FdA Learning Support

University of Worcester and Herefordshire & Ludlow College.

Key Facts

Level: 4

Attendance: Full-time (one afternoon and evening per week)

Duration: Two years

Location: HLC Hereford Campus

Application: UCAS (F/T) course code X300

Course Intro 

This course is ideal for students who are employed in (or have access to in a voluntary capacity) a learning support environment and who wish to enhance their professional standing within a particular discipline. These placements are usually in local schools. The course is studied over two years and, in addition to college time, has a minimum requirement of six hours a week home study. The course will also provide skills, knowledge and insight to enable students to make a contribution to the educational, social and emotional well-being of children and adults in a range of supportive contexts.

Run in partnership with the University of Worcester, it provides a sound basis for further study at degree level. The course is set within current legislative policy frameworks and is underpinned by the notion of social inclusion. It develops students’ understanding of areas such as child development, law, teaching and learning styles, disability, communication and challenging behaviour.

Course Content

You will study 16 modules, for example:

Year 1

• Introduction to Research Methods
• Understanding Learning Support
• The Creative Curriculum 1 – Supporting Literacy and Numeracy
• Child Development

Year 2

• The Creative Curriculum 2 – Creativity and Learning
• Managing Challenging Behaviour
• Inclusion in Theory and Practice
• Introduction to Social Care Strategies

Assessment

Assessment is continuous and uses a combination of methods including essays, seminars, practical workshops, professional journals, projects, presentations and reports. There are no formal, time constrained, examinations.

Entry Requirements

• 32 UCAS tariff points, plus current/recent experience of working with learners, a minimum of two years’ experience employed or working in a voluntary capacity within an appropriate educational setting is desirable. The points above are the new UCAS tariff, which will be used for courses starting from September 2017. See the University of Worcester’s new UCAS tariff page for more information.
• A Disclosure and Barring (DBS) clearance check (formerly known as CRB) is required for this course.
• We particularly welcome applications from mature students.

Please contact the course leader for individual advice.

Progression

The course provides a sound basis for further study at Bachelor’s Degree level including progression to the BA (Hons) Education Studies Top-Up or BA (Hons) Integrated Working with Children and Families Top-up at the University of Worcester. Students may also be eligible to apply for entry onto the BA (Hons) Primary Initial Teacher Education (with QTS) or BA (Hons) Applied Health and Social Sciences Top-up Degree dependent on experience.

Course Fees

£9,250 per year; University of Worcester fees policy applies. All fees are subject to change, please check with the relevant provider.

A Disclosure and Barring Service check is required for this course - all students will have to organise a DBS in their own work placement or place of work and will incur an additional cost (£44 plus a yearly update service of £13 per year). Any transport costs for work placements would need to be met by students.

Contact

Call: 0800 032 1986
Email: admissions@hlcollege.ac.uk