learn enjoy achieve
2016-17 WELCOME HANDBOOK Dear Student Welcome to Aspire Sussex, our adult education charity which aims to help you learn, enjoy and achieve. Within this handbook is essential information which will help to give you the best learning experience possible. In addition, our staff are always happy to help, so if there is anything else you would like to know, just ask.
For all general enquiries and to enrol please contact
0345 6 01 01 61 www.aspiresussex.org.uk
As a student with Aspire Sussex you are entitled to: • Be treated with respect • Learn in a safe environment that is free from bullying and abuse • Be taught by tutors who are qualified and licensed to teach and are competent in their subject • Accurate information on courses and learning opportunities, and opportunities for progression • An introduction to the course and the way it will be run • Teaching and learning opportunities that meet a variety of needs • Additional support to help you achieve your learning goals • An initial assessment, a learning plan, and regular feedback on how you are getting on • Information on all our policies upon request • Any comments you make being respected and handled sympathetically • Confidentiality of any issues you may disclose • Be taught in a safe environment with due regard for safeguarding and radicalisation.
As a student with Aspire Sussex we expect you to: • Make a positive commitment to your own learning • Respect the values of others and their right to learn • Attend and study/practise regularly • Make every effort to be punctual to sessions – lateness can disrupt the learning of others • Inform your tutor and/or administrative support teams if you are unable to attend a class • Avoid any language or behaviour that others may find unkind, discriminatory or offensive • Comply with and support health and safety requirements • Support any quality assurance monitoring processes
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Contents 1. Supporting your Learning .............................................. 4 • Additional Support • Help with English and maths • Learners with Disabilities • Access and venues • Childcare • Health and Safety 2. Absence .....................................................................5 3. Venue closures ..........................................................5 4. Course cancellations .................................................5 5. Fees, flexible payments and financial support ..........5 6. Refunds .......................................................................7 7. Examinations .............................................................7 8. Equality and diversity ...............................................8 9. Safeguarding your learning experience ..................8 10. Acceptable behaviour .............................................9 11. How we use your personal information ...............9 12. Learner Record Service....................................... 10 13. Courses using ICT ................................................ 10 • Portable Storage Devices • Internet Safety 14. Feedback – your comments ................................ 11 Meeting your needs ................................................... 12
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1) Supporting your Learning • Additional support: If you feel you need help to achieve your learning aims due to a disability, a learning difficulty or a health problem, or if you need help in any other way, please contact us for assistance. • Help with English and Maths: If you would like help to improve your English and maths skills, we run a large number of courses in venues close to you that are tailored to your individual needs. If you are on any other course with Aspire Sussex and would like help with English and/or maths, then please let us know and we will pass your details on to the appropriate person, who will arrange for you to have a confidential discussion about ways of helping you. Most of these courses are free. • Learners with disabilities: Aspire Sussex welcomes all adults who want to learn, whatever their ability. If you have a learning difficulty or disability, we will make reasonable changes to support your learning. If you wish to discuss your needs please contact us. • Access and venues: We do our best to locate our courses in buildings that are accessible and regularly monitor the facilities and access arrangements. Parking at venues can sometimes be difficult – please park with care and consideration, ensuring emergency vehicles have easy access. If you have any specific access requirements, please contact your local venue. Limited refreshments are available to purchase at some venues. • Childcare: Aspire Sussex does not make arrangements for childcare. For details of approved childcare in your area please ring WSCC’s Children’s Information Service on 01243 777807. A contribution towards childcare costs may be available to students in some circumstances. • Health and Safety: We are all responsible for our own H&S. If you have concerns over the venue in which your course is taking place please contact 0345 6 01 01 61 or email enquiries@aspriresussex.org.uk If you are on a fitness related course, you will be sent a Health Check form prior to your course starting which must be completed and handed in on your first session to your tutor.
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2) Absence In order for venues and tutors to make appropriate arrangements, please inform us as soon as possible if you know you are going to miss a class. This provides us with the opportunity to arrange for any notes or information to be forwarded to you. If you are absent for 2 weeks without informing us, we may contact you to find out if you intend to return. If you do not return to study, your place may be offered to someone else and you will not be entitled to a refund. If you have to withdraw from a class please inform your tutor or the administrative staff. 3) Venue closures Although we make every effort to ensure that our venues remain open, in the case of severe weather conditions or other unforeseen events, venue closures are sometimes unavoidable. Students are advised to: • Ring 0345 6 01 01 61 for further information • Visit www.aspiresussex.org.uk for the latest updates via our Twitter feed on the homepage 4) Course changes and cancellations Although courses usually run as advertised we reserve the right to alter or change courses as necessary. If occasional sessions have to be postponed due to circumstances beyond our control then alternative dates will be arranged and no refunds will be granted. We also do not grant refunds on the grounds of a change of tutor or venue. If it becomes necessary to close or cancel your course, your fees will be refunded. 5) Fees, flexible payment and financial support You will be expected to pay the full cost of your course but direct debit is available for courses longer then 10 weeks and costing more then £100. If you pay for your course by direct debit you are agreeing to pay all tuition fees. Costs for the whole course including all outstanding balances must be paid in full even if you withdraw. Please contact us for details. Different types of courses are subsidised by government funding in various ways and by different amounts. Aspire Sussex reserves the right to increase fees in the future in line with the government’s funding authorities’ guidance.
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Community Learning courses: For your enjoyment and personal development (including leisure courses). Students on a means tested benefit will be entitled to a 70% discount on tuition fees on production of proof of benefit entitlement. Students over 65 and not on a means tested benefit will be entitled to a 10% discount on tuition fees. Means tested benefits are Jobseeker’s Allowance/Council Tax Benefit/Housing Benefit/Pension Guarantee Credit/Income Support/Working Tax Credits (if household income on the award notice is below £25,000)/Employment and Support Allowance (work related activity group/Support Group – income related) or Universal Credit. Please note due to funding restrictions we are only able to accept students aged 19+ on community learning courses. What types of courses are there and what will I have to pay?: Different types of courses are subsidised by government funding in various ways and by different amounts. Acceptance on to any course is subject to an individual being eligible for government funding. Aspire Sussex reserves the right to increase fees in the future in line with the government’s funding authorities’ guidance.
At Aspire Sussex we try to ensure that finance isn’t a barrier to participating in our Adult Education courses.
19+ Loan
If you are unemployed or are looking to gain a qualification please contact our Student Support team on 0345 6 01 01 61 who will be happy to provide details on the funding support available.
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Are you looking to study a Level 3 and above qualification and are aged 19 or over? If the answer is yes you may be entitled to a loan for your learning. This means that you will no longer have to pay for your course up front and will not need to pay anything until you are earning £21,000 and over per year. These loans will give financial support for tuition fees charged for these courses and are administered through the Student Loan Company. For more information, please contact us on 01444 810710 or visit www.nationalcareerservice.direct.gov.uk/advancedlearningloans
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Learner Support funding may be available to help students who are discouraged from joining a course for financial reasons. If you would like further information please contact us.
Free English and Maths English and Maths courses (including GCSEs, for those who do not already hold a GCSE A*-C) are free to most students aged 16+ subject to meeting funding eligibility. Some additional course costs may be applicable. 6) Refunds – Distance Selling Regulation As many enrolments are made by phone, post or online our refund policy meets the requirements of the Consumer Contracts Regulations. Students have the right to cancel their enrolment within fourteen working days of receiving confirmation, in which case a full refund will be made. If the course starts within that fourteen day period, the right to cancel applies up to the day the course starts. Refunds can also be issued outside the fourteen day period if a written request is received more than four weeks before the start of the course. An administrative charge of £12 will be deducted from the refund. After that time, only requests for refunds as a result of your ill health will be considered. These refunds will be calculated from the date your request is received by the finance team. This must be supported by a certificate from your doctor and an administrative charge of £12 will be deducted from the refund. Cancellation and refund requests must be made by email to enquiries@aspiresussex.org.uk or letter to The Finance Team, Bognor Regis Adult Education Centre, Westloats Lane, Bognor Regis, PO21 5LH. 7) Examinations Students enrolling on courses leading to qualifications are expected to take the examination/assessment at the appropriate time. You will be asked for proof of identity at the time of sitting the exam. Students will be provided with dates of exams and entry forms by the course tutor at the required time. Exam entry fees are included in the enrolment costs. All candidates will be asked to complete the entry form – late entries may be subject to an additional surcharge.
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If your exam result is not what you expected and you feel you have good reason to challenge the result, you are entitled to appeal. Information on the appeals procedure is available from your tutor, or the examinations team. You will be provided with a copy of the internal appeals procedure should you wish to appeal against an assessment marked by your tutor. Charges for examination resits are not part of the initial enrolment fee, and will be incurred at the time of application for the resit. Your results will be posted to you when released, or can be collected from the centre by arrangement. You will be sent an invitation to collect your certificates as soon as they are received. If you have any enquiries regarding special arrangements for your exam/assessment, or any other support you may need, please speak to your tutor in the first instance, or contact us. 8) Equality and diversity Aspire Sussex is committed to meeting its statutory duties in relation to equality and diversity legislation, as specified in the Equality Act 2010. We recognise that people have differing communication, access and cultural needs, and we will make reasonable adjustments so that everyone receives the best from our Service. A copy of our Equality and Diversity policy is available on request. All our staff are aware of their legal duties and responsibilities in promoting Equality and Diversity. 9) Safeguarding your learning experience The Safeguarding of students is of prime importance to us. We believe that students are entitled to a learning experience that takes place in a safe, healthy and supportive environment. In addition, we consider that safe learning is essential to maximise students’ experience and achievement. A copy of our Safeguarding policy is available on request. Filming or recording of classes by students is strictly prohibited. If a staff member believes any person is under the influence of or found in possession of alcohol or drugs they will be asked to leave immediately and will no longer be welcome to attend courses. The Prevent Duty From July 1 2015 Aspire has a legal duty to report concerns 8
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about any student or staff member who may be being radicalised or who may be radicalising others. All concerns should be reported to the Safeguarding Manager for Prevent on 01444 810718 or 07753 457981. Reporting a concern does not automatically criminalise the person reported. If s/he is being radicalised, they may be supported by a range of partner organisations through the Channel programme and will not have a criminal record. Please contact Lynne Smith for further information about the Prevent Duty or the Channel Programme. 10) Acceptable Behaviour At Aspire Sussex we are committed to putting students at the heart of our service. However, there are occasions when students can act in a way a staff member might consider unacceptable. Aspire Sussex expects its staff and other students to be treated in a respectful manner and whilst it is understood that people sometimes get frustrated we will not tolerate behaviour which is deemed unacceptable, threatening, abusive or unreasonably persistent. 11) How we use your Personal Information The personal information you provide is passed to the Skills Funding Agency, and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Where necessary it is also shared with the Department for Education, including the Education Funding Agency. The information is used for the exercise of functions of these government departments and to meet statutory responsibilities, including under the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009, and to create and maintain a unique learner number (ULN) and a personal learning record (PLR). The information you provide may be shared with other organisation for education, training, employment and well-being related purposes, including for research. You may be contacted after you have completed your programme of learning to establish whether you have entered employment or gone onto further training or education. You may be contacted by the English European Social Fund (ESF) Managing Authority, or its agents, to carry out research and evaluation to inform the effectiveness of the programme. Further information about use of and access to your personal data, and details of organisations with whom we regularly share data are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sfa-privacy-notice www.aspiresussex.org.uk
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You have the option to record whether or not you wish to be contacted by the Skills Funding Agency about courses and learning opportunities and also how you prefer to be contacted. If you wish to express a preference not to be contacted at all or not to be contacted specifically by post, telephone or email please contact your local centre or telephone 0345 6 01 01 61 and ask for your preferences to be recorded on your record. The information that you provide will be kept on a computerised information system and will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. 12) Learning Record Service The Learning Record Service is operated by the Skills Funding Agency and collects data relating to learners registering for relevant post 14 qualifications. It offers a facility that stores lifelong learner achievements directly from relevant awarding bodies. By providing your personal information, relevant organisations will have access to your Personal Learning Record in order to assess your achievements, awards and credits and to offer advice and guidance. You as the learner will have complete visibility of all data relating to you and will be able to decide which organisations can see this data. You will be issued with a Unique Learner Number (ULN), which will allow you to access all this information yourself via the Internet, and where you can also select your preferred opt out settings regarding sharing your information. Please note you cannot opt out of having a ULN. The law guarantees that personal details are handled securely and sensitively. Information will only be passed to people who have a legitimate reason to see it, such as examination boards, colleges or government agencies with responsibility for education and training. For further information and access to your personal record please go to www.learningrecordsservice.org.uk or telephone 0845 602 2589. 13) Courses using ICT • Portable Storage Devices – A number of courses make use of IT equipment and some allow for the use of portable storage devices (CDs, DVDs, USB memory sticks, digital camera memory cards) either provided as part of the course or brought in by students and tutors. Although virus checkers are used on all our computers there is always the possibility of virus infection owing to the wide ranging use of the equipment. In all circumstances it is the responsibility of the user (student or tutor) to ensure that when they subsequently use such media on external computers (e.g. a student’s home computer) they virus check it prior to use. 10
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Aspire Sussex cannot accept responsibility for the appearance of viruses on external computers. • Internet Safety – Aspire Sussex promotes and encourages use of the Internet to support learning. Students are expected to use the Internet for its intended educational purpose only, and in compliance with our Service’s Safeguarding Policy. Students found to be making unacceptable use of the internet will be asked to leave immediately and will no longer be welcome to attend courses. • Our Internet Safety Policy is available on request. If you have any questions about internet use or safety please speak to your tutor. 14) Feedback Your comments, compliments and complaints We like to know what you think so please tell us if: • We have done something well, such as provided good service or a tutor has made your learning particularly enjoyable. We will be pleased to pass on your compliments. • You have any comments or suggestions to help us improve our service or ideas for new courses. We welcome your thoughts and will consider all contributions made. • You need to make a complaint. Let us know at the earliest opportunity to enable us to resolve issues quickly. We are keen to ensure your learning experience is positive and will review all complaints fairly, appropriately and in confidence. You can register your comments by: • Speaking to your tutor or any member of staff. • Using the “tell us what you think” post boxes in venues. • Email enquiries@aspiresussex.org.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you have received, if things have gone really wrong or you feel you have been treated unfairly you can make a formal complaint in writing to: Quality Standards Team Aspire Sussex, Southwick Community Centre, 24 Southwick Street BN42 4TE Surveys will take place during the year to ensure we continuously monitor the quality of our service. As the majority of our courses are subsidised, from time to time we will contact you to complete surveys on behalf of organisations such as Ofsted and the Skills Funding Agency. Please complete these surveys which will help safeguard future funding for adult education. www.aspiresussex.org.uk
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Meeting your needs! At Aspire Sussex, we try hard to meet the needs of our students. We provide information and advice to help you choose the right course for you. We do: • Keep an up to date display of leaflets/brochures • Signpost people to other providers • Provide information on our fee policy • Identify ways of supporting your learning • Provide information and advice on all our courses • Provide up to date information on courses provided by other organisations across West Sussex We are unable to: • Provide information on areas other than education and training • Provide specific information on courses outside our geographic area • Provide internet access for information about courses at Centres
For all general enquiries and to enrol please contact
0345 6 01 01 61 www.aspiresussex.org.uk Aspire Sussex Limited is a registered charity in England and Wales No: 1149439