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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To want to quit my college course because I feel unsafe?

71 replies

TiredAndAnnoyed · 18/11/2013 21:27

I'm a regular who has name changed for this.

I started college in September to do a HE access course. The college has bought a new building for this year which is about a 15 minute walk away from the main campus and it's where us mature students have to go to for all our lessons. This wouldn't be a problem except the building is in quite a rough area. There have been numerous muggings and attacks reported in the area just outside and near the college. There are also drunks and druggies who sit just outside the college and intimidate a lot of people.

Those things on their own are an annoyance in themselves but it still wouldn't be too bad as they're outside the college...except the security in this new building is utter shit! They have only one security guard who mostly sits there looking bored most of the time and although they have a member of staff by the entrance who is supposed to check student ID before you enter, they seldom ever do check and usually just let anyone walk straight in! As a result, some of the drunks and druggies who loiter outside have been known to just come in and loiter around the corridors outside the classrooms. As you can imagine this does make people feel uneasy. Like I said, it's in a well known rough area already yet they just let anyone walk in. God knows who else could just wonder in.

There was an incident about a month ago where I was leaving the building and there was a man who was swearing his head off at everyone who walked past, he was very aggressive and intimidating people who walked past. The security guard was standing there of course, not really doing anything to get him off the premises, he was just looking bored as usual Hmm

The thing is though, the main campus isn't exactly in a nice area but it is a lot safer than where we are. There are also numerous security guards down there so I don't understand why they couldn't have put us in a building on the main campus. There's not exactly a shortage of them. Some people on my course have decided to put in official complaints about it as it's not fair that we don't feel safe coming to college. Tbh I feel really unsafe where we are now and am seriously considering dropping out and going to a different college next year instead. I keep telling myself it's only for a year but I really don't feel safe especially now the dark nights are here. I'm going to put in a complaint too but not sure how much difference it will actually make.

I should also add that there used to be a children's support service next door (I think that's what it was) but it closed down because the area was deemed to be too unsafe. So they put us here with barely any security instead Hmm.

There are also little things that are irritating about this building such as the heating doesn't always work properly so it's often freezing cold and as it's a new purchase by the college there is still a bit of building work going on. Those are minor things compared to the safety issue though.

Would you stick around in this sort of situation? I was looking forward to college this year and going to university next year but now I just feel completely uneasy and just not safe so not sure if it's worth sticking it out.

This turned out quite long and I realise that my description would make it obvious which college I'm talking about if you're a student there but whatever.

Is it too much to ask to want to feel safe in a learning environment?

OP posts:
TiredAndAnnoyed · 19/11/2013 23:11

That's the one!

I wonder how many other students are lurking here.

OP posts:
BobPatSamandIgglePiggle · 19/11/2013 23:14

It's awful awful- the whole set up is so badly thought out. Definitely raise it with the director of school.

TiredAndAnnoyed · 19/11/2013 23:15

I'm actually weirdly looking forward to tomorrow. Should be interested if any of the head of schools or managers are lurking here and have noticed this thread. Knowing the college though we'll all probably get a telling off for it rather than anything to be done to improve the situation.

OP posts:
TiredAndAnnoyed · 19/11/2013 23:17

Bob are you a student there, if you don't mind me asking?

OP posts:
TiredAndAnnoyed · 19/11/2013 23:27

I think if they insist on keeping us where we are now then we need to make it clear that we need more security there - more than one security guard for sure and ones who actually do what they're supposed to do and actually get throw people out who aren't supposed to be there. Student ID needs to be checked more thoroughly on entry as like I said most of the time they don't check and just let anyone walk in. Since it's in a dodgy area checking student ID is even more important.

Seriously though, whose bright idea was it to shift us oldies up there anyways? What's wrong with the main campus? I would love to know. I know the college has a bit of an obsession with buying buildings, but still...what the hell inspired them to buy this place of all places!

I feel even more sorry for the people who are actually paying to do the course. Luckily I didn't have to pay as it's my first Level 3 qualification but some others on the course are paying. I think if I was paying I'd be even more pissed off than I am now.

OP posts:
CrazyKids100 · 19/11/2013 23:36

It's Newcastle College. The one in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Yeah, that one.

I'm picturing the security guard reading this...I realise though he's not likely to be here. is it always the same one?

RenterNomad · 20/11/2013 07:39

Sorry, howmuch! But do reconsider namechanging, about this at least. Self-censorship can only benefit people who have clearly enjoyed a lot of benefit from others' silence. Sad

no doubt they would kick up a fuss and we'd get a general group telling off for it. The college are petty about these things

Oh, poor embarrassed babies (the College, not you!)

Sunlight is a well-known disinfectant. You've got nothing to hide - have they?

RenterNomad · 20/11/2013 07:49

If both staff and students are in the same side, might it be possible to do something I heard about at a primary school: the staff were so disgusted with the head's mismanagement that they managed to trigger an Ofsted inspection, which of course the head didn't or couldn't prepare for, and the school "failed" the inspection, meaning the head was ousted and the teachers got loads of extra support.

Now, that's a primary school, which is compulsory education, so no chance it eould be closed. If there's no risk thst your college would be completely shut down, this method might be worth considering. If there is a risk, do proceed more carefully.

BobPatSamandIgglePiggle · 20/11/2013 07:49

No, my niece goes to the young learners section. They're also off main campus - in porta cabins. She says its awful - fights and police are there a lot. She says it's scary and that the teachers try hard but that it's out of control. I really worry for her nothing:-(

TiredAndAnnoyed · 20/11/2013 08:10

It looks like the staff are on our side, especially the ones who are actually working up there. I highly doubt it could be closed down - it's too big I think. At the very least it would get some bad press.

OP posts:
TiredAndAnnoyed · 20/11/2013 08:10

She says its awful - fights and police are there a lot.

That sounds even worse than where I am! At least I don't think the police have been to our place - yet.

OP posts:
TiredAndAnnoyed · 20/11/2013 08:14

is it always the same one?

Can't say I've noticed. Probably if he's always looking bored.

OP posts:
ImperialBlether · 20/11/2013 19:22

Sounds like where I work. I notice they're advertising themselves as having world-class facilities. Ummm which part of the world are they thinking of?

BobPatSamandIgglePiggle · 20/11/2013 19:39

They used to be Grade 1 Outstanding!

hoboken · 20/11/2013 19:49

The college website has a section entitled 'Campus Safety.' Clearly a fantasy. Also suggest going to the press if the college authorities take no notice. Have you contacted the college Corporation (the governors) formally? Their Clerk is Mark Sacco at the Ryehill Campus.

TiredAndAnnoyed · 20/11/2013 22:33

Ummm which part of the world are they thinking of?

Not going to lie, that made me laugh.

They used to be Grade 1 Outstanding!

Apparently they are now only rated 'good'. Quite sad really.

OP posts:
BobPatSamandIgglePiggle · 21/11/2013 20:15

Have you managed to speak to anyone op?

Bunnyjo · 21/11/2013 21:21

I think it's a really difficult one for you OP, especially as Gateshead College no longer offer HEFC (I was a HEFC student at Carlisle College and am now at Newcastle University), but would you be able to consider one of the other colleges that offer the HEFC Access course? Your safety is more important than anything else and the only way to force the hands of the college management is to hit them where it hurts - their results and finance. Good luck.

TiredAndAnnoyed · 21/11/2013 23:46

The funny thing is I was actually originally meant to go to Gateshead but they cancelled their course. I was thinking about transferring to Tyne Met but tbh it's such a trek to get there.

Unfortunately I wasn't in today as DS was ill and I couldn't get childcare arrangements so haven't spoke to anyone in person however I have got some more contact details for people higher up so am going to try and get in contact with them.

OP posts:
BobPatSamandIgglePiggle · 12/12/2013 23:33

Just wondering how things are op? Did you speak to anyone?

LuceL78 · 09/02/2014 16:11

Hi,

I know it doesn't change the need of the college to do something but have you thought about taking self-defense or krav maga classes? It might make you feel less vulnerable. There are classes in central Newcastle and Washington.

L

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