Learning Support

Starting college is one of the most exciting things you can do. Making new friends, studying something new, and making your own decisions are all positive experiences, but if you feel you need some advice or information, we’re here to help.

The College’s Universal Learning Provision includes lots of different support available to all learners. There is support with literacy, numeracy and digital skills; Welfare and Wellbeing support to help with personal issues as well as tutor support and guidance

Additional Learning Support

Universal Learning provision is likely to meet the needs of most learners, but some learners may require Additional Learning Provision.

If you have a disability, sensory impairment or additional learning need such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD or ASD; had a Statement (SEN) or support in school and think you need extra help in College, then please let us know.

You can tell us on your application form, speak to someone from support at interview or ask someone to contact you. Telling us as early as possible helps make sure the right support for you is in place.

Our friendly, experienced and qualified Additional Learning Provision team meet a range of individual needs. Learning Support Assistants provide close support and work with small groups in and out of class. Specialist assessors arrange access arrangements in exams and provide specific support. Learning Coaches provide extra support through the I2A project and help make settling into college easier. We understand that college is not just about taking a course – it is about preparing for work or further study, meeting new people and enjoying what you do and you can be confident that there is support available.

Additional Learning Support (Preparing for College)

Find out the ways in which we can help you feel welcome and ready to start College

Additional Learning Support (at College)

Find out the range of support services available at Coleg y Cymoedd to help all learners be as successful as possible.

Additional Learning Support (Progression)

See how Coleg y Cymoedd can help with progression options at the end of your studies

Jacqueline (Jackie) Harris

Enhanced Transition Coordinator

I’ve worked at Coleg y Cymoedd and before that the College Ystrad Mynach since 2006. My career in education began as a Learning Support Assistant, specialising in Visual Impairment. I became an accredited Learning Coach & Life Coach for young people in 2009 and established the Learning Coach provision before moving to the role of Support Team Leader & CLA Designate contact in 2013. I’ve newly been appointed to the role of Enhanced Transition Coordinator…. I think it’s true to say I enjoy a challenge! My passion is inspiring young people to achieve their full potential and help them overcome any barriers to their learning pathway.

I enjoy travelling and am always eager to book my next adventure…I also spend a lot of time, sweat and tears tending to my allotment!

Nancy Harris

Enhanced Transition Coordinator

Carrie Jones

Deputy Head of Additional Learning Provision (Ystrad Mynach Campus)

I began my career at Coleg y Cymoedd in January 2005 (at the former Ystrad Mynach college). Fresh out of university, I viewed my role as a Learning Support Assistant as a temporary appointment. I soon discovered that the role was diverse- no two days were the same and supporting learners to achieve their goals was incredibly rewarding. Following my PGCE I was promoted to the role of SpLD Tutor/ Assessor, and presently hold the position of Deputy Head of ALP.

I am accredited as a trainer in Person Centred Practices by Helen Sanderson Associates and licensed to deliver the Maximising the Practice of Teaching Assistants Program through the Royal College of London. I am currently working towards a masters in ALN (Additional Learning Needs).

When I’m not in work I love hiking and traveling. Getting off the beaten track and exploring the world. I can speak a little Spanish, but I would love to be fluent one day.

Natalie Boughton-Lawrence

Deputy Head of Additional Learning Provision (Nantgarw Campus)

I began working for Ystrad Mynach college in 2004 as Learning Support Assistant and two years later as an Essential Skills Support Assistant. In both roles each day I was faced with new challenges, and it provided me with the opportunity to work with learners with a variety of learning difficulties and disabilities. I soon decided I wanted to enhance my knowledge and understanding of Specific Learning Difficulties. I successfully completed several Postgraduate courses, in Developmental Coordination Disorder, Dyslexia and Autism Spectrum Disorder and I am AMBDA qualified. In 2014 I was promoted to the role of SpLD Practitioner, based on the Nantgarw campus and currently I hold the post of Deputy Head of Additional Learning Provision.

When I am not in work I enjoy visiting new places and listening to music and attending concerts.

Claire Hughes-Davies

Deputy Head of Additional Learning Provision (Aberdare & Rhondda Campus)

I initially worked as a Primary Teacher, but after 13 years I wanted a change. I joined Coleg Y Cymoedd in 2008 as a Basic Skills tutor and joined the Vocational Access team shortly after. I have taught throughout this department and held the role as campus coordinator at Nantgarw. I have had the privilege of working alongside many learners with a range of additional learning needs. I thoroughly enjoyed working as an independent living tutor, where I found any excuse to fit a song or dance into the curriculum! I graduated with a M.Ed in Inclusion and SEN and post 16 assessor in 2019. But I’m sure that is not the end of my learning journey.

In 2021, I became Deputy Head of ALN at both Rhondda and Aberdare campus. Within this role, I work closely with learners, parents, staff and external organisations to ensure we provide effective support. I’m proud to become part of the additional learning provision who work tirelessly for the best interests of the learners.

I am married with two children, 3 chickens and a house rabbit. I can play the guitar and piano (badly) and I love to read and learn French. I also enjoy going to concerts, dancing to old skool 90s tunes and watching live comedy.

Rachael Wallen

Sensory Loss Lead

I became a volunteer within the Vocational Access department, following university and completion of employment as a playworker of children with additional learning needs, during a summer playscheme. A full time LSA role was offered to me whilst doing voluntary work at the college. During this period, I worked across a number of courses within the discrete provision, as well as in mainstream classes. My main interest initially was gaining experience with learners with a sensory loss. I was encouraged to enrol on a PGCE course, after gaining teaching experience at Treforest Learning Curve. Following completion of this qualification in 2003, I continued working with the part-time learners from Treforest Learning Curve, as well as doing teaching sickness cover at the college. A 75% post for teaching learners with a sensory loss became available in 2007, and I successfully gained this position. Secondment to Merthyr LEA for a few hours per week, for a student with learning difficulties and a visual impairment was undertaken in 2009. Over my career, I have been course tutor of a number of courses and taught from Entry 1 up to Level 3. Currently, I am the Sensory Loss Lead for the college, Vocational Pathways entry level course tutor and also of the part-time visually impaired computer class, as well as Learning Curve Co-ordinator for RCT part time groups. Experience has been gained in using specialist software, making use of accessibility settings, creating tactile diagrams, brailling of materials and modification of documents to produce accessible materials, in addition to using various apps on I Pads and tablets, or dealing with radio aid equipment.

The qualifications I hold include the following:

PGCE in Post Compulsory Education

RNIB Standard Certificate in English Braille

Unified English Braille

BTEC Advanced Certificate in Inclusive Learning Practices.

City & Guilds Initial Certificate in Teaching Basic Skills (Literacy)

I enjoy being with my family and spending time in the garden.

Dorian Adkins

Head of Inclusion & ALNCO

I began my career at Coleg Y Cymoedd (then Coleg Morgannwg) in 2009 as a technician in the School of Construction. Finding a passion for working in the Further Education sector, I completed my Assessor/Internal Verification Awards and soon after, graduated from USW with a PGCE in Post Compulsory Education, enabling me to move into a Lecturing position within the Construction Department. In this role I regularly delivered sessions to learners from the Vocational Access Department and discovered my love for working with learners who had a range of different needs.

I transferred to Vocational Access full time in 2017 and soon after became Coordinator for the department at our Rhondda Campus. In 2019 I began my M.Ed in ‘Inclusion and Special Educational Needs’, specialising in Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties and was appointed to the role of ALN Teaching & Learning Coach – a role created to help upskill college staff in readiness for implementation of the new ALN Act. I remained in this role until I was appointed as Head of Inclusion & ALNCo for the college in June 2021.

In my role I promote and embed inclusive strategies across the college, as well as leading our fantastic Additional Learning Provision and Universal Learning Provision teams.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, listening to music and attending concerts with friends.

Gail Evans

Support Team Leader (Nantgarw Campus)

I have worked at Coleg Morgannwg since 1996 (which later became Coleg Y Cymoedd) after finishing University as a mature learner. I initially started as a Learning Support Assistant I found this role very rewarding and worked within a number of different curriculum areas both in the discrete and mainstream provision this enabled me to work with learners with a variety of learning difficulties and disabilities. I was then asked to temporarily cover the role of Support Team Leader and have continued to work in this role. I have completed a number of different course in Dyslexia, Autism, Behavioral Social and Emotional Development, I also have qualifications in:

Advanced Certificate in Inclusive Learning Practices. Initial Certificate in Teaching Basic Skills (Literacy and Numeracy), Leadership and Management and L1 and 2 Sign Language

I am passionate that my role enables me to make the learning experience of all learners within the college an enjoyable and memorable one

I enjoy working on my allotment which is very productive, I enjoy listening to music both live and in other formats I also enjoy most genres of film.

Sarah Evans

Support Team Leader (Rhondda Campus)

I began my career at Coleg y Cymoedd (formally Coleg Morganwwg) in 2008, in the role of a Learning Support Assistant. I developed a real passion for supporting learners with Additional Learning Needs and helping them to achieve. In 2016 I became a Learning Coach, working with learners on a more one to one basis to overcome any barriers that could impact on their learning.

Since 2020 I have held the position of Support Team Leader.

I have recently completed the Middle Leadership Programme in Further Education through Colegau Cymru and I am currently in the final year of my studies to complete my BA (hons) Open Degree. Some of the areas covered in these studies include ‘Working with Young People’ and ‘Equality Participation and Inclusion’.

Outside of work I enjoy travelling and discovering new places and although not sporty myself, I really enjoy watching sports – especially rugby and tennis!

Kelly Morgan

Support Team Leader (Ystrad Mynach Campus)

I began my career at Coleg y Cymoedd in September 2007 as a Learning Support Assistant within the Vocational Access department. During this time, I supported learners within the ILS (Autism) provision and quickly discovered how rewarding the role was and how the learners taught me something new every day.

In 2017 I took on the role of Learning Coach providing bespoke one to one support to learners who were at risk of NEET. I have been in my current role as Additional Learning Support Team Leader since May 2020 and recently completed my Post Graduate diploma (PGDip/PGCert) in SEN/Autism.

I’m a fluent Welsh speaker, I love travelling, spending time with family and friends and have a love for the outdoors.

Cerys Evans Fletcher

Support Team Leader (Aberdare Campus)

I joined Coleg Y Cymoedd as I2A Learning Coach in 2016. This role involved having responsibility for identifying, assessing and supporting learners who may become disengaged from their education program. The role included offering intensive mentoring for students under the age of 25 who displayed various barriers to education.

In 2017, I was successful in securing the role of Support Team Leader, and I am now based at Aberdare campus. I lead a team of LSA’s and working together we aim to ensure each learner’s college experience is of the highest standard. I absolutely love working within the Additional Learning Provision department and find our learners inspiring.

My spare time is spent with my family – whom I adore, and a very close 2^nd to this, is my love of books!