Welcome to College Day FAQ — Solihull Sixth Form College

Welcome to College Day FAQ

Which day do I have to come in?
Please check the email we sent you in early May and the letter than followed in the post in mid-May – this tells you whether you are expected in College on Wednesday 27 or Thursday 28 June. There is also a timetable on the back of the letter which tells you the taster sessions you have, the times these take place and which room each session is in. You can also login to Tyber to see this timetable.

Can I change the date I come in for my taster sessions on Welcome to College Day?
You will need to contact the Admissions Office if you need to change the date you come in. Someone from that department will respond to let you know if a change is possible. Not all subject tasters are running on both days, so we cannot guarantee that a change is possible, but staff will do their best to accommodate you if they can.

What happens if I can’t come to Welcome to College Day at all?
Attendance at this event is an important part of accepting your offer from us. In the event we are oversubscribed we do give priority to students who have attended this event. As such, if you cannot come, it is important you contact the Admissions Office to explain why you are unable to be there so your absence and reason can be recorded. Please note, Welcome to College Day runs over two days and it might be possible to move your tasters to the other date instead, depending on your subject choice.

What is the Golden Ticket?
We have sent you a Golden Ticket in the post. This is your entry into College on the day you have been invited. Please remember to bring it with you because it speeds up your entry onto campus, as we won’t have to check your name on our database on arrival. It also enters you into a prize draw for a chance to win a Lenovo Tab 7 Essential tablet (as donated by our IT partners Lendlease)!

Where do I go when I arrive at College?
The College is located on Widney Manor Road. Please come to the Main Entrance, and hand in your Golden Ticket and then go directly to the room where your first session of the day will take place – check your timetable for this room number. We have included a campus plan in the letter we posted to you to help you locate where rooms are, but don’t worry if you are not sure where to go. We will have lots of staff and students available on the day to help you. Please just ask if you need assistance.

What can I expect from Welcome to College Day?
The aim of this event is to give you a taste of what College life is like. You will have tasters in all the subjects for which you hold an offer, and you will get the chance to meet teachers and fellow students. The sessions will give you a great introduction to your chosen subjects, and will also give you a realistic idea of what studying those courses is like. We understand you are bound to feel a bit nervous, but remember that everyone is in the same boat and attending this event makes starting in September a little less scary! Current students and staff will be there to talk to you and everyone is very friendly and welcoming, so please don’t be afraid to say hello and ask any questions you may have. Please also take the opportunity to learn more about Enrichment and our Specialist Academies, all of which can greatly enhance your time at College and impress future employers or university Admissions officers.

What do I wear to Welcome to College Day?
Dress code is smart/casual. This means you do not have to wear school uniform. Jeans and trainers are fine. Please wear what you feel comfortable in, but keep the dress code appropriate, so no inappropriate slogans or revealing outfits please.

What happens at break/lunch time?
You will be able to see from your timetable when you have breaks. We have staggered the break and lunch times to avoid big queues in our Refectory. This means your break will be either at 11.00am or 12.00pm and your lunch will be either at 12.30pm or 1.30pm. There are areas around College where you can meet friends and relax. One is the Refectory in Hampton building, where you can also buy some food and drinks. You can also go to the Open Area on the first floor of Blythe Building and the Learning Resource Centre in Kitson Building. Lastly, you can relax in Room H204, where you will also be able to join a campus tour led by a current student.

What happens if I want to change my courses?
It is not possible to change your subject sessions on the day, as timetables will be set and there won’t be room in other sessions. However, it might be possible to change your timetable for the day if you contact the Admissions Office in advance (before the end of May). Please email the Admissions Office ASAP to request this change. We can’t guarantee that your timetable can be changed as not all subject tasters appear on both days, but staff in Admissions can advise you.