"The Learning Support Service is committed to meeting the support requirements of learners who study at the College. We look forward to welcoming you to the College and discussing how we may work together"

Judith Poole - Head of Student Services

We are very proud that on the 11 May 2004, Blackpool and The Fylde College received the Learning Skills Council Beacon Award for Equality and Diversity. The Award was given in recognition of our College-wide approach, going beyond compliance with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act.

Personal and Academic Support - provides individual and group support both in and out of class, including:

• Tutors
• Educational Support Workers
• Communicators
• Mentors
• Preliminary Dyslexia Screening
• Support Technologies - for students with additional needs, including:
  • Technology Support - equipment and training to suit learner's individual requirements
  • Individually Adapted Materials - books and resources adapted to suit individual requirements
  • Technical Assessment and Support Centre - affiliated to the National Network of Assessment Centres (NNAC), providing learner's assessment of individual support needs and training in the use of specialist technologies

Contact Us

If you wish to discuss your Learning Support or Additional Needs, please contact us:

Telephone (01253) 504356
Email:
Fax (01253) 356127
TextPhone (01253) 355755

Personal and Academic Support

The Learning Support Services has a large team of people who support learners, both in and out of class, throughout the full range of courses offered by the College. Support is available for learners regardless of their course; ranging from pre-entry courses, through to Higher Education courses.

Support is available to assist learners with a wide range of tasks, including:

• Literacy Support
• Note-taking and dictation
• Personal needs support (out of class)
• Private study sessions
• Prompting and keeping learners 'on task'
• Simplifying/repeating tutor instructions
• Organisation skills
• Personal self-management skills
• Manual tasks
• Communication skills
• Individual support with course-work and organisation of assessments
• Dyslexia/Literacy support including assistance with punctuation, spelling and grammar

We are also able to offer:

• Sign Language for learners with hearing impairments
• ESOL support
• Lip-readers and lip-speakers

Additional Learning Requirements

Within the Learning Support Service we have a dedicated Technology Support Unit and a full-time materials adapter, who is able to convert text and diagrams into a variety of formats. We have a wide selection of equipment, both within the College and outside, which range from low-tech aids such as large-print or coloured keyboard overlays, portable back-supports and footstools, through to high-tech equipment such as specialist software, electronic magnifiers and computer equipment.

We can provide:

• Assessment of learner's needs
• Installation and support of specialist equipment and technologies, such as:
  • AlphaSmart word processors
  • Hearing loops
  • Ergonomic aids
  • Alternative input devices, keyboards, etc
• Arrangement of specialist software, such as:
  • TextHELP Read & Write for learners with dyslexia or literacy difficulties
  • Inspiration mind mapping software to help plan and structure course work and written assignments
  • Supernova, screen reading and magnification software for learners with visual impairments
  • And many others, as required...
• Training in the use of any specialist technologies
• Loan of equipment, where required