Three students sitting on a bench
Overview

Parents and carers

Welcome

At Hills Road, we aim to provide an excellent sixth form education experience distinguished by opportunity, quality and achievement for all our students within a caring community.

Supporting students

While we will be supporting our students towards increased independence and adulthood, we very much value and encourage the involvement of parents and carers in helping us to achieve that. While we expect students to accept responsibility for their own learning and academic progress, we recognise that a successful partnership with parents and carers is vital to the success of our students.

We encourage your support of the following:

  • Encourage your young person to follow the Code of Conduct
  • Hold high expectations for attendance and punctuality
  • Inform us if you become concerned about your young person’s progress
  • Inform us of changes in personal circumstances (address/telephone number or domestic circumstances, etc. but also if any significant life difficulties befall your family with which we could offer support to your young person)
  • Avoid any holidays in term-time and student commitments during college hours
  • Respond in a timely manner to college communications
  • Attend progress review consultations

For more information about your young person's transition to Hills Road, please download our Parents and Carers guide.

WisePay

The College subscribes to a national online system called WisePay, which allows the College to accept electronic payments for items of expenditure. Payments can be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with a debit/credit card through a secure online account.

Using WisePay, you are able to top-up your ​young person's account, ensuring they can then use their card with our Cashless Catering service and you can also make payments for trips, events, course fees, resource packs and many other important expenses.

The wellbeing support team has helped me develop healthy coping strategies that have had a positive impact on all areas of my life

Emma

The Fun run was a great opportunity for the college community to come together and help the environment

Sambor

Bursary Fund

The Bursary Fund aims to help students who need financial support, any young person can apply providing they meet the eligibility criteria. The funding can cover a range of needs and resources such as:

  • Transport
  • Meals
  • Essential educational activities linked to chosen A level courses
  • Student learning resources, including books
  • Tests required for university entrance
  • Loan of a digital device for use in college and at home.

Term dates

23/24 Term information

Academic year 2023 to 2024

Dates

4 September to 16 July 2024

23/24 Term information

Autumn term 2023

Dates

Monday 4 September to Wednesday 2​0 December 2023

23/24 Term information

Autumn half term break 2023

Dates

Monday ​​23 October to ​Friday ​​27 October 2023

23/24 Term information

Spring term 2024

Dates

Thursday 4 January to ​Thursday 28 March 2024

23/24 Term information

Spring half term break

Dates

Monday ​19 February to ​Friday 23 February

23/24 Term information

Summer term 2024

Dates

Monday 15 April to ​​Tuesday 16 July

23/24 Term information

Summer half term break

Dates

Monday ​27 May to ​Friday 31 May

24/25 Term information

Academic year 2024 to 2025

Dates

2 September 2024 to 22 July 2025

24/25 Term information

Autumn term 2024

Dates

Monday ​2 September to ​Friday 2​0 December 2024

24/25 Term information

Autumn term (Staff)

Dates

Tuesday 31 August to Friday 20 December

24/25 Term information

Autumn half term break 2024

Dates

Monday ​​21 October to ​Friday ​​1 November (two weeks)*

24/25 Term information

Spring term 2025

Dates

Monday 6 January to ​Friday 4 April 2025

24/25 Term information

Spring half term break

Dates

Monday ​17 February to ​Friday 21 February 2025

24/25 Term information

Summer term 2025

Dates

Monday ​22 April to ​​Tuesday 22 July 2025

24/25 Term information

Summer half term break

Dates

Monday ​26 May to ​Friday 30 May 2025

*Please note the two-week October half-term in 2024. Students will likely need to take an in-college admissions test if they are applying to study medicine or dentistry, some maths courses or for courses at Oxford and Cambridge. These university admissions tests may be scheduled during this half-term holiday, so Year 13 applicants and their families should avoid making plans to be away on holiday until these details are confirmed.

Course costs and fees

Course resources are payable for both Year 12 and 13 students, depending on the course being studied.

More information: student progress

Yes. Tutors are the main point of contact between the College and parents/carers and you should not hesitate to get in touch. The easiest way to make contact will be by e-mail. Tutors will always endeavour to reply to email contact as quickly as possible, but this may not be within 24 hours, owing to other commitments. Tutors will also be pleased to arrange a meeting with you, if appropriate.

Attendance and absence

The College uses an electronic system for the recording of attendance and this information is sent home to parents/carers via a weekly email. The Student Services Team use this data to monitor attendance. If a student is absent from College they must enter the appropriate absence code in the electronic register. It is expected that this is done on the day of absence. Full instructions are given to students at induction. An acceptable reason must be given for all absences, otherwise the absence will be considered unauthorised.

Attendance and punctuality data are displayed on the student’s ProPortal home page which parents/carers can ask to see at any time.

Supporting my young person

If problems are minor, students often put matters right in a short period of time. For issues regarding attendance and punctuality you will be contacted by the Student Services Team. If problems persist, or are more serious, then the tutor will contact you.

The College normally continues to liaise with parents/carers up until the end of students’ study programmes, including any period after students have reached the age of 18. Students who are 18 or over have the right to ask the College not to release information to parents/carers; nevertheless, this right has rarely been exercised.

Timetable and examinations

This would only apply if the student, through their own actions, made it impossible for a grade to be awarded by the examination board – for example by failing to complete coursework or by missing an examination. The College can also require the payment of fees where a student fails to observe the Code of Conduct, for example by not attending lessons. Parents/carers would be invited to discuss the situation before any such action were taken. If a student re-sits an examination, then the fees are paid by the student.

Success stories