At Harlow College we recognise we have a responsibility to provide careers education to our students, offering them access to impartial careers information, advice and guidance.

Our STAR Agency is a one stop shop for careers information, advice and guidance. Managed by a dedicated Careers Leader the STAR Agency is run by a range of qualified staff able to provide support throughout the Student Journey, from admissions, to work placements, through to moving on into HE, Careers or Apprenticeships. It is located in the reception area, easily accessible to students and is open during College hours. Students are able to book appointments to discuss their careers options or drop-in for advice.

We have a programme of careers education that is coordinated by the Star Team. View the programme details
In addition our students have access to a wealth of career education and skills development as part of their curriculum, supported by employers and external agencies. These opportunities include:

• Work Placements with employers
• Live Briefs delivered by employers
• Talks from visiting employers
• Industry related trips
• Volunteering opportunities
• NCS (National Citizen Service)

All of these employment encounters are recorded by our students and contribute towards their individual target setting.  They are encouraged to assess their own work readiness at the start of their course then set and achieve targets that will support them to becoming employment ready.   
The College is committed to promoting the value of careers education within the college ethos in order to raise student attainment and successful progression to employment, further or higher education. The College aims to effectively support learners in their choices in order for them to achieve personal and economic wellbeing throughout their lives. This commitment has the full support of the Governors, the Principal and the Executive team. View our full Careers Quality Strategy

Our Service Standards

The STAR Agency team is committed to providing excellent service to all our stakeholders. We aim to achieve this through a set of standards which underpin the way we plan, deliver and evaluate the work we do.
View our Service Standards

We value your feedback on our IAG services. Please click HERE to leave a comment or ask a question.

You can find lots of useful careers information on our Padlet wall

Want to talk to someone about career choices and your next step?

Email 

Or Leave us a message

At Harlow College we take learning seriously, providing a great range of courses to equip students with the skills needed to prepare for the workplace, an Apprenticeship or for further study at college or university. Our teaching staff have industry expertise, matched by industry-standard facilities, including specialist workshops, classrooms with the latest technology, as well as great social spaces to relax.

Our excellent employer links and work placements give our students first-hand experience of the world of work.

Our students make Harlow College a special place – there are great opportunities to get involved
in College life, whether you choose to become a Digital Ambassador, volunteer in the community or take part in the National Citizen Service.

We are graded Good by Ofsted and have won awards for our innovative approach to learning. In November 2017 the College was recognised as an Apple Distinguished School for its enterprising approach to transforming learning, teaching and assessment. Apple Distinguished Schools are centres of innovation, leadership, and educational excellence that use Apple products to inspire creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. They showcase innovative uses of technology in learning, teaching, and the education environment and have documented results of academic accomplishment.

This is where our Star Student profiles go

Learning Support (SEND)

The College prides itself in giving high quality support to individuals with learning difficulties, disabilities, or other additional needs, including emotional, medical, social or behavioural. By providing the right type of support, we work hard to enable you to achieve excellence and reach your full potential. Full details can be found in our Disability Statement.

To assist the transition arrangements for students with EHCPs and to ensure that the college is able to fully meet any additional support requirements, we require that you apply by the 31st of March prior to the academic year that you wish to start. This allows the college to work in keeping with the best practice recommended in the SEND Code of Practice (2015):

• 7.10  Colleges should be involved in transition planning between school and college so that they can prepare to meet the student’s needs and ensure a successful transition into college life. 
• 8.22 Where a change in education setting is planned, in the period leading up to that transition schools should work with children and young people and their families, and the new college or school, to ensure that their new setting has a good understanding of what the young person’s aspirations are and how they would like to be supported. This will enable the new setting to plan support around the individual.

Keeping you Safe

The College has a responsibility to provide you with a safe learning environment in which to study. The College provides a fully trained team of safeguarding personnel who are available during college working hours to help you with any safeguarding concern you may have - these may include: any form of abuse, money worries, family issues, homelessness or concerns about becoming radicalised or drawn into extremist behaviour. All staff are required to follow the College’s Safeguarding Procedures at all times.

How will the College know how well my child is doing, and how will they inform me about this?

Teachers monitor student progress in each lesson and track progress through internal assessments. The college also uses a tracking and reporting system to review progress and behaviour via a monitoring system, which enables regular communication with parents based on collected data.

Additionally, the college schedules termly review meetings, and for students with an EHC plan, an Annual Review is conducted to further discuss progress and needs.

Who should I contact if I have any questions or concerns about my child’s SEND?

If a student has been identified as having SEND, the first point of contact should be the SENCo. If parents or carers have concerns regarding their child’s progress or suspect their child may have SEND, they should reach out to the child’s Professional Development Coach (PDC). For additional information, parents can contact the SEND department directly at 01279 868210. 

What support and training within the college is available to parents and carers?

All information about the college, including SEND support and general resources, can be accessed on the Harlow College website. Parents can also receive additional support and guidance for a child with SEND through the Essex County Council Information, Advice, and Support Service.

For specific concerns, you are encouraged to contact your child’s class teacher directly.

Further information about services available in Essex can be found on the LOCAL OFFER website: Essex County Council: Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) | Essex Local Offer

Here are some of the services we work with:

HOUSING

Essex homelessness issues – under 18 – please call Essex Social Care HUB – 0345 603 7627

Hertfordshire homelessness prevention unit – under 18 years old – Herts Young Homeless – call – 03003 230 130

ONLINE / TELEPHONE SUPPORT

Cruse – bereavement support - www.cruse.org.uk

YCT – young concern trust counselling support under 25 year old – local -  www.yctsupport.com/contact.html

Childline – counselling support under 24 year old – national - www.childline.org.uk

Samaritans – 24 hour 7 day a week support for ALL ages (not just suicidal – not just learners) - www.samaritans.org

Educational Support Partnership – for ANY person employed in education - www.educationsupportpartnership.org.uk

Additional support information

COVID-19 support information

All-Round Support

From the day you first contact the College to the day you complete your course, we aim to provide you with the very best advice, guidance and support to help you on your learning journey. We want you to have the best possible opportunity to succeed in your studies, to achieve your aims and to have a rewarding and memorable time.

Pastoral Care

All full-time students have a Learner Mentor to guide them through their Study Programmes. You will have a weekly tutorial session to discuss your Individual Learning Plan (ILP) and any issues or problems that you may be working through. Your Learner Mentor will be able to signpost you to the most appropriate support.

Financial Support

The College administers a Bursary Fund to assist students with costs related to attending College. These may include: travel costs, uniform, equipment, educational visits and meal costs. Your eligibility will be assessed according to your personal circumstances, your household income and the course that you are studying. The Bursary desk is open daily in the Star Agency. You can also apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

Learning Support

The College prides itself in giving high quality support to individuals with learning difficulties, disabilities, or other additional needs, including emotional, medical, social or behavioural. By providing the right type of support, we work hard to enable you to achieve excellence and reach your full potential. Full details can be found in our Disability Statement.

To assist the transition arrangements for students with EHCPs and to ensure that the college is able to fully meet any additional support requirements, we require that you apply by 31 March prior to the academic year that you wish to start. This allows the college to work in keeping with the best practice recommended in the SEND Code of Practice (2015):

7.10  Colleges should be involved in transition planning between school and college so that they can prepare to meet the student’s needs and ensure a successful transition into college life. 

8.22 Where a change in education setting is planned, in the period leading up to that transition schools should work with children and young people and their families, and the new college or school, to ensure that their new setting has a good understanding of what the young person’s aspirations are and how they would like to be supported. This will enable the new setting to plan support around the individual.

Keeping you Safe

The College has a responsibility to provide you with a safe learning environment in which to study. The College provides a fully trained team of safeguarding personnel who are available at all times to help you with any safeguarding concern you may have - these may include: bullying, money worries, family issues, homelessness or concerns about becoming radicalised or drawn into extremist behaviour. All staff are required to follow the College’s Safeguarding Procedures at all times.

Equal Opportunities

The College is proud of it diversity and welcomes students from all backgrounds and communities. We operate a clear policy of equal opportunity for all and treat all students and staff fairly irrespective of ethnic background, gender, sexuality, disability or age. The College does not tolerate discrimination of any kind and actively promotes good relations within its exciting and diverse community.