Learning Support
key skills
Key Skills are the skills that you need to develop to have a successful career in any industry. There are six Key Skill areas:

• Communication
• Information Technology
• Working with Others
• Problem Solving
• Improving Own Learning and Performance
• Application of Number

There are several levels of Key Skills. All apprentices and students who are 16-18 years old will study Key Skills at the level they need. Students over 19 are also encouraged to refresh and accredit their key skills alongside vocational study.

Library and IT resources
Open access ILT facilities are available in the Frances Perry Library in the Duchess of
Devonshire Pavilion on the Enfield Campus and in the Learning Resources Centres at Gunnersbury Park and Regent’s Park. All workstations have internet access. Office 2003 is the standard student desktop. The library service has a comprehensive collection of books, journals and reference materials to support our courses. In addition, students may also make use of Capella, the college's virtual learning environment which provides on-line access to course materials, the student intranet and the library catalogue, both in and out of college.

The Study Skill Centre
The Study Skills Centre offers advice, guidance and support to anyone applying to study in
the College. If you are dyslexic, have difficulty with maths, writing or spelling, structuring an
essay or completing an assignment, the Study Skills Centre staff are on hand to encourage
and support.

Student Cards
All students are issued with a College identity card accepted by local retailers for discounts.
Students are required to wear their ID card at all times.

Tutorial System
Personal Tutors offer support and advice with your studies. The course manager may also be your personal tutor or you may have an additional personal tutor.

Work Experience
Most of our full-time courses include a period of work experience. We have an extensive database of approved placement providers in all our specialist areas. We also welcome proposals from students and employers for new
placements in the UK and abroad.

Facilities
Capel Manor shop
The shop in the Visitor Reception is open to students from 8.30am - 5.30pm weekdays and 11.00am - 5.00pm at weekends March - October. Students producing their student card can claim a discount of 5% on books and 10% on stationery items. The Floristry Training Shop sells items for Floristry, Flower Arranging and Balloon Artistry and is a retail training shop for Floristry students.

Terrace Restaurant
The Terrace Restaurant is open Monday to Friday from 8.15am to 4pm. During the summer months it is also open at weekends from 10am - 5pm.

Gunnersbury Park: A range of fresh foods are delivered daily around 12 noon. Hot and cold beverages and a range of snacks are available from the lobby vending machines.

Castle Green: Hot drinks and snacks may be purchased from the café in the foyer.

Regents Park : Students may use the numerous restaurants and cafés in the park. Alternatively, there are vending machines in the centre, providing snacks and hot drinks.

Crystal Palace : Hot and cold drinks and food may be purchased from the Park Caféteria.

The Gardens
Capel Manor Gardens and the walled garden at Gunnersbury Park are an integral part of the College and are used to provide practical experience for students. The gardens at Enfield are also open to the public and the many visitors provide a part of the unique atmosphere of the College.

Student Services
Accommodation
We have six study bedrooms available at Forty Hall Farm, which is within walking distance of the College. At present the College has accommodation for an additional twenty students in rented flats and shared houses. The Student Administration Office maintains a list of local accommodation. Priority for College-managed accommodation is given to first year students.

Careers Service
Careers advice and guidance is available from the College’s Careers Adviser and is supported by Connexions for 16-19 year-olds and the Nextstep service for adult students. The careers base has a collection of general and specialist information. Course Tutors will also be able to give you help and advice on career routes.

Counselling
Access to a professional counselling service is provided both on-site by a member of the college staff and off-site as part of the Occupational Health Service to the college. The latter is available to part-time day and full-time students through the Student Administration Office.

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
EMAs of up to £30 a week are available for 16 year old full time students living in a household with an annual income of £30,000 or less. Further details are available from the Student Administration Office and www.ema.dfes.gov.uk

Adult Learner Grants
ALG is a means tested allowance of up to £30 per week available to adults resident in England studying full time for a first full level 2 or first full level 3 qualification. It’s open to everyone aged 19 or over. It is currently being offered at our Gunnersbury Park Centre. There are plans to make it available nationally in 2007-08.

Grants and Loans
The College administers Learner Support Funds provided by the Government to support
Further Education students' financial needs. This can help to pay for accommodation, travel,
books, equipment and childcare. A smaller fund is provided for Higher Education students.We
use this chiefly to help with travel costs and equipment.The College is a member of EGAS, an organisation which helps to provide grants for students in need.The Student Administration
Office will provide further information and application forms for all support funds.

For Higher Education programmes a means-tested grant of up to £2765 a year is available for new full-time students from low-income families. Applications for this new grant are made through students’ Local Education Authority (LEA). Students may also qualify for fee reductions paid via their LEA.

A new package of support was introduced in 2005 for part-time HE students. Details of the schemes for 2007 can be found on the DfES
Student Support website
www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport.