Innovative Support Programmes Within FE Education

1. Innovative Support Programmes Within FE Education • This session looks at how FE organisations can plan innovative • support programmes to aid the learning process. • We will discuss • The types of assessment tools used • The types of support available for students • Restrictions caused by the capping of additional support cost • funding.

2. The Assessment Tools Used • Quickscan • Basic/Key Skill Builder (BKSB) • Learning Difficulties Assessment

3. Quickscan • During course allocation ALL 1st year students undertake • Quickscan assessment (800 assessments in 2 days). • 2 computer rooms are equipped with the required software. • Assessment takes c.15mins Please see handout • Students will be informed of the result via a simple sheet, • explaining their learning styles (available to tutors via Rita) • Students who miss the initial testing dates will be invited to • undertake them at a later date

4. Basic/Key Skill Builder (BKSB) BKSB assessments are made available to all level 2 students. Reports are made available to course teachers. One to one support will be made available to students whose assessment score falls below the threshold for their course.

5. Learning Difficulties Assessment This is a 2 hour DSA compliant assessment which generates a full report. The results are forwarded to the students; parents; teachers; and tutors. This will comply with confidentiality.

6. Complex Communication Difficulties Assessment Agency support is requested and a specialist performs an initial assessment. If a concern is raised, further assessment is requested via GP for clinical psychologist opinion.

7. Support Available To Students One to one learning support – for those with specific learning difficulties and those who require general support. Self / teacher/tutor/other/refer In Class support– discussion with subject teacher and academic support staff to aid differentiation and subject support. Drop in support available every block within the drop in study centre. Workshops available in A and G block (lunch times).

8. Support Available To Students cont… Drop in Support Workshop Topics: • Organisation skills • Essay writing • Portfolio building • Grammar/punctuation • Exam technique (inc. stress management).

9. Support Available To Students cont… Study skills – in class support for those studying GCSE English and Maths whose previous grades were E or lower. All level 2 vocational courses are offered specialist support within the lesson. Integrated studies – all year 1 AS students who have a poor GCSE score are timetabled for this support programme which is designed within the General Studies curriculum (including in-class support)

10. Support Available To Students cont… Speech technology training – available to all students (not just those with specific learning difficulties) Agency support – specialist teachers are employed to offer support and guidance for a variety of conditions. For example, Asperger’s syndrome.

11. Further Student Support Information Students with learning difficulties will be issued with awareness sticker, to be placed on the inside cover of any submitted work, to aid teachers in the marking process. Students can self refer to access support. Teachers and tutors can refer students for support throughout the academic year

12. Restrictions Caused By Capping of Additional Support Cost Funding The capping of funding means that more innovative practices are required. We need to look outside the box! New practices include: • Focussing drop in support to focus on a specific area of academic support each ½ term. • Offering group support (problem in that dyslexic students are reluctant to attend – thus a Dyslexic specialist is needed to refer specific students for one to one).