student handbook 2013/14
DESCRIPTION
All you need to know about being a student with Access to Music.TRANSCRIPT
StudentHandbook2013/14
contents
1. Welcome to college ................................................................................. 06
2. A Safe and welcoming environment ........................................................ 08
3. What you should expect from us and what we expect from you ............ 12
4. Qualifications ........................................................................................... 14
5. Course aims ............................................................................................. 15
6. Settling in ................................................................................................. 17
7. Have your say .......................................................................................... 18
8. Your course work ..................................................................................... 19
9. ATM-Online .............................................................................................. 20
10. National events and projects ................................................................... 22
11. Progression opportunities ........................................................................ 22
12. Support for students ................................................................................ 27
13. Learner journey ........................................................................................ 30
14. If things go wrong .................................................................................... 32
15. Useful contacts ........................................................................................ 34
Welcome to Access To Music, the UK’s largest provider of popular music education, training and development. Whether you have just left school or college or you are coming back into education after a gap, we will offer you a dynamic and rewarding learning experience.
Many thousands of people from many different backgrounds and with different ambitions and aspirations have studied with us, either at our own Access To Music centres, or at one of our partner colleges and universities, so you are now part of the largest national network of music learners in the UK. As a result, you are plugged into opportunities for musical and music-related activity right across the board.
Our many links with the music industry at all levels mean that all of our students have access to a very wide range of expertise from across the music business.
Now is also the time to start thinking about what you are going to do when you finish your course. So, whether you are interested in going onto degree-level courses, or you want to work professionally in the music industry, or improve your job prospects generally, your tutors are there to support you in achieving your goals.
We urge you to value your time with us and to make the most of the many opportunities that will be presented to you.
We are committed to working with you to fulfil your potential and to prepare you fully for the next stage of your career, whatever that might turn out to be.
Best wishes
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Adrian Armstrong, Director Access to Music
1. Welcome to Access To MusicWelcome to Access to Music
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“If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.” - Albert Einstein
What Other Students Have Said:‘It is awesome, tutors make you feel very welcome.’‘I have enjoyed every second so far.’‘The course… gave me both the tuition and the personal space to make music.’‘Everyone is valued equally.’ ‘A great course, would recommend it to anyone who is looking at getting into music.’
We have put this handbook together to help you make your time with us successful and enjoyable. Your handbook gives you the information you need to access the many opportunities and services that Access to Music provides, to ensure you are able to work to your full potential as a student with us.
To understand a little more about Access to Music’s goals, aims and ambitions, here is our mission statement, which underpins everything we do. This helps us ensure we are providing you with everything you need to enable you to get to where you want to be as you move through your time with us.
‘Access to Music develops a student’s creativity, intellect and vocational ambition through broad, relevant engagement with music and music-related curriculum.’
This means that Access to Music is striving to develop your readiness for employment and engagement in a modern world through music and music-related activity.
All of Access to Music’s courses have the following three statements at their heart:
• Access to Music learners are creative, enterprising and employable
• Access to Music learners are ambitious, global citizens• Access to Music learners are digitally literate
We believe that developing these ‘attributes’ will be crucial in ensuring that you are in a position to move onto bigger and better things, whether that is in the music industry of the future, or in a broader world of work.
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1. Welcome to Access To Music1. Welcome to the college
Core values
Access to Music:• Acknowledges the value and facilitates the development of an
individual’s personal aims• Encourages and supports students in developing the capacity
for independent learning and thinking• Recognises the value of the contribution made by young people
and adults to cultural and social change• Maximises a student’s capacity for progression into further
learning or employment in any field• Emphasises the focus and purpose of learning to an individual
in the context of their personal and social development• Develops an individual’s awareness of wider social, cultural and
economic agendas• Develops an individual’s capacity to sustain economic wellbeing
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Equality and diversityAccess to Music recognises the uniqueness of individuals and embraces this so that each person can fulfil their potential. We welcome and value people from all backgrounds and cultures. We recognise and celebrate diversity and actively oppose discrimination.
Access to Music strives to remove barriers to provide equality of opportunity by raising aspirations and widening participation, in order to support everyone’s success. All individuals can expect to be treated fairly, and with respect.
Access to Music, therefore, is committed to ensuring that our policies and practices, and those of our partners do not discriminate against anyone.
In addition to this, Access to Music is committed to challenging stereotypes within the music industry, as well as promoting diversity through its courses and calendar of events.
Bullying and harassment We also are clear on our position with regard to bullying and harassment and believe behaviours contributing to these are unacceptable. Threatening and violent behaviour, victimisation and bullying are major disciplinary offenses. Other students may not share your ideas of what is funny and acceptable. Thoughtless comments, unkind remarks and name calling, use of derogatory language in any form, including cyber-bullying, may result in disciplinary action being taken.
2. A safe & welcoming environment
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Being and feeling safe at collegeThe College takes it responsibilities for the safety and wellbeing of all its students very seriously.
Access to Music believes that the welfare of the individual is paramount. Access to Music recognises its duty and responsibility to protect when there is a cause for concern.
All staff and students have the right to:• Live and work in a safe environment and be protected from
harm• Experience emotional wellbeing• Feel valued and be supported by a network of professional
relationships• Have a positive self-image• Have a secure sense of cultural, social and racial identity• Developgoodinterpersonalskillsandconfidenceinsocial
situations
Access to Music believes: • That all staff and students without exception have the right
to protection from abuse regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexuality or beliefs
• That all concerns and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to appropriately
Access to Music is committed to the principle of safe recruitment, selection and vetting of all staff.
Safeguarding includes health and safety (including e-safety), anti-bullying, protection from abuse or exploitation, avoiding potentially harmful activities and associated welfare issues.
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We ask you at all times whilst you are in college buildings and/or taking part in Access to Music activities, including gigs, competitions and events, to take responsibility for the safety of yourself as well as the responsibility of others. Accidents, potential hazards and broken equipment should be reported to your centre’s staff. If you willfully damage or break equipment you will be asked to pay for it, as this stops others from using it and learning. ALL students have a duty to observe safe working practices and to comply with any verbal or written instruction regarding health and safety/fire regulations.
All learners, staff and visitors are required to wear Access to Music ID both at college and on Access to Music business. Once issued with your ID card, you must look after it as you will need it to access buildings, borrow equipment and sit assessments or take exams. Some of our centres also have sign-in procedures and code activated doors for your safety. You must not share door codes with anyone that does not study or work at Access to Music. Please ensure that coded doors are locked behind you and that you don’t allow anyone in the building without a pass.
If you feel you are at risk from harm, or feel another student is at risk, please speak to your tutor, course leader or centre manager. We are all responsible for each other’s safety and welfare and we all need to know what to do when we suspect something is wrong.
All of our centres have a person with responsibility for safeguarding and they will be introduced to you as part of your induction. Their names, pictures and contact details will be on centre notice boards. You also may wish to record their name and contact details here:
SafeguardingOfficer’sname:...........................................................
Contact Number:...............................................................................
You also may wish to contact one of Access to Music’s national safeguarding officers who you can reach [email protected].
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HealthA variety of health awareness events are organised across Access to Music during the academic year. As part of your course you will receive regular sessions on health education and awareness. These include tutorials on issues such as sexual health, drugs and alcohol awareness. We also would like you to contribute to these sessions and encourage you to tell us about charities and voluntary work that you may be involved in.
We all have a responsibility to safeguard each other’s welfare. If you are concerned about the welfare of any of your colleagues, for whatever reason, you should always raise your concerns with a member of staff. It is always better to say something and be proved wrong than say nothing at all. Remember, you might just save someone’s life.
As part of our commitment to safer working practices, we issue all learners with ear protection as we recognise that you may be exposed to high noise levels, both within our centres and at live venues. Ear protection must be used appropriately at all times and learners are required to demonstrate they have ear protection when using our equipment and studios.
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Our ten commitments to youAccess to Music is committed to helping you achieve your goals and aspirations. Staff will support your learning in the following ways:1. Staff will provide high quality, inclusive music training,
incorporating wider educational and employability skills2. Tutors will start and end sessions on time.3. Where possible, tutors will give advance notice if they are
to be absent, and will ensure that any sessions missed are made up or delivered by approved deputies
4. When tutors set work for formal assessment, they will give you:• written instructions and an explanation of how the work
will be assessed• a deadline for completion• a date by which feedback will be given to you about the
work.5. When work is completed and handed in on time, it will
be assessed and handed back to you by the agreed date (usually within 10 working days).
6. Tutors will keep you informed of your progress, and will provide opportunities for you to express your views throughout the course.
7. Tutors will help you access any learning support you require.8. If you are under 18, tutors will inform your parent, guardian
or carer of information relating to your progress. Tutors may also have to get permission from your parent, guardian or carer for you to attend external events.
9. Tutors will comply with Access to Music’s Equality and Diversity policy at all times.
10. Tutors will help you to access advice and guidance throughout the course.
3. What you should expect from us and what we expect from you
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Access to Music is committed to providing you with a valuable, interesting and stimulating learning experience - the chance to develop knowledge and skills aimed at equipping you for work in music and beyond, whatever your goals. However, we require a commitment from you too.
Your ten commitments to us1. To attend all timetabled sessions. If you have to miss a
session for a genuine reason, please ensure that you follow the centre procedures for absence.
2. To ensure you arrive punctually to all sessions, and have appropriate equipment with you.
3. In the interests of security, please wear your pass at all times.
4. To have respect for all students, staff, equipment and buildings.
5. To understand that theft, violence and being under the influenceofalcoholordrugsarenottoleratedatAccesstoMusic centres or at external events.
6. To follow all health, safety and welfare procedures including the use of ear protection (which is provided for you) - this will be outlined to you during Induction.
7. To gain staff permission before moving equipment out of rooms.
8. To request permission for visitors.9. To smoke only in areas made available for this purpose.10. To eat and drink only in designated areas.
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On successfully completing your course, you will achieve the following qualifications
Level 1 Courses• Rockschool Level 1 Subsidiary Diploma for Music
Practitioners• *Edexcel Entry Level 3 Functional Skills: English• *Edexcel Entry Level 3 Functional Skills: Mathematics
Level 2 Courses• Rockschool Level 2 Subsidiary Diploma for Music
Practitioners• *Edexcel Level 1 Functional Skills: English• *Edexcel Level 1 Functional Skills: Mathematics
Level 3 Courses (one year)• Rockschool Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma for Music
Practitioners• *Edexcel Level 2 Functional Skills: English• *Edexcel Level 2 Functional Skills: Mathematics
Level 3 Courses (two year)• Rockschool Level 3 Extended Diploma for Music
Practitioners• *Edexcel Level 2 Functional Skills: English• *Edexcel Level 2 Functional Skills: Mathematics
*For students not already in possession of literacy and numeracy qualifications, all courses incorporate Functional Skills development sessions in English and Mathematics, which you are expected to attend.
4. Qualifications
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All Access to Music courses have at their heart qualifications from the Rockschool Music Practitioner suite of qualifications (see section 4). However, the aims of the different courses in terms of what you will study are very different.
Music PerformanceThe Music Performance courses aim to develop your skills as a performer. The course will include numerous performance opportunities, aspects of composition and songwriting skill development, developing your musicianship and using computer-based music technology including learning to use digital recording equipment. You will also receive comprehensive input into the workings of the music business, looking at new and emerging issues, and explore how you might begin to develop a career.
Music TechnologyThe Music Technology courses are split into two categories, Music Production and Sound Engineering: 1. The Music Production courses aim primarily to develop your
ability to use music technology creatively, specifically focussing on composition and the comprehensive use of sequencing and production packages to develop your music. This will include working with digital audio workstations, in the studio and at live events. You will also receive comprehensive input into the workings of the music business looking at new and emerging issues, and explore how you might begin to develop a career.
2. The Sound Engineering courses aim to develop your skills in live and recorded sound manipulation and production. This will include working with software packages, in live sound production environments and on studio recording assignments. You will also receive comprehensive input into the workings of the music business looking at new and emerging issues, and explore how you might begin to develop a career.
5. Course aims
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Music BusinessThe Music Business courses aim primarily to develop your ability to operate as an entrepreneur within the music business. You will gain a practical understanding of the main functions and key elements of the business and have opportunities to undertake work-based activity within it. You will also receive comprehensive input into new and emerging issues within the business, and explore how you might begin to develop a sustainable career within it.
Functional skills developmentFunctional Skills include Maths, English and Information Technology and are designed to help you give you skills for work, learning and life. As part of your induction to your course we will assess the skills you already and have and help you work to an appropriate Functional Skills Level.
Wider skills developmentAt every stage of your development, the course you are on aims to prepare you for your next stage. Therefore all courses actively aim to develop a wider set of skills beyond purely musical to ensure you are ready take your next step, whatever you decide that might be.
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There will be an induction period at the beginning of your study. The length of this will vary depending on the course you are enrolled on.
Induction is there to help you settle in and find out the important information about your course and your place of study. It will help break the ice and make you feel comfortable with your surroundings. It should support you and help answer any queries you may have.
Induction is an exciting time where you begin to explore what you are about to get into.
Your tutor team will also use this time to ensure that you are on the right course, at the right level and in the right place, so that the time you spend will be of maximum benefit to you. Please make sure you discuss any learning needs that you have with your tutors, so we can provide the best possible support for you right from the start of your studies. Again we ask you to look out for each other and if you note someone else is struggling, please share this information so we can help them. As part of induction, we also ask you what you think of your experience so far as well as what we can do to improve, in order for us to feedback to you on any actions we have taken. As part of induction you will meet with your tutor to discuss your progress and set targets for the future.
Each course has a course manager. This person is responsible for overseeing the running of your course, ensuring the course is meeting your needs and that you are happy on it. Any course-related problems should be addressed in the first instance with your course manager.
6. Settling in
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The student voice is very important to us. There are a number of ways that you can ensure your voice is heard. For example, you will have the opportunity to attend focus groups, take part in surveys and elect a student representative who will represent your views direct to Access to Music management. You can if you wish stand for election to be a student representative.
We encourage you to feedback to us on all sorts of issues relating to your course and your experiences with Access to Music, from the quality of your tutors through to how safe you feel in your centre.
We also use questionnaires and focus groups across the year to help us gain important information on how you feel about your course, the centre and programme. We also have an active review process that enables us to review our practices, including observing teaching and learning, meeting with staff and learners as well as review of learning plans.
Further information on how you can get your voice heard will be given to you during your induction and we urge you to get involved whenever and wherever you can.
7. Have your say
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Project deliveryYour course is divided up into a series of projects. The projects have been created to ensure they provide you with opportunities to develop knowledge and skills relevant to your own needs, in relation to your learning and career aims. The projects also reflect the needs of the industry into which you are hoping to progress.
Embedded within these projects are a range of learning outcomes. These serve as a framework that your tutors use to assess your knowledge and skill development in relation to you achieving the qualifications.
AppealYou have the right to appeal an assessment decision.
You can also appeal against a tutor’s management of coursework, against being given incorrect or inappropriate assignment briefs and against slow turnaround of assessment, especially if this affects your capacity to complete your course and achieve your qualification(s).
You may also of course appeal against real, or what you might perceive as, discrimination.
Your course manager will make you aware of the appeals process during your course induction.
8. Your course work
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ATM Online is Access to Music’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
ATM Online is designed to help you with all aspects of your learning throughout your time with Access to Music.
At ATM Online you can:
• Access course material that will support you in your main learning programme
• Enrol on additional bite-sized courses to extend or support your main learning programme
• Utilise your Google Apps account to access a suite of tools such as email and Google Drive to collaborate with your peers
• Engage with your Individual Learning Plan which will help you reflect on your progress and plan for the future
• Submit coursework and read feedback from your tutors• Take part in quizzes, questionnaires and other learning activities• Discuss music and network with students from around the
country• Develop an e-Portfolio that you can share with potential
employers and academic institutions • Listen to music and watch music videos• Check on your progress in relation to achieving your
qualification(s) and completing your course
You can access ATM Online either on a computer, your mobile or a tablet device.
As part of our commitment to e-safety and e-responsibility all learners at Access to Music are asked to take part in lessons specifically designed to ensure you are aware of your role and responsibilities in keeping yourself and others safe online. This includes the use of email, taking part in online activities such as chatrooms, gaming and blogs. We will discuss the advantages of social media and its professional use, as well as the potential dangers and risks that could be involved.
9. ATM Online
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When you first visit ATM Online you will be shown a list of courses that you are enrolled in. You can navigate round the site by using the menu bar at the top.
ATM Online is designed to be simple to use and easy to engage with. Access to Music is committed to developing and refining ATM Online by liaising with you and your tutors to give you the best online learning experience possible.
Access to Music has an official Facebook page as well as a Twitter feed, @accesstomusic. These are great way to keep updated on Access to Music Activities as well as interacting with others across the group and giving your feedback. During Induction you will discuss e-safety and your responsibility with regards to using social media and the internet.
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Access to Music’s national events team specialises in the production of events for young people in the creative sector and in the provision of a range of enterprise, work-related and work-based learning opportunity. These will be presented to you as your course progresses.
Access to Music has links with a wealth of high-profile industry organisations and is able to provide you as a student with access to a wide range of real world opportunities across the music sector. These range from providing work (for example, as an artist or as a member of the production team) at major festivals in the UK, through to first hand access to highly respected industry professionals via a comprehensive calendar of networking and seminar events.
Regardless of where you are in the Access to Music portfolio of courses, there is always a next step. Access to Music can offer a number of options to take you to the next stage of your development. The chart below identifies the full range of Access to Music courses/qualifications available to students, from Level 1 up to Level 4. In the text underneath the chart, some of the advanced progression opportunities are explained.
In all cases, the person responsible for ensuring that you are progressing towards your goals is your personal tutor (usually your course manager). This person will work closely with your centre’s progression tutor (see section 13), who is the person responsible for
10. National events & projects
11. Progression & progression opportunities
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ensuring you are safe and well whilst you are studying with Access to Music. These people will ensure that you remain on track in terms of your learning and in relation to the types of additional opportunity you are afforded, to ensure your course is as relevant as possible to you and your aims.
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Some options you may be interested in once you have completed your course.
University Courses
BA (Hons) in Popular Music PerformanceAccess to Music/Royal Northern College of MusicThe BA (Hons) in Popular Music Performance degree, designed by Access to Music and validated by the Royal Northern College of Music, provides intensive training for instrumentalists and singers with a high level of performing ability (you will be expected to have reached grade 8, or an equivalent on your main instrument), who intend to work as freelance musicians in the popular music industry or as a preparation for postgraduate study.
The course comprises 360 credits over 3 years, with half of the programme dedicated to developing skills in your principal study. In addition to the rigorous instrumental/vocal teaching, the programme also develops your academic and creative skills, and cultivates business acumen and entrepreneurial activity through employment and employability training.
BA (Hons) in Music BusinessAccess to Music/Birmingham City UniversityThe BA (Hons) in Music Business, designed by Access to Music and validated by Birmingham City University, provides students with the key skills required for a management career in the music industry. Students will be working on projects designed to provide hands-on experience of creating and building music industry projects. In these projects students will be guided and mentored by working professionals. The programme also recognises the effect of new technologies on the creative industries and encourages students to use technology to develop their own ventures.
The course comprises 360 credits over an accelerated two-year period. It is designed to equip you with the skills required to operate across a range of freelance music opportunities with a focus on music business. You will need to appreciate the development of your own skills, and how to exploit them in order to reach your potential market, and will expand your ability to contextualise, to
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think critically and to apply theories, to allow you to develop as an individual. BMus Popular MusicAccess to Music/Birmingham City UniversityThe BMus in Popular Music Performance, validated by Birmingham City University, provides vocational training for musicians who intend to progress into the contemporary music industry to work as freelance popular musicians. It aims to attract students from a wide range of musical backgrounds and experiences and provide the skills required to progress into employment, self-employment and/or higher-level study.
The course comprises 360 credits over an accelerated two year period. It is designed to equip you with the skills required to operate across a range of freelance music opportunities with a focus on music performance. You will need to appreciate the development of your own skills, and how to exploit them in order to reach their potential market, and will expand their ability to contextualise, to think critically and to apply theories, to allow you to develop as an individual.
Other Level 4 coursesavailable at Access to Music
Artist Development(Level 4 Rockschool Diploma for Creative Practitioners)The Artist Development programme focuses on your creative and artistic development, working towards a potential commercial release.
You will work under the close guidance of a highly experienced team of musicians, industry professionals and creatives who will support you as you begin to explore and investigate the potential of your own musical ideas.
The course aims to replace the artistic development processes traditionally performed by record labels and aims to equip you with the tools to manage this process for yourself.
Successful completion of this course leads to achievement of the Rockschool Level 4 Diploma for Creative Practitioners. 25
Music Educator(Level 4 CTTLS)The Music Educator (CTLLS), validated by City & Guilds, is a bespoke professional teacher-training programme for musicians who wish to teach. You will study the theory and practice of teaching, principles of learning, teaching, assessment and evaluation, confidence, communication and interpersonal skills, and your professional role and responsibilities as a teacher.
The programme is delivered through blended learning, consisting of intensive 3-day sessions once a month, plus study at home and a teaching placement.
Sessions are delivered by highly skilled and experienced music educators and include small group exercises, observations, discussions and practical teaching tasks. You are supported at distance through comprehensive online resources and tutorial support via email, telephone and Skype.
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Learner Support FundThe Learner Support Fund or Discretionary Student Support fund (DLS) is paid by the funding agencies to Access to Music, to provide financial help to students who might not be able to start or continue with their course because of financial difficulties. Full details on who is eligible and how to apply will be provided during induction.
Financial assistance with travelFor students aged 16-18, travel assistance is provided through your Local Education Authority (LEA) and you should contact them directly for further information on eligibility. Further information on transport policies can be found on the LEA’s own website or by visiting www.direct.gov.uk.
Most awards however are made to help ATM students who are over the age of 19 (and who are not in receipt of any other grants) travel to their chosen centre. Many ATM students have to travel much further than if they were going to a local college.
Application forms may be downloaded at www.accesstomusic.co.uk/students/financial
Additional Learning SupportEvery Access to Music centre has an Additional Learning Support tutor.
Access to Music provides guidance pre-entry and during induction, in order to:• Identify skills• Assess needs• Get the right person on the right course
12. Student support
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We support a comprehensive range of needs, including:
We negotiate an individual support package with you, which will include:• Discussion and assessment• Review• Building a framework to enable learning
This might include:
Students with disabilitiesAccess to Music supports the rights of students with learning difficulties/disabilities to attend their place of learning and receive support as appropriate and feasible.
Information on the support available, advice on specialist equipment and how to access it, access to special arrangements for assessments and other individual support and guidance is available via your centre’s Additional Learning Support tutor and progression tutor (see section 13).
• Dyslexia• Autism• Dyspraxia• Asperger’s• Dyscalculia• ADHD• Hearing Impairment• Physical disabilities
• Visual Impairment• Medical conditions• Mild and Moderate Learning
Difficulties• Anxiety and Anger• Mental Health Conditions
SevereLearningDifficulties
• A personal learning plan• Formal diagnosis of SpLD• One-to-One support
sessions• Speech and language
therapy
• Supported groups• Contact with a mentor• Organisational and study
skills• Regular text contact
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Mentor MeMentor-Me is where Access to Music students and apprentices can access advice from people who know exactly what they are going through – other students! All are trained mentors who provide anonymous advice via an online platform.
Mentor-Me also offers opportunities for you to become a mentor or to be mentored.
As well as getting advice and support, you can also check out our great library of resources – documents, contact numbers and weblinks.
For further information, go to: www.mentor-me.org.uk
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We believe at Access to Music whenever you start your course and at whatever level, we have good systems to help you achieve as much as you possibly can. We believe your experience should be enjoyable, productive and challenge you. We want your course to expose you to new ideas, new skills and opportunities both in and out of the music industry. To help you, we have designed specific stages in your study to help you focus on improvement, progression and next steps in your future.
One of the key success tools we have is the ILP, your Individualised Learning Plan, which you will use across the year to chart progress, set goals for yourself and plan your work. We will help and encourage you to set yourself SMART targets which are designed to help you set realistic targets across the year. We also will ask you to set dates for the completion of your targets and ask you how you are going to record your achievements. We will also focus towards the end of your course on where you want to progress on completion of your course.
A target we will always ask you to keep is high attendance. We believe to complete your studies well you must attend 100% of your course. We accept that sometimes you may need to be absent, however we ask that this is kept at a minimum. We also want you to be punctual as lateness often disturbs others’ learning and with planning this can be avoided. You will receive a college calendar as part of induction and we ask you do not arrange holiday or part time work that conflicts with your timetable. Also, at induction you will be told what to do if you are going to be absent or late from your lessons.
SpecificaspectsofthelearnerjourneyAfter an Induction to your course we will ask you to meet with your tutor to discuss if you feel you are on the right course and have make the Right Choice. We will ask you to prepare for this interview and have thought about what you want to do in the future, how you
13. The learner journey
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are going to contribute to the course and what targets you are going to set yourself.
Midway into your course we will hold another very important meeting where we will review your Progress so far and how you are going on the course. In this interview we will discuss if you are achieving appropriate grades, your attendance, your contributions and how you are working together with other learners to complete projects and tasks. Again we ask you to prepare for this interview and be ready to discuss possible progression and career opportunities.
Lastly, before your course comes to an end we will have another meeting to support you. This is called the Next Steps interview and focuses on your future. You will be asked to consider what you are going to do after Access to Music or what course you want to progress on to and what you have to complete before the end of the year.
Across the academic year you will also have tutorials on your timetable, which are designed to support you across the year. We expect you to attend all tutorials across the year and fully engage with the Individual Learning Plan process.
We recognise that your journey with Access to Music and into the music business will continue after you have left us. That’s why at the end of your course we will ask you if you want to join out exclusive Alumni Association, which will allow you to keep in touch with Access to Music, your lecturers, other students and musicians have completed their course
Progression TutorEvery Access to Music centre has a progression tutor. They are responsible for ensuring the welfare of every student. Progression tutors will be introduced to you at induction. You may want to record their details here:
Progression Tutor’s name:...........................................................
Contact number:...............................................................................
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Further information and guidance on personal safety and wellbeing and looking out for the safety and wellbeing of others can be found at www.atm-online.co.uk in the Student Resources and Support menu - click the ‘safeguarding and support’ tab.
We are also required to involve parents in the learner journey and will have information and progression evenings, for parents to be informed of the work of Access to Music and their child’s progress.
Unfortunately, sometimes due to unforeseen circumstances things may go wrong, so to ensure you have good information, we have included this section and included the names and details of people you may need to contact.
Thinking of leaving your courseIf you decide you wish to withdraw from your course please speak to your course manager or to your progression tutor before making a final decision. Access to Music is committed to ensuring that withdrawal from your course is the final course of action and wishes to ensure that all is done to preserve your place on your course prior to that decision being taken.
ComplaintsAccess to Music is committed to ensuring your time studying with us is as fruitful and trouble free as possible, and we will endeavour to provide you with a stimulating, safe and rewarding learning experience at all times.
However, there may be times when you feel dissatisfied with one or more aspects of your Access to Music experience. If this is ever the case we would urge you to raise your concerns with your course manager, in order that steps can be put in place to remedy the situation and so that we can understand where things are going wrong.
14. If things go wrong
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If you have tried everything in your power to resolve an issue yourself and you are still dissatisfied with the outcome, you can make a formal complaint by contacting:
• Derek Street, Director of Curriculum and Quality • Tel: 0330 123 3155• Email: [email protected]
Formal complaints against staff should be made through your personal tutor. Where your personal tutor is the member of staff against which you are raising a complaint, you should contact Derek Street (details above).
Disciplinary mattersFailure to uphold expected standards in behaviour, attendance, and work will in most cases result in disciplinary action being taken. At this stage we may involve parents if we feel this is appropriate.
Instances of gross misconduct will result in immediate disciplinary action being taken.
For further information relating to student codes of practice, please see your curriculum and operations manager.
PlagiarismPlagiarism, i.e. taking someone else’s work or ideas and calling them your own, will not be tolerated and where instances are proven, disciplinary action will be taken against offenders.
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Your Access to Music Centre:
Address:
.......................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................
Telephone:
.......................................................................................................
Curriculum & Operations Manager:
.......................................................................................................
Tel: .................................................................................................
Email: .............................................................................................
Curriculum Leader:
.......................................................................................................
Tel: .................................................................................................
Email: .............................................................................................
15. Useful contacts
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Course Manager:
.......................................................................................................
Tel: .................................................................................................
Email: .............................................................................................
Additional Learning Support Tutor:
.......................................................................................................
Tel: .................................................................................................
Email: .............................................................................................
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Derek Street Director of Curriculum and Quality Email: [email protected]
Dan JeffriesVLE Development ManagerCurriculum and Quality AdvisorEmail: [email protected]
Ben SearleHead of Curriculum DevelopmentNational Designated Senior Person for SafeguardingCurriculum and Quality AdvisorEmail: [email protected]
Sean SouthQuality Improvement ManagerLead Internal ModeratorCurriculum and Quality AdvisorEmail: [email protected]
Steve KellyHead of Learner ExperienceNational Designated Senior Person for SafeguardingEmail: [email protected]
Kate WebberQuality FacilitatorEmail: [email protected]
Claire WhiteHead of Additional Learning SupportFunctional/Key Skills ManagerEmail: [email protected]
Student Welfare & Support contacts:A wide list of contact numbers for national and regional support agencies and links to their websites can be found here:
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Student_Health_and_Welfare_Useful_Links_and_Phone_Numbers
National Access to Music contacts:
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Organisation Name Website Contact
Local Contacts (this table has been left blank so you can make a note of useful local contacts relevant to you)
Local contacts:
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3838
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facebook.com/accesstomusic
youtube.com/user/accesstomusicuk
twitter.com/accesstomusic
Keep in touch:
soundcloud/accesstomusic
[email protected] 28 18 42