ADDITIONAL LEARNING SUPPORT

Providing each learner with just what they need

The role of our team of Additional Learning Support Co-ordinators is to assess and meet the individual needs of all learners that are referred to them.

This team has the expertise to provide specialist support to assist people with learning difficulties and disabilities, hearing and sight impairments, dyslexia and general difficulties with literacy, language and numeracy.

Epping Forest College welcomes learners with disabilities, learning difficulties and disabilities, medical conditions and those recovering for mental health problems.

We recognise that everyone has the same rights of access to education and training and it is our aim to provide access for all.

Epping Forest College also recognises that individual differences and requirements of all learners and seeks to remove barriers to positive learning. Additional Learning Support is an entitlement. It has enabled many learners to progress and enjoy success.

Specialist assessment

A team of experienced staff, offering a wide range of support for learners

Staff who are well qualified and who undertake regular training to keep up to date with current developments

1:1 or group sessions for help with writing and number work

Special arrangements for examinations

Loan of specialist equipment.

If there are any other support needs not mentioned, the Additional Support Leader will be pleased to discuss these with prospective learners.

To express an interest, please contact Sharon Phillips by telephone (020 8502 8607) or email

Sensory impairment includes both hearing and sight loss and each covers a whole variety of conditions. Visual impairment ranges from light perception to partial sight. Most definitions of blindness make it clear that ‘blind’ people have some residual vision. Similarly, hearing impairment can range from a mild loss to a profound loss, and likewise there may be some residual hearing in most ‘deaf’ people.

Individual Assessments

Education Communicators

BSL Interpreters

Manual Note takers

Electronic Note takers

Educational Support Workers

Lipspeakers

Deafblind Communication Support

Deaf Support Workers

Language Support

1:1 Backup to Theory Sessions

Language Modification

Adapted Materials

Braille

Guiding

In-class Support

Pastoral Support

Specialist Equipment

Exam Concessions

Additional Learning Support is offered for either Literacy, Language or Numeracy to learners across College. Learners benefit from Additional Learning Support by having the opportunity to further their skills gaps in literacy and numeracy and gain accreditation through the vocational/academic route and by accessing Basic or Key Skills qualifications.

Literacy and Numeracy skills gaps are identified through initial and diagnostic assessments, viewed together with the learner’s educational and support backgrounds.

Learners can access Literacy, Language and Numeracy through in class support or out of class basis. In class the support assistant works in a partnership teaching approach with the voactional/academic tutor developing the learners literacy, language and numeracy skills. In out of class situations, learners access support out of their vocational/academic timetables for one hour a week.

Language support can also be offered depending upon the learners chosen study route in college.

Specialist individual diagnostic and support assessments

In class support to develop literacy and numeracy skills

Out of class support to develop literacy, numeracy, language and study skills

Encouragement to complete Basic Skills and Key/Functional Skills qualifications

Material adaptation

Advice on exam preparation

Advice on specialist equipment and exam concessions

The term physical disability is interpreted in as broad a sense as possible, but in particular, it is intended to cover any difficulty in mobility, or disability in the arms or hands which would make writing or keyboarding difficult. Additional learning support is also available for learners who have a medical condition which could influence educational achievement. Learners who are experiencing mental health problems can also be given support, enabling them to reintegreate into a learning environment of their choice.

We have a team of Learning Support Assistants who work with either individual learners or small groups of learners and services we can provide for all learners include the following:

In depth assessment of needs

In class Learning Support Assistant support

Out of class extra Learning Support Assistant support

Out of class tutor support

Adapted materials/equipment

Specialist exam provision

Learning disabilities may be associated with a wide range of difficulties experienced by individual learners, such as verbal communication, reading and writing, understanding and comprehension, coordination and spatial awareness.

We have a team of learning support assistants who work with either individual learners or small groups of learners. Services we can provide for all learners include the following:

In depth assessment of needs

In class Learning Support Assistant support

Out of class extra Learning Support Assistant support

Out of class tutor support

Adapted materials/equipment

If you are dyslexic or have any of the above named Specific Learning Difficulties’s you are entitled to one to one Specialist Support/Tuition at Epping Forest College. Where appropriate we can refer you for guidance to an educational psychologist.

This Support/Tuition can be offered on a one to one basis for a period of five to ten weeks where this meets your particular needs. In exceptional circumstances this may be extended to the duration of your course. However our approach is to work with you to develop strategies that you can use for the rest of your life.

The type of support/tuition you will receive will depend on the outcome of your diagnostic assessment, your chosen course of study and any previous specialist tuition you may have received.

We have a team of dyslexia trained tutors who work with individual learners. Services we can provide for all learners can include the following:

Specialist diagnostic assessment

Examination concession assessment

The loan of specialist equipment

One to one specialist support/tuition with fully qualified, experienced tutors

Advice and guidance if you wish to progress to Higher Education

Study skills support

Visual Stress Test