Admissions FAQs (Blog)
Whether you're yet to apply to study at Callywith College or you've applied and are waiting for your admissions interview, here are a few frequently asked questions to help prepare you and ease any worries you may have.
How do I apply for a course/s?
Online applications for September 2024 are now open. You can apply online and view the journey of your application via the College Application Portal below:
Application Portal
When registering your account, please use your personal email rather than a school email where possible - this ensures you continue to receive correspondence from us after you have left school. You will be sent a verification code by email to allow you to progress with your application.
Register Interest for 2025 applications here.
Is there a deadline for applications?
The official deadline for applications is always the last day of the February half term holiday in the spring term (18th February 2024). Given that the college may have courses which become oversubscribed, applicants are advised to apply as early as possible.
If applicants miss the official deadline, we would still encourage them to apply. The application will be considered a ‘late application’. We will endeavour to process and consider late applications and will invite applicants to interview where possible, but this cannot be guaranteed. This year we have had to take the difficult decision to pause the processing of further applications due to the sheer number of applications and course acceptances we have already received.
Late applications will now be held within our admissions system. We will be holding interviews for late applicants on the following dates: 27th August and 28th August 2024.
If you would like to persist with your application, we will…
· Contact you by email on the 27th of August (after GCSE results day on the 22nd of August) to let you know if a place has become available and invite you to an interview on the 27th or 28th of August.
· Contact you by email on the 27th of August (after GCSE results day on the 22nd of August) to let you know that there is still no space available.
Please ensure you keep the 27th and 28th free so we can invite you in for a last-minute interview to secure a place.
Whilst we hope that all applicants to Callywith College will be able to secure places at the college, we would recommend that you look for an alternative destination in case a place does not become available. At post-16 application stage, you may hold simultaneous offers up until the point of enrolment so we strongly advise that you have a back-up plan if a place at Callywith does not become available. If at any point you wish to withdraw your application, please contact admissions@callywith.ac.uk and we will remove you from our list.
I don’t know what courses I want to apply for yet?
If you like the look of more than one course, you can apply for multiple options on the same form and decide which to pursue at interview. Our Open Events also provide an opportunity to speak with subject staff to find out more about the variety of courses on offer. You can also find out more about the wide variety of courses on offer on our courses and subject spotlight pages.
I don’t know all my predicted grades for the application?
If you are unsure of your predicted grades, please state the grades you are aiming to achieve, this is to give your interviewer an idea of the grades you are likely to achieve before your interview so they can help you decide on the best course options for you.
Where can I find out what grades I need?
You can browse courses on our website to view course information including the entry requirements.
I have an EHCP, can I still apply?
If you are in receipt of an EHC Plan, any course offers made during your interview will be provisional until Callywith College receive a Consultation from the issuing Local Authority, a copy of your EHC Plan and your most recent Annual Review.
Once we have received these documents, the intended Outcomes and Provision will then be reviewed to ensure that we are able to meet your specific needs and requirements. You will be notified as soon as a decision has been made.
What happens after I submit my application?
Once you have submitted your application, your status will appear as ‘pending review’ and you will receive an automated email to confirm your application has been received.
Once your application has been checked by our admissions team, you will receive an email confirming your interview time and date and who will be interviewing you along with a campus map and some essential information for applicants. If this interview slot is not convenient you can email admissions@callywith.ac.uk, please do not reply to the automated email.
You can view the journey of your application at any time via the College application portal.
What do I need to do prior to my interview?
Once you have submitted your application, you MUST upload a photo for your student ID prior to your interview via the college portal.
Student ID photo requirements:
- Passport style photo - head and shoulders only with a neutral expression.
- A true likeness of you without filters.
- Contain no other objects, pets or people.
- Taken by someone else, must not be a selfie
- With a white or off-white/plain background.
When you arrive for your interview, your photo will then be approved once we can verify who you are. If you have not uploaded your photo, then you will be required to have your photo taken at reception.
Please also ask a parent / carer to complete the consent form prior to your interview (a link will be included in your interview invitation email).
Where will the interview take place?
Your 30-minute interview will take place at Callywith College. If a phone interview is needed, please contact admissions@callywith.ac.uk to organise this.
Does a parent/carer need to attend the interview?
Parents or carers can be present during your interview if you wish, but if you prefer not to be joined by anyone, that’s also perfectly fine, it’s completely up to you.
How can I prepare for the interview?
Before your interview, think about why you want to study the coures you have chosen, it might also be helpful to think of any questions you’d like to ask your interviewer, for example, more information on the enrichment opportunities available alongside your main studies, such as an academy, Extended Project Qualification or Duke of Edinburgh Award. Your interviewer will be happy to answer any queries you have. You can also find out more about some of these here.
In order for us to meet your learning support needs, before your interview, please advise us of any past assistance you have received at school by emailing us with a copy of any relevant documentation e.g. educational psychologist statement, or details of any health issues or additional support needs i.e. if you have a condition that you take medication for or you are a child in care or a young carer. Please send details to admissions@callywith.ac.uk
Do I need to bring anything to the interview?
Please bring your most recent school report and any mock exam results gained in Year 11.
If you have applied for Art or Photography based courses, you should bring a portfolio of your work.
If you have any additional learning needs, bring any documentation or information that will help us ensure we can support your needs (e.g. diagnosis evidence, support plans, etc).
If you indicated on your form you have a medical need, we will ask you follow up questions to ensure we have all the necessary information.
What questions will I be asked at the interview?
Your interview is not a test, it’s more of an informal chat that provides a chance for you to discuss your plans for your future, both in and beyond education. You will be asked what course[s] you are planning on studying and why, about your career aspirations, as well as your personal interests and hobbies. Your course choices will then be looked at in relation to your own aspirations to ensure that the two match up well. You will also be asked about any learning support you may require when starting college.
When both you and your interviewer are happy and everything has been discussed, you will be given the course entry requirements and a course offer via email from the portal. Please check the information is correct and contact admissions@callywith.ac.uk if this is wrong.
Can I change my mind on courses after my interview?
As we are now so close to GCSE results day, and our lecturing staff are now enjoying their summer break, we have halted processing any further course changes. Don't panic, you are still able to request a course change on GCSE results day after you have uploaded your results via the portal. Instructions on what you need to do on GCSE results day can be found here.
What happens after my interview?
Following your interview, the details of your offer will be sent to you by email. Please check your offer is correct, and get in touch by emailing admissions@callywith.ac.uk ASAP if there are any issues.
In early summer, we will send you a letter by email to check you are still happy with your course choices and to provide more information on the College, including bus passes and bursaries and remind you to upload your photo for your student ID via the College Portal, if you have not already done so.
In late summer, once all examinations have taken place, you will be sent a letter providing you with information about how you must input your GCSE results online when you have them. The letter will also provide you with information about your enrolment and start of term information.
If you have already got your GCSE results, you will still need to log into the online portal on GCSE results day to confirm your place.
You can also keep up-to-date with everything going on at the college by following us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. or by signing up to our OnCourse newsletter.
What if I don't get the GCSE grades I was expecting?
If you don’t achieve the GCSE results provided in your offer, don’t panic. You will still need to upload your results on GCSE results day, and a member of staff will call you back within 48 hours to discuss your options.
What happens at the start of term?
In the Summer, you will be given a date for enrolment and induction that takes place at the start of term in September.
During your first two days at college, you will have an individualised induction timetable to ensure you attend classes for your chosen subject(s), as well as two tutorial sessions with your Personal Development Tutor (PDT) and experience the freshers fair to discover more of what is on offer at Callywith. Your regular weekly timetable will commence the following week. 100% attendance at all your induction timetable sessions is a condition of you meeting your conditional offer.
You will also need to bring a copy of your GCSE results slip.
Personal development tutorial sessons will occur regularly on your timetable and along with all college staff, your Personal Development Tutor (PDT) will be there to support you throughout your college journey.
If you need to refresh your memory ahead of your first day, you can take a VIRTUAL 3D TOUR of the College online.
You will also have the opportunity to attend a Freshers Fair within the first two days of college to discover more about the extra-curricular opportunities and support on offer at the college.
We will have members of staff and student ambassadors on-hand across college for the first few days to help point you in the right direction.
What do I need to do before the start of term?
More information will be sent to you in the summer on the steps you will need to complete before the start of term including:
Confirm your place on your chosen course/s and enter your results online on GCSE results day here.
Upload your photo for your student ID card here. - please do this as soon as possible, once you have submitted your application.
Apply for a bus pass and bursary (if applicable) here.
Pay the £30 enrolment fee here - Online College Shop. (this is non-refundable)
The enrolment fee entitles students to:
- a student ID card and lanyard (and one free card re-print)
- £10 printer credit to enable students to use our printers and photocopiers around college
- borrowing books from our onsite library, including course books
- a locker
Read pre-enrolment resources to help you make the jump from secondary school to college. (These are not compulsory).
When can I visit the college?
Dates for on-site open events can be found here. You will have the opportunity to speak to teaching and support staff, tour the campus and discover more about the wide range of courses, additional opportunities and support on offer.
In the mean time, you can also visit our SUBJECT SPOTLIGHT pages to watch videos from our lecturers, take virtual 3D tours of the College, explore your learning options and download course information.
Who can I speak to for more advice?
We know that planning your next steps after school can feel daunting and we are here to help.
If you have any concerns, or are just looking for some guidance, please contact admissions@callywith.ac.uk. Please include your name and date of birth on your email and we will be happy to help you.
If you're feeling nervous about starting college in September, we’ve put together some TOP TIPS to help prepare you for the transition from school to college to make this next step in your life as smooth as possible.