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Current Time:
02:39:49 GMT on 12 March 2010
About the College: Guidance & Support
Help on Your Course
Provision
The Learning Support Service can offer help to students who have one or more of the following difficulties:
- Dyslexia
- Problems with Maths
- Problems with spelling
- Difficulties with Reading and Writing
- Difficulties studying in English (ESOL)
- A Physical Disability
- Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
- A Visual Impairment
- Are recovering from long-term ill health or mental illness
- Are returning to study after a break
For Sight Impaired Students
We have a large range of support for students who are blind or partially sighted. Our Learning Support Assistants will write comprehensive notes to suit individual needs and level of sight loss, they will also assist with orientation support and adaptation of course materials
We have available specialist software including Zoom Text, Jaws and Dragon Dictate.
For Hearing Impaired Students
Students are provided with a Communicator to deliver full language support including lip-speaking and modified notes to meet the needs of each individual student. We also provide specialist equipment including personal loop systems and Deaf Alerters.
Communicators for the Deaf
In recent years there have been an increasing number of Deaf students enrolling on Further Education courses. We have a team of Communicators employed at Barking and Dagenham College to meet the needs of these students.
All our Communicators are CSW trained and are qualified to BSL Stage 2, with some qualified to CACDP Stage 3.
Our Communicators provide:
- Sign Language – BSL or SSE
- Language Modified Notes
- Lip Speaking
- One to One Language Support
- Adaptation of Course Materials
Communicators are provided for all classes as necessary and are also provided where students feel that they need additional support with English and Maths, within our Study Skills Centre.
For Dyslexic Students
As there are varying levels of Dyslexia, each student is assessed prior to starting their chosen course, to ascertain what level of support is required to meet each individuals needs. Support is provided via the specialist Dyslexia tutors. For this purpose a six week assessment is undertaken by the Dyslexia Co-ordinator where referral to the Educational Psychologist may be required to facilitate the examination concessions that the student may be eligible for.
For Students with Physical Disability
Students are provided with one to one support from a Learning Support Assistant. All our Learning Support Assistants are qualified or working towards NVQ Level 2 & 3 in Supporting Special Needs and Initial Teaching Certificate in Basic Skills.
Our Learning Support Assistants provide:
- Personal Care
- Modification/Simplification of language
- Orientation
- Note taking
- Lunch time/Break time assistance
Learning Support assistants are provided for all classes as necessary and are also provided where students feel that they need additional support with English and Maths, within our Study Skills Centre.
Non-vocational support for students with Additional Needs
The Study Skills centre provides additional support for students who have low levels of literacy and/or numeracy and specific learning difficulties. Assistance can be provided in one or more of three mechanisms.
One to One Tuition
One to one support can be provided as an addition to the course timetable to work on literacy, numeracy, Esol and Dyslexia. Specialist teaching is provided by qualified tutors, to raise the levels of students to ensure that they reach their full potential.
Skills Workshops
Skills workshops can be provided to those students highlighted via the BKSB Initial Assessment, as having a need to raise the levels of literacy and numeracy in order to meet the requirements of the course. Skills workshops can be delivered discreetly in small groups or embedded into the main structure of the curriculum area.
Drop-in service
The Drop-in service is available to all students at Barking and Dagenham College, the centre is equipped with a number of computers with internet access to allow students to work independently on research, coursework etc.
Qualified teaching staff are also available to offer support on a one to one basis informally.
Exams
Some students may be eligible for Examination concessions and may also be referred to the on-site Educational Psychologists for assessment and evidence of needs, in order to comply with the examination boards.
