Study and Learning Support

Study centres

Eight study centres are located throughout the college and form part of a substantial programme of investment. Traditional books and journals are accessible alongside excellent IT facilities which provide broadband online access as well as interactive learning packages. The centres are fully staffed by lecturers and research support staff, who are ready to help you with any query. You will be provided with secure access to the learning facilities though a personal electronic registration card.

Personal Tutor

You’ll be assigned to a tutor group with a Personal Tutor who you will have regular contact with. Your tutor is there to help you with everything from applying for higher education to day-to-day issues and other problems. You can talk to them in confidence.

Moodle – our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

Our regularly upgraded VLE will provide you with interactive and online learning opportunities which can be accessed remotely as well as in College. In effect it is like having a second personal tutor to guide you through your studies. We use technology to create electronic Individual Learning Plans (ILPs). Your personal tutor will create this with you in order to set targets and action plans, and monitor your progress.

Links with home

In addition to being there for you, your tutor will keep in touch with your parents or guardians at home. Your tutor will send reports home and is always available to speak to any parent with concerns or questions.

Personalised learning

Work here is pretty different from school – you’ll only be studying what you want to for a start. You’ll also have greater independence, a timetable with free periods for personal study time and personalised learning goals. You will be given the chance to agree on these goals with your tutor and organise them through our electronic Individual Learning Plan (ILP) system and access to Moodle which is designed to complement the teaching you receive in the real world.

Additional skills

Although you’ll have a chance at Andover to specialise much more than you did at school, you won’t focus entirely on your chosen subjects. You’ll also get the chance to gain or improve a range of skills that will help you with employment and life in general. From how to write a CV or make a presentation, to team working and leadership, we’ll work with you to build your skills and confidence.

Learning support for students

At this College we recognise that all students need extra help from time to time. You will receive help and guidance from your tutor throughout your course and if you have a specific learning difficulty you could receive additional help from one of our specialist support assistants.

Learners may need support in understanding their work, writing assignments, spelling and grammar, structure and organisation, presentation and proof reading. Our learner support assistants liaise closely with tutors and teachers to help you in working towards passing your qualifications.

Specialist support is also available if you have a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, or a physical disability. Full assessments for specific learning difficulties, which may result in a recommendation for examination access arrangements, can be completed by our Dyslexia Support Team.

Confidential advice on any learning support or disability access issue may be obtained from the Additional Learning Support Manager or from the Study Support Centre.