Support for Students During the Christmas Break

College opening times

The College will be closed from on Friday 19th December and will re-open at 9am on Monday 5th January 2026.

Please note that emails will not be monitored during this time – any queries will be responded to as soon as possible after we return. You may also see some scheduled posts from us across our social media channels, but we will not be available to respond to any queries via these.

Application

Students will still be able to submit applications to any of our courses so please feel free to browse our website and courses and make applications. We will begin to process applications on our return from 6th January onwards and will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

Support for students

The mental health and wellbeing of our students is of vital importance.  Support resources for students can be found here:

Togetherall – They provide a 24/7 online support service for students who may be struggling with how they feel.

Papyrus – Prevention of Young Suicide a charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people.

We hope that all our students enjoy the festive season and allows you the rest and relaxation to re-charge your batteries ready for the new term. We do know however, that for some, the break can be a difficult time. If you need help or support at this time when College is closed, you should contact one of the following helplines:

• Contact Swindon – 01793 464646 contactswindon@swindon.gov.uk
• Wiltshire County Council children’s social care – 0300 456 0108
• Wiltshire County Council out of hours safeguarding – 0300 456 0100
• West Berkshire Council children’s services – 01635 503090
• Gloucestershire County Council children’s services – 01452 42 65 65
• Oxfordshire County Council children and family information service – 0345 2412487

Oxfordshire County Council out of hours – Emergency Duty Service on 0800833408. If an immediate response from Children’s Social Care is necessary, call 0345 050 7666 or email LCSS@oxfordshire.gov.uk

• Childline – 0800 1111
• The Mix – Essential Support for under 25s – 0808 808 4994
• Kooth
• On your Mind 
• Samaritans – Call for free on 116 123
• The Hopeline – Free confidential chat and other online support resources for topics like depression, anxiety, addiction, self-harm, abuse, and more – 0800 068 4141

If you live outside of Swindon or Wiltshire, your own local authority will have equivalent helplines listed on their council websites.

We wish all of you a great festive break, a very happy New Year, and look forward to seeing you all in 2025!

Season’s Greetings to all of our students.