Frequently Asked Questions
Please find below the responses to the most frequently asked questions at our Virtual Open Event:
What’s the difference between sixth form life and college life?
School sixth forms and College have many similarities and many differences. At college you are treated more as an adult than at a school: you do not wear a uniform; there are no bells; you call staff by their 1st name, there are no year 7-11s doing year 7-11 things that may annoy you! You are registered at every individual lesson so there is no registration period. You are free to use your study time as you wish, although we will provide guidance on time management and we expect students to complete at east 4.5 hours independent learning for each of there 3 blocks outside class time.
Do all courses require an interview?
Traditionally we have always done ‘interviews’ for all courses. With the current situation we may not be able to do this this year. We are exploring other options. Each student will, however, have an individual enroller who will talk to them about their courses at enrolment as a minimum.
Will there be similar talks, like this, for individual subjects?
We also have presentations by our faculty heads about individual subjects. You can watch on demand presentations again at https://trc.onlineopendays.com/
Do TRC offer the EPQ?
Yes absolutely, we offer this in your 2nd year when you have further developed your level 3 study skills.
Is it easy to make friends?
Yes definitely! Lots of people worry about this before they come but we have lots of students who travel in a long way to come to college and don’t have anyone from their school come with them. Even if you come with friends from school they may not be in you subject or in you lesson anyway so our staff are used to setting their lessons up in ways that helps people to quickly make friends.
Will it be a 5 day week?
We are currently reviewing our timetable structure as our students prefer the timetable we put in place in response to COVID. When we have completed our review and consultation we will put the timetable structure on the website for people to see with an explanation of how it works. On the current COVID timetable students are not in 5 days a week.
What are the key traits/ attributes do you specifically look for in an upcoming students?
Clearly we like all our students to be happy at college. We want you to have an interest in the subjects you study and to actively participate in your own learning. As different schools will train students in different skills our staff will train their students in the skills required to make sure everyone is up to speed.
How do you measure one’s ability in allowing them to do 4 A-levels?
To do 4 A levels you need to either do Further Maths OR have an average GCSE score of 7 or above.
If most work is on computers would students have to take their own laptop in?
No, we don’t ask students to bring their own laptops.
Because of COVID would there be any online calls or would it all be on site?
Traditionally we have always done ‘interviews’ for all courses. With the current situation we may not be able to do this this year. We are exploring other options that includes online and telephone calls. Each student will, however, have an individual enroller who will talk to them about their courses at enrolment as a minimum.
What is going to happen with the interviews?
Traditionally, we have always done ‘interviews’ for all courses. With the current situation we may not be able to do this this year. We are exploring other options that includes online and telephone calls. Each student will, however, have an individual enroller who will talk to them about their courses at enrolment as a minimum.
I’m not doing dance or business at GCSE could I still do them at TRC?
Please see our prospectus for the course specific entry criteria. Many of the subject we offer are not offered at GCSE (or not offered widely) and so they do not require you to have studied them before.
What are the blocks like so I can see if I can do all my subjects?
We design our blocks partly based on applications to allow as many combinations as possible. Due to our size and the number of classes we have running in subjects, it is very rare a student cannot take their desired combination due to blocking. Please feel free to email admissions@thomroth.ac.uk with your subject choices and we can give you more of an idea.
Could I do 2 A levels and a BTEC?
Yes, no problem.
If you take a BTEC that is equivalent to one A-Level can you take two A-Levels alongside it?
Yes, absolutely!
How long do lessons last?
90 minutes before a break. We are currently reviewing our timetable structure as our students prefer the timetable we put in place in response to COVID. When we have completed our review and consultation we will put the timetable structure on the website for people to see with an explanation of how it works.
What are the extra-curricular options?
These vary from year to year depending on demand. Unfortunately, this year these have been curtailed somewhat in response to restrictions place on us to ensure we are COVID secure. Normally we would ask students what kind of activities they would like in addition to all the usual sports and performing arts ones.
How many lessons a week per subject do you offer?
The number of lessons will depend on the timetable structure (we are currently reviewing this and will post on our website when the review is complete). Each subject will have 4.5 hours teaching a week though (how this 4.5 hours is carved up in the week is being discussed now with our current students and staff).
Will there be some advice on how to apply for TRC from our current schools?
Most schools do provide this although the application form is fairly simple. Just click on the Apply Now. If you get stuck please feel free to email admissions@thomroth.ac.uk
What’s the difference between Maths and Further Maths?
In a nutshell, in Maths you do core maths and 2 applied units and then in Further Maths you do more depth on those 3 units. Have a look at our course pages on our website for more information.
I’m currently taking computer science and BTEC IT, why is it advised against at A level?
It isn’t really anymore. It used to be that lots of universities didn’t like that combination as the A levels had a lot of overlap. This is much less the case now. If you are interested in university after and have an idea of the courses you want to study it would be worth looking at the UCAS site to make sure either on your own or with your school careers adviser. The address is https://digital.ucas.com/search
I want to take Art but didn’t do it at GCSE, can I do this and do I need a portfolio?
If you haven’t studied art (or an art related course) at GCSE and achieved the 4 entry criteria you will need a portfolio so our staff can assess your skills to see if they are equivalent to the entry criteria.
Is it a multiple week timetable?
We are currently reviewing our timetable structure as our students prefer the timetable we put in place in response to COVID. When we have completed our review and consultation we will put the timetable structure on the website for people to see with an explanation of how it works. On the current COVID timetable it is a 2 week structure.
What is the daily schedule in the college?
We are currently reviewing our timetable structure as our students prefer the timetable we put in place in response to COVID. When we have completed our review and consultation we will put the timetable structure on the website for people to see with an explanation of how it works.
Are sport based courses mostly coursework or can include practical lessons?
Our sports courses include practical lessons but have a strong theory content to them, so you will do a lot of theory lessons too.
I’m unsure which subjects to take.
This is a difficult question to answer.
Many people choose their A level or Vocational Level 3 subjects based on their interest and ability. So if you really like a subject and are performing well in it at GCSE, the chances are you will perform well in that subject in your post 16 study.
If you have a career field that interests you i.e. Medical Science, then you should consider subjects that are relevant because they may be required to progress into that career.
Progression from your post 16 studies could be a Degree course at a University. Degree entry requires you to achieve specific grades so liking the subjects you pick becomes an important factor as people who enjoy their subjects usually perform well.
The subjects you take will have a range of associated careers. They will open up possible career options for you to consider.
You can study a specialist career related Degree or a broad Degree i.e. Geography, English, Maths, Art; which offers modules that will enable you to specialise.
If you are aiming at an Apprenticeship when you complete your studies, again your subjects can suggest work areas to investigate.
For example:
Maths students often target Accountancy/Finance apprenticeships.
Physics students often target Engineering apprenticeships.
Art and Media students have targeted Digital Marketing apprenticeships.
There are resources on the Thomas Rotherham College website that can help you recognise the career fields associated with certain subjects.
See – Students – Careers – Pathways
You will find this link very helpful in finding out which careers are associated with particular Degrees: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree
The Thomas Rotherham College Prospectus highlights new subjects that you may find very interesting. You could study a new subject and stick to subjects you are familiar with.
In the end, the subjects you enjoy studying and perform well at will lead you to a range of interesting and achievable careers.
See your Careers Adviser in School to discuss further. The Thomas Rotherham College Careers Team will support you throughout your time at College.
What can I do with Science / Maths?
Biology, Chemistry and Maths are STEM subjects. Studying them can enable you to aim at so many career fields, particularly those in the Science and Health sectors. The links below highlight some of the careers that could be available to you.
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/biology
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/mathematics
However you will need to perform well in your GCSE subjects, especially in Maths and Science to be able to perform well in these subjects at A level. You should be aiming for grades 6/7 in Maths and Science at GCSE. This is because these subjects are challenging.
The Thomas Rotherham College Careers Team will support you throughout your A level study in terms of helping you progress on to a relevant and achievable next step.
You can watch on demand presentations again at https://trc.onlineopendays.com/
Should you have any additional questions, not answered above, please email us at enquiries@thomroth.ac.uk or call 01709 300600.