Learning Services Team
The Sixth Form currently employees 15 progress coaches who oversee student well-being, progress and achievements, working closely with teachers, parents and carers to manage personal and academic progress. Progress Coaches deliver bespoke tutorials, ensuring schemes of work and tutorial materials focus on Mental Health and Well-being. Students also benefit from regular one-to-ones and access to learning mentor support. Our mentoring programme has developed in to a triage system where we direct students to the right support. This can range from being in the Cocoon (well-being safe space) to Safeguarding mentoring. Mentoring is offered weekly, fortnightly or as a drop in.
We have 9 fully qualified mentors, as well as a large number of student peer mentors. We are also in the process of developing Cocoon Ambassadors who will assist at open events and work with applicants who require additional transition support from schools.
The Progress Tutor Team
At The Sixth Form Bolton we provide support for students with a wide variety of needs, including:
Physical
Mental Health
Anxiety
ASD/ADHD
Dyslexia/Dyspraxia
Learning
Visual and Hearing
Medical issues
This list is not exhaustive.
If you have a specific learning difficulty or a disability requiring learning support, please ensure that you tell us when you apply. Early applications by January prior to entry are needed to enable us to liaise directly with you, the staff in your school and your parents or carers. This helps us to have a clear understanding of your support needs and to apply for relevant funding, where appropriate. Transition visits to The Sixth Form start whilst you are still in Year 11.
For some students we have extended transitions, starting as early as November and continuing throughout the applicant journey. We also meet with the wellbeing teams from a wide range of universities to do a ‘hand over’ of students under the learner services team.
Types of support available include:
In class support: A Learning Services Assistant (LSA) in some of your classes
1-1 sessions: arranged session in S24 to assist with catch-up work, proof reading and organisation skills
Sessions with our specialist tutor: For specific learning needs such as dyslexia
Group sessions: Group sessions which are subject specific giving you extra help
Stress management
Transition to and from The Sixth Form
Lunch-time support
After having been assessed, you may qualify for Access Arrangements. This simply means that we will make sure you can access exams equally. You may be entitled to a reader, scribe, extra time, rest breaks etc.
We have technology to assist your learning in The Sixth Form:
Laptops/iPads
Reading Pens
Biofeedback relaxation technology
Speech to text
On-screen overlays
The Cocoon is a safe quiet space in S24 at The Sixth Form to access information and support to help your mental health and wellbeing.
In the Cocoon we offer a rolling programme of workshops to meet student needs. This term we are running; Budgeting, Confidence and Self Image, Creative Expressions, Exam Stress, Relaxation Techniques and Lego Therapy.
Students can also access the following:
IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies)
LMP (Mentoring)
IOMS (a relaxation therapy)
Blue Card (to leave classes if the student is anxious, stressed or has a medical need)
We offer an on-site professional counselling service at The Sixth Form for staff and students. Our counsellor, Beverley Downings, can be contacted at BDownings@bolton-sfc.ac.uk .
We work with the Bolton Mental Health Support Team. Their Education Mental Health Practitioners deliver evidence-based interventions for our students who present with mild to moderate mental health issues. They also support our Senior Mental Health Lead to develop our whole college approach to mental health. In addition, they offer timely advice to college staff, and liaise with external specialist services, to get our students the right support.
Their offer includes:
range of training programmes
consultation, advice and guidance for staff and parents
short term, goal focused, needs-led and evidence based 1:1 therapeutic intervention for students
group sessions for students / parents
We also work with Anna Freud and their Schools and Colleges Early Support Service. This enables our students and (parents/carers) to access their service which offers:
Peer support training
Training workshops
Parent and carer and young person webinars
As a diverse, multi-faith community, The Sixth Form recognises that students and their families will want to celebrate religious festivals when they occur. A day’s holiday is allowed if these festivals occur during the week in term time.
The LRC provides a breadth of support for learning. The online resource library, student intranet, TEAMS and Google virtual learning environment (VLE) complement the traditional range of books, journals and learning resources. Practical help is available to assist with researching for homework, coursework or assignments.
The Student Portal can be accessed anywhere through The Sixth Form intranet or website and provides information and regular updates about your attendance, exams, and performance reviews as well as your current timetable. The Parent Portal is available through the website and in addition to the information on attendance and progress, it provides regular news updates and all student progress reviews for the year. A Parents’ Welcome evening takes place in September where help is provided to register for the Parents’ Portal, in addition to the Parents’ Guide to The Sixth Form.
Studying A Level Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Honours Programme with EPQ
“The Cocoon and it’s staff have always been extremely welcoming and I know I always have a place to go if I’m stressed, need to chill or catch up on work. Without their assistance I would be struggling immensely around B6 and in class. I am forever grateful for everything they do for me.”
Studying Triple Vocational Level 3 in Vocational Science
“The learning service team have been the current that made my journey flow and without them I would have hit a dam and really struggled. With their help and the pastoral/safeguarding team to turn to for support, my college journey has been next to perfect and I've loved every minute. I wouldn’t have come so far or been offered five places at university without the encouragement of those kind hearted welcoming and accepting members of staff, I cannot fault any of them. All my thanks to the learning services, you have my infinite gratitude.”
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