What support do I get at the College?

At Westminster Kingsway College our dedicated teams offer a wide range of support to help you to achieve your goals.

Learning Centres

Open on every site from morning into the evening the Learning Centres offer a good selection of up-to-date books, e-learning tools and other resources, as well as computers with internet access. Staff will help you find information, use IT applications or improve your research and study skills. Most Learning Centres also run activities such as book clubs and CV writing workshops as part of their service. Whether you want a quiet place to study or somewhere to work with your class on group assignments, Learning Centres will provide you with what you need.

Tutors

All of our learners have access to a named Tutor while they are studying at the College. Your Tutor will be a source of guidance and support and will help you set and achieve your learning targets and goals.

Teaching

We are extremely proud of our teaching staff. With extensive industry experience in their area of learning as well as many being examiners or moderators for the exam boards, they are on hand to help you learn everything you need to know to achieve your qualifications. Many of our lecturers are still working in the industry and offer the latest teaching methods to ensure that you get the most relevant training in your chosen career.

We can also offer Learning support to help if you need extra help with English or Maths, if you are dyslexic or if you have a disability or a learning difficulty.

Childcare

Our Childcare Co-ordinator will be glad to answer any enquiries about the childcare facilities available. Please call 0870 060 9801 and ask to speak to the Childcare Co-ordinator. We may be able to assist you in finding a childminder or a nursery, who must be registered with the local social services department.

IT at the College

While you are at Westminster Kingsway you will have access to Blackboard; our virtual learning environment. This gives you online access to learning materials you may need for your course, as well as your marks and grades, your timetable and your attendance.

A safe environment

Westminster Kingsway College always puts students' wellbeing and safety first. All Centres offer appropriate security staff, with College ID compulsory for all users of the building. Staff are recruited appropriately and given full training to ensure that you are well cared for while at the College. We operate a zero tolerance drug policy and do not accept inappropriate behaviour of any kind. Smoking is not permitted on any College site.

Admissions and Advice

We are committed to making sure that you are supported throughout your studies and provide Admissions and Advice teams at every teaching Centre to help guide you in the right direction. The service is free, confidential and impartial, with qualified staff on hand to assist you in taking the next step. The staff can help with your choice of course by discussing your previous qualifications and your long-term aims.

The Admissions and Advice team offer:

• General information on all courses
• Guidance on how to complete the application form
• Financial advice
• Careers advice to help you choose a suitable programme of study

Careers Advisors

We have a dedicated team of Career and HE Advisors from the College whose job is to help you find out what it is that you really want to do. They are here to advise you specifically on:

• Entry into higher education and completion of your UCAS form
• Different careers suitable for you
• Different qualifications available at every stage of your career
• Making decisions about the future
• Finding work, including writing a CV and interview techniques
• Information about sponsorship
• Training opportunities
• UCAS and entry into higher education
• Computerised careers materials

Welfare Advice

Our Welfare Advisers at Westminster Kingsway College offer advice and support on welfare issues such as: claiming benefits, housing, educational grants, immigration and personal problems. They work closely with the rest of the college support services and have excellent links with many external organisations. They are able to refer you to these external organisations and if necessary will keep in touch to ensure you are helped.

Learners with Physical or Sensory Disabilities

If you indicated on your application form or told us at enrolment that you have a disability, you should have been contacted by one of the Access support team for a confidential discussion on any support you might need. You are welcome to let us know you have a disability at any time. You can tell your personal tutor, teacher or one of the access support team. We encourage you to tell us as soon as possible to ensure you can get support should you need it. After listening to you, we will talk to you about what reasonable adjustments and practical support we can give to help you achieve. Contact the Access Support staff email dsc@westking.ac.uk for a copy of our 'Disability Support at Westminster Kingsway College' booklet or pick one up from the Admissions and Advice offices.

Mental Health

The Access Support team are also available to help you if you have told us that you may be experiencing mental ill health or emotional difficulties. They are qualified to listen to your concerns and help ensure that learners are treated fairly and sensitively by everyone at college. They can act on your behalf with teachers and tutors or they can help you access support from within the college or from external agencies. You can contact the advisors at any time. Any conversation you may have would be kept in strict confidence. Only if there are health and safety concerns or reasons relating to Child Protection might we have to share information with the appropriate authorities. We will however always tell you with whom we are sharing this information.

Supported Learning for Students with Learning Difficulties

We have provision for students with learning difficulties on all our courses, as well as having specially designed courses for people with learning difficulties and disabilities. The courses are designed to meet the requirements of the new Foundation Learning Framework and include strong emphasis on personal and social development, life and money skills and employability skills where applicable.

Our courses allow learners also to pursue areas of interest in order to complement the learning aims of their course by taking some of the following options:

• Assertion & Tai Chi
• Cookery
• Creative Arts
• Dance & Drama
• Digital Photography & Creative Arts
• Music
• Pottery
• Trampolining - Beginners or Advanced
• Visual Arts

You will have a full assessment to make sure that you are on the right course to meet your learning needs. Support will be provided to make sure that we help you succeed on your chosen course.

Where next?

You could move on to a higher level course or into voluntary or supported work.