Welcome to Philip Morant College
Since opening in 1996, Philip Morant College has been very successful in providing students in Colchester and North Essex with a high-quality and personalised approach to post-16 education. Ours is a close-knit, supportive environment in which students are challenged to reach – and exceed – their full potential. The college has very high standards, and we offer first-class teaching facilities and a wide range of courses, taught by highly experienced staff.
We are an innovative college and seek every opportunity to enhance and broaden the experiences of our students. Our membership of the VI6 project, in which some of our students’ courses are taught at the University of Essex, is an exciting new development. This partnership allows for a wider range of courses to be offered to our students and gives them the opportunity to be taught in a university environment for one day a week.
We offer a wide range of A Level, BTEC, and Cambridge TEC courses in order to offer our students different individual pathways to achieve their goals and destinations, whether this be university, higher level or degree level apprenticeships, or employment. Our new Q building, which opened in September 2018, houses a university-style lecture theatre, state-of-art drama and dance studios, science laboratories and additional computer rooms.
We pride ourselves not only on our excellent results but also on the pastoral care and opportunities provided for our students. In addition to academic study, our Tutorial and Enrichment programmes allow students to take part in a broad range of activities alongside their examination courses. Some of these enable students to gain extra qualifications, whilst others allow expression of creative or sporting talent.
All students carry out a work experience placement at the end of their first year and we encourage students to take part in volunteer work, charity work and to act as mentors to younger students in the school. We are also an NCS Champion School and College, with many of our students taking part in the National Citizen Service in order to build skills for work and life.
Our values and ethos of Aspiration, Success and Kindness (ASK) underpin everything we do, both inside and outside the classroom. We encourage students to have very high expectations of themselves and promote in our students a ‘can do’ attitude. We also respect and celebrate difference, instilling in our students tolerance, acceptance and understanding of everyone in our college community and in the wider world.
I hope you find this information booklet useful and should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
I look forward to welcoming you to Philip Morant College!
Kind regards
John Lovett
Head of College
Associate Assistant Principal
College Prospectus 2019
Application Form
Admissions Manager Ms Clare Bramwell, by email admissions@philipmorant.essex.sch.uk or phone 01206 545222
By Post
The Philip Morant School and College,
Rembrandt Way,
Colchester,
Essex.
CO3 4QS
Studying Here
Studying at Philip Morant College is like being part of a big family. Everyone basically looks out for each other. There’s a good, supportive atmosphere and you know there’ll be someone there to help if you have a problem.
Being a school-based sixth form, you get to experience the best of both worlds: we have our own facilities separate from the main school and different ways of working, but it also means we have useful opportunities for coaching and mentoring younger students and developing leadership skills.”
It’s good that we have easy access to staff. You know that you can e-mail a teacher or go to have a chat and get advice. Staff are really friendly and know you well as an individual, and that really helps at A Level.
College isn’t only about work! There is always something going on. There are trips. There are gigs in the café and fundraising opportunities which really brings everyone together. There are BBQs, quizzes and sports, and events like the Summer Ball.
College is very different to school. The work at A Level is more demanding, so you have to want to do it and be committed. But you get such good support from your teachers. They encourage you and give you strategies for how to improve, and help you to investigate options for the future.
Communication
A crucial part of our success lies in the care and attention that the size of the College enables us to provide. There is a very positive working relationship between staff and students in the College. Staff-student ratios in teaching groups are beneficial to high quality teaching and learning. Each student has a Tutor who plays a pivotal role in academic monitoring and guidance, and who delivers the daily Tutorial Programme. A dedicated Raising Standards Leader for the College monitors data regularly and makes interventions when necessary to support students in their attainment and progress.
The College prides itself on the quality of its pastoral care and communication with parents. There is a parents’ information evening at the start of Year 12 and Parent Consultation Evenings in both Year 12 and Year 13. Students and parents can also access ‘live’ data via Go4Schools.
Partners
The College works with a number of other organisations to provide students with an enhanced range of options and academic experiences. Our membership of the VI6 programme, in which some of our courses are taught at the University of Essex, is an exciting new development. Our partnership with the Colne Community College, as part of the Thrive Partnership Academy Trust, allows for a wider range of courses to be offered to our students. We also work with other local further and higher education providers, in addition to local businesses and careers advisors, to offer the best possible advice and guidance to students post-18.
For more information about the VI6 Programme, please click on the link below:
Higher Education and Careers
Considerable emphasis is placed on students and parents being well informed about higher education options. Students will receive a great deal of support from their Tutor and College staff. Each year the College holds its Next Steps event, a higher education and employment conference. Visiting speakers from universities, employers and gap year organisations provide a wide range of information.
Accommodation
The College is housed in purpose-built accommodation separate from the main school. The college centre was completed in September 2009. This has been designed for Sixth Form teaching and provides a high quality learning environment.
College Cafe
The College Café provides an informal environment where students can relax. It is open throughout the day serving food and drinks until mid-afternoon.
Study Centre and Library
The College Study Centre and Library has excellent resources and provides a quiet working environment. The Study Centre is equipped with a bank of laptops and desktop computers and there is access to an adjoining dedicated ICT suite.
ICT and Resources
ICT
The college has its own dedicated ICT suites. In addition the study centre is equipped with a bank of laptops and desktops available for use by College students
Wireless Network
Students are welcome to bring their own laptops, tablets and other devices and connect these to the College wireless network. The site has complete wireless coverage. Students can access the college extranet, email and the world wide web through the network.
Study Centre and Library
A dedicated college library provides up to date texts and resources combined with a pleasant environment to work and study.
College Life
There is always plenty going on at Philip Morant College. We encourage students to get involved and make the best use of their time with us.
Whatever you are into, you’ll find something for you. The school and college drama productions are widely acclaimed. There is sport and the chance to gain experience coaching and mentoring younger students. The college café provides the perfect venue for lunchtime gigs, quizzes, pool tournaments, and more.
Events outside of College include the annual Summer Ball and cultural visits, which have previously included Beijing and Xi’an; New York and Washington; Moscow and St Petersburg; and World Challenge expeditions.
And all of this is on top of the opportunities provided at subject level for students to take their studies outside of the classroom. From Physics to Law, Geography to Art, day trips and residential visits make learning real, and fun
The College Leadership Team
The College Student Leadership Team is a group of elected Year 13 students who work together to provide opportunities for students, and to make term-time fun and exciting! They organise fundraisers, fun days and lunchtime activities. They listen to what the rest of the College want and try to make it happen. They also meet regularly with the Head of College and Principal.
