Learning Support Services

Learning Support Services, based on the ground floor of Xavier Wing, focus on enhancing access to the curriculum for all students. At SFX, we are committed to enhancing access to the curriculum for all students.

Support is offered across the curriculum and the aim is to develop the language and learning abilities of all of those requiring assistance in order for students to achieve their full potential.

In Learning Support, we strive to:

• Create a climate of high expectation and achievement.
• Value a broad range of talents, abilities and achievements.
• Promote success and self-esteem.
• Remove barriers to learning.
• Promote understanding and appreciation of diversity.
• Students are integrated into the course programmes of the college. Students pursue additional accredited qualifications in literacy and numeracy according to their needs to enhance their main course of study.  Examples of such courses are Cambridge PET and First Certificate in English courses or OCR Achievement in Literacy courses.
• Each student identified as having a learning difficulty, disability (for example Dyslexia) or who have English as an additional language will be offered additional support. The student, the subject tutor and the personal tutor will negotiate the nature of this support. It will be selected from the following:
  • - in-class support in lessons where there are specific areas of difficult
  • - individual specialist tutorials in the students’ free periods
  • - workshop facilities offering support in English and Mathematics
  • - additional pastoral support

• Specialist software and I.T. resources are available for students to use including mind mapping and concept mapping software, voice recognition software and texthelp.  The majority of this software is also used at HE institutions, so students will have already developed relevant study skills required for university.  Dyslexia friendly hardware is also offered to students including colour coded keyboards and the loan of laptops.
• In cases where the nature of the student’s disability requires specialised teaching and equipment, other than dyslexia, outside agencies are involved. We have forged strong links with Oak Lodge School, telephone 020 8675 9751, who currently provide additional teaching support and equipment for students who are deaf or have partial hearing.
• Liaison with our main partner schools enables us to assess the needs of students with learning difficulties or disabilities, and where possible to make courses accessible to them. Links with local special schools have raised the profile of the college in the local community for students with learning difficulties and disabilities.
• All new students sit a College Screening Assessment in order to identify students who may have dyslexia, a learning difficulty or English as an additional language.
• Learning Support Services works closely with the college LRC to develop resources in order to ensure that students with a learning difficulty or disability are given full access to the curriculum at all times.
• Students will be helped to apply to HE institutions, for example, university and help with applications for the DSA (Disabled Students’ Allowance) is also given.

The college’s first point of contact for issues relating to these students is the Head of Learning Support, Sarah Hopp. Students and parents are invited to read the College’s Disability Statement (please click here to download a copy), a copy of which is sent to students who identify themselves as having a disability on the application form. The College has a Confidentiality and Disclosure Policy that ensures information regarding a student’s disability will not be passed on without their written consent.