We offer a wide range of support to help give you every opportunity to do well in your studies once you are enrolled on a College course. Support needs can vary, ranging from physical disabilities to learning difficulties.
We provide a drop-in service open to all our students, based near reception at the Willesden Campus. You can also make appointments for more detailed support enquiries.
Below you will find information about the support we offer.
Learning Support Team
Our team of dedicated staff are experienced and knowledgeable, and are available to listen in confidence and guide you towards the best solution to meet your needs, whether you have a physical or learning disability.
Disclosure
There may be reasons why you do not want to tell others you have a disability or learning difficulty, but before you make a decision please read our guidance about disclosure below.
Needs Assessment
We will carry out an assessment to identify what type of support would help you and ensure that it is tailored to meet your specific needs. Support may be integrated into your classroom lessons or you may be able to join a workshop with other students.
Language Support
If English is not your first language, or you can speak and understand English but need extra support with your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills, we can help.
Literacy and Numeracy Support
This support is aimed at adults and young people who are fluent in English but may have left school with poor grades, or have been out of education for some time and need to brush up on their English or maths. Good levels of English and maths skills are essential in order to join other vocational courses or move on to higher level study.
Learning Difficulties
If you received additional support at school for special educational needs, or know that you take longer than others to pick up new skills, it might be helpful for you to receive some extra help with your studies. Support will be provided based on the outcome of your needs assessment.
Dyslexia
If you are dyslexic, or think you may be dyslexic, we can assess and support you. If you are entitled to special exam arrangements, we will sort that out for you.
Hearing Impairment
We have specialist equipment and resources available, including radio and individual hearing loops, to assist you if you have a hearing impairment. Where appropriate, we can provide communicator support. At interview, we endeavour to have professional teachers of the deaf on hand to help with our assessments. We work closely with specialist colleges for the deaf and hearing impaired.
Visual Impairment
We have specialist tutors, resources, and rooms, as well as equipment to tailor learning materials to suit individual’s adaptation requirements, to support you if you are blind or partially sighted. If you are entitled to special exam arrangements, we will sort that out for you.
Physical Disabilities
We have specialist equipment to support physical disability, from telescopic legged tables, to customised chairs, one handed keyboards and appropriate toilet facilities. Many of our buildings are accessible and by prior arrangement staff are available should you have specific needs and require assistance.
Mental Health
If you suffer from mental health problems, or find it difficult to cope at any time during your course, we can support you. We will do our best to make reasonable adjustments to meet your individual needs, whilst respecting your confidentiality. If you need someone to talk to we can arrange that too.
More About Disclosure
To ‘disclose’ means to tell others that you have a disability or specific learning difficulty. Disclosure enables students to benefit from extra support. We will give you every opportunity to tell us. You can let us know by ticking the box on the Application Form or by telling a Course Advisor or Tutor. You can also tell another member of staff at any point; the choice is yours.
Reasons to disclose
- The better we understand your disability or difficulty the better we can provide for your needs and make adjustments that may make learning easier for you
- If you work, it will help your employer to ensure you get the right support and equipment to help you do your job to the best of your ability
- You don’t need to tell everyone, just the people working directly with you
- Anything you tell us will be kept confidential and will not be passed on without your consent
- Getting support will help make it easier for you to succeed on your course or at work
- Tutors and others will support you and work with you to help you achieve your goals
- You are protected by the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) if you disclose your disability or difficulty