Hereford College of Arts has a diverse mix of students, including people with different learning styles and needs. We have a positive, inclusive atmosphere where all of our students are able to access support for their studies. Below, you can find more information about Additional Learning Support specifically at FE level or at HE level.

“Students enjoy their time at college. The ethos of the college through the integration of college values ensures that students feel safe and are enabled and empowered to take creative risks and develop their artistic potential in a safe, respectful and tolerant environment.”

Ofsted 2017

Our students give us fantastic feedback about the academic and personal support available to them. At HCA we understand that your studies may prove challenging at times or other issues can provide obstacles to overcome. Students can access a wealth of friendly advice and guidance – from your personal tutor through to specialist staff – help is never far away.

If you feel you need further assistance, your tutor and course leader will be your first point of contact, but also on hand is a range of specialist, friendly support staff that you can reach out to:

  • Registry and Finance
  • Library
  • Student Experience Officer
  • Careers Guidance
  • Workshop and Technical Staff
  • Learning Support Team

“The environment and atmosphere are the main highlights of my time here, as well as meeting lots of creative people.”

Study Plus

The Study Plus programme is designed for any students who would like a little extra help to develop their work further, or who feel they want to catch up on an area of work. It is delivered

by specialist teaching staff who work with course tutors to ensure students achieve their personal learning goals. The aim of Study Plus is to ensure all students receive appropriate support and guidance to complete their course to the best of their ability and succeed in their chosen area.

For further details email us at studyplus@hca.ac.uk

Drop-in Support at college-level

Informal lunchtime drop-in sessions offer students the opportunity to come along for help with written work, organisation, research, etc. The sessions are led by specialist staff, and are available to any students who want a little more help or guidance. Students can pop in every week or just once – it’s up to them

At HCA, our students’ welfare and happiness is paramount. To find out more about the support we can provide in this area, please visit our Wellbeing page.

 

Learning Support at College (FE) Level

Additional Learning Support (ALS) is committed to providing a high standard of specialised and individually tailored support to improve outcomes for all students. This support includes extra provision for those who:

  • would benefit from enhancing their academic writing, referencing and critical thinking skills;
  • need to further develop their English and Maths abilities;
  • require exam access arrangements such as 25% extra time;
  • have particular learning needs and need to focus on developing their organisation, planning and academic abilities;
  • have English as their second language (EAL);
  • may benefit from using Assistive Technology to develop greater independence.

ALS is currently delivered through several strands of transition and post transition support, specialist English, Maths or EAL support, as well as individual coursework support. Specialist ALS support aims to involve learners in setting their own targets and working together with their ALS tutors to achieve their full potential and develop their independence throughout their chosen course of study.

All students also have access to lunchtime drop-in sessions for support for all areas including coursework, English and Maths, study skills, EAL, information, advice and guidance.

FAQs

Who is ALS for?

Any student in the College can attend ALS.  We will support them to develop their skills and abilities, and if appropriate, show them how assistive technologies can support them to complete their work independently.

How can I access additional support with my coursework?

Students can ask their course tutor to refer them or they can drop into ALS and refer themselves.  They can also access support on a more informal basis by attending lunch-time drop-in sessions which are held Monday to Thursday.

Will ALS sessions clash with my course timetable?

We make every effort to timetable regular ALS sessions at times when students have self-directed study and liaise with their course tutors to keep them up to date with your progress.

I’m taking English and Maths alongside my other subject qualification; will I have exam access arrangements like I did at school?

Potentially, yes.  We meet with students to discuss the access arrangements they had at their previous school/college, and to look at their current learning need.   All access arrangements must meet Joint Council for Qualification (JCQ) criteria, and the arrangement/s must be the student’s normal way of working.

Can I be assessed for specific learning difficulties in ALS?

Although we do not conduct formal diagnostic assessment we can advise you how to go about the process.

For further information about support at FE level please contact us at: felearningsupport@hca.ac.uk

Learning Support at University (HE) Level

Our Additional support team is highly qualified, experienced and successful. All students can access practical advice, guidance and support for their study skills and personal learning strategies. The team also helps students with specific disabilities develop tailored independent learning strategies. The Specialist team works with course teams and all members of Staff at HCA to promote a student-friendly learning environment that gives every student the best possible opportunity to succeed.

Some students choose to drop in for a one-off session to enhance their written assignments or prepare for a presentation, whist other students access more formal tutorial support on a weekly or daily basis depending on their support needs. Our aim is to develop your academic skills so you can work as independently and successfully as possible.

General overview:

  • All course teams have a support liaison tutor and a specialist tutor linked to the course team
  • All students have access to specialist advice and guidance about any difficulties with their studies or in relation to an existing difficulty or disability
  • All students have open access to our Study Plus support provision which is available throughout the week, and is designed to offer access to study skills guidance and teaching provided by specialist tutors
  • All students have the opportunity to attend focused workshops designed to support aspects of their curriculum, and these are usually based in the course areas or in the library and are delivered by specialist tutors
  • Students with an identified difficulty and/or disability can have help and support to apply for the Disabled Students’ Allowance
  • Students who are allocated specialist 1-to-1 support through a Disabled Students’ Allowance may be allocated a tutor within the Hereford College of Arts specialist team by Student Finance (Student Finance England, Student Finance Wales, or Student Finance Northern Ireland); allocation of the provision is identified in the student’s Assessment of Needs report

Specialised Support for Students with Disabilities and/or Difficulties

Hereford College of Arts has an excellent reputation for providing a wide range of specialist support for students. As you decide where you wish to study you should take into consideration any additional support needs that you may have.

It is very important that you make sure we are aware of any particular difficulties and/or disabilities you may have so that advice regarding the appropriate support can be provided.

You should ensure that you have an up to date diagnostic report, written after your sixteenth birthday, of any difficulties you have. This will need to be written by a professional such as an Educational Psychologist, a medical consultant, or Specialist Teacher, etc.

Your current school or college will be able to help and advise you about arranging this assessment.

If you are not currently in education, you should contact Hereford College of Arts to discuss the assessment process with a member of the Additional Learning Support (ALS) team who are here to help and advice.

There are a number of difficulties which need to be assessed and include:-

Physical/mobility difficulties

  • Mental Health issues
  • Difficulties with reading, writing, research and personal organisation Specific Learning difficulties (dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • On-going health issues Visual Impairment Hearing Impairment

Note: If your difficulty/disability is not listed above, please contact our Higher Education ALS Co-ordinator, Fenella Lloyd, for advice (contact details provided overleaf).

Correct assessment of your difficulties may entitle you to a level of financial support from Student Finance through the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) even if you do not think you are disabled.

Disabled Students Allowance

We strongly recommend you begin the Disabled Students Allowance application process as soon as possible as it is a lengthy process. We will be unable to provide support without this process having been completed and approved.

Once you have accepted a place at Hereford College of Arts, and your DSA has been approved, you will need to provide Fenella Lloyd (HE Additional Learning Support Co-ordinator) with copies of your Diagnostic Report, a copy of your Access Report (this is part of the Disabled Students Allowance application process), and a copy of your DSA approval letter.

Student Finance England may allocate your support to an external agency. The ALS team is happy to help with putting this in place and can also offer support additional to this so it is very important to let the ALS Co-ordinator have as much information as possible.

NMH Rates

DSA accreditation certificate

Learn more about Disabled Students Allowances.

The College is able to provide support for students who do not have a Disabled Students Allowance in place but this support may be less specific to your individual needs.

The College will also identify appropriate Compensatory Measures for any student disclosing a disability or learning difficulty following enrolment as long as relevant evidence is provided.

If you would like to discuss your additional needs, or have any queries about assessment of your difficulties, eligibility for the Disabled Students Allowance or the kinds of support that Hereford College of Arts can offer you, please contact:

Fenella Lloyd, Additional Learning Support Co-ordinator for Higher Education by:

Email: helearningsupport@hca.ac.uk

Telephone: 01432 273359, extension 111 (9.00am – 1.30pm Monday to Friday).

Post: Fenella Lloyd HE Specialist Support Co-ordinator Hereford College of Arts, College Road Campus College Road Hereford, HR1 1EB

FAQ

How do I get an assessment of my difficulties or disabilities?

You can speak to a member of the specialist team at any time about having an assessment of your difficulties and/or disabilities.

When should I apply for extra help?

You should speak to a member of the specialist team at the earliest possible opportunity.

The processing of a Disabled Students’ Allowance application takes approximately 3 months to complete.

You can speak to the specialist team for information, advice, or guidance before applying, during the application process, prior to enrolment, or at any point from enrolment onwards.

I don’t know if I’m dyslexic, and can I have help?

All students have open access to the specialist team who can discuss your individual needs and the best way to proceed.

The College offer a wide range of non-Disabled Students’ Allowance help and support as an integral part of your studies.

Will it cost me money to get extra help for my studies?

The College offer a wide range of non-Disabled Students’ Allowance help and support as an integral part of your studies.

If you are applying for the Disabled Students’ Allowance, some formal assessments and specialist equipment or assessment will require some additional costs to be met; this varies according to individual need and will be made clear to you by Student Finance England, Student Finance Wales, or Student Finance Northern Ireland.

What specialist Disabled Students’ Allowance support can the College provide?

The College is accredited to provide support for students with a range of specific learning difficulties (SpLDs) as well as Autistic Spectrum Difficulties (ASD)

Student Finance England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, are responsible for allocating individual support and some students will be allocated specialist support from agencies from outside the College.  Unfortunately, the allocation of this support is beyond the control of the College.

For further details about support at HE level, please contact us at: helearningsupport@hca.ac.uk