Additional support

We welcome all students with a learning difference and offer support for students with a wide range of needs.

 

Our qualified staff can provide one to one support for students.

 

We also work with many external agencies to further enhance the support available to students and loan out specialist equipment. Please make sure we are aware of any learning differences, disabilities or medical conditions you may have so we can support you in your studies and allow you to develop your potential and independence.

 

The Study Support area offers support with:

 

• Study skills
• Exam technique and revision skills
• Specific learning differences e.g. Dyslexia
• ESOL – English Speakers of Other Languages
• Sensory Impairment
• Physical disability

Referrals

Students are encouraged to disclose information relating to any learning differences in the application form (see Guidance in completing application form). They may also be referred, with permission, by tutors and parents at any time during their course. Alternatively, they can refer themselves. Referral forms are found on Moodle/Study Support/Accessing Support. There is also an opportunity at the Parents’ Induction Evening in July to discuss any concerns/needs and at the Parents’ Tutorial and Consultation Evenings.

Access Arrangements

Students who let us know about previous access arrangements, such as extra time, use of a word processor, reader or scribe, will be invited to College in June/July to start our assessment procedure and to make sure arrangements are in place for the January exams. The assessments made at this point are only for access arrangements for examinations and are not a full diagnosis. Once at College, study support is available on a regular basis if you require it or if we think you would benefit from it.

 

The deadline date for applications for Access Arrangements is early October for January exams and early March for June exams so referrals must be received by the Study Support Co-ordinator by these dates.

 

We can only support you if you make us aware of your need. If you would like to discuss your study support needs further please ask to speak to Sue Richardson or email skr@ssfc.ac.uk

Regular Support

Some students will require weekly support and this is provided by the Study Support team. It is important that students keep their appointments or re-schedule them if they are unable to do so. College considers this commitment to be as important as any lesson and, therefore, the consequences of missing them will be equally serious. There is also subject support available in all subjects where 1:1 or small group support, specific to subject areas, is given. Help is available for coursework, exam preparation and homework. For information about this, ask the subject tutor.

 

Moodle

 

There is a lot of information about Study Support on our Moodle site. Have a look and see all the help which is available to you. There are sections on different disabilities and general help about organisation, essay writing, note taking and revision.

 

Higher Education

 

If you have a learning difference and have had extra support at the sixth form college or used access arrangements in our exams, and you are considering making a UCAS application to study in higher education, then you should also consider making an application for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)

 

 

Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)

 

DSAs are not means tested. The assessment is to determine the level of money that is needed to support a student in undergraduate education. The application process will begin when you apply for financial support. The web links below give advice in more detail.

• Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs)
• Disabled Students’ Allowances 2010/11 Application Form

You will need to provide evidence of need and to have a full diagnostic assessment by a psychologist or suitably qualified specialist teacher after your 16^th birthday. College can supply names of suitable assessors to do this. This is independent of College and will incur a cost. However, you can usually claim this back from the DSA. You should also inform the University about your disability or learning difference to ensure that appropriate support is in place at the start of the course. Most universities have Disability Advisers who help students with their support. The earlier you start this process the better.

 

College can recommend the names of qualified assessors who would be able to carry out a full diagnostic assessment for DSA. If you would like their contact details please contact Sue Richardson skr@ssfc.ac.uk or telephone the College.