Additional Learning Support

NSCG has excellent links with local schools and provides transition support to parents/guardians. If you/your child meets the necessary entry requirements for our wide range of courses, then we can work with you to eliminate any barriers to joining that course. For example, we can support students who have:

• Autism
• Asperger's syndrome
• Dyscalculia
• Dyspraxia
• Emotional or behavioural difficulties
• Learning disabilities
• Mental health difficulties
• Other medical conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes and asthma
• Physical disabilities
• Sensory impairments (vision and hearing)
• Speech and communication difficulties

Before you/your child enrolls on a course, we can:

• Arrange for you/your child to visit the college to see our outstanding facilities and meet the teaching and support staff to discuss your/your child's needs.
• Involve your school's Special Education Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO), parents, guardians, carers or anyone else necessary to make sure that you have the right amount of support.
• Arrange for a taster on the chosen programme to help with decision making.

Completing the course

• During your/your child's final year on the course we will arrange an exit review to help you plan the next stage, providing individual advice and guidance on progression routes for further study, careers, employment or other options.
• We will also assess the quality of the support you have received.
• If you are progressing to higher education, such as an HNC/HND, Foundation Degree or Degree at college or university, then we can help with the transition and ensure you have access to any available funding.

We offer:

• Interviews with a transition co-ordinator to discuss what you would like to do next.
• Interviews with a specialist careers adviser.
• Referrals to Social Services with regards to day service provision, sheltered employment and housing needs.
• Information and advice about supported and open employment opportunities.

Our commitment

NSCG is committed to a policy of equality, inclusion and accessibility in the delivery of our services.

The College has an open and welcoming policy towards applicants who may have a physical or learning disability or mental health issues and recognises the rights of all students to be treated equally regardless of disability.

All reasonable adjustments to provision will be made to ensure that disabled students and other disabled people are not disadvantaged.

Our effectiveness

According to the College's latest Ofsted report, learners can expect a "supportive culture, which is welcoming to all" in the only college with outstanding provision in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.

Ofsted also found that:

"Learners who have high needs receive highly effective specialist support - managers and teachers coordinate their transition and specialist support very well."

"Managers, teachers and support staff use learners' education and health care plans to identify accurately the individual support necessary including transport, personal care, and a variety of adaptive equipment to support very well individuals' needs.

At NSCG, we understand the challenges facing young people and aim to provide parents with as much information as possible.

We feel that as parents and guardians, it is vital that you are kept informed of learner progress. You will receive a report each half term clearly outlining 'working at' grades in each subject or aspect of a course, to include maths and/or English, along with a grade for effort and the attendance in each session.

The report will also contain a key contact number if you have any concerns you wish to discuss, or if you require any clarification regarding grades awarded.

There will also be two parents' evenings during the year where you will have the opportunity to discuss individual learner progress with staff teams.

We also have a Parents' Portal, a free web-based information service for parent and guardians of NSCG students. The Parents' Portal shows you their timetable, register information, target grades and email contact details for their personal tutor.

Support depends on individual needs. The support ratio can be from 1-1 to 1-8 in a classroom depending on the young person's individual needs. We can provide:

• At Newcastle campus, there are small class sizes (around 8-10 learners per class) with a learning support assistant and tutor to make sure the appropriate support is provided.
• An exciting enrichment programme that includes a range of physical and creative activities. Support will be provided to ensure that the learner is able to take part fully.
• Help with assessment papers.
• Support with personal care needs.
• Support during breaks and lunch times.
• Help to improve community awareness and social skills.
• Travel training.
• Voluntary work placements to help develop work related skills.
• A personal tutor who will help you/your child set targets and monitor progress.
• Support from outside agencies such as psychologists, community nurses and advocacy services if required.

All of our staff are appropriately qualified and are observed as part of our quality review systems, to ensure their skills are current and effective.

At college

• You/your child will be assigned a named person who will work with you and your family to ensure that your needs are being met.
• We also work with other agencies and specialists when necessary. Understanding that each student is different, we tailor our support to the individual and review throughout the year to ensure the right level of support continues and is adapted to their changing needs.

Our staff can provide specialist equipment, facilities and access including:

• Dictaphones and electronic voice recorders
• Hearing induction loops embedded in key areas throughout the College. A portable loop system communicator is also available in classrooms
• Laptop computers
• Radio aids
• Software to support students with dyslexia
• Super Nova software
• Text in different formats such as Braille, large text or on tape or disk.

Newcastle College

• Accessible shower facilities in the main College, The Gordon Banks Sports Centre and The Skills and Technology Centre
• Accessible parking facilities with dropped kerbs close to the main entrances
• Accessible toilet facilities on all floors
• Fire evacuation lift on upper floors
• Fire evacuation refuge points on all staircases
• Ground floor accessible bathroom
• Level site
• Passenger lifts at convenient points throughout the main building designed to avoid steps and ramps
• Wide corridors suitable for wheelchair access.

Stafford College

• Accessible toilet facilities
• Fire evacuation chair on upper floors
• Fire evacuation refuge points on most staircases
• Passenger lifts at convenient points throughout the main building designed to avoid steps and ramps
• Some wide corridors suitable for wheelchair access

We can provide information on:

• Transport arrangements
• Newcastle Maintenance Allowance – discretionary bursary (CMA)
• Vulnerable Student Bursary (VSB)
• Specialist equipment loans
• Help towards the cost of specialist course related equipment
• Benefits checks for learners over the age of 18 to ensure that they are claiming the appropriate benefits
• Concessionary fare scheme – free bus passes for students with physical or learning disabilities or sensory impairments.
• Direct payments to enable learners to access support or resource over and above their benefits by referral to Social Services.

Denise Haney, Head of Student Services

Tel: 01782 254249 / Email: denise.haney@nscg.ac.uk

Hilary Skelding, Additional Learning Support Co-Ordinator

Tel: 01782 254369 / Email: hilary.skelding@nscg.ac.uk

Mary Bradshaw, Head of Careers and Guidance

Tel: 01782 254261 / Email: mary.bradshaw@nscg.ac.uk

Student Finance Advisors:

Tel: 01782 254188 / Email: help.newcastle@nscg.ac.uk