Cardiff and Vale College

Provision for students with learning difficulties/disabilities

The college offers the following Courses:

The Enterprise Workshop in Trowbridge (Cardiff sites)

Caters for students with a wide range of learning difficulties/disabilities and aims to provide a fulltime or part-time foundation course that allows students to develop and to progress to further education and training opportunities in the college and the community.

The curriculum is flexible, based around the key skills of literacy, numeracy and  communication skills. Subjects include Art, Drama, Music, Photography, Gardening, Computers, European Languages, Catering and Independent Living.

The Workshop offers full support for students including specialised teachers, care workers,
learning support workers, as well as making use of mainstream staff for specialised subjects

Foundation skills - supported entry level programmes in Colcot Road (Barry sites)

Foundation Skills courses are supported entry level programmes. There are two main programmes – ‘Vocational Access’ and ‘Horizons’.

Vocational Access

The Vocational Access programme is a highly supported entry level course. It aims to help
individuals, primarily between 16-19 years of age make the transition into College, training
and possibly employment.

On Vocational Access all learners undertake core subjects of English, Maths and IT. There is also an hour a week of job skills, Tutorial and Rights and Responsibilities. Learners then choose their programme of study with their Course Tutor.

Learners can choose from subjects including:

• Brickwork
• Carpentry
• Horticulture
• Cookery
• Office Skills
• Retail
• Independent Living Skills
• Childcare
• Art
• Ceramics
• Duke of Edinburgh
• Sport
• Personal Fitness

Learners are well supported throughout their time at College, with pastoral and tutorial
support. The course aims to boost confidence, self esteem and encourage learners to reach their potential and progress in the most suitable way for them.

Vocational Access is a full time course. The costof the course is FREE + £15 registration. The course is 1 - 2 years, dependent on progress, and starts in September.

Horizons

The Horizons programme offers individuals opportunities to develop to their maximum
potential – both for life and work.

A main focus of the Horizons course is to build an individual’s confidence and self esteem,
alongside continuing to develop essential skills of number, reading, writing and IT. All learners undertake independent living skills and there are opportunities for work skills training during the programme. Horizons offers a wide range of learning experiences in a variety of settings and the opportunity to achieve accreditation in subjects including pottery, cookery, self advocacy, and gardening.

Students receive pastoral and tutorial support throughout their time in College. Horizons staff also work closely with the learner’s parents and guardians, as well as Social Services and other support agencies. All learners are supported in their transition out of the College through links with support agencies such as Vision 21 as well as Social Services to ensure individuals become part of the wider community.

The Horizons course is FREE + £15 registration.
The course is for 1-2 year, dependent on progress, with an optional part time 3rd year.
The course is full-time day provision.

For further information contact:
Martin Gordon
Head of Foundation Studies Department
Cardiff and the Vale College
Colcot Road
Barry CF62 8YJ
Vale of Glamorgan
Tel: 01446 725002
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.cavc.ac.uk

Support for Learning

The College provides a range of learning support services which includes Learning Support
Workers, specialist dyslexia tutors, physical and sensory support and assistive technology.

Access to Mainstream Courses

The college has a policy towards making its courses fully accessible for students with
disabilities/learning disabilities and provides a full range of learning support, including
physical access, personal care, learning support workers, specialist dyslexia tutors, extra teaching and tutorials, study centres and specialised equipment.

More information about support for students who have a disability or learning disability can be found in the ‘Student Life’ section on the College website.