Additional Learning Support (ALS) is highly valued at Swindon College and has a significant and positive impact on student success. Around 900 learners receive learning support each year, which has enabled the College to establish a highly experienced and effective Additional Support Department.

Students with learning difficulties and disabilities, as well as those considered vulnerable (i.e. looked-after children, young carers, those with mental ill health and/or medical conditions), benefit from Additional Learning Support at Swindon College.

Our extensive and comprehensive ALS services (with over 130 staff) are available to your organisation. We can create flexible and highly effective support packages to meet different needs. Students in receipt of Learning Support at Swindon College achieve above college success rates* (*College success rates are above national averages and the College is in the top 10% of colleges in England).

Packages are tailored for each individual student and can include any of the following:

Class Support:

• One-to-one or shared classroom support 
• Use of specialist and/or technological assistive equipment 
• Specialist support to learn and develop appropriate social and communication behaviours 
• Literacy and/or numeracy support in or out of the classroom 
• On-going independent psychological support and mentoring based within the educational environment 
• Support for and in exams 
• BSL interpreters and/or communication support.

Other Intervention:

• Well planned transition support and specialist mentoring into college from school 
• Appropriate therapies including speech and language therapy 
• Access to a quiet room 
• Counselling and/or cognitive behavioural therapy 
• Anger management/life coaching programmes 
• Medical assistance including creation of health care plans 
• Links with appropriate external professions including disability health and care teams, youth workers, social services and community mental health teams.
• Regular parent or carer contact, interaction and liaison 
• Links with supported employment initiatives.

Specialist assessments:

• Specialist dyslexia assessments/ specialist support 
• Access to cognitive from psychological assessment teams 
• Access to support and risk assessments and recommendation for on-going support

Meet the Team
The Additional Learning Support Team is made up over 100 staff with a range of specialisms. The team is split into three specific strands as outlined below.

Transition Team
The Transition Team works closely with schools and other providers to ensure the right support package is put in place based on historical support and explores the needs the student may have at Swindon College.

Some students may be anxious when first starting at college. Swindon College’s Transition Team recognise this and will allocate a mentor, who will ensure each learner quickly gets used to the college environment and will liaise with the student’s tutors to ensure a successful start to life at Swindon College.
Skills Development Team

The Skills Development Team is a specialist team which helps students specifically develop their literacy and numeracy skills and abilities.

On-Programme Support Team
The On-Programme Team is made up of a large team of student support workers who predominantly work with learners within the classroom situation. The team ensure that the right support is put in place at the start to maximise and develop independence and ensure the students reaches their potential. Within this team, there is a Specialist Provision Team that works with students who have more complex needs and will closely co-ordinate with other professionals and parents to ensure a holistic approach to learning.

For general ALS Team enquiries, please phone: (01793) 498975.