At college

Teaching and learning at Coleg y Cymoedd is adaptable to suit different learning needs and staff regularly review learners’ progress and use ways help learners’ achieve individual targets. Facilities vary on different campuses but the College aims to make the setting inclusive and provide a range of support services to help all learners be as successful as possible.

More details of the College’s ‘universal support’ can be found on these pages – such as literacy, numeracy and digital skills support provided by our Academic Success Team (AST); Welfare and Wellbeing support to help you cope with personal or emotional problems and how the college’s Personal Tutor and tutorial system provide guidance, support and encouragement throughout your course.

This provision is likely to meet the needs of most learners but some individuals may require additional learning provision. Coleg y Cymoedd provides a range of person centred additional learning support (ALS).

– Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) are timetabled to provide additional support to individuals and groups of learners to help build independent study skills and encourage personal development.

– LSAs are trained and experienced in providing support to meet individual needs both in and out of the classroom. There is support for learners with physical/health conditions who require personal care and support tailored to help learners take part in college life.

– Communication Support Workers (CSWs) support learners’ communication and social interaction needs and are qualified to work with learners who use British Sign Language.

– Sensory Loss support staff provide expert advice and practical support for learners with a visual or hearing loss.

– The College loans equipment, such as radio aids and specialist software.

– Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) support staff provide expert advice and practical support for learners with a range of SpLDs who require their input.

– There is also support targeted at particular learners, such as young people who are Looked After (CLA);

– Young Carers and Support provided by our Inspire to Achieve (I2A) Learning Coaches for learners who face marked barriers to learning.

Coleg y Cymoedd use a Person Centred Practice (PCP) approach to involve and support young people and their parents in making decisions about their learning.

– Learners can refer themselves and tutors can refer learners to the ALS team for additional learning support at any time during their course.

– Progress Evenings give parents/carers the opportunity to speak directly with tutors about learners’ progress but communication is welcomed at any point during the year.

– Support and teaching staff will involve learners and their parents/ carers in individual reviews and agree outcomes of how best to support you and the most appropriate strategies to put in place.

The College may include a number of agencies to work together to support young people with additional learning needs – including Careers Wales, Health and Social Care and specialist services.