PARENT INFORMATION & FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Club Doncaster Sports College (formerly known as Doncaster Rovers Education) was set up in 2008 to engage post-16 learners in Doncaster and surrounding areas in education through the catalyst of sport. Expanding at an impressive rate, adding to our ranks with a team of fully qualified teachers, teaching assistants, and an impressive academy coaching team all based within our new College based at the Eco-Power Stadium.
The College’s objectives are to; provide high quality, flexible and responsive courses that increase the participation of young people, develop pathways for progression enabling learners to further achieve qualifications and employment opportunities and enable learners to fulfil their potential through outstanding teaching, learning and assessment.
WHY DOES A FOOTBALL/RUGBY CLUB DELIVER EDUCATION?
As part of the Football League Trust remit each club is supported by a charitable foundation which reaches out to the community – key areas include Participation, Social Inclusion, Health and Education utilising the power of football to engage learners in nationally recognised qualifications, based here at the Eco-Power Stadium.
Here at Club Doncaster, we have been recognised for our quality of provision by being entrusted as the Regional Education Hub for Yorkshire and Humber by the Football League. We have also been recent recipients of the Doncaster Sports Business of the Year Award, in 2014 and 2015 we were awarded ‘Community Club’ of the year for North West (Football League Awards) & named in the top 4 nationally in a market spread of 92 Foundations, and more recently have been named ‘Professional Club Community Programme of the Year’ in the 2015 Sport & Recreation Alliance Community Sport and Recreation Awards.
ARE YOUR TEACHERS QUALIFIED?
All of our teachers are fully qualified to degree and PGCE level, and our coaches are qualified up to FA/UEFA standards. To accompany this, there is a vast array of experience in the team from a variety of backgrounds.
HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT TO A NORMAL COLLEGE?
We are a small and specialist College, with the qualifications on offer being nationally recognised and the progression routes wide reaching, just like any others college we are inspected by OFSTED and have to adhere to the same examination board rules. The ‘extras’ we can offer by virtue of our link with our professional clubs mean learners can take advantage of opportunities that will further enhance their CV including work experience, peer mentoring and competitive sport.
CAN I GO TO UNIVERSITY AFTERWARDS?
Yes. The BTEC Level 3 is nationally recognised and is worth three ‘A levels’. A learner can achieve up to 168 UCAS points (if they achieve a D* D* D*), a tally which is sufficient to meet the entry requirements to the vast majority of university degrees. We also host degree courses here at the stadium in-conjunction with Doncaster University Centre meaning learners can stay at the Eco-Power Stadium should they chose to fulfil their university ambitions.
IS THERE HELP WITH THE UCAS PROCESS?
Yes. Your tutors are experienced in supporting learners with UCAS submissions and offering professional references to support an individual’s university application. Alongside support with applications, the staff are on hand to offer advice to students and parents alike on different courses and institutions of study.
IS THERE A COST TO THE COURSE?
There is no cost for the course. We do however ask for a payment of £95 at the beginning of the academic year to cover the following: student hoodies, all printing across the year, at least one educational visit per group, end of year graduation dinner and other additional activities that supplement the main programmes we provide for the students. The College has a bursary facility in place to assist students who may have difficulties in paying for items involved in their studies.
DOES EDUCATION COME FIRST?
Yes! Our football and rugby academies are there to support our qualifications and add to the learner experience. Participation in academy events is based on a positive approach to studies and timely submission of assignments and class work.
IS IT JUST FOOTBALL?
No, our rugby academy runs alongside our football academy. Our practical sessions feature sports such as tennis, cricket, golf and athletics. Not forgetting the English and Maths qualifications (including GCSE re-sits if applicable) offered as part of our courses too.
WHAT IF MY SON/DAUGHTER DOES NOT ACHIEVE A GCSE GRADE A-C IN ENGLISH OR MATHS?
Don’t worry, every learner who does not already have an A-C at GCSE in English and maths will study these subjects two hours per week with us and work towards a level 2 Functional Skill or a GCSE re-sit.
WILL I BE UPDATED ON MY SON’S/DAUGHTER’S PROGRESS?
Yes, we like to keep parents and guardian’s up to date and send out quarterly student reports to update you on issues attendance, punctuality, attainment and behaviour, and are also willing to chat with any issues via telephone or face-to-face should parents wish.