Learning support for apprentices

To support each apprentice’s individual learning journey, we aim to understand how best to assist you throughout your programme. We value and celebrate individual strengths, preferences, and differences, including any neurodiversity or disability support needs you may wish to share as well as your preferred learning style.

Disabilities, learning difficulties and/or medical conditions

To better understand your individual needs, we ask that you disclose any known disabilities, learning difficulties, and/or health conditions at the time of application. This information enables our delivery team to provide appropriate support and tailor our teaching approach and sessions to suit your needs and requirements.

Examples of the types of information you may wish to share might include; please note this is not an exhaustive list:

• Dyslexia
• Dyscalculia
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Autistic Spectrum Disorder
• Mental health difficulty
• Hearing impairment
• Vision impairment
• Physical Disability

Additional support ('other arrangements')

In addition to the formal access arrangements provided by the Awarding Organisation (AO), End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO), Apprenticeship Assessment Organisation (AAO) and Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), we can offer further support and resources. This information is gathered via a form completed early in the programme. The exam invigilator will then ensure any agreed arrangements are in place for your exam session.

Examples include:

• coloured overlays (e.g. virtual overlays and reading rulers)
• exam on coloured and/ or enlarged paper
• fidget spinners or other fidget toys brought by Learners (WTS must grant permission)
• squared paper for visual spatial difficulties
• 1-2-1 exam instructions prior to exam
• written exam instructions provided in advance

Formal access arrangements

Formal access arrangements are support measures which can be put in place to ensure those with disability, learning difficulty, or medical condition can complete their assessment fairly and without disadvantage. We help by identifying individual needs early, gathering evidence, and helping you to apply for the appropriate arrangements in line with Awarding Organisations (AO) and Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) guidelines.

Examples include:

• extra time
• rest breaks
• reader or scribe support
• assistive technology (e.g. screen readers)
• modified papers (large print, coloured paper)
• separate or quieter rooms

What is your learning style?

As training specialists, we seek to identify how you learn best. We ascertain this information through a learning style questionnaire known as a ‘VARK’ test. This provides insight into your preferred learning style(s) and supports us in tailoring our approach to meet these needs.

Visual: Learn best through seeing and visualising (e.g. images, videos, diagrams, demonstrations).

Auditory: Learn best through hearing (e.g. lectures, presentations, videos, discussions or music).

Reading & Writing: Learn best through written information (e.g. reading texts, taking notes, writing lists). 

Kinaesthetic: Learn best through doing (e.g. activities, experiments, movement).