• Introduction
• Current Jobs & Careers
• About Wakefield College
  • Message from the Principal
  • Wakefield College Information
  • Facts & Figures
  • College Organisation & Structure
  • Wakefield District Information
  • What Our Staff Have to Say
  • Staff Survey 2006/07
• How to Apply
  • Application Form
  • Guidance for Applicants
  • Information for Disabled Applicants
  • Outline Terms and Conditions
  • Information for Agencies/Employment Businesses
  • Information for Recruitment Advertising Agencies/Businesses
• The Benefits
  • Pension Scheme
  • Holiday Entitlement
  • Flexible Working
  • Discounted Metro Card Scheme
  • Childcare Voucher Scheme
  • Professional Development
  • Well Being
  • Summary of Benefits

Academy of Learner Development

The Academy of Learner Development brings together experienced and committed teams working to shape, develop, support and enhance the learner experience at Wakefield College. Jo Simister, who is a member of the College’s Senior Management Team, heads the Academy. The wealth of professional expertise within the Academy enables colleagues to work with a diverse range of learners and partner organisations across the Wakefield District and beyond.

The Academy comprises eight main management areas:

Key Skills
Our Key Skills team, headed by Catherine Brown, leads on GCSE and Pre-GCSE Maths, GCSE English, Key Skills across the College and Skills for Life for the wider Community.  Key Skills is a rapidly improving area within the College with an increasing momentum to achieve outstanding results.

Skills for Life
Skills for Life, headed by Chris Hopwood, offers a wide range of courses and qualifications in Literacy, Language and Numeracy to adults and young people. The Skills for Life team works closely with employers and leads on the literacy and numeracy strands of Train to Gain.  Within college, staff work closely with other academies to embed Skills for Life across college and fulfil our commitment to the Skills Pledge.

14 - 16
The 14 - 16 team, headed by Kay Shaw, manages a number of activities for students of compulsory school age including Early College Transfer, Taster Days, school link programmes including Step Up, Discovery Days and Master Classes. Colleagues from the 14 - 16 team are key members of the Local Learning Communities and are regular visitors to schools.  The 14-16 team is heavily involved in supporting the development of the new Diploma qualifications.

Additional Support
This large and highly-skilled team, headed by Suzanne Hinchcliffe, works to identify and meet any additional support needs a learner may require relating to a disability or learning difficulty.  The team employs eleven specialist Learning Support Tutors, each leading a team of support staff providing in and out-of-class support.

Life Skills
The Grade 1 Life Skills area, headed by Shirley Aston, offers programmes for learners at Entry and Pre-Entry level.  Courses are available for students with moderate/severe learning difficulties, students with learning difficulties who have an autistic spectrum disorder and learners with other barriers to learning. Progression and the development of independence are key features of Life Skills area courses.

Tutorials
Tutorial provision is headed by Sally Wootton and supported by a team of enthusiastic cross-College Tutorial Advanced Practitioners. All young learners in College have a personal tutor who offers support and guidance throughout their course. A tutorial programme is integrated into young learners’ curriculum to enhance their personal and professional development. A team of Attendance Mentors monitor attendance and support young learners with attendance-related difficulties.

Student Services
Student Services is responsible for a wide range of support services for students, headed by Judi Wilkins - the Student Services Manager.  Services include learning centres, financial support, counselling and welfare, careers advice and guidance, Students’ Union and youth work. The services are based at the Wakefield Campus but offer support to students on all campuses. The careers team is Matrix accredited.

Enrichment
College’s ‘Time Out’ enrichment programme is managed within the Academy offering young people a variety of sporting, cultural and health-related enrichment options to complement their core programme of study.