Frequently Asked Questions
There is a dress code but, compared to school uniform, it is very relaxed.
You will only make your firm subject choices in discussion with one of our tutors during your enrolment interview. There will be the option to change your choice during the first few weeks but only if there is capacity and you meet the entry requirements.
This is entirely up to you. If you bring a device, it is at your own risk. Many of our students do bring a device as it helps them keep and organise their notes.
Morning registration is at 9am on most days.
We would very much like to help and support our students – it’s what we are all about. If you don’t feel you are getting the help you need, please speak with your tutor.
Typical sort of coffee shop fare.
You will receive an enrolment invitation soon. If you don’t want to enrol with us, that’s fine, just don’t book an appointment. If you do enrol with us but then change your mind during the first few days, please find someone to talk to as we’d like to understand why.
We have a counsellor and a wellbeing practitioner. We have mental health emergency trained staff and we offer regular check-ins with pastoral mentors.
Yes – so long as you meet the entry requirements. For example, you can take History and Geography without GCSEs in these subjects.
Yes – during the first few weeks.
There are 30x 55 minute lesson slots across the week. You will have subject lessons for 15 of these as well as mentoring, enhancement and PSHE. The rest of the time, you will be free to self-manage your studies.
Your college account will be created shortly after your enrolment at the end of August. Hopefully it will be fully active when you start with us on 4th September.
We are a licenced DofE centre, but have not run the programme recently. It is something that we may be able to support, but the expedition element would be through an approved third party provider.
We use Microsoft Office including MS Teams. We have various in-house apps, too, which you will be introduced to during the first week.
No, but volleyball is sometimes run as an enhancement activity and you may be able to set up a club.
You are able to self-manage your study time as you see fit on or off site. We do, however, expect that you study for at least five hours per subject outside of class.
We can’t comment on the local bus providers. Please do check availability and prices of busses before you enrol with us.
We have a small coffee shop offering sandwiches, cakes and some hot food.
No – but you will have a map and you quickly get to know the routes to the classes that you have.
Bedford Railway Station – about 10 minutes’ walk from our site.
Ancient History is still running. If you didn’t get your preferred choice for the Welcome Day, it was only because of the limitation on the day itself.
There is a morning break of 15 minutes and a lunch break of 45 minutes.
Our entry requirements are set up to protect you from choosing subjects that are likely put you at risk of failing. For this reason, we don’t normally take students on to subjects that they don’t fully meet the requirements for.
Our enrolment days are Friday 25th and Tuesday 29th August. If you are not able to make either of these days, there will be some limited opportunities for an alternative appointment. See the details in the enrolment invitation letter coming soon.
Typically you’ll start at 9am and, on a full day, finish lessons at 3:45pm.
You can choose new subjects at enrolment and, if one of these isn’t working out, you will be able to request a change during the first few weeks.
Yes – EPQ is a whole year commitment.