakes), hate crime, and exam preparation while encouraging critical thinking and safe choices. Term 5 Reflect, Reset, Succeed: Learners reflect on their progress, plan final term success, and stay safe online while setting goals and managing change effectively. Term 6 Stepping Forward: Confidence, Skills, and Next Steps Learners apply their skills, boost confidence, prepare for future pathways, and explore how learning transfers to the workplace. These sessions are interactive and often include guest speakers and workshops on important subjects like consent, digital safety, and democracy. Key Campaign Weeks Consent Week: Delivered by a specialist external speaker, Consent Week educates learners on healthy relationships, boundaries, and consent, particularly in relation to sharing images and sexual activity. Dates for Consent Week: to be announced soon. Prevent Awareness Week: Prevent is part of the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy. The College has a legal duty to help protect learners from radicalisation. We do this by helping learners understand the risks and think critically about the world around them. A Safe and Respectful Learning Environment: We recognise that learners aged 16-18 are developing into adulthood but are still legally classed as children. That’s why we approach sensitive topics in a respectful, age-appropriate way. The tutorial programme encourages learners to: make informed choices, think critically, take responsibility for their actions, be confident and safe both online and offline. At NKC Dartford College, when a young person joins us, our goal is to support them through their chosen course and help them move on to the next stage of their journey, whether that’s a higher-level course with us, university, an apprenticeship, or employment. However, it’s important to understand that, unlike school, progressing to the next year or course level at college is not an automatic entitlement. Each student’s progression is based on their performance, behaviour, and overall engagement throughout the academic year, even if they are on a two-year course. How Progression Decisions Are Made Between April and May each year, our curriculum teams carefully review each student’s: Attitude to learning Commitment and focus Attendance and punctuality (including attendance at exams) Suitability for the next level or year of study (academic capability) These factors help us decide whether a student should continue into the second year of their course, move up to a higher-level course, or take a different path within the College. Sometimes, a student may have reached their academic ceiling of what we can offer in their current subject area. In such cases, we will support them to move to a different subject within the College, as long as they meet the entry criteria and pass an interview process for the new area. This includes consideration of their behaviour, attitude, and interests. We will ensure they see one of our Careers Advisers to guide them into their next steps whether within the College or beyond. When Progression Is Not Possible While we want all our students to succeed and progress, there are occasions when a learner may not be invited to continue their studies with us. This decision is never made lightly and is based on professional judgement by experienced staff. A student may not be allowed to progress if: Their presence negatively impacts the learning of others. They consistently fail to demonstrate the behaviours and responsibility expected in a work or college environment. They are not meeting the academic or behavioural standards required. How You Can Help As a parent or guardian, your encouragement and support are vital. Please help us reinforce the message that consistent effort, good attendance, and a positive attitude from Day 1 are key to ensuring a successful and rewarding experience at College. By working together, we can help your young person stay on track, meet their goals, and avoid disappointment when progression decisions are made. If you have any questions about how progression works or want to discuss your child’s pathway, please don’t hesitate to contact their Tutor or their Head of Curriculum. At NKC Dartford College, we are committed to supporting learners as they plan their future. Our team of professionally qualified Careers Advisers offers free, impartial advice and guidance to current, former, and prospective learners to help them make informed decisions about their next steps. Support is available through group sessions and one-to-one appointments, delivered in person, online, by telephone, or email, whatever works best for the learner. Our Careers Service offers confidential support on a wide range of topics, including: As a parent or carer, you can also access this support to help guide your young person. You are welcome to book an appointment with one of our advisers via the Careers Information, Advice and Guidance contact forms found in the ‘Student Life’ section of the main College website. Learners can book their own appointments directly through the Careers section on MyDay (the College’s student intranet) or by visiting one of the Learning Technology Centre at Dartford. Together we can help your young person make confident and informed choices about their future.