Do you have a medical condition – have a sight or hearing impairment, dyslexia or other learning needs? Has your education been interrupted, or did you miss a lot of time from school? The Additional Support Team can help you in class or in individual support sessions. Simply let us know on your Application Form or at your Guidance Interview and we will arrange for you to meet with a member of the Additional Support Team to discuss your needs.

It's also important to tell us if you had special examination arrangements at school – such as the use of a laptop or extra time – we can make similar arrangements for you.

Our team of professional staff can help you if you have:

  • Specific Learning Differences - dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia
  • medical conditions
  • speech and language difficulties
  • Attention Deficit Hyper-Activity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Asperger's Syndrome
  • mental health problems
  • physical and sensory impairments

Additional Support is available to ALL students. You can discuss your needs with us before you start your programme, and you can ask for help at any time during your time at College.

We can provide:

  • 1-to-1 teaching from qualified and specialist teachers
  • 1-to-1 support in class from a Learning Support Assistant eg to help you take notes
  • computer programs to help you eg Dragon NaturallySpeaking, ClaroRead and MindGenius
  • BSL interpreters
  • specialist equipment eg Neo by AlphaSmart or a laptop (following assessment)
  • help with special exam arrangements

We have links with The Independent Psychological Service, and we work closely with other services to make sure that all your needs are met.

New College aims to be an inclusive organisation, but we have to make sure that our Students are ready before starting any course.

Transition Project

The Transition Project helps you make the change from your school or current placement to a full-time course at New College.

We have Project Mentors – New College staff who understand your problems - who can meet you in your school or placement and give you information, advice and guidance throughout your move into further education. We can arrange for you to visit to New College to get to know the buildings and facilities.

The Aspie Group

If you have Asperger's Syndrome, or find it really difficult to talk to people, then maybe you'd like to join the Aspie Group – a small group of students who share similar thoughts and feelings about life, college, friendships and hobbies.

We have activities that will help you:

  • cope with crowds at New College
  • make friends and keep them
  • start a conversation and enjoy discussions
  • create projects in music, using a computer etc

We also have a dedicated baseroom for students with ASD The base room offers a social space and study area away from the noisy college, with a trained member of staff who can be called upon to help with any coursework or anxieties you may have.

For more information on any of these services, please contact: Sarah Howes (Additional Support Manager) or Hayley Boland (Disability Officer), on (01793) 732857, or by email:

  • sarah.howes@newcollege.ac.uk
  • haley.boland@newcollege.ac.uk