Additional Learning Needs

We work proactively to ensure that all learners have the vital support they need to ensure they can overcome any barriers to learning they may face – through an emotional, physical or learning difficulty.

Our caring and supportive staff are specialist professionals trained to ensure every learner’s additional learning needs are recognised and will work tirelessly with them to help them achieve their full potential, become independent and ready to take their next steps – regardless of the course they are on.

The physical, emotional and learning difficulties we have experience and specialist skills in include:

Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Moderate Learning Disabilities (MLD)
social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH)
Hearing Impairment (HI)
Visual Impairment (VI)
Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD)
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

This can mean different things to different learners. Tutors will treat every learner as an individual at all times and work closely with them on a one-to-one basis to identify the most appropriate study/training route for them.

Our learning and training options are available to those individuals who have:

An Educational Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and have attended a special school or completed mainstream education with individual support
Disengaged with education in school for whatever reason
Left school with few or no qualifications
Speak English as a second language
Have been in long-term unemployment

Connect Programme

The Connect Programme will help learners progress to employment or further study in College in their chosen subject.

The programme places a focus on:

Employability
Preparing for Further Study
Preparing for Adulthood
Entry to Vocational Study

Learners have the opportunity to progress within levels, with individualised support, developing at their own pace to ensure they reach their full potential. Progression is linked to a learner’s EHCP (Educational Health Care Plan) to ensure we support their overall development.

The College has forged strong links with employers enabling Connect learners to access work experience projects and secure employment on specialist schemes which can boost self-confidence and personal development.

Supported Learning

Learners will work towards a suite of Life Skills qualifications to help them develop in a way that suits their needs and build confidence and self-esteem – behaviours that play a key role in shaping an individual’s future.

Supported Learning is focussed on helping learners develop skills for:

Independent Living
Employability
Volunteering.

Choices Programme

The Choices programme is specifically aimed at those learners who have been disengaged or struggled emotionally or socially at school for whatever reason.

Tutors work with learners on a one-to-one basis to identify a study or training route which best suits their individual needs, which could include:

Pastoral support for learners within their chosen Vocational or A Level study routes
Participation in specialist workshops to develop personal and study skills needed to progress to full-time Vocational or A Level study
Workskills – where learners are encouraged to develop an interest in a key subject and motivated to progress to further study (see below).

Supported Internships

We work closely with a range of employers and Third Sector organisations within the North West to support learners on a pathway into Employability or Volunteering.

Offering learners individualised support to gain the skills and knowledge they need to make the most of their real-world experience.

Volunteering offers a route for learners who have skills to learn but will be unable to progress into employment for whatever reason.

Turning Points

Turning Points is an alternative study programme for pupils in Year 10 or 11 at school but who are not engaging in education or those aged up to 25 who are NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training).

Learners are given the opportunity to work with specialist tutors to develop their personal, life and study skills, as well as experiencing the curriculum and activities in their chosen academic or training area within College to develop their self-esteem and motivation.

Through School Links, pupils are welcomed into College one day a week to experience a range of curriculum options to ignite their curiosity, drive engagement and encourage goal setting.

ESOL (English as a Second Language)

ESOL teaching and learning aims to prevent and/or remove barriers from learners’ individual and economic growth.

Many learners, (aged 16 and above) are referred by official channels and agencies through the immigration or EU settlement process, refugee system or asylum seekers.

However, individuals may also self-refer to improve their reading, writing, listening and understanding skills in English to improve their career prospects and enhance their communication skills in social settings.

We are able to support learners who have a wide range of languages as their first language; have adapted a range of teaching and learning styles to best suit students on different stages of their journeys and offer a nationally-recognised range of qualification levels.

Learners have the opportunity to progress to an appropriate study or training route on successful completion of suitable ESOL qualifications

Learners without an ECHP (Educational Health and Care Plan)

For those learners without an ECHP (Educational Health and Care Plan) we provide the opportunity to discuss your individual support needs and recommend a support package which could include:

An academic mentor drop-in service to provide additional learning support
A pastoral mentor drop-in service for emotional wellbeing needs
Assessments relating to exam access and special provisions needed
Support with assistive technology, including Read&Write programmes; laptop loans, a scribe, coloured overlays and adapted pens etc.
Referrals to our college nurse or safeguarding team if required
Advice on alternative courses at a suitable level
Reduced class sizes
Time-Out cards to allow regular class breaks
Tangle Toys to help alleviate stress and anxiety
Transitional support in making the adjustment to College and life after your studies.

Learners with an EHCP (Educational Health and Care Plan)

For those learners with an ECHP we provide the opportunity to discuss your individual support needs and recommend a support package which could include:

One-to-one support (academic/pastoral/SEMH disorders – social, emotional, mental health behaviours)
Social support at lunch and break times
Reduced class sizes
Additional numeracy support – on a one-to-one or small group basis
Additional literacy support – on a one-to-one or small group basis
External support from ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) specialists
External support from a Tutor for the deaf
Communication support workers
External support from a qualified teacher of the visually-impaired
External support from a habilitation specialist with day-to-day functional skills
Communication and interactions support – on a one-to-one or small group basis
External assessment and support for speech and language issues
External support for students with ASD
Support with assistive technology, including Read&Write programmes; laptop loans, a scribe, coloured overlays and adapted pens etc.
Time-Out cards to allow regular class breaks
Tangle Toys to help alleviate stress and anxiety
Transitional support in making the adjustment to College and life after your studies.