Welcome
Choosing the right college is one of the most important decisions you will make with your young person. The course they choose now can shape their future career, and at NKC Gravesend College, we are committed to supporting every learner to make the right choice and achieve their full potential.
We provide a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every learner is encouraged to succeed. We welcome students joining us from school, progressing from
other courses, or returning to education after a break.
NKC Gravesend College offers a wide range of courses, enrichment opportunities, and clear progression pathways to help learners achieve their goals. We are dedicated todelivering a high-quality learning experience that prepares students for employment, apprenticeships, or university.
We work closely with employers and the local community to create meaningful opportunities for our learners. This ensures that students gain the skills, knowledge, and experience needed for their future careers.
Throughout our website, you will find real stories and testimonials from current and former NKC Gravesend College students, showcasing their journeys and progression into further study or employment.
David Gleed, Chief Executive & Executive Principal
-
How can you support
Starting college is a big step, and your support can make a huge difference in helping your young person succeed. Here are some simple, practical ways you can help them stay on track and make the most of their time at NKC Gravesend College:
Support with Attendance and Timekeeping
Sit down with your young person to review their college timetable and help plan their attendance days. 100% attendance is expected, and missing classes can lead to sanctions and falling behind. Help organise reliable transport to and from college to make sure they arrive on time, ideally before their first scheduled lesson of the day.
Help with Organisation
Encourage your young person to prepare the night before; packing their bag with everything they need: Course materials Uniform (if needed) Equipment or stationery Completed assignments or coursework Being organised helps reduce stress and ensures they’re ready to learn.
Encourage Healthy Routines
Talk to them about finding a good balance between study, enrichment activities, and rest. Support them in managing their time so they stay on top of college work without burning out.
Attend College Events
If your young person’s course area invites you to a Parents’ Information Evening, we strongly encourage you to attend. These events are a valuable opportunity to speak with tutors and understand how your young person is progressing. Show your support by attending exhibitions, performances, or awards evenings, your presence makes a difference.
Stay in Touch
If you ever have concerns or questions, please reach out to us. The best way to contact tutors is usually by email, as they may be teaching during the day. Include your phone number in your message, and as long as you are listed as the named contact, a tutor will aim to reply within 48 working hours, term time only. By working together, we can help your young person thrive at college. Thank you for being an important part of their journey with us.
-
Respect & Getting Started
At NKC Gravesend College, we’re committed to providing your young person with the best possible experience from day one. We understand that the move from school to college is a big step, and we aim to make that transition as smooth and stress-free as possible, for both learners and their families.
Support from Day One
As soon as they join us, learners have access to a wide range of support services. This includes Careers Guidance, Well-being Services, and our specialist Additional Learning Support (ALS) Team, all designed to help them feel safe, confident, and supported throughout their time at college.
Opportunities for Personal Development
Alongside academic and pastoral support, learners are encouraged to get involved in activities that help build confidence, leadership skills, and a sense of community. They can:
- Join the Student Union (SU)
- Apply to become a Student Governor
- Take part in Learner Voice forums to share their views and help shape the college experience
These opportunities help learners grow personally and feel more connected to college life.
Personal Tutor: Initial Contact
Every learner is assigned a Personal Tutor (PT) when they start at college. This tutor plays a key role in:
- Monitoring attendance Setting learning and personal development targets
- Being the first point of contact if your young person has questions or concerns about their course
- Personal Tutors are central to your child’s support network and will help guide them throughout the academic year.
Heads of Curriculum (HoC): Escalated Contact
Each Personal Tutor reports to a Head of Curriculum (HoC), a senior staff member responsible for overseeing the teaching and learning within a subject area. If you ever have questions or concerns about your young person’s progress or wellbeing, the Tutor and HoC are your first points of contact. We recommend speaking with your young person to find out who their Tutor and HoC are, so you know who to reach out to, if needed. If neither the Tutor or the HoC are able to answer your questions satisfactorily then a member of our Senior Leadership Team (an Assistant Principal - Curriculum) will step in.
Keeping in Touch
Whilst there may be times you wish to contact us; it is equally important that we are able to contact you. It's essential that we have up-to-date contact details for you, including a working email address and mobile number. This ensures we can contact you in case of emergencies or important updates.
At NKC Gravesend College, we believe that respect is at the heart of a successful learning community. We encourage all learners to show respect for themselves, for others, and for their environment, so that everyone can thrive and feel safe.
Respecting Themselves
We want every learner to feel confident, proud, and professional. We help learners to respect themselves by encouraging them to:
- Use appropriate and mature language, swearing is discouraged, as it’s not suitable for a professional environment,
- Wear their ID lanyards visibly at all times, showing pride in belonging to the College and helping to keep everyone safe
- Stay focused on their goals and celebrate their achievements, no matter how big or small
- Ask for help when they need it, knowing that seeking support is a sign of strength and resilience
- Make healthy choices, we encourage learners to drink water and be mindful of the effects of high-sugar, high-caffeine drinks like Monster, Red Bull, and Prime, which can impact focus and wellbeing
Respecting Others
College is a diverse and inclusive environment where learners work and learn alongside others from a variety of backgrounds. We expect learners to show respect to others by:
- Avoiding disruption in lessons so that everyone has the opportunity to learn
- Listening actively and respectfully when others are speaking
- Respecting different views, cultures, and beliefs
- Working cooperatively and valuing teamwork, recognising the benefits of learning with a wide range of people
Respecting the Learning Environment
A positive, clean, and safe environment supports effective learning. Learners are expected to:
- Arrive on time, fully prepared with the correct equipment, uniform, or resources
- Take responsibility for their space, this includes clearing away litter and recycling wherever possible
- Use all equipment safely and appropriately, following health and safety guidance
- Eat and drink only in designated areas, such as canteens. Only bottled water is permitted in classrooms
By promoting these values, we aim to create a college environment that reflects the high standards we set for ourselves and our learners. We believe that respect of self, others, and surroundings is key to helping your young person succeed both at college and beyond. If you have any questions about our expectations or how we support learner wellbeing, please contact the College through your child’s Tutor directly.
-
Parent Communication
At NKC Gravesend College, we believe it’s important to keep parents and carers informed and involved in their young person’s education.
Who We Communicate With
We work with parents and carers of full-time learners aged 16-18 throughout their time with us. If a learner turns 18 during the academic year, we will continue to engage with parents for the rest of that academic year. If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), we will continue to involve you in their education up to the age of 24.
Why Communication Matters
We want to keep you informed so you can support your child’s academic progress, personal development, and future plans. Working together helps your child get the most out of their college experience.
How We Communicate
We understand that both parents and college staff are busy, so most of our communication will be by phone or email. However, we occasionally invite parents to attend meetings and special events like exhibitions, shows, and award ceremonies.
Respectful and Timely Communication
We aim to respond to your queries as quickly as possible, but please understand that teaching staff may not be able to check emails every day. We promise to:
- Communicate with respect and understanding
- Keep messages clear and jargon-free
- Use the best communication method for each situation
If you have a language barrier or learning difficulty, let us know, we’ll do our best to support you with appropriate resources to ensure easy communication.
Working Together
Our goal is to build a strong, two-way partnership with parents. Good communication helps:
- Support learners effectively
- Set high expectations
- Prepare young people for the workplace
- Create a positive college environment
We are committed to keeping communication clear, timely, relevant and focused so you feel informed about their educational journey with us.
Important: Due to GDPR regulations, we are unable to contact anyone who is not listed in our system. If you change your email, you must update it through the existing email on file. This protects your young person’s data and ensures compliance with safeguarding rules. If we receive contact from you or someone within the learner’s home network who is not listed in our system, we will not be able to respond unless the above requirements are met. We appreciate your understanding as we work to ensure everyone’s privacy and security.
-
Induction
We understand that starting college is a big step, for both learners and their families. Your son or daughter will be navigating a new environment, getting to know new people, and learning how things work on campus. That’s why we’ve put a comprehensive Induction Programme in place to help every learner feel welcome, confident, and prepared.
What to Expect During Induction
During the first few weeks of term, learners will take part in a structured induction led by their tutors. This includes a range of activities to help them settle in and find their way around, such as:
- A tour of the college to discover key areas such as teaching buildings, canteens, and the Wellbeing Hubs
- An introduction to the Learning Technology Centre (LTC) and Careers Team
- Guidance on what to do if they forget their lanyard or need First Aid
- Learning how to log into college systems and use platforms like Moodle and Microsoft Teams
Additional Induction
Activities Include:
- Receiving their official timetable (if not already provided at enrolment)
- Accessing their Learner Handbook, which contains all the essential information about life at NKC Gravesend College
- Meeting the Students’ Union and learning about the role of Class Representatives
- Completing a short online orientation course on Moodle, called ‘Your College’, to reinforce what they've learned
Working Through the Induction Checklist
Every learner will be supported by their tutor to complete an Induction Checklist. This helps ensure they understand what to do, where to go, and how to get support when needed.
Helping Your Young Person Settle In
We want all learners to feel comfortable and confident from day one. If your young person has a question or is unsure about something, we encourage them to speak to their tutor, if the tutor doesn’t know the answer, they’ll find someone who does.
A Warm Welcome to You Too
While we focus on helping learners settle into college life, we also want to welcome you as a parent or carer. Your involvement and support are an important part of their journey, and we look forward to working together to help your young person achieve their best.