Welcome to Inclusion at Bath College

Please select from the options below to find out more about inclusion at Bath College. If you would like to speak to a member of our team, you can use the contact details listed below.

How can we support you?

We are committed to ensuring that every learner has an inclusive and enriching learning experience. Our Additional Learning Support (ALS) services are designed to provide assistance, resources, and accommodations to learners with diverse learning needs, enabling them to thrive academically and personally.

Types of Support: ALS covers a wide range of support services, which may include:

Learning Support Assistants/Learning Mentors: Trained staff who work closely with learners, either one-on-one or in small groups, to provide personalized assistance in understanding and completing coursework.
Specialist Equipment: Providing technology and tools such as speech-to-text software, text-to-speech software, ergonomic furniture, and other assistive devices to aid learning.
Alternative Formats: Converting learning materials into accessible formats like braille, large print, or electronic formats to accommodate learners with visual impairments or reading difficulties.
Study Skills Workshops: Offering workshops to develop study techniques, time management skills, note-taking strategies, and other essential academic skills.
Exam and Assessment Accommodations: Providing extra time, separate rooms, or other accommodations during exams and assessments for learners who require them.
Communication Support: Providing sign language interpreters or communication support workers for learners with hearing impairments.
Transition Support: Assisting learners in transitioning from school to college or from college to employment, ensuring a smooth process
Collaboration: ALS involves collaboration among various stakeholders, including the learner, teaching staff, SEND coordinators, counselors, and parents or guardians. Regular communication ensures that the learner's needs are being met effectively.
Promoting Independence: While ALS aims to provide necessary support, it also promotes independence. The goal is to equip learners with the skills and tools they need to become more self-reliant in their studies and daily life.

Please note: Where a support package is required, applications to Bath College are invited as early as possible. This is to make sure that sufficient time is allowed for consultation and appropriate transition.

Exam Access Arrangements

Exam Access Arrangements (EAAs) are accommodations made for individuals with specific needs to ensure they have equal opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge and abilities during exams or assessments. These arrangements are put in place to create a level playing field for all learners, regardless of their challenges.

Here are some common types of Exam Access Arrangements:

Extra Time: Some learners, may be granted additional time to complete their exams. This extra time aims to account for any difficulties they might have in reading, processing, or writing.
Reader: Some learners may have difficulty reading due to visual impairments or learning disabilities. A reader can be provided to read the exam questions aloud to them, helping them access the content effectively.
Scribe: Learners may require support with their writing, and so may be provided with a scribe. The scribe writes down the learner's dictated answers verbatim.
Use of Assistive Technology: Some learners can benefit from assistive technology such as, speech-to-text software, or specialized keyboards. These tools help learners interact with the exam content more effectively.
Separate Venue: Learners who are easily distracted or need a quieter environment due to sensory sensitivities might take their exams in a separate room or a designated quiet space.
Rest Breaks: Some learners require more frequent breaks due to medical conditions or attention-related difficulties. Scheduled rest breaks can be incorporated into their exam time.
Prompter: For learners who might need assistance staying on track with their work or managing their time, a prompter can provide reminders about time remaining and exam instructions.
Modified Paper Formats: Learners with visual impairments might require exams in large print, Braille, or electronic formats that are compatible with their assistive technology.
Use of Colored Overlays: Learners with visual stress or reading difficulties such as dyslexia might benefit from using colored overlays to reduce visual discomfort and improve readability.

Please Note: Exam Access Arrangements from school do not automatically carry over to college. We will need to meet with you to review your arrangements after you have provided us with information from your previous school/ previous college.

You will need to provide a copy of ONE of the following from your previous educational provider before we can review your access arrangements here at college.

JCQ Form 8 Report plus the assessor’s certificate
Evidence of a medical or mental health condition e.g. letter from hospital, medical professional or CAMHS, and if possible the File Note.
Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
Diagnosis paperwork relating to Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD/ADD) etc.

The deadline for providing this evidence is October half term.

Please contact your school or previous college as soon as possible. Ask the SENDCo/Head of Centre for exams to give you a copy of your evidence.

Please email your evidence to:

Alexandra.tuong@bathcollege.ac.uk

Madeleine.mcgrath@bathcollege.ac.uk

Bring your evidence to the Inclusion Office at your site.

Failure to inform us or provide us with the evidence needed in time will result in Exam Arrangements not being in place for your exams here at college.

Higher Education

Bath College offers HE support through the Additional Learning Support Team and is largely funded through the Disability Learner Allowance (DSA), which is a part of Learner Finance England and applied for by learners at the same time as applying for their HE course. DSA provides additional funding for individual related support, resources and/or equipment. HE, and prospective HE, Learners are expected to manage their own support and the Inclusion team are happy to offer advice as appropriate. Learners with DSA are asked to declare this to their tutor as soon as possible, either at interview or when they receive notification of their entitlement.

Where DSA funding and a support package has not been put in place before the start of the course, the ALS team provide screening for dyslexia and support for DSA applications alongside the library who offer study skills sessions.

Where HE Learners have concerns or queries, they should contact their tutor in the first instance. This would apply to anyone who received Exam Access Arrangements at school and would like to enquire as to whether they can apply for similar arrangements via their awarding University.

Please note: this is not something that can be decided by Bath College and the Inclusion Team can only offer advice to HE Learners.

Contact Us

learningsupport@bathcollege.ac.uk