Nazarene Theological College

Learning Enhancement at NTC

NTC is committed to being an institution that is accessible to all learners. We want our students to develop into independent, lifelong learners who are able to impact the communities around them.

At NTC we have a Learning Enhancement team who offer a supportive and enabling learning environment for all students, both on-campus and online. For those who have physical and mental health needs or specific learning differences, we can offer particular support to enable them to thrive while studying with us. We have experience of supporting students who have:

• A specific learning difficulty (SpLD) or learning difference such as dyslexia or dyspraxia
• Mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety
• Autistic Spectrum Condition
• Neurodevelopmental conditions such as AD(H)D
• Sight or hearing problems
• Chronic conditions such as epilepsy or chronic fatigue
• Physical impairments or mobility difficulties
• Speech, language or communication difficulties
• Other long-term health conditions
• Temporary injuries
• Our approach to support is relational, holistic, confidential and specific to your individual learning needs. We offer appropriate and flexible support based upon the information that you choose to share with us, which is why we encourage you to let us know about any needs before your studies begin or as soon as you can after your arrival at NTC.

How can we support you?

We offer open-door access to our Learning Enhancement team, who will work closely with you to support your learning experience. Examples of what we offer include:

• Meeting with you at any stage of the application process to tell you more about studying at NTC and explore how we can make the college, lectures and facilities accessible for you
• Welcoming and supporting you as you transition into life at college
• With your permission, liaising with your lecturers about your specific needs, e.g., for lecture notes to be made available to you in advance or, if required, on coloured paper
• With your permission, liaising with the academic office so that you can apply for extensions on assignments
• With your permission, using any EHCP you may have to shape the support that we provide
• Making exam adjustments such as rest breaks, extra time or use of a computer
• Assisting you with completing forms for Disability Support Allowance (DSA). For more information on DSA see the GOV.UK website
• Working with you (if you are in receipt of DSA) to arrange funded support such as delivery of specialist equipment or one-to-one appointments with a study skills coach
• Guidance on seeking a diagnosis
• One-to-one meetings to help you plan out your time when it comes to class readings, essay preparation, and submitting assignments
• Meeting with you throughout your studies to ensure that you are happy with the level of support you are receiving.

You will have a lot of control over the support you receive and if you ever want to review or change the arrangements that are in place for you just let us know.

Study Skills Support

NTC offers weekly timetabled study skills sessions for both undergraduates and postgraduates. As many of our students come from non-traditional backgrounds, we believe that good study skills upport enables students to thrive while studying. We can also offer one-to-one study skills support to any student to help identify and build on their strengths, improve academic literacy, and develop skills and strategies to help them to cope with any study difficulties they experience. The content of the session is flexible and student-led. This will be in a private room and online sessions are also available.  The sessions may cover a number of different areas, including:

• time management and organisation
• research skills
• developing ideas
• note-taking
• writing: composition, accuracy, expression, structure
• reading
• planning
• critical analysis
• understanding lecturers’ feedback

We can only offer support if you tell us about your needs. If you choose to tell us, we can discuss your learning needs and ensure that we can provide appropriate support. If you can, please let us know about your learning needs before you begin your studies so that we can give you the best support possible.

To discuss Learning Enhancement in more detail, please contact Joe Boston, Learning Enhancement Co-ordinator, at jboston@nazarene.ac.uk.

What we do with your Information

Anything you share with the Learning Enhancement team regarding your disability, SpLD, or long-term health condition remains confidential within the Learning Enhancement team unless you give us permission to share this. With your permission, the Learning Enhancement team may share this information with the Academic Office, Lecturers, the Library staff, the placement manager, or your placement, in order to help fulfil the recommendations of your support plan.