At Halesowen College we are proud to provide a high level of support based on your specific individual needs. With such a diverse range of students, your needs will be identified and the right support provided, at the right time. The Learning Support Team will support you, whatever course you are on, working with your current Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). 

This could include:

• Support from a Learning Support Assistant in class
• Adapted technology and resources
• Use of accessibility software
• Access to college wellbeing and counselling service
• Regular tutorials, twice a week, with your Personal Coach
• Support from your Head of Student Support
• One to one mentoring
• Meet and greet
• Support to access college coaches (see Fitness to Travel Policy here)
• Personal care support, including medication
• Break and lunch time support
• Exam access arrangements
• Mental health and well-being checks
• Pastoral care
• Self-calming
• Enrichment activities organised in the SEND facility, The Hive in 5
• Specific support if you:
  • are hearing or sight impaired
  • are Autistic
  • have ADHD
  • have a physical need
  • have a mental health challenge
  • have anxiety
  • have a specific learning difficulty

The Learning Support Team consist of experienced, friendly and approachable staff who are here to listen to you and who are qualified in:

• Reviewing your EHCP to ensure it is up to date and reflects you as a learner now, along with relevant outcomes and the support you need to achieve these
• Manual handling 
• Infection control
• Medication control
• Sign language
• Safeguarding
• Person centred approach
• Learning disabilities 
• Supporting learners in class and out of class
• Supporting you to become more independent and confident

There are 3 levels of support available at Halesowen College, click the links below to find out more.

This is what students at Halesowen College say about support they have received:

“In-class support helps me to stop zoning out. They take notes during the lessons and then send them to me. It helps me focus on the lessons and not miss out on teaching. Having the notes means I am able to catch up on anything I have missed. I feel more independent here at college. I now catch the coach to and from college and I have never travelled on my own before that.” Lochlan Evitts, Applied Science Level 3.

“In-class support helps me to break down tasks, they check on how I am doing with my work. They help me with practical tasks in the kitchen. It helps me complete the work to a high standard and means that I can access some of the practical tasks. I was shown how to use some of the kitchen utensils (such as scissors) in a different way so I could use them on my own. I can now catch the coach to and from college on my own. I don’t travel on my own that often outside of college but feel confident on the coach.” Molly Harvey, Professional Development & Employment.

“In-class support helps with spelling and practical help if I get hand cramps they will take over the writing for me. I can get quite tired easily after a long day so this can really help me to learn and get through the day. Developing my independence skills as I can now come through campus on my own and have become organised in arranging tasks as part of my course. Yes, definitely [improved confidence and independence] I have realised I am now looking things up independently on my own.” Jaya Beghal Creative Media Level 3.

“In-class support take notes and then they send them to me. I would fall behind in class if they weren’t there. They have helped me understand things in a way I wasn’t able to before. I am able to catch the coach to and from college on my own. I would also say my communication skills have improved and I feel confident to talk to new people.” Alex Biden, Animal Care Level 2.

“The LSA in class are really helpful. They can break down the information for me when I am not able to take this in properly and keep me on task. They also help me practically by making sure that I can access everything and pushing my wheelchair when the electric motor is not working. It means that I can ask them for help when I need it. [I have gained the skills for] speaking to people – in the HIVE I have learnt to be more confident in speaking to others. I now make my way around the college site on my own rather than having to have someone to take me.” Josh Baker, Business Level 2.

“The college has helped me as an autistic student by adapting the work to the right standard for me to understand the work. The teachers also break down the work for me to understand. The college makes me feel valued and accepted as a student who has autism.” – Lianne Nicholls

Contact Learning Support

If you would like to discuss your support needs further, or for more information, please contact the Learning Support Team.

• Email us at learningsupport@halesowen.ac.uk
• Call us on 0121 602 7777 ext. 7535
• Call the Learning Support Manager on 0121 602 7777 ext. 7653