STUDENT SUPPORT

TUTORIAL
support

LEARNER
support

STUDENT
council

CAREERS
advice

Learner Support

South Cheshire College student Peter Wainwright

"To promote social and educational inclusion and provide a flexible service which supports all students in becoming independent learners while promoting their well being"

"Guidance and support are outstanding" OFSTED 2008

At South Cheshire College we recognise that high quality support is an essential part of student success and students on courses at all levels are entitled to learning support to help develop the skills, behaviour and attitudes to achieve their full potential and succeed in their academic goals. In 2008-9, 1200 students benefited from the support provided at South Cheshire College and 91% of supported students achieved on their chosen course.

We can help you improve all the skills you need for study such as literacy and numeracy, essay writing, managing your time, understanding complicated tasks as well as boosting your motivation and achievements. You can also drop in to the study skills workshop any time between 9.00am and 4.00pm (Wednesdays 9.00am - 1.00pm). You do not need to make an appointment.

Find out more by contacting our Senior Co-ordinator in Learner Services on +44 (0)1270 654654 (ext. 775).

Additional Learning Support

We encourage students to tell us about identified or possible support needs when they apply. The information is treated in the strictest confidence and only shared with relevant people.

The main point of contact will be a key worker who is there to give ongoing support, advice and encouragement. They will negotiate a support plan with you and your tutors and may also liaise with external agencies on your behalf. Your key worker can arrange taster days on selected courses and transition programmes to help you familiarise yourself with college life.

All support plans are designed to meet individual students' needs and can include:

Individual support from specialist staff
In-class support
Specialist and diagnostic assessments
Note takers, communicators and interpreters
Drop-in support in the study skills workshop
Special examination arrangements
Getting to and moving around college
Loan of specialist equipment or computer software

Deafness/Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can range from slight to profound loss. Perhaps you may be partially hearing, hard of hearing, or D/deaf. We have a qualified Specialist Lecturer for the Deaf, a Sign Language Interpreter and a team of communicators and note takers.

Before you enrol we can arrange:

A meeting to discuss your support needs which may lead to further assessments
Taster days at college to find out more about the subject areas you are interested in
Transition programme with specialist input to familiarise yourself with college life
Support at your interview and on enrolment

Support on your chosen course can include:

Information and advice
One-to-one Specialist Lecturer for the Deaf support, e.g. literacy, assignment support
Specialist assessments, NATED, Literacy
In class support with note taking or signing
Special examination arrangements
An identified key worker
Loan of specialist equipment and access to specialist software
Independent travel training
Audiological support

For more information or to discuss your individual support needs please contact:

Co-ordinator for Students with Deafness/Hearing Loss
Telephone: +44 (0)1270 654654 (ext. 768)

Sign Language Interpreter
Telephone: +44 (0)1270 654654 (ext. 871) | Fax: +44 (0)1270 651515 | SMS Mobile: 07879 412310

Head of Learner Services
Telephone: +44 (0)1270 654654 (ext. 865)

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Dyslexia/Dyspraxia

Dyslexia is an unexpected difficulty with written language where a person's literacy skills do not match their overall reasoning ability. Dyslexic students often have surprising trouble with reading, spelling, getting ideas on paper, short term memory and organisation compared to their understanding and knowledge. Dyslexia sometimes overlaps with dyspraxia where the issues are more to do with planning and organisation.

Although these problems are frustrating, these students often have particular strengths and with support and encouragement they can achieve realistic goals. Being dyslexic often allows a person to create new and imaginative ways of thinking and problem solving.

Support can include:

Flexible individual sessions
Study skills
Special examination arrangements
Laptop loan
Text. to speech software
Dictaphones
Touch typing programmes
Reading and spelling programmes
Strategies for coping with dyspraxia
Key worker to monitor and review support needs

We will need a copy of your previous Statement of Special Educational Needs or dyslexia assessment report. If you have not been assessed in the past but suspect that you are dyslexic, computerised screening tests as well as paper based tests are available for specialist assessments. These will provide evidence of need for exam concessions, recommendations to tutors and application for the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) before going on to Higher Education.

For more information or to discuss your individual support needs please contact:

Co-ordinator for Students with Dyslexia/Dyspraxia
Telephone: +44 (0)1270 654654 (ext. 764)

Head of Learner Services
Telephone: +44 (0)1270 654654 (ext. 865)

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Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Our team can provide advice, support, information and guidance for students at South Cheshire College who have Autistic Spectrum Disorders including Asperger's syndrome. ASD is a lifelong developmental difficulty that affects the way a person communicates and relates to the world around them.

People with ASD may experience:

Difficulties with social interaction
Difficulties with verbal and non-verbal communication
Difficulties in the development of imagination

Before you enrol we can arrange:

A meeting to discuss your support needs
A transition programme including visits to the college during an academic year and/or summer holiday to familiarise yourself with the surroundings before you start
Taster days at the college so that you can find out more about the subject areas you are interested in

Support on your chosen course can include:

One-to-one support
Information and Advice
Reviews of your progress
Pastoral support
A base to use during breaks
Independent travel training
An identified key worker
Links with external organisations
Special examination arrangements

For more information or to discuss your individual support needs please contact:

Co-ordinator for Students with Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Telephone: +44 (0)1270 654654 (ext. 871)

Head of Learner Services
Telephone: +44 (0)1270 654654 (ext. 865)

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Social Emotional Behavioural Difficulties and Mental Well-Being

We promote positive mental well-being by working with individual students to identify and put in place appropriate support for people with social, emotional, behavioural or mental health issues. These may include anxiety, ADHD, psychosis, depression, Bi-polar or self-harm. Our goal is to enable students to succeed and get the most from their chosen course during their time at College.

Before you enrol we can arrange:

A meeting to discuss your support needs
A transition programme including visits to the college during an academic year and/or summer holiday to familiarise yourself with the surroundings before you start
Taster days at the college so that you can find out more about the subject areas you are interested in

Some of the ways in which we can offer support are:

Meet and greet prior to lesson
In-class support
Access to key worker to discuss your support needs and concerns
Pastoral support
Liaison with course teams
Links to external specialist agencies
One-to-one support
Reviews of your progress
Independent travel training
A personalised well-being plan
The College has an excellent professional Counselling Service which is available to all students.

For more information or to discuss your individual support needs please contact:

Co-ordinator for Students with Social Emotional Behavioural Difficulties
Telephone: +44 (0)1270 654654 (ext. 776)

Co-ordinator for Students with Mental Well-Being Difficulties
Telephone: +44 (0)1270 654654 (ext. 776)

Head of Learner Services
Telephone: +44 (0)1270 654654 (ext. 865)

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Students with Disability

South Cheshire College will support you and accommodate any care requirements from outside agencies to ensure that your course is not only accessible but enjoyable. Before you start your chosen course we will come to school to meet with you and have a chat about how best to support you in college. You would be welcome to come for a taster day or a transition day to familiarise you with the college environment.

Support can include:

Personalised learning plan
Key worker to monitor and review your support needs
Fire evacuation plan
One-to-one support
Support in breaks
Independent travel training
Special examination arrangements
Social support
In class we can offer assistive I.T.
Workshop to support you with assignments
Support when you are applying for H.E
Advice and guidance about financial assistance

Come and see us and we will make college an accessible and enjoyable experience.

Co-ordinator for Students with Physical Disabilities
Telephone: +44 (0)1270 654654 (ext. 769)

Head of Learner Services
Telephone: +44 (0)1270 654654 (ext. 865)

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Visual Impairment

Visually impaired student with guide dog

As visual impairment can range from partially sighted to blind, your learning support needs will be assessed and an individual learning support plan created to reflect your particular support requirements. This will ensure that you have the appropriate resources to achieve success on your chosen course.

Before you enrol, we can arrange:

A meeting to assess and discuss support needs
The presence of a member of the Learner Services team at your progression interview at school to aid a smooth transition to college
A Taster day so that you can find out about the courses you are interested in
A visit to the college to familiarise yourself with the college environment
Mobility sessions

Support on your chosen course can include: