Learning Support Newsletter
Tenth Edition September 2016
1. THE ROLE OF THE LEARNING SUPPORT (LS)
Learning Support is a team of enthusiastic, well-qualified and hardworking staff who have a passion to provide positive solutions to all those learners who have a range of additional learning needs.
What does the Learning Support Team do?
The Learning Support team:
- Provide 1:1 support for learners with learning needs and/or disability on mainstream courses across the College
- Provide in-class support and small group support to help develop students' study skills
- It is subject to appropriate documentation for High Needs Support i.e. an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and funding agreed with appropriate provider.
- Works closely with curriculum areas to put in place reasonable adjustments for individual learners
- Assess learners for Exam Access Arrangements (EAAs)
- Provide Assistive Technology support to support students' independent learning
Main Contacts:
Pete Way
Ines Asis
Wendie Rogers
Learning Support Practitioners (LSP) Coordinator at WS/Colindale/BW
Lesley Colyer
Patricia Gladstone
Administrator at WS/Colindale
Lisa Woollard
Learning Support Tutors (LSTs)
Learning Support Practitioners (LSPs)
Exam Access Arrangements (EAAs) and Assistive Technology (AT)
Sally Casson
Sophie Pesticcio
Nosheen Ashraf
Assistive Technology Coordinator - Learning Support SG, WS & Colindale
Please send referrals for Assistive Technology support/training to Nosheen Ashraf .
2. LET'S LEARN ABOUT LEARNING DIFFICULTIES
In this monthly newsletter we will be focusing on Dyscalculia. (Main contributors to this section, Rima Kubiliene, Nosheen Ashraf)
Dyscalculia is a group of learning difficulties related to mathematics. People with dyscalculia have trouble understanding mathematical concepts and performing mathematical calculations. For example, trouble learning to count, struggle to recognise printed numbers, poor number memory etc.
Symptoms of Dyscalculia and how to help learners
- Difficulty counting objects: The learner needs clear instruction on how to count in an organised, meaningful way.
- Difficulty understanding place value: The place value chart might be useful or place value cards can also demonstrate the structure of numbers at a more symbolic/abstract level.
- Mental arithmetic may overstretch the working memory: Encourage learners to use jottings to support mental calculations.
To find out more please read this article.
My world without numbers
Further websites and article links you maybe interested in:
-
British Dyslexia Association (BDA) website provides more information about dyscalculia.
- Symptoms of dyscalculia are explained here.
- More resource material is available from this website Dyscalculia Worksheets & Other Resources.
The document STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT BASIC NUMERACY DIFFICULTIES will provide further information to support students with dyscalculia.
Dyscalculia Word Search
3. DID YOU KNOW THE APPS THAT SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH MATHS LEARNING DIFFICULTIES AND DYSCALCULIA?
Numeracy Wheel
4. ASSISTIVE LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES (AT)
Assistive Technology Equipment
5. UPCOMING EVENTS/FESTIVALS & TRAINING
Events/Festivals
- Eid-ul-Adha celebration will start on Monday 12th September 2016 and last for three days.
- World Alzheimer's Day is on 21 September 2016.
Training
Good Practice With Supported Learners
6. FEEDBACK FOR LEARNING SUPPORT NEWSLETTER
Responsible For Layout & Coordination
Nosheen Ashraf