Additional Learning Support

We firmly believe that by promoting an inclusive environment and providing timely and person-centred support, you can achieve your goals and maximise your potential! 

Individualised support can be agreed between yourself and the Additional Learning Support (ALS) team. Your needs can be assessed in the following settings:

• Classroom
• Learning Resource Centre
• One-to-one appointment 
• Study session outside of the classroom

We’ll support you to develop your confidence and personal skills, whilst working towards increased independence in learning.

Support can be accessed in all vocational areas which includes adult provision and apprenticeships. We encourage you to inform us of any difficulties or medical needs you may have as soon as possible so that we can put the most effective support in place for you.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the ALS team before enrolment or you begin your college course or at any other time whilst on programme.

• Support on application

  We believe that everybody should be allowed to learn and maximise their potential, regardless of their learning needs and so if you have an identified additional support need and/or medical condition, there’s professional support and guidance available to you. 

  Upon ticking the disability difficulty disclosure section of the application, please provide information and an indication of your support needs. After submitting your application, please contact the additional learning support team on 01283 494601 or on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and a member of the team will be able to advise you on the support we are able to offer you.

• EHCP

  If you have an EHCP, please identify this by ticking the EHCP box at application. Following your application, please share with us your original EHCP along with the most up to date annual review. You can do this by emailing it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Alternatively, you can drop it to our main reception who will be happy to pass it on to the ALS team. Your application will be placed on hold until we have consulted with the local authority and reviewed the plan to ensure we can meet all of your needs identified within the plan. On occasions we may recommend provision with an alternative vocational area to act as a stepping stone to your chosen course. 

• Transition to college

  We understand that you may be feeling a little anxious about starting a new college. To support you with this, we can offer a guided tour of the college. One of our Additional Learning Support Team will agree a date and time to meet with you and show you around the campus, allowing you to gain a more in-depth insight whilst discussing and agreeing the level of support you can expect to receive. More individualised taster days can also be arranged in your preferred area of study.

  Our foundation learning area hold bespoke open events in our Andrew Phillips unit. If this is something that may be beneficial to you, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

• Types of support

  We can offer support in a variety of ways, tailored to suit individual needs or as specified in your EHCP (Educational Health Care Plan):

  • Complete support disclosure
  • Support planning, completion of individual learning support plan
  • Transition from school to college and helping you settle in
  • Discreet in-class support or 1:1 support for a specific learning difference or disability
  • Mobility support
  • Note taking
  • Sourcing/providing specialist resources and equipment
  • Counselling
  • Exam access arrangements
  • Study group sessions
  • Pre-arranged study support
  • Arrangement of external communication support workers
  • Individualised personal care and medical support within our foundation learning area

  All support will be reviewed on a regular basis.

• Exam Access Arrangements (EAAs)

  Exam Access Arrangements are adjustments that are made for exam conditions and based on needs. They are put in place following an assessment and are based around an individual’s normal way of working. This ensures that all learners have an equal opportunity to succeed in exam conditions with the adjustments made. 

  If you have had exam support previously at school, please provide us with this information. Any documentation you have about your previous arrangements will assist us in our assessment of your needs, ensuring we can make the necessary adjustments at college.

  Useful documentation to provide:

  • Form 8
  • Access arrangements online AQA approval  
  • Confirmation of previous exam access arrangements via a letter on headed paper or an email from previous learning provider

  You can forward this information to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..