New Parent FAQ's

Palmer’s Sixth Form College in Grays, Thurrock is an independent and successful College for 16-19 year olds. Palmer’s College is proud to be able to trace its roots back over 300 years and, whilst mindful of this illustrious past, it confidently looks forward to an even better future for its students and community.

Palmer’s College students enjoy a friendly and dynamic College environment where they are accompanied through their courses by highly able and committed teaching and support staff. The College is equipped with modern facilities set in beautiful grounds where students also have access to a newly refurbished Sports and Fitness Centre.

The College can be found in Grays Thurrock and is easily accessible on public transport. Please take a look at How to Find US with links to the public transport details and College bus timetables.

Visit our course search for the full range of programmes on offer at Palmer’s College. Our prospectus is available to download from the home page of our website or a printed version is available on request.

Please do get in touch if you have any questions. Find out about career options, courses, financial assistance etc. We’re here to help! Email enquiries@palmers.ac.uk and we will make sure your query is answered.

Many of our courses do fill up quickly, so it is best to apply early in the academic year. Students do not have to wait for their exam results. You can apply online directly from the home page of our website. Our closing date is 1st March 2016 for all courses with the exception of BTEC Performing Arts, where it is 31st January 2016, to allow for auditions.

Remember the application form is often our first impression of a student, and should be filled in with care. Applications for some programmes can be delayed if we do not receive a reference from the school.

Don’t panic! At your son/daughter’s final pre-course interview with us we can discuss what this means for them and the courses they applied for. There are always other options available, and they will still have a place at Palmer’s College.

When we receive an application we will acknowledge it promptly. If you have not heard from us within 14 working days of sending us the application form, please call the Admissions team via the main switchboard number. Admissions - 01375 370121 Ext: 233.

Early in the year and once we have received a reference from their school, we will invite your son/daughter to visit the College for their first personal pre-course interview. Following the interview, we will let them know the result of the application straight away and give them their Passport to Palmer’s!

This will be followed up with our offer letter which will contain a conditional offer of a place. This means your son/daughter will have to get satisfactory exam results before they can be offered a firm place on that particular course. The letter will explain the conditions in detail.

All that’s then needed is for your son/daughter to let us know as soon possible whether the place is being accepted or not.

There is a place for everyone at Palmer's. Find your place at one of our Open Evenings!

Thursday 7 July 2016
6.00-8.00pm

Tuesday 11 October 2016
6.00-8.30pm


Thursday 12 January 2017
6.00-8.30pm

Thursday 6 July 2017
6.00-8.00pm

All students are screened on entry to Palmer’s to ensure that if additional help is required they can receive it straight away. In addition to personal tutors, the College has a Study Plus Centre and students can pop in when it is convenient to discuss their needs (receive help). We also have a counselling service for students available whenever they need it.

Students can also use computers to help them in their studies. We have experts on dyslexia and if students need assessment or extra help in other areas we have a team of tutors and learning support assistants to help.

Post 16 qualifications can be bewildering. Some routes are academic and theoretical. Others are more practical and work orientated. You need to look at the way students learn on each course and remember that students can progress on to university courses via an academic or vocational route.

Palmer’s College is a dedicated 16-19 year old sixth form and as such only accepts applications from students in this age bracket. As long as your son/daughter is 19 before our enrolment date then they will be able to study here.

As well as our Parent’s Evenings, the College has a Web-based tracking system. After enrolment, you will be provided with a user name and password which will allow you to view Subject Reviews and attendance data at regular intervals. Tutors will also contact you with any enquiries which arise with progress or any unauthorised absences. The College expects 100% attendance at all classes and if your son/daughter fails to attend we will email you.

A typical student timetable can be viewed on this template and shows different coloured blocks. Each colour generally represents a different subject and you can see that there is a break in the morning and lunch in between. Students will have free periods in which they are encouraged to use the College's extensive library resources and visit Study Plus if help with study is required.

Lessons start at 9am. The College day ends at 4.15pm except Fridays, where the College day ends at 2.50pm.

The events calendar shows the variety of events that take place at College for students. We run regular lunch-time activities including sporting activities and various clubs, such as the debating club.

Students are permitted to use their own laptops, tablets and i-pads during lessons and study time subject to the following conditions:

1. Students will abide by the ICT Acceptable Use Policy
2. Students will use electronic devices for the purposes of furthering their studies
3. All students will be seen by the IT department to allow any appropriate network connections to be installed.

A number of Open Evenings are arranged throughout the academic year.

You can also see all of our latest news on the same page and you are more than welcome to join any of our social networks for up to date information and what is happening on campus on a daily basis. Just click the relevant buttons from our home page.