Learning Support
Overview of Learning Support
At Hereford Sixth Form College our aim is for all students with additional support needs to have equal access to the curriculum working towards meeting their full potential with our support and thus becoming independent learners.
The College welcomes applications from students with a learning difficulty, disability or medical condition and disclosing such information does not affect your application.
Please ensure that you indicate on the application form that you have additional support needs (including medical conditions). We can then discuss these needs with you.
Read More
We can offer support for:
- Students with Autism/Asperger syndrome.
- Students who would like some study skills support.
- Students who need assistive technology.
Supporting Specific Learning Difficulties
There are many students at Hereford Sixth Form College who have dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties. There are a number of services available to support such students in their studies, and many students with specific learning difficulties use Learning Support on a regular basis.
Applying to College
If you think that you have a specific learning difficulty or have had extra time in your exams at school then we would encourage you to fill in the Additional Support section on the College application form. Filling this section in does not impact on your application to College in any way; it simply means that we are aware that you have applied.
Your College pre-entry interview may be with a member of the Learning Support team who will discuss your subject choices and any additional support needs.
How can the Learning Support Team help you?
Our dedicated and highly qualified Learning Support team has experience and specialist knowledge of a range of learning difficulties and/or disabilities.
They will assess and arrange appropriate examination access arrangements and support to enable students to achieve their individual learning goals and targets.
What might you need Learning Support for?
- If you have a specific learning difficulty e.g. dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, ADD/ADHD.
- If you are running out of time in tests and exams.
- If you are struggling with your studies.
Where are we?
The Learning Support department is on the first floor of the Risbury Building at the bottom of the drive (opposite the Sports Hall).
How can you make an appointment to see Learning Support?
- First you must tell a subject tutor about your worries.
- You will need to go to the subject workshops.
- Your tutor can then refer you to Learning Support if you still think you need to see us.
What happens next?
- Your name will be put on a waiting list. You will then be guided through a process of talking to a specialist assessor and doing some assessments.
- A decision will be made about how best to support you. This may mean having access arrangements in exams and or study skills support.
How long will the whole process take?
From referral to Learning Support until the end is usually about 6-8 weeks but this can vary.
More information
If you would like to find out more please e-mail us at learningsupport@hereford.ac.uk
For information about Herefordshire Council’s post 16 support go to Herefordshire Local Offer.
Assistive Technology
Many students find assistive technology and software useful and it may speed up or improve the quality of their studies.
The following information shows assistive technology that is available in College. Some of this is available to all students, such as Claro reading software and Inspiration Mind Map software. Others are intended for students who have a learning difficulty and have been referred to the Learning Support Department.
Some software tuition may be available in study skills workshops. Seek advice from your Personal Tutor if you think you need help.
Read More
Claro software
Claro can help develop reading skills. It is read aloud software and is available in College for all students to listen to documents, the internet, their emails, etc.
Students with readers in exams may be able to use Claro software as an alternative to a human reader.
Inspiration software
This is intended to aid planning, organisation, essay and coursework planing and lots more.
Inspiration is a mind map and concept map programme. There are also templates to adapt. It is easy to use and has a training component in the programme.
Inspiration is currently available everywhere in College for all students to use.
Dragon naturally speaking software
This is voice activated software which is very easy to train. The programme is only available to a small number of students who have physical or learning difficulties and special examination arrangements.
Other devices
Students may also use their own equipment to assist them. For example a mobile phone would help with prompts and reminders, may allow students to record homework details and can be used for screenshots in class.
Students must check in advance that a tutor is happy for them to use mobile phones in class.
Some students may use laptops or tablets in College, but you must check with tutors first if you want to use one in class.
Exams
Only students with learning or physical difficulties may use word processors in examinations.
See Learning Support for more information.
Study Skills Support
There is an abundance of research that maintains a student’s educational success is strongly influenced by their study routine.
The Study Skills programme promotes effective learning to all students on all courses.
The emphasis is on helping students to become independent and self motivated individuals who can achieve their full potential.
Read More
Study skills are the skills you need to enable you to study and learn efficiently. They are an important set of transferable life skills that help you to become self disciplined and organised.
Some software tuition may be available in study skills workshops. Seek advice from your Personal Tutor if you think you need help.
If you don’t know what to prioritise, what and for how long, the workshops can be very useful for structure and organisation.
Student
Supporting students with Autism and Asperger Syndrome
At Hereford Sixth Form College we are very proactive in our support of students who are on the autistic spectrum.
We understand that for our students the transition from school to college can be quite stressful and therefore we aim to reduce as much anxiety as possible.
Autism is a lifelong developmental disorder and we understand that for our students having autism means it affects how they make sense of the world, process information and relate to other people. It is a spectrum condition, which means that, while all people with autism share certain areas of difficulty, their condition will affect them in different ways.
Read More
How can we support students with Autism?
When you apply:
- It is very important that you disclose your diagnosis on your application form so that we can put in place any necessary arrangements to make your time here as enjoyable and successful as possible.
- You will be invited to an interview with a member of the Learning Support team to assess how best we can support you in College.
Once enrolled:
- You will meet up with the Mentor for ASD students who will work with you to produce an Individual Learning Plan (ILP).
- This ILP will be shared with your tutors in order to enable you to get the most out of your time in College.
- You will be offered the opportunity to meet one to one with the Mentor for ASD students on a weekly basis, for mentoring, in order to develop your independent learning skills.
- There is a quiet study area on the 1st floor of the Risbury Building for independent study. This is also a place where students can take time out from the busy college environment.
If you have any queries please email Learning Support at learningsupport@hereford.ac.uk
Mel Powell, Mentor for students with autism.