Choosing the Right College

Going to college is exciting, here are some things you may want to think about when making your choice.

Before choosing a college

You should:

• Discuss your options with those who can support you. This includes parents/carers, teachers and careers advisers.

• Look at a range of college websites and brochures.

• Visit colleges you are interested in. Most colleges have open days you can attend. You can also arrange a visit with the college if this works better for you.

Finding information about colleges

There are a range of ways to find out information about colleges. Some of these include:

• The college website - Contains information about a college and its facilities. You should be able to find information about the courses they offer here. It should also contain college policies and how they support learners with additional needs. The website may also have information about results and what people do after they leave.

• The college prospectus - This contains more in-depth information about the college. These usually include course summaries and requirements too. Most colleges have these available to view or download on their website. You can also ask the college for a physical copy.

• The college Ofsted report - These may help to give an overall picture of the college. You should be able to see the most recent report on the college's website. You can search for a report by visiting the Ofsted Website [External Link].

Visiting a college

Before you visit a college

• Discuss the support you may need at college with those who support you at school and your parents/carers.

• Consider what you want to find out at your visit. This includes thinking about the questions you want to ask and the people you want to meet.

• Make sure you have looked at the college's website. You can also ask where you can find the college's prospectus to read. This will give you more information about the courses they offer.

• Talk to a careers adviser about what your goals are and how to get there. They can help you decide which college is best for you.

• Think about how you will travel to and from the college.

While visiting the college

• If you are visiting outside of an open day event, it may be helpful to visit while young people are at the college.

• Try and spend enough time there to help you make your choice.

• If you can, try and meet some of the people who will be working with you. This includes tutors and student support staff.

• Make sure you ask lots of questions. The more information you find out, the easier it is to make a decision.

After the visit

• Discuss your thoughts and feeling about the college with someone who can support you. This could be a parent/carer, teacher or another adult you trust.

• Think about whether the college was what you were expecting.

• Do you think the college can meet your needs?

• Discuss your plans at school. This will help them support you to apply for college.

• The school and college will work with Sutton's SEND team to help make your transition as easy as possible.

• Remember, if there is anything you don't understand or are worried about don't be afraid to speak to someone about it.

College atmosphere

Both during and after your visit, it is important to reflect on how you felt while there.

• Does the college feel welcoming?

• Do the people that go there seem happy?

• Do you think you would be happy at that college?

• Did you feel able to ask questions if you did not understand something?

Things to find out about

The college

• Does the college have the equipment you need?

• Will you need help at breaks or lunch. If so, what support is there for this?

• Do they have any activities outside your course that you can take part in?

In the classroom

• What will your timetable be like?

• Who will be there to support you?

• How will you and your parents/carers know how well you are doing?

External support

• Will you be able to continue getting support from outside the college if you still need this? For example, access to speech and language or occupational therapy.

• How will additional support fit into your timetable?

• Will you have to miss any classes to access it?

Residential colleges

If you are considering going to a residential college (a college you live at while studying), there are some other things you may need to consider.

• Can you meet the people who will support you while you are visiting?

• Can you visit the dorms or bedrooms you are likely to be using? This will help you become familiar with them.

• Who do you go to if you have a problem or are worried?

• How do you contact home and how can they contact you?

• What happens if you need help at nighttime?

• What bathroom facilities are there?

• What support is in place for medical care?

• What opportunities are there to join activities outside of college? These could include youth groups or sport and leisure activities.

• Will you have the opportunity to shop, cook and clean for yourself?

• Do you have to stay at college over the weekend? If so, what activities are there to take part in?

Where can I get more support?

SIASS can provide more advice and support when choosing a college that suits your needs. To find out more, visit the SIASS directory page.