The government recognises that studying only academic subjects in a secondary school environment does not suit all young people. As a result, government funding has been made available to high-attaining colleges across the country to strengthen specialist technical education for 14 to 16-year-olds. Broadstairs College is keen to ensure that this offer is made available to students in the Thanet area to promote expertise in technical skills needed in the local economy.

Yes. As a government-led initiative, this has already been implemented in other colleges around the country. We are in close contact with several of the new schools and are in the fortunate position to learn from their experiences. We work in close collaboration with Kent County Council for their advice and guidance around admissions and policies.

Yes. The government funds places in a similar way to other schools.

Our Junior College has a rigorous safeguarding policy. Although the Junior College is located on the grounds of Broadstairs College, the students will be cared for in a safe environment. For part of the week, our Junior College students will study alongside 16 to 18-year-olds. The College has successfully operated this model for some time already, carefully integrating younger learners with older students in vocational courses. All 14–16 learners have designated areas in which to socialise, facilitated by teaching staff at all times, as well as a yellow lanyard to identify them as pre-16.

Our goal as a college is to ensure positive destinations towards career goals. In 2018/19, 97% of Year 11 students positively progressed onto further education or Apprenticeships within the EKC Group. In addition to this, the number of students achieving a grade 4 in maths and English was in line with the national average. 

No. Students and parents/carers can talk to us and make an application directly. We must have consent from parents/carers in order to offer a place. We will need to obtain information from the current school, including Key Stage 3 progress and attendance.

We value the input of parents and know that your child’s happiness is the priority. We will hold regular parents' evenings throughout the year and encourage parents to contact us if they have any concerns or questions.

Yes, both the Junior College and Vocational areas may have a uniform and equipment requirement. If the learner is in receipt of Pupil Premium, then these will be provided by the Junior College. If not, then parents are expected to cover the costs.

Yes. Eligible students will still receive free school meals, just as they would at their current school. If you have claimed Pupil Premium for your child anytime in the last six years, we can still claim funding for them now. Please make sure you indicate this on your application and bring evidence required to enrolment if successful.

What is Pupil Premium Funding?

Publicly-funded schools in England, such as the Junior College, get extra funding from the government to help them improve the attainment of certain groups of students. This is called Pupil Premium.

Evidence shows that children from certain backgrounds:

Can face extra challenges in reaching their potential at school

Often do not perform as well as their peers.

Miss out on some wider opportunities which develops them as all-round individuals

The pupil premium grant is designed to allow schools to help disadvantaged pupils by improving their progress and the exam results they achieve.

Pupil premium relates to:

• Children who have qualified for free school meals at any point in the past six years. The school receives £1320 for each of these children.

• Children who are or have been looked after under local authority care for more than one day. These children are awarded a premium of £2300.

• Children from service families who receive a child pension from the Ministry of Defence. They are awarded £300.

Your child may be eligible for Income Related Free School Meals if you are in receipt of (or have been in the last 6 years) any of the following benefits.

• Universal Credit with an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400.

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• The guarantee element of Pension Credit

• Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for the four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

• Child Tax Credit (with no Working Tax Credit) with an annual income of no more than £16,190

If you feel from this information your child is eligible for Pupil Premium, you will need to complete a Pupil premium/free school meals application and attach all relevant evidence; please contact broadstairsjuniorcollege@eastkent.ac.uk for an application. In order to claim the funding, please complete and return to the Junior College reception by the end of Term 1. For more information on how Pupil Premium funding is used, please refer to our Pupil Premium Strategy Statement, which clearly outlines the impact the Pupil Premium funding had on learners last academic year.

We hope to hold a series of Open Days throughout the year and we look forward to welcoming both parents and prospective students. Alternatively, you can contact broadstairsjuniorcollege@eastkent.ac.uk for the opportunity to be shown around during the College day.

The provision is unique and different from mainstream schools. This is why we have a robust and thorough admissions process with taster sessions monitored and observed by staff. As part of our admissions policy, we have a set of “key criteria” which identifies what type of learner we need. It is, for this reason, we get references from previous/current schools in order to help us risk assess. Young people with an EHCP will also be offered a place based on these key criteria alone.

Please read our travel funding statement here.