Disability Statement

The College will seek to provide access to the full range of curriculum and extra curricular activities to all students.  The new college building, which was completed in September 2005, was designed to be fully DDA compliant.  The College will seek to make reasonable adjustments to meet the needs of any student with special requirements where appropriate.

 

The College aims to create a comprehensive and inclusive application process which is accessible to all applicants and warmly welcomes applications from students with specific learning difficulties, health needs and disabilities. Their applications are assessed on the same academic grounds as all applicants. Students who attend Bilborough all undertake a programme of AS & A2 courses. Re-sits in Maths /English GCSE are available. The general entry requirement for Bilborough College is 5GCSE’s grade C and above

 

Application forms are available in a variety of formats, on request.

For students who require support at the application stage, we provide the opportunity for an informal pre-admission discussion to offer general advice on courses, application and admission procedures. 

The opportunity for students to indicate their special requirements will be available at the application stage.  It will then be established whether these requirements can be reasonably accommodated.

All applicants will be invited to attend an admissions interview with an appropriate member of the College staff.  Applicants are welcome to bring a representative.

 

During the Induction period, students will be invited to have a more in depth discussion with a member of the Additional Support team to initiate a detailed support proposal. 

Where appropriate, risk assessments will be carried out to evaluate the risk and identify the support required.

 

The support proposal will be regularly reviewed with the student. 

When it is relevant, college will liaise with outside agencies.

 

Examinations arrangements for students with special learning needs or disabilities are made in accordance with the regulations laid down by the Examination Boards. These apply to both internal and external exams.

 

The college fosters a culture of disclosure.  This is embedded in staff training so that whenever a student chooses to indicate a specific learning difficulty, health need or disability, the college can respond sensitively and appropriately.  The college has developed a system of referral to enable disability needs to be addressed and ensure equality of access to provision.

A team of four full time teaching staff working within the Additional Support Department, maintain contact with students, relevant members of staff in college and others working for outside agencies, in order to assist students in accessing the range of college activities.  Responsibility for implementation of the Disability Policy lies with the Director of Student Support under the supervision of the Vice Principal, Dorothy Mountford.

The College has a well-developed pastoral system, in which each student is allocated to a particular tutor group, which meets daily.  A Senior Tutor within each division oversees the welfare of all students. Within the student support team we have staff who can give advice and support about financial issues and we also employ a student counsellor.  The Director and Deputy Director of Student Support Services oversee the whole support area.

Students are given advice on how to prepare for progression beyond Bilborough, including guidance with UCAS application and eligibility for the Disabled Students’ Allowance.  The College has its own careers service and Connexions staff work on site.

The college will seek to promote disability equality and foster positive attitudes towards disabled people, through the implementation of a Disability Equality Scheme, ensuring that disabled people are included in the processes of planning and reviewing disability equality.

Information about College policy on Equal Opportunities, Additional Support, Guidance and Support, Complaints Procedure, Careers Advice etc are made available to all students on request.