Learning & Development Policy 2009/2010

The Learning & Development curriculum at Accrington and Rossendale College aims to provide, within the framework of personal, social, careers and educational guidance, all the necessary support which will enable students to achieve their agreed goals and to progress either to employment or to further and higher education and training. The Learning & Development curriculum is designed to develop essential skills that will enable young people to enter work and adult life as confident and capable individuals. Pastoral support is an essential component of tutorial curriculum.

Learning & Development Mentors (LDMs) will be involved in the activities of informing, advocating, advising, reviewing and recording progress and helping to set long and short term goals. The LDM is the contact between the student and all aspects of college life.

All full-time Learner Responsive 16-19 students are entitled to Learning & Development, support and guidance within the cross college L&D programme. LDMs must follow the programme but it can be adapted to create a bespoke scheme of work in discussion with curriculum managers. All aspects of the progrmme should be included into any bespoke schemes of work.

All full-time Learner Responsive 16-19 students are entitled, as part of that tutorial support, to a clearly structured and published programme as identified in the 36 week schedule. The objectives and activities of this programme will be detailed in the week by week guidance on it’s learning. LDMs are to differentiate the programme to meet the needs of their learners whilst embedding the framework of personal, learning and thinking skills.

All full-time Learner Responsive 16-19 students are entitled to regular reviews of progress towards targets. The Individual Learning Plan should be agreed and completed by the LDM in conjunction with the Course Leader. During the reviews the students’ progress will be reviewed, monitored and compared to the initial Motivational Target Grades, the outcome of the reviews will be agreeing an action plan. Students should be encouraged to be in control of their own reflection, review and planning process. SMART target setting is an essential component of this process. Cross college documentation should be used. All aspects of their learning experience should be reflected upon, including any support or enrichment opportunities. Records of these interviews will be monitored in tutorial quality files through observations.

Academic staff will set short term academic targets that will be shared with the LDM who will work with learners to ensure those targets are achieved, and arrange for appropriate support where difficulties are identifid

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All full-time Learner Responsive 19+ students are entitled to pre-course guidance and an induction to the programme and to college services and facilities. They will be entitled to regular reviews where progress will be reviewed monitored and compared to the initial motivational target grades. The outcome of the reviews will be the agreeing of an action plan.

All part-time students will receive as a minimum, pre-course guidance, an induction to the programme and to college services and facilities; provision of a Handbook, planned reflection, review opportunities and guidance

Learning & Development requires that students are given realistic academic, vocational and personal guidance through an interactive process, involving both one-to-one interviews and group work.

Academic staff will set short term academic targets that will be shared with the LDM who will work with learners to ensure those targets are achieved, and arrange for appropriate support where difficulties are identified

The LDM will guide the student through the processes of maintaining and updating the Individual Learning Plan, reflection, reviewing, planning and will monitor performance.

Learning & Development activities will promote and explore issues of equality and diversity and are based upon respect for all individuals.

Feedback from students will be sought through College questionnaires and student representative bodies and curriculum evaluations and is embedded into the Quality Improvement Process.

LDMs will have access to specialist help, learning materials and central guidance through specialist subject tutors/ staff, advanced practitioners and curriculum managers. Peer support and development is encouraged.

Curriculum Managers are responsible for appropriate staffing, rooming, and allocation of time and day-to-day operational matters for Learning & Development

The Director of Learner Services and the Quality and Standards team lead, support and monitor the effectiveness of the guidance and L&D curriculum in College. L&D curriculum is embedded into the Quality Improvement Process and is integral to Self Assessment

There will be a rolling programme of staff development. The planning of this programme is managed by the HR team. It is informed through the appraisal process.

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