Access and Inclusion. Operate under universal access principles, adhere to Council's access and equity principles and work to overcome all barriers to participation be they physical or financial
Access and Inclusion. The College is currently developing its Access and Inclusion Strategy through its Safeguarding Group and the new strategy will be published in July 2019. Priority Outcomes related to Access and Inclusion to be delivered through the period AY 2019/20 to AY 2021/22 include: • increased access to language acquisition and opportunities for usage and increasing the number of learners undertaking SMO FE programmes • enabling more people to access Gaelic culture, through the implementation of our new arts strategy • increased activity with schools, adult learners, UHI partners, other public sector organisations regionally and nationally to increase coherence in learning provision • increased engagement with schools at local, regional and national level leading to increased student recruitment and awareness of tertiary Gaelic education and employment opportunities • increase the number and location of Gaelic-language FE short courses provided by the College to provide more opportunities to gain fluency and increased access to learning • continue the delivery of Seachdain nan Teaghlach (Family Learning Week) in partnership with local authorities through Community Learning and Development (CLAD) • establish a scholarship scheme to support students from under-represented groups - building on partnerships with SDS and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS)
Access and Inclusion. Newbattle Abbey College plays a significant national and local role in promoting and implementing access and inclusion across the curriculum. The college’s Access and Inclusion Strategy is very well developed and has had a significant impact on learners of all ages. In response to strategy, staff have developed positive partnerships with external specialists to enhance outcomes for students with additional support needs. The success of this collaboration is demonstrated in improved access and attainment. Access and Inclusion is core to all the college’s learning and teaching activities and is embedded into all programmes through differentiated learning, support for learning and the flexibility of timetabling. The impact of this is shown in our destination analysis of student numbers and the proportion of full-time college qualifiers in work, training and further study 36 months after qualifying. The college continues to be significantly above the Scottish average. Responding to the diverse and evolving needs of students, we adopt a continuous enhancement approach across the college. We target early identification of need at recruitment stage and support is sustained throughout the learning programme and prior to transition to other learning options or employment. When required, we seek support from specialist staff from other agencies to ensure that all students have access to specialist equipment, assistive technology, counselling and appropriate learning material to enhance their learning experience. All of our students receive regular reviews of their progress through 1:1 and group Guidance support. Personal Learning Support plans (PLSPs) are developed for relevant students and all students have Individual Learning Plans (ILPs). During 2018, we will develop staff skills to analyse data relating to equalities, inclusion and diversity. This will include SIMD statistics and gender action plans. We will also create opportunities for staff and students to celebrate equality and diversity. We will ensure that they are involved in reviewing equalities and inclusion in the curriculum and across the college.
Access and Inclusion. The college is committed to maintaining a culture of equal rights and equality of opportunity where all staff, students and partners are treated fairly and equally, and with respect. We value diversity and aim to xxxxxx good relations, and eliminate discrimination, victimisation and harassment of any form, including gender-based violence. The college will continue to make progress on mainstreaming equalities in our work. Equality and diversity The college progresses this work through our Access and Inclusion Plan, Equalities Policy and Procedure, and Equalities Action Plan. These set out our direction on ensuring services and courses are open and inclusive for all, and that we attract and meet the needs of people from all backgrounds. Support for learning A dedicated team of well qualified, proactive and experienced staff meet the needs of individual students. Students are encouraged to disclose specific needs when they join the college, and increasingly before they enrol. Support is personalised to facilitate learning and attainment, and is available during the day and out of hours to support part time students. Our Support for Learning team provides a high quality service, evidenced by our above average sector success for students living in areas of multiple deprivation, care experienced students, and students with a declared disability. Individual plans are developed in consultation with students, and these plans are shared with teaching staff to inform strategies for retention and attainment. Student progress is monitored throughout the year by named Support for Learning staff. Investment in 2019 in assisted technologies for learning support will enhance this support service further. Poverty/SIMD10 An increasing number of our students come from areas of multiple deprivation (SIMD10). Many find committing to full time study a serious challenge because of precarious financial circumstances. Levels of poverty and homelessness amongst our students are rising and exacerbated by the roll-out of Universal Credit. We make use of established partnerships with a range of external organisations to support student mental health, and provide financial and housing support. The college is working collaboratively with the Student Association to support students in need to enable them to remain on course and achieve qualifications that will help them achieve improved life circumstances. In collaboration with the Student Association the college is supporting free or red...
Access and Inclusion. North East Scotland College is an inclusive college which is committed to offering a curriculum that provides opportunities for those who can benefit from education and progress onto further education and/or employment. The College is committed to providing opportunities that are accessible to people irrespective of socio-economic status and the various protected characteristics. Providing access includes the provision of dedicated courses were appropriate (e.g. learners with additional needs) and/or providing additional tailored guidance and other support (e.g. care leavers). Consideration is given to meeting the needs of specific groups of learners (e.g. hard to reach, additional needs, care experience) when planning the curriculum offer. The College also has in place a number of strategies and policies in relation to access and inclusion. During AY 2016-17 the College developed an Access and Inclusion Strategy. The Strategy identifies the following policy priorities are highlighted as being integral to the College’s strategy for widening access and promoting inclusiveness and progression: • Increased participation in education and training, particularly for 16 – 19 and 19 – 24 year olds • Wider access to education and training • Lifelong learning • Digital inclusiveness • Inclusive approaches to meeting the needs of those with additional learning requirements • Using flexible and responsive teaching and learning styles • Upskilling the workforce • Promoting excellence • Advancing equality of opportunity • Development of the four capacities of Curriculum for Excellence in learners • Contributing to Developing the Young Workforce • Providing articulation and progression opportunities for learners to progress to degree link programmes or to employment • Providing positive destinations for school leavers, in liaison with key partners • Safeguarding the health, safety and welfare of learners. The Strategy details key aspects of the College’s commitment to Access and Inclusion, including: • Providing a flexible and accessible curriculum, including entry- level courses in each area of provision wherever possible, and clear and coherent progression pathways, that meets the needs of students and employers in their local area • Providing clear pre-entry guidance, on-going specific and general academic guidance, pre-exit guidance, and a range of other forms of support • Maximising learners Skills for Life and Skills for Work through implementation of Curriculum fo...
Access and Inclusion. Context The key policy drivers over the next three years will be implementing the ambitions of Developing the Young Workforce and making progress on the recommendations of the Commission on Widening Access. Adapting to the outcomes of the Equity and Excellence in Education consultation, and the review of enterprise and skills agencies will also influence the work of the college. Supporting students to fulfil their potential Our vision is to provide seamless support for students which removes barriers to learning and assists them to fulfil their potential. It is essential that support is tailored to the individual and that our universal services support access and inclusion for all students. Student Services staff are the first point of contact for students providing information, advice and guidance throughout their time at college. Feedback on the services and personal support provided by advisors is very positive, and we will continue to review our services for students. We will continue to support the wellbeing of our students through education and interventions on drugs, alcohol, mental health, and other behavioural and social difficulties. Our three innovative shared posts - created in partnership with Police Scotland, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, and the Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnerships - have enabled us to offer a unique range of services and interventions for our students. This has had a significant positive impact on student retention. Over the next three years we will build on this resource to support our students to be resilient and maintain their mental wellbeing. Over the last year Student Services, curriculum and performance and planning teams, have improved early student retention, and reducing student withdrawals will continue to be a priority for the next three years. We will continue to develop our practice and ensure that there is consistent support for students across the college. The college will work with partners to understand how to better support younger students and other vulnerable groups, to select a course that is right for them, to sustain their learning and achieve positive outcomes. Reengaging young people who have disengaged from education The college’s unique HIVE (Hope and Inspiration in Vocational Education) model provides young people, who have previously disengaged from education, the chance to re-engage in learning in a safe and nurturing environment. Here, they develop skills which prepare them for further lear...
