SUPPORTING STUDENTS
Student services offered a range of support to
students throughout the year.
10,457
students
attended 805
workshops
3,143
students received
one to one
support
Support for learning
In response to partner feedback, for 2014-15 our
supported learning team reviewed courses across all
campuses, highlighted progression pathways for students
and ensured all courses consisted of SQA accredited units.
Every full-time FE course contained a Skills for Learning,
Life and Work unit to ensure employability and career
management skills were developed consistently across the
College.
Inclusive learning teams worked with curriculum staff to
identify students who required additional support for
learning to enable them achieve positive outcomes. A
consistent approach was introduced on all campuses
which led to students feeling more comfortable in seeking
support. This resulted in 879 students being supported in
2014-15, an 8.7% increase on the previous year which was
most evident in our Kilwinning campus which experienced
a 50% increase in the number of referrals on 2013-14.
HIVE
In 2014-15, we extended our successful HIVE (Hope,
Inspiration and Vision in Education) model to all three main
campuses. Following a portfolio review, we introduced
a range of courses from SCQF Level 1 to 4: Connect to
Careers, Connect to Learning, Connect to Community
and Connect to Enterprise. These offered students the
opportunity to access entry level study before progressing to
a vocational subject area.
New courses, from SCQF Level 1 to 4 were introduced for
2014-15 to provide entry level access to vocational areas.
These were Routes to Careers, Routes to Care, Routes to IT
and Business, and Routes to Hair and Beauty.
Supporting care experienced
young people
In 2014-15, 35 students were identified as care experienced
young people. 31% completed successfully and 31%
achieved partial success. In 2015-16, 54% returned to College
and 6% progressed to university.
Throughout the year, the student services team improved
engagement via Throughcare team meetings, producing
a customised brochure and having named support staff on
each campus. Care experienced students were supported by
pre-course entry visits and summer workshops.
Thirty young people attended an event hosted by the
College during Care Leavers week, which highlighted
options and support for those about to leave care. This was
organised in partnership with East Ayrshire Council’s Vibrant
Communities, Action for Children, Who Cares, NHS Oral
Health, Skills Development Scotland, Boxing Demonstration,
SACRO, Rathbone Projects and Connecting to Change Care
Leaver Group.
AYRSHIRE COLLEGE / QUALITY REPORT 2014/15
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