Learning Support Services

Disability Statement

Adam Smith College has a strong commitment to equal opportunities and we welcome applications from students with Additional Support Needs.

The Learning Support team can help you to manage your work and to be as independent as possible. The team work closely with staff, so that students who need additional help are given support. Disability awareness training and advice about adapting teaching methods for students who have particular difficulties is also provided.

The learning support system exists for all students; so don't be afraid to investigate what we have to offer. Although you are most likely to contact the member of the team on your own campus because this is convenient, you are free to use learning support services in the part of the College, which suits you at a particular time.

We hope to help you to make your time at College as successful as possible. Our aim is to assist you to achieve your personal, educational and employment goals.

Learning Support Staff

Vivien Clarke is the Team Leader based at the Stenton Campus in Room N4.4. Telephone 223041 and e-mail vivienclarke@adamsmith.ac.uk .

Alison Henderson is based in room S02 in the Priory Campus, Nairn Learning Centre. Alison supports Nairn and IAT students, and also some students at St Brycedale. Telephone 07808056425 and e-mail alisonhenderson@adamsmith.ac.uk .

Rhona Crisp is based in the Learner Services area in the St Brycedale Campus. Rhona supports most of the students studying in St Brycedale. Telephone 223342 and e-mail rhonacrisp@adamsmith.ac.uk .

Angela Green is based at the Stenton Campus. Angela supports students studying at Stenton and is based in Room N4.4. Telephone 223041 and e-mail angelagreen@adamsmith.ac.uk .

The Learning Support Team offers a wide variety of support services to students and staff. Learning Assistants and Facilitators also provide support.

Personal Appointments

Appointments will be arranged for you when you apply to College, if you tell us about your support needs on your application form. You can also make a personal appointment to discuss your learning needs at any time if you feel you have difficulty learning. These can be booked at each library reception desk.

Appointment arrangements are advertised on College notice boards. You can do this by telephone if you prefer, or talk to a lecturer to assist you. Telephone 01592 223010 for Stenton and Levenmouth campuses; 01592 223414 for Kirkcaldy campuses. Alternatively, email Learning Support - Appointments.

What you discuss with the learning support staff is confidential . It can help you to succeed, if the staff who work with you are aware of your additional support needs but information will only be passed on to another member of staff with your permission. The best support comes from you the student, your lecturers/tutors and the learning support staff all working together.

Every student has individual needs, so support provision varies. Please be open about what learning support you need to help you to succeed in your studies Please apply as soon as you can, so your support needs can be planned as soon as possible and agreed in a Personal Learning Support Plan.

Personal Learning Support Plan

If you have a learning difficulty or disability, or short-term difficulty such as a broken arm, which means you need extra support, a Personal Learning Support Plan (PLSP) will be agreed with you. It takes account of your additional support needs e.g. visual or hearing impairment, specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, a health and/or mobility difficulty. Once you are happy with the support plan, this information will be given, (with your permission) to your Curriculum Head and the staff involved in your course.

Educational Support

The College has a range of options to help you on your course. In addition to offering study skills workshops and classes in literacy and numeracy you can come for extra help with your course work or learn how to use assistive technology.

The College provides:

Learning support in the learning bases at each campus so that you can keep up to date with work, as well as getting supported study
Double staffing in some classes
Readers and scribes, if necessary for assessments
Assessments for dyslexia and scotopic sensitivity
Dyslexia stickers for assessment pieces to remind tutors, so work is marked sympathetically
Extended loan for library books
Photocopying cards

Alternative Assessment arrangements can be put in place, for example:

Reader
Scribe
Extra Time
Rest Breaks
Use of Technology
Interpreter
Adapted Material
Transcription
Prompter

Competence Standards

Under the Disability Discrimination Act, the College makes reasonable adjustments to support people with a disability in their course work and during assessments. These can include adaptations and personal support. However, there is no duty to make reasonable adjustment to a provision, criterion or practice, which the Act defines as a 'competence standard'.

The purpose of an assessment is to determine a student’s competence in a particular area and so, importantly, standards are set when students are assessed. If a student with a disability has difficulties accessing the assessment or examination process, the college considers alternative ways in which students can show they can achieve the standard. Many qualifications are assessed by means of showing a practical skill or ability and there may be times when no reasonable adjustment can be made.

Please apply early and tell us of your additional support need, so that we can anticipate your support fully. A place on a course may be refused in the application of a competence standard, if no reasonable adjustment can be implemented.

Confidentiality Statement

The College follows data protection legislation and in normal circumstances, confidentiality will be respected at all times. There are times however when we will not keep matters confidential.

These would be: