Student Association
The Student Association is run by students for students to ensure the student community has representation at West Dean and to organise events and social activities for students. The Student President oversees the running of the Student Association along with the programme representatives and sub-committees.
Student Representatives include: Programme representatives, Welfare, International, Events and IT. All full time students are automatically part of the Student Association.
A Student Forum meeting is held every term and is a chance for students to discuss any concerns and ideas. The meeting is for the programme student representatives and sub-committees. The forum is chaired by the Student President.
The Forum is for discussion of all academic and non-academic issues relating to the overall student experience, including services and resources provided to support the student body. It provides a direct link between students' views and the West Dean’s decision-making processes, and to advise the Director of Education on the strategic direction of student support. Students can make recommendations to enhance the student experience and to ensure that students are aware of actions being taken. The forum contributes to the development of the student community by initiating and organising social events, clubs and other activities.
Societies
Students are welcome to set up their own clubs or societies. There must be three students or more involved. A form must be filled out and returned to the Student President. Finance can be granted to fund part of the society on the President's approval. Previous societies have included yoga, Chinese calligraphy, book binding and environmentalism.
Events
Student representatives organise official events including the Christmas party and Graduation party. Previous events have included a fancy dress Halloween party and pumpkin carving competition, Thanksgiving dinner, quiz night and pizza night. Events can include student parties, trips out and open workshops/studios.
Student Support
Counselling
We are very committed to providing you with the support you need to achieve a successful student life at West Dean. We understand that your mental health and wellbeing are very important to your success.
Service aims
The Counselling Service at West Dean aims to offer the following:
- Regular, professional and relevant counselling to students.
- Routes to good mental health and wellbeing resources to support the College’s community.
- Meetings with students and staff across the College to establish what is needed from a counselling provision.
- Developing creative, healthy and innovative approaches to counselling that complement our unique and specialist environment.
Referral and appointments
Appointments are available two days per week throughout the year. Currently appointments are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Afternoon and early evening sessions are available to accommodate your timetables.
Online support
Through an online platform called Togetherall, West Dean students can access additional mental health support 24/7. Togetherall is a safe and anonymous online community where our students can connect with others that have real lived experience for advice and support any time of day or night. You can also complete self-paced courses or explore other helpful wellbeing resources when it suits. Togetherall is a great source of support outside of normal campus hours and means you can get support when other services are closed, including evenings, weekends and public holidays. Togetherall is moderated by trained professionals to help keep you safe.
Student support services
Study Skills support is available for all our students during term time. These sessions will mostly be on a one-to-one basis so that we will be able to focus on individual areas with which you would like some help. Support includes: general study skills, language support, research and reading and writing skills.
Registry Office
Our registry office is open on our West Dean and London Campuses Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 1.30pm to help with students' academic queries.
Student Welcome Team
Located at the front of the main house on the West Dean Campus, the team are available for general day-to-day queries about campus and estate facilities. They are on site 24 hours a day, and are always available for any emergencies, or general out of hours enquiries.
Student Services Team
This is a dedicated team to the responsibility of student services for residential and day students. They are the first point of contact for all questions or concerns unrelated to your studies. Service support includes maintenance and repairs, cleaning and supplies, catering questions, room allocations, and complaints.
