Student Life

Student Timetables
Lessons begin every weekday at 9am and the last lesson of the day ends at 4pm.  Students are expected to arrive on time and attend all lessons, but do not have to be in college when they have a free lesson.  It is likely that students will have free lessons (although this will depend on what they are studying), and we try to devise the timetable so that any free lessons take place at the beginning or end of the day. Students can then spend their free lessons as they wish; the Learning Resources Centre is open from 8.30am every weekday with evening opening hours on Tuesday and Thursday for students who wish to study, we have a variety of enrichment activities for students to get involved in, or many of our students choose to take on a part time job.

New students will receive their timetable during the induction day in September.

Dress Code
Although we do not have an official dress code, we expect all students to dress appropriately for the working environment. Anyone deemed inappropriately dressed will be asked to return home to change.

Breakfast & Lunch
We offer a daily free breakfast of toast and cereal to all of our students. The free breakfast is available from 8.10-8.50am every weekday before the first lesson begins. A hot breakfast including eggs, beans, sausages, bacon, hash browns, toast and croissants is also available every day at a low cost.

Our onsite Canteen provides hot and cold lunch options including sandwiches, paninis, chips, chicken, pasta and daily lunch specials for the meal deal price of £2.41. Students who are eligible for Free College Meals will be able to pick up lunch from the canteen.  Students also have to option to leave College during break time and lunch time, and there are a variety of supermarkets and hot food outlets within a short walking distance of the college.

We also have an on-site reduced price Starbucks offering teas, coffees, Frappuccinos and snacks.

VESPA


Tutorials

Every student at SFX is assigned a tutor group and a designated personal tutor. Personal tutors are there to be the student's first port of call for any issues that they might be experiencing either in or outside of college. Weekly VESPA tutorials are delivered by personal tutors on various important and interesting topics such as; ‘Staying safe online’, ‘Healthy eating’, ‘Fake news’, ‘Black History Month’ and ‘Employability skills’, amongst many others. These sessions are designed to support and develop our students as successful young people in the modern world. The tutorials also cover the careers programme, guiding students through the challenging process of applying to university or apprenticeships. 

Core Religion & Philosophy
It is a College requirement that students participate in Core Religion & Philosophy lessons for one period each week. This programme allows students to debate moral and spiritual matters in a secure environment where the dignity of the individual is protected and fostered. The programme considers a wide range of issues: relationships, justice, science and religion, along with an examination of the wisdom that comes from different faith traditions that can be applied to contemporary issues. Students are given the opportunity to reflect upon, question and debate matters of personal and social importance.