At Richmond upon Thames College (RuTC), we are committed to the education and career preparation of our students.
We understand that you, as parents, carers and guardians, need to know that your child is reaching their full potential and is safe and cared for, during their time at college.
Join a Parents' Tour!
Throughout the year, we are running a series of Parents' Tours, specifically designed for you, the parent/carer/guardian. These tours aim to provide you with more information about the courses and apprenticeships available to young people after they have completed Year 11, and how they can progress onto further study and become work-ready.
12 things parents and guardians should know about College
The college experience
FE colleges provide high-quality technical and professional education. Preparing students with valuable skills for higher education, the workplace, and enhancing their career opportunities.
-
What is an FE college?
Further Education (FE) colleges are education and training institutions that provide vocational and academic courses and opportunities to people aged 16+ (including adults). Most students are between 16 and 18 years old, as all young people must stay in education or training until their 18th birthday.
-
How are FE colleges different to schools?
FE colleges provide a wide range of study options beyond secondary education. Some key points about FE colleges are:
- Unlike schools, FE colleges are attended by people from 16 years old upwards
- Many courses offered are geared towards careers and the workplace
- Staff are highly experienced, industry trained and qualified
- Facilities are state-of-the-art and industry standard
- Colleges have a diverse and inclusive student population.
What is it like to study at college rather than at school?
FE colleges provide a different learning environment to schools. In FE colleges there are no students below the age of 16 years. The environment is generally more adult-like, where students take responsibility for themselves and their learning. However, plenty of support is available to students should they need it. Students are only required to attend college for timetabled lessons.
Colleges tend to be slightly more relaxed in comparison with school sixth forms, and students address their teachers on a first name basis. On most courses, students don’t have to wear a uniform, they can wear what they like. Although some courses will require a uniform or specialist clothing for certain lessons.
-
Will my child need to travel to different colleges?
No – your child will study at one college. This will be the college where they enrol.
-
Attendance and timetables
The timetable at FE colleges is different to school. Students are usually timetabled for 16-21 hours a week. Students usually have free periods during the week and are not necessarily expected to attend college every day. The college day might be longer with lessons or tutorials taking place as late as 4pm or 5pm.
Free time can be used for coursework or further research and students might spend time volunteering or working part-time.
Read our Student Attendance and Punctuality Policy for further information.
Many extra-curricular activities such as sports, music, crafts and clubs are also provided at college and students are encouraged to help set up and participate in these activities.
Find out more about our Enrichment programme here.
-
Safety for students while at college
Children, young people and their parents/carers have a right to expect the college to provide a safe and secure environment and a fundamental right to be protected from harm. This means everyone who comes into contact with children, young people and their families, including those who do not have a specific role in relation to safeguarding children, have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
Every member of staff has completed their Level 2 Safeguarding qualification and training is updated regularly.
Student IDs
We ask all staff, students and visitors to wear ID at all times and to enter the building through our electronic gates so that we know who is on-site.
Security team
Our dedicated, professional and friendly security team helps look after the safety of the campus and members of the college’s management team are on duty throughout the week to help deal with any general issues.
Find out more about Safeguarding here.
-
HRUC’s positive Ofsted inspection
HRUC (Harrow, Richmond, and Uxbridge Colleges), one of the leading further education institutions in London, has been rated “Strong for Skills”, and “Outstanding” for the behaviour and attitudes and personal development of its students, in its latest Ofsted inspection. HRUC achieved an overall “Good” rating for its educational offerings, leadership, and management. The inspection, which took place between 12-15 November 2024 across HRUC’s five campuses, highlights the College group’s strong performance across several areas, and its positive impact on students, employers, and the local community.
Qualifications explained
FE colleges provide academic and vocational education and training to anyone above the age of 16 years. There are many qualifications to choose from and we can help set your child on the right path for them.
-
What courses/training do FE colleges offer?
Our courses include a range of qualifications and training that are offered in a wide variety of subjects. There are multiple levels from entry through to level 5 (which is considered equivalent to a second year of university) as well as A-Levels, BTECs, apprenticeships and many more.
Find out more about the different levels and qualifications available here.
-
What is a T Level?
T-levels were introduced in 2020 and are vocational qualifications aimed at 16-19 year olds. They focus on practical subjects rather than academic ones. Each course lasts two years and is roughly equivalent to three A-Levels.
The qualification includes a mixture of both classroom learning and on-the-job experience, with a work placement of at least 315 hours - or about nine weeks - making up roughly 20% of the course.
You can find out more about T-Levels here.
-
What are the entry qualifications at RuTC?
Entry qualifications vary depending on the course your child would like to study.
Students who would like to study a vocational qualification at Level 3 will need GCSEs at grade 4 or above. Students who just miss out on GCSE grade 4s will start on a Level 2 or Level 1 course and then progress through the qualifications. A-Levels generally require GCSE grades of 5 or above.
On certain courses which build practical skills, e.g. plumbing, everyone starts at Level 1 regardless of the grades they get at GCSE – they will then progress to a Level 2 course and then onto a Level 3 course.
All entry requirements are listed under the individual course pages on the website.
-
Do all students have to study English and maths?
Students who have not achieved a grade 4 or above in GCSE English and maths, will need to continue studying these subjects. Either as GCSE retakes or Functional Skills qualifications.
English and maths are integral to a student's progression onto higher education courses, apprenticeships, and employment.
Students will be enrolled on English language and maths lessons as part of their full-time study programme at the appropriate level to help them develop their skills and retake these extremely important qualifications. Click here to view a diagram which will demonstrate which level students will study at and how they can progress.
Students who have achieved a grade 3
Students who have achieved a grade 3 at GCSE will take the November resit exam alongside their English and maths lessons.
At enrolment
It is important that we have all the correct information about your child's English and maths qualifications at enrolment, so please ensure that the student keeps hold of their results statements from school and brings any certificates they have to enrolment, so they are placed at the correct level from the beginning of the year.
Functional Skills English and maths
We offer Functional Skills as well as GCSE English and maths at the college.
If the student has no formal qualifications from an educational establishment, they will be placed in an entry level Functional Skills class. This does not mean they will stay there as we will test them by week 3 to check their level. If their tests show that they are at a higher level, the student will be moved to a more appropriate course.
If the student has achieved a grade 1 at GCSE English, they will study Level 1 Functional Skills English and a grade 1 maths means they will study maths GCSE.
GCSEs at grade 2 or 3
If the student has achieved a grade 2 or 3 at GCSE, they will study English GCSE for 3 hours a week and GCSE maths for 4 hours a week over two days of their study programme.
If they have a grade 4 in English language or maths, the student will not be required to study English or maths.
Functional Skills: exam board - Pearson Edexcel
These are qualifications which develop students’ skills in English or maths in more practical situations. They offer an opportunity for learners to develop the skills required to move to a GCSE qualification in English or maths. They are extremely helpful to reinforce and consolidate basic skills in English and maths.
GCSE: exam boards - AQA English and Pearson maths.
GCSE is a General Certificate in Secondary Education which is taken at the end of secondary school at age 16. However, more employers and apprenticeships require a grade 4 or above in GCSE English and maths. Therefore, more people at any age may wish to take this qualification for further work and study opportunities.
If the student has any international qualifications, please have these verified by the International Office:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Any queries, please contact the English and Maths Team on:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Learning and financial support
At RuTC, we offer financial help and support so that there are no boundaries to accessing your education. Our Student Services team also provides a listening ear and support to students who want to raise issues that might be affecting their experience at college.
Please note: We are no longer accepting cash payments for fees and other charges.
-
What support is available?
For most students, courses are free if they are under 24 years old and studying for their first qualification equivalent to GCSE or A-Level. Older students and students studying HE may need to pay a tuition fee. For those who will need to pay a tuition fee, there may be help available, please visit the link below for more information.
We also offer a bursary and free college meals to students who qualify, so make sure you have a look at the Fees and Financial Support page to see how we can help you.
Can I still get Child Benefit/Child Tax credit?
Yes - as long as your child is studying in an approved education establishment. Harrow, Richmond and Uxbridge Colleges (HRUC) is an approved centre.
My child has additional needs and was getting support at school, will it be the same at college?
Richmond upon Thames College aims to support students to reach their full potential, become independent learners and achieve their goals. We will ensure that reasonable adjustments are in place to enable them to fully access the curriculum and college life.
We ask all learners to disclose any medical conditions, learning difficulties, additional learning support needs or if they have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in place, at the application, enrolment or induction stage.
You can find out more on our Inclusive Learning Support page.
-
Advice on careers and applying to university
The careers team at Richmond upon Thames College provides students with impartial advice and guidance to support their career goals and aspirations, explore options ranging from skills, and training, to part-time courses, further education and higher (university) education and help them plan their next steps before, during and after they complete their course.
You can find out more on our Careers and Employability page.
How we keep you informed
We will provide all the information you need to know about your child's experience at college.
-
Monitoring students' progress
We value our relationships with parents, carers and guardians and are keen to work in partnership with you to ensure that your son or daughter can achieve their full potential.
While we encourage students to take responsibility for their learning and conduct, your involvement is key. We are committed to maintaining contact with you through regular reports on attendance, letters of concern and congratulations about achievement, students' reports and parents' evenings.
You will be able to communicate directly with your child’s tutor via email and telephone. If you do not have direct contact information, you can contact us via our online enquiry form, which will go through to our Reception team who will pass on your enquiry.
We need your contact details
At the time of enrolment, parent/guardian contact information should be added to our system. If it is not, then we require the student to email us from their student email address confirming your details so that we can add it to our system:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or students can go to the office in person, room G21. -
Parent Portal
Click here for the link to the Parent Portal
Guide for parents to download the HRUC Parent App and Parent portal log in
Please email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any problems accessing the Parent Portal.
How to apply
Students apply to Richmond upon Thames College via an online form or by downloading a hardcopy form, you can find out more from our How to apply page. It will only take a few minutes to apply and once we have received your child’s application, they will then be able to select an interview date and time that is convenient for them (we encourage parents/carers to come along too).