Welcome to South Birmingham College

The best choice to make when you’re planning your future

Welcome and thank you for considering South Birmingham College - the College that really values its students.

I know that you have a choice where to study and I know just how difficult it is to choose the right course and the best college that will suit you.

This is one of the most important decisions you will make, as your future career and life will be affected by your choice.

Most of us are in the position at various times in our life when we look to improve our skills and qualifications, whether as a new student or whilst in a job and it is difficult to make the right choice and to work out what will be best for us.

At South Birmingham College we want to give you the best that any college can offer and to help you in every way possible. With comprehensive advice on courses, through to excellent teaching and learning, and support provided by qualified experienced and committed staff, our students have access to the best resources and facilities of any college.

We want your time here to be enjoyable. You’ll get the chance to make new friends as there are many social activities for students throughout the year, and you’ll find the College to be a very safe and friendly place to study as we do not tolerate any form of discrimination or bullying.

My staff and I are here for you, to help you succeed and to ensure that you enjoy your time with the College.

If you are considering studying at the College, you will probably already know of our reputation and success. The vast majority of all students who enrolled at the College last year finished their courses and gained their chosen qualifications. With one of the highest overall success rates of any college in the city last year you can be assured that you’ll be in good hands and destined to succeed.

With four prestigious campuses, each with their own specialisms, the College boasts some of the newest and best educational facilities in the Midlands and has recently achieved the new National Training Quality Standard for Childcare, Care and Construction.

Our recently built, modern Digbeth Campus close to the city centre has a wide range of courses, state-of-the-art facilities and equipment for Music, Media, Multimedia, ESOL (English Language), Basic Skills, Fashion, ICT, Business, Finance, Professional Studies and Trade Union Studies.

Our Construction Campus in Bordesley Green is one of the biggest and best construction training centres in the country, offering most construction trades and related courses and training including professional courses. In addition to our expertise in construction, this campus also provides sports courses and training and has a new, state-of-the-art G3 Astroturf pitch.

The Hall Green Campus offers Childcare, Health & Care (TQS endorsed), Catering, Hair & Beauty, ESOL & Basic Skills and caters for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

Last but not least is the new Women’s Academy in Balsall Heath. This newly refurbished campus offers a secure environment for female students to study a range of vocational courses.

Of course by far the greatest recommendation for you will be the views and experience of our previous and current students. If once you’ve read this prospectus, you’d like to talk to students who are currently studying at our College give us a ring and we’ll try to arrange it - or talk to someone you know who is studying here - everyone knows someone who studied at the College.

South Birmingham is more than just a college and it’s here for you. It’s the way to a better future.

Mike Hopkins
Principal


MISSION STATEMENT

To provide outstanding education and training which is primarily vocational, in response to the needs of learners and employers.


EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

South Birmingham College is genuinely committed to equality, diversity and inclusion for learners, employers, community groups, staff, governors and members of the public on all sites and for others who come into contact with the whole College.

We are proud to be a multi-cultural, multi-racial College and are striving to be an inclusive organisation where individual differences are accepted and valued and where everyone is able to fulfil their potential. The College is opposed to all forms of racism, sexism, or any abusive and discriminatory behaviour on the grounds of age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation.

We believe that all learners and staff are entitled to respect and parity of esteem and to work and study in a welcoming, safe and non-threatening environment. The College upholds its legal duty to ensure that unlawful discrimination does not take place and proactively promotes actions to ensure the needs of all members of the College community are met.

Any complaints of discrimination or harassment will be treated seriously, be fully investigated and may result in disciplinary action by college management.

CUSTOMER RELATIONS CHARTER

We at South Birmingham College are committed to putting our customers first.  We aim to achieve outstanding customer satisfaction by:-

Identifying the needs of individual customers at the first point of contact.

Being responsive to customer needs – listening to our customers and providing the service they require, wherever possible.

Demonstrating a commitment to provide an efficient and professional front-line service at all times. 

Minimising the number of interactions with the customer necessary for them to receive the required service or information.

Possessing and maintaining up-to-date knowledge of the College’s provision and services.

Promoting a positive image of  the College.

SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT

The College has a Safeguarding Policy to help ensure the safety and protection of learners from forms of abuse. The policy adopts the principles set by the Department for Children, Schools and Families. The safeguarding policy is available to all parents, learners and staff.  There are designated Safeguarding Officers located at each centre who can advise on any concerns or they can be contacted via email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Concerns regarding a vulnerable adult can also be directed to the Assistant Directors for Student Services based at each campus.

The designated Officers are:

Phyllis Warde Deputy Principal  Digbeth Campus
Jane Linsell Student Services Director Hall Green Campus

Alison Harrison Assistant Director Student Services - Bordesley Campus

Suman Kang Assistant Director Student Services - Hall Green Campus

Wendy Cunningham Assistant Director Pre 16 Unit - Hall Green Campus

Mark Jenkins Director Human Resources - Digbeth Campus