New students who need a little extra help are urged to sign up for Transition Days

New students who need a little extra help are urged to sign up for Transition Days

NEW students with additional needs are being urged to take part in a series of Transition Days at Wiltshire College & University Centre to help them settle in when they start in September.

The college’s Transition Team will be running the days at all four of its campuses at Chippenham, Lackham, Salisbury and Trowbridge to help students who may be anxious about making the leap from school to college. For many young people coming into an environment where they have increased responsibility for their own time keeping as well as knowing where they need to be on busy campuses, can be daunting.

“It’s a very adult environment and it is very different to school because it’s about knowing what time it is and where to go, the expectations are so different,” said Head of Inclusion and Support Nikki Barnett.

“Being dressed appropriately, knowing how to communicate, knowing where to find resources –  all these things are anxiety provoking when you go anywhere new. The idea of Transition Days is that students can come in and make themselves familiar with the college so that it doesn’t seem so daunting when they join.”

The college organises a series of morning and afternoon transition sessions throughout July and August. They last two-and-a-half hours, during which attendees have tours of the college, meet Inclusion and Support team members and some of the people who will be teaching them if they are available.

“They will also participate in various activities to help build their confidence and communication skills. It provides them with a bank of familiar faces both within their peer group and staff they can talk to,” said Nikki.

The days are aimed at the 26 per cent of the college’s 4,500 students who have an education health care plan, been diagnosed with declared needs such as autism, dyslexia or  ADHD or need support with health conditions, vision or hearing impairments or physical disabilities.

“I have been here six years and in that time we have seen a huge increase in not only the number of people needing support but the complexity of that need,” said Nikki.

“But we’ve noted over the last couple of years that there has been an increase in attendance at the transition days and that those who come along are much more successful when they start with us.

“Their attendance is good and they feel more confident in their new environment. Attending the transition days means they can book in for a meet and greet during their first days of the college year if they’re feeling really nervous. We’re here to manage their expectations and anxiety and help them deal with the change.”

The college has 130 staff across its four campuses who are focused on inclusion and support. Their support is pitched to ensure students know where it is without it being obvious they need it. “We get a lot of young people who have this support available but feel they don’t need it,” said Nikki.

“We don’t force it on them but they know where we are. It’s striking the balance of making sure it’s around for them but not making them feel like they’re different from everyone else. On each campus there is a hub they can come to when they need help, rather than having somebody in the classroom.”

Nikki said the college’s investment in this support pays dividends once students find their feet. “You see students begin to flourish and their confidence is just so different,” she said.

“A lot of the young people have come through Covid where communication and face-to-face contact was so limited so there is a lack of confidence when talking to one another or members of staff.

“The team on every campus are really good with the transition and they’ve really helped young people come out of themselves. Some of them will need a bit more support through the year but the idea is that it gradually drops off as they need it less – but they know they’ve got that contact point and those friendly faces they can approach if they need them.”

Some are so successful in adapting they use their experience to benefit others. “It’s amazing that by the end of that year they become that young person who is going to go out into the community and work,” said Nikki. “You see people growing so much in confidence that they’re helping others, and that’s a really great to see.”

Many take up volunteering opportunities or become college ambassadors.

Despite the range of help on offer – and the fact more than a quarter of the college’s student population need it – there are still many who don’t sign up for transition days.

“We want to reach as many people as possible because we have seen the difference these sessions can make,” said Nikki. “Even just attending one session can be a huge help.”

To find out more about Transition Days email the team at each campus: 

Or you can book your transition day here.

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