Welcome to the (Professional Development) Education Guidance Team. We provide a range of services for students with dyslexia, specific learning difficulties (SpLD), other disabilities and medical conditions. We are here to help, support and encourage you on your journey whilst you are here at ACM.

The Education Guidance Team aims to provide support in the following areas:

• Individual academic study tutorials
• Special examination arrangements
• Screening assessments
• Full assessments
• Assessments of current difficulties
• Advice about the disabled students allowance (DSA)
• Screening for reading overlays

All students must register with the Education Guidance Team in order for appropriate support to be arranged. Students must provide a current full assessment report or medical evidence, which gives details about their specific learning difficulty, disability or medical condition.

The Senior Education Guidance Specialist, Fiona Lambie, can be contacted by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or calling 01483 501211. If you have a question or would like some more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us by telephone or email, we are here to help.

Some examples of student needs that we have previously encountered and some helpful contacts that students, parents and guardians can approach for extra support:

Academic study skills tutorials are offered by the Education Guidance Team on a one to one basis. Study skills form effective learning tools and encourage the student to build strategies to support their specific learning difficulty, disability or medical condition. Study skills tutorials can cover reading, research skills, writing, organisation of written work, spelling, grammar, note-taking, time management, revision and examination approaches.

Recommendations will be made for special examination arrangements. Most students with dyslexia, specific learning difficulties or other disabilities receive extra time in examinations. Other arrangements are usually only put in place in the case of severe difficulties and after consultation with the academic school concerned.

Assessment for the use of a computer in examinations
For most students 25% extra time is the appropriate special examination arrangement. Occasionally the use of a computer is permitted, particularly for those students with significant handwriting difficulties. It is vital that students with specific learning difficulties or other disabilities are not given an undue advantage, the use of a computer is only recommended when absolutely necessary. Usually evidence in the form of a recommendation from a diagnostic report will be required.

Coursework
Education Guidance tutors do not provide a proof reading service, nor do they comment on the content of student’s assignments however, Education Guidance tutors can read student’s work aloud to them so that they can hear that what they have written is what they really meant to say. Students are not encouraged to ask for extensions for coursework but in exceptional circumstances an extension might be appropriate.

Application for disabled students allowance (DSA)
If the student is eligible for a DSA and studying on the Higher Diploma or Degree courses, he/she will be encouraged to apply. The student will need to apply to Student Finance England if they are starting a new course of study. Forms and information can be found at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance and help with the application process can be obtained from the Education Guidance Team.

Screening for reading overlays
Students can book a screening test to see if they would benefit from a coloured overlay for reading (text and / or music score). This screening assessment is based on the procedure used by the Institute of Optometry. Students can purchase reading overlays in their chosen colour, (most will be eligible to receive funding through the DSA).

Fiona Lambie
Senior Education Guidance Specialist

email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
tel: 01483 501211

Helen Hosker
Education Guidance Specialist

email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
tel: 01483 500856