Winstanley College Support

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SERIOUS

ABOUT SUPPORT

A guide to how we support you at Winstanley College “We believe that every student who comes to us has amazing potential - it’s our job to work with you so that you can unlock that potential. Life here at Winstanley will be new and challenging, but don’t worry; our main aim is to help you be the best you can be.”

Louise Tipping, Principal

CONTENTS

1) Supporting Your Journey 2) Supporting Your Learning 3) Pastoral Support 4 ) Planning for the Future 5) Individual Needs • Student Wellbeing 6) Focusing on the Individual

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SUPPORTING YOUR JOURNEY e take student support and guidance seriously. We respect you as an individual and we will respond to your individual needs whenever we have contact with you, whether it is during an Open Evening, an admissions interview, a lesson, a tutorial, or a discussion after exam results day. This is at the heart of how we support you through your journey with us: from the moment of application, through to your progression to university, employment and beyond; we are here to help you.

“The support offered at Winstanley College is brilliant! Whether you need help with your subject, career options or just general wellbeing, you’re are never far away from a helping hand.”

Subject Specific Support You could be stuck on a particular piece of work and need some help from your subject teacher. If this is the case, then do not worry as tutorials are available to students in each subject. Tutorials are tailored towards your specific needs and may focus on exploring a topic in greater depth, reviewing work studied in lesson or going beyond the A-level content. All support is intended to assist you with your understanding and help you achieve the very best.

In the classroom, teachers will encourage you and challenge you to meet your full potential.

Within each department, there are study spaces, online support and teachers who will feedback to you to reinforce learning.

Examples of subject specific support: Internally produced class notes and work packs Online tutorials, resources, assessments, exam practice and revision resources Small group tutorials Supported seating in lessons Individual action plans Revision classes and workshops Assistance with revision methods One to one progress review meetings Subject specific skills development Referrals for learning support, as appropriate, which may result in support such as the use of laptops, coloured resources and extra time in assessments

“My teachers have always challenged and motivated me to do my best. They have spent time with me for 1 to 1 and group tutorials when I have not achieved as expected. I really want to do well for me and my teachers; it really feels like a team effort.”

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Serious About Support

SUPPORTING YOUR LEARNING

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he priority of our Study Support Department is to help you learn and to help you fulfil your potential. The college library (Learning Resource Centre - LRC) has been recently modernised and is fully equipped with a silent study space, bookable tutorial rooms, computer access and a wide range of books and journals, both in print and online.The library also hosts the cross-college study support available to all students.

Study Support To assist with learning disabilities, physical and sensory impairments and health conditions, we provide individualised assistance. We will also provide this for you if you require temporary assistance, such as having a broken arm or leg, so that you are able to continue with your studies. In addition to supplying specific equipment and expert services, the Library also provides students with a peaceful place to study. College has a fully equipped hygiene suite to make the college more accessible and to ensure that all students can fully engage in college life. Within the department, you will find separate teams of specialist teachers and assessors, independent learning assistants (ILAs) and library assistants.

“Leaders, managers and teachers ensure that the same ambitious curriculum is accessible to all students, including those who have special educational needs and high needs. For example, they have built a high-specification care suite for students with high needs that are very complex. All students with additional needs benefit from a curriculum that includes highly individualised support and care.

Consequently, students participate fully in learning and achieve ambitious goals, for example to study at prestigious universities.”

OFSTED 2020:

Student Assessment During your first term at college, you will complete an assessment to identify any learning needs that you may have. If a report highlights indicators of a specific learning need, for example dyslexia or dyspraxia, or that study skills support would be beneficial, you will be referred to our study support team and ILAs (Independent Learning Assistants).

Independent Learning Assistants (ILAs) ILAs are a team of support staff who provide study skills support to students. We offer one-to-one sessions tailored to your individual needs which may include practical advice and resources to improve organisation, time-management, learning methods, essay writing and revision skills. Students may self-refer or be referred by their teachers.

“The ILAs have been very supportive, especially helping to develop revision resources and time management. You are able to communicate with them by email outside of lessons. The library is a fantastic study space and me and my friends regularly book the group revision rooms. There is always a computer available in college to work on.”

“Students feel that the campus is welcoming and modern. They like the library and the designated areas across the college for group or silent study. They find the additional online study resources useful and many use these to extend their learning.”

OFSTED 2020:

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PASTORAL SUPPORT

Personal Tutors When you enrol at College, you will be assigned to a Guidance group and a Personal Tutor who will play a vital role in your college life. Your Personal Tutor's priority is to ensure that you settle into college; have a happy and fulfilling experience; succeed in your studies; fulfil your potential and advance to Higher Education or employment. In addition to having regular one-to-ones with your Personal Tutor, you will attend regular group Guidance sessions which are a compulsory part of your timetable. Your Personal Tutor will get to know you well and will track your progress; become a focal point for support; monitor your attendance and achievement throughout your time at college and help you decide on your future career plans.

Senior Tutors If you have a complex situation that could take time to resolve, you could be referred for guidance and support to a Senior Tutor. If your Senior Tutor is unable to answer your query, the Assistant Principal for Student Support will assist you with your course, welfare and academic queries.

“The tutor and lecture systems are brilliantly organised and are good for getting each and every student to experience the right level of attention.”

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Serious About Support

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

“Leaders and managers ensure that students receive a comprehensive programme of impartial careers information, advice and guidance for each year of study. Careers advisers are highly qualified. Most students benefit from guidance that meets their individual needs and ambitions. For example, guidance supports students’ applications to university or builds their confidence in finding employment.”

OFSTED 2020:

W

e recently become one of the first colleges in the country to be recognised for outstanding careers provision by achieving all eight Gatsby benchmarks. The benchmarks are a national framework for good careers guidance, created to support schools and colleges in providing students with the best possible careers education, information, advice and guidance.

Our careers team provides high quality support for progression into Higher Education, higher level apprenticeships, employment and gap years.

Careers During term time, our careers advisers are available every day. Our advisers will discuss and help you prepare for your next steps. We have an extensive range of careers resources including university prospectuses and our intranet site has supportive information about entry into Higher Education, apprenticeships and employment. We also provide you with support regarding work experience and volunteering opportunities and organise a number of careers events including Progression Week, the Careers and Apprenticeship Fair and the Volunteer Fair. Optional lunchtime talks from a variety of speakers including universities, apprenticeship providers, employers and professional bodies are integrated throughout the year. With over 95% of our students progressing onto Higher Education or degree apprenticeship routes, a great emphasis is placed on supporting and guiding university applications. However, we value each individual and therefore pride ourselves on the same high standard of support if you are seeking an alternative progression route such as employment.

“There are so many opportunities at Winstanley and so much support for finding out about and applying to universities, or any career path you wish to take.”

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INDIVIDUAL NEEDS

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he priority of our Student Services team is to help with any queries or questions you may have. If we cannot answer your question we are able to identify the correct person who can. Student Services is therefore the first place you should visit regarding all matters that are non-academic.

Student Services We run a friendly, convenient service and are open throughout the college day. You can come and talk to us about issues such as organising a bus pass, buying a locker or scheduling a careers appointment. We are also available for more targeted help such as financial aid, information about free school meals, or if you simply have a question and don't know who to talk to, then the staff at Student Services are here to help!

Financial Support If your worry is to do with the cost of attending college, we can talk to you about the 16–19 Bursary Fund, which offers some help towards transport costs, books and equipment for students from households whose income qualifies.

In addition to the 16-19 Bursary, The Up Holland Educational Foundation aims to provide financial help to students under the age of 25 years living in the Winstanley College catchment area. As a guideline, if your family relies on benefits, or income is less than £25,000 per year you may be eligible to apply. However, individual circumstances can also be taken into account. More information can be found on our website.

Extra Help If you are a student who is looked after by the local authority, a care leaver, or if you have a caring responsibility at home, you are able to receive specific financial, emotional and practical support, should you wish. You can speak to staff in Student Services at any time for more information.

Counselling Service Our experienced counsellors are available to support you with any complex issue you may have, whether related to college life or not. Students can self-refer for appointments and all appointments are treated in the strictest confidence.

“Student support is an undeniably useful resource that students have, it helps with so much of student life and in alleviating some stress from future exams by giving students the resources they need to do the best possible.”

STUDENT WELLBEING Nurture Room The Nurture Room is a quiet relaxing space for some students to work when they may be finding it difficult to be in the busier areas of college. The Nurture Room supervisor is on hand throughout the day and a friendly face when things may be a bit difficult. From here, you can access a range of resources as well as being able to access other services such as counselling if required. Sometimes just being able to talk to someone and having that safe space can make all the difference.

“If I had a busy day, where I don’t feel motivated, the Nurture Room is the place I can go to talk and relax. It’s a safe place and the supervisors are super friendly and always know the right things to say to help lift my mood.”

College Events Significant cross-college activities such as Heathy College Day, Respect Week and Mind, Body and Soul Week are just some examples of key events that are incorporated into the college calendar and are fundamental to our inclusive values.

Transition from School It can be both an enjoyable and a nervous time starting College. Leaving familiar places and routines can often feel different, but we are here to help you make the adjustment into life at College. Throughout induction, support staff will be on hand to assist you, offer guidance or just to have a chat. The routine of College is very different to school - teachers are known by their first names and there isn't a bell to indicate when lessons start and finish! It won't take you very long to adjust and you will soon find your way around. One thing you can always be sure of is that there is a friendly, welcoming member of staff to answer any questions you may have.

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S e r i o us A b o ut S up p o r t

FOCUSING ON THE INDIVIDUAL Equal Opportunities In all our roles and activities, we are fully committed to the promotion of equal opportunities and the importance of healthy relations between individuals from different classes, including groups defined by age, disability (physical and mental health), gender, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and sexual orientation. We will take active measures to encourage equal opportunities and to celebrate diversity, and as you would expect, we will not tolerate any racial or sexual abuse, sexist or racist jokes and insults, bullying or any other form of intimidation or discrimination. We are committed to ensuring that disabled people are treated equally (including those with medical conditions). To ensure that everyone with a disability is not disadvantaged, we will make the required amendments to the college provisions. We expect all students to show consideration and respect for others, in keeping with fundamental British values: democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. These are also values shared by many throughout the world.

Safeguarding We recognise that we play a key role in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our students. We will do our upmost to support and help where there are concerns about the safety or wellbeing of an individual, but in some circumstances, we might need to move our concerns on to the external agencies, such as local children's services department, the police or health services. As students are below the age of 18 when they join us, we have a clear responsibility to ensure that whilst in our care, they feel safe and protected. We also have a responsibility to help prevent students from being radicalised and drawn into extremism, which is also viewed as a safeguarding matter.

“Students are very respectful and caring for each other. They show high levels of tolerance and understanding across the diverse student population. For example, students benefit from a very active LGBT+ society that is supported and encouraged by leaders and managers. During Black History Month, students celebrated Black British history by promoting prominent Black British individuals from across society.”

For more information on support or to arrange a one-to-one appointment, please contact our welfare team on support@winstanley.ac.uk who will be happy to help.

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SERIOUS

ABOUT SUPPORT winstanley.ac.uk