Support Services

At Newcastle College we don't believe in huge, anonymous classes. Instead, we favour plenty of individual attention and lots of one-to-one support to help you grow and flourish. Most of our teaching takes place in small, informal groups, so you can get to know your tutors and other students quicker. This gives you a greater opportunity to share and talk through your ideas with others. You'll also meet individually with your personal tutor on a regular basis. They'll give you feedback and advice on your work and help you to solve any problems you may experience.

Student Services

In addition, we have a range of high quality support services to help you if you need it, all of the highest standard! Student Services have recently been re-accredited for Matrix, the quality standard for Information, Advice and Guidance. Our support services include...

Financial help

Our advisers can give you advice on any financial support you may be entitled to and where to go for other sources of help.

Careers advice

Whether you want to continue studying or get a job when your course finishes, we can help you sort out your future. Connexions personal advisers are based at our main Rye Hill Campus and work with young people aged up to 19 years.

If you are over 19 years old, Next Step advisers provide an information, advice and guidance service to adults who want to improve their skills, undertake learning, look for work or improve their career prospects. They also provide plenty of information on further study, job vacancies and graduate start-up programmes.

Support with personal issues

If you have a problem which is affecting your learning we can refer you to a range of specialist agencies that can support you, depending on the nature of your problem. We can also refer you to a trained counsellor if you feel you need to speak to one.

Childcare

If you have children aged 0-4 years old, our day nursery provides a friendly and welcoming environment and is conveniently located on our Rye Hill Campus.

Staff are well qualified and regularly attend further training courses. The nursery is well equipped with an excellent range of resources. In a recent Ofsted inspection the nursery was graded good in helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do. Helping children make a positive contribution was graded as outstanding. The inspectors noted: "Children and staff form very good relationships with each other. Staff are very affectionate towards children and are focused completely on them, consequently the children are happy, confident and secure."

Disabled Students' allowance for higher education students

Many students on higher education courses who have a disability or learning difficulty may be eligible for funding from Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). DSAs are intended to cover any additional costs which are incurred as a result of a disability and may include the provision of equipment (e.g. a computer) and support, if required. Further information can be obtained from Learning Support Service on 0191 200 4189.

Support for students with learning difficulties or disabilities

The Learning Support Service (LSS) at Newcastle College provides support, advice and guidance for students with a wide range of learning needs. At present, there are six support teams working with the service:

  • the Autism and Asperger Syndrome Support Team
  • the Dyslexia Support Team
  • the Emotional, Behavioural Difficulties, Mental Health and Well Being Support Team
  • the Hearing Impairment Support Team
  • the Learning Difficulties and Physical Disabilities Support Team
  • the Blind and Partially Sighted / RNIB Support Team

If you are a learner who may, for a variety of reasons need additional assistance with your studies, we offer close links with course and programme tutors to ensure that support is appropriate to your individual needs and the requirements of the course. We endeavour to encourage and promote and environment in which learners are happy to disclose any issues to us so that support is of the highest standard.

The LSS aims to increase participation, achievement and progression in education and training. In this way we strongly believe barriers experienced by students in education can be reduced.

Equal opportunities

Newcastle College is committed to providing an inclusive education. We offer support services for learners with disabilities or difficulties that ensure the college is a safe and positive environment for all.