Student Support
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Tutorial support for students
BIRD takes the welfare of its students very seriously. At points in our life we all face times that are more challenging, so we provide you with a personal tutor to assist you in coping during these times. You will be given the opportunity to meet with them on a regular basis, either individually or as a member of a group.
The role of a Personal Tutor is to support you in your development, ensuring that you gain the most from your time as a student. You are able to discuss both academic and personal matters that could affect your progression at BIRD.
The Personal Tutor system will:
- support your personal and academic needs
- support your ability to self manage
- help to ensure your health and well-being
- provide a support structure that is secure and promotes an ‘open door’ policy
You will be placed in a tutor group with a mixture of students from across your year. This will normally take place during the first few weeks of the new academic year. Your tutor will also be a member of the teaching staff and therefore will be likely to teach you.
You will meet with your Personal tutor and your tutor group once every month. In these meetings you can discuss all manner of things. There will be specific things your tutor will need to cover but these meetings are essentially for you to share and seek support. You will also see your tutor individually.
Students also have access to additional support from the Dean of Students, Learning and Wellbeing Officer (Academic Support) and Equity and Inclusion Lead.
Choosing to train at BIRD was definitely the best decision for me. I love the friendly atmosphere it exudes and the high standard of training that challenges us
Counselling Service
BIRD Counselling Service is a free and confidential service available to all students at the Conservatoire. The service is staffed by experienced and qualified Counsellors and abides by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Code of Ethics. Counselling offers students an opportunity to talk in a safe confidential environment about problems of any kind that they may be facing in their lives, either at college or at home. Students can be helped to work through their feelings and personal difficulties in order to develop a deeper understanding. This understanding can enable them to find their own answers to help the situation they are in. They do not have to wait until the problem becomes overwhelming before approaching the service.
Physical and Vocal Health
The welfare of our students is vital as we recognise the demands of full-time training on a person’s body. All students have access to the on-site physiotherapist and acupuncturist, who provides treatment and creates a rehabilitation programme to support students in their reintegration into dance classes. Dance Science, Nutrition and Body Conditioning are integrated throughout our courses to support students dance training.
Students also have access to a vocal care therapist, who offers treatment and specialised programmes to support students in their singing classes.
Report + Support
If you or someone you know has experienced or witnessed any form of harassment or sexual misconduct you can report it anonymously or ask to speak to an advisor to get the information on reporting options and support available so that you can make an informed decision on what happens next. All information will be treated sensitively and confidentially.
Reports can be made through:
- Email to Reportandsupport@birdcollege.co.uk
- In person or by letter to the Learning and Wellbeing Officer or Dean of Students.
- Report Anonymously: Report + Support Form
Please access Bird College’s Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy here.