How I am helped at Taunton's

At Taunton's College we recognise that study skills are key to success. Any student in the college can get help from the Study Skills team.
The Upgrade Centre and Study Development Centre are part of the learning support provision at Taunton's College, which has been created to help students of all abilities succeed in their courses and to provide a solid base for their transition into the world of work or university.
 
Upgrade provides support in such diverse areas as punctuation, spelling, note taking and essay writing to students at all levels. Students who are struggling to keep up with reading and writing can be referred by subject teachers or tutors, or they can refer themselves using the college's virtual learning environment, Moodle. Alternatively they can pop along to the Upgrade room and speak to one of the helpful staff.
 
Upgrade sessions are one-to-one booked appointments with a teaching assistant who will give personalised support dependent on the student's requirements. If students have had special arrangements for exams in the past, or think they may be dyslexic, students can also book an appointment for an assessment.
 
The Study Development Centre is a quiet area with a small number of computers which students can walk in and use with the help of a Support Assistant, if required.
 
For students with specific learning difficulties, in class support is available.
 
Here are some students who have benefited from support in the past:
 

Matthew Heuze
“I got help with time management because I pack so much in to each week as I am busy with sport, college study and a part-time job,” says Matthew Heuze. “I approached Study Skills early on in the year and since then I’ve organised a schedule for myself that maps out everything happening throughout the week. It really helps. I also went to them for some revision before my AS level exams.”

Matthew is taking A levels in Business Studies, Computing, Electronics and Sports Studies. He is a member of the college’s cricket and rugby academies and is also a lifeguard at Bitterne Leisure Centre.

Joshua Firmin
Joshua Firmin has a moderate to severe hearing loss and meets with the Study Skills team whenever he needs help.

“I started seeing Paul for an hour a week at first but now I get him to help me improve the work I do for my A levels in Classical Civilisation, Computing, Maths and AS level Drama,” says Joshua. “You can speak to the team any time you like as they’re all very helpful. I even got Paul to test out a computer programme I wrote.”

Kailey-Jane Snell
Kailey-Jane Snell has had members of the Study Skills team in lessons to support her as she has hearing problems and dyslexia. She is studying A level Classical Civilisation, BTEC Forensic Science and AS level Photography.

“I’ve also got help with my Forensic Science coursework on how to structure written responses,” says Kailey. “I just go along for help whenever I need it now as teachers use a voice recorder in the classroom so hearing the lesson is not a problem.”

Lee Steege
Lee Steege is keen on sport so his Skills for Working Life course last year helped him to work his way up to taking a BTEC Sport course.

“The support at college is amazing and not just for me in my wheelchair but all the students in my group last year. You can get help from the Learning Support Assistants whenever you need them. Other staff in the college are always happy to offer advice too, like when I fell behind with my ICT work the teachers were willing to give me some help.”

Diary Dates

Course Finder

Search:

Level:

  • A Level
  • AS Level
  • GCSE
  • Level 1
  • Level 2
  • Level 3

Availability:

  • Day Course
  • Additional Course
  • Community Learning