Learner Handbook - Leicester · Learner Handbook ... other learners and users of the centre politely ... Equipping everyone with the English skills to understand and follow the

Leicester Adult Skills and Learning Service

Learner Handbook

www.leicester.gov.uk/adulteducation

Thank you for enrolling on a course with Leicester Adult Skills and Learning Service. This handbook will provide you with a range of information and advice to help you get the most out of your course. We do hope you enjoy studying with us.

This booklet can be made available in other formats; please ask for assistance.

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What we expect from you Ground rules:

Come to class regularly because this will help you to be successful. (You need to have 80% minimum attendance). We may contact you if you are absent to see if we can help you to continue with your course.

Tell your tutor if you have any problems with the course or with the course work, so we can offer any help you need.

Follow the Health and Safety rules of the course and of the centre.

Treat staff, other learners and users of the centre politely and with respect. Don’t cause offence, discriminate against or harm others.

Not to cause trouble in class or to other people in the centre e.g. being under the influence of alcohol or non-prescription drugs.

Not to access internet material which is offensive, unsuitable or illegal.

Tell us immediately if you change your name, address or contact details.

Tell us what think about your course and your experience at the centre which will help us improve our service.

Learners who do not follow these ground rules will be asked to leave their course and the centre.

What you can expect from us:

Clear information and advice to help you find the right course; or we will suggest where else you can find one.

Helpful and polite staff who will treat you with respect. A clean, safe and friendly place to learn and materials you

will need for the course. A clear induction to the course and the building. Teaching which is well planned, interesting and at the right

level for you. Tutors who are experienced and qualified. Help you to work towards your personal learning goals. Clear feedback on your progress and support to improve. Help for you to develop English, maths and IT skills that

will help you at work. Clear information about what you can do next. You can

get advice at one of our work clubs. To listen to what you think and deal with any complaints. To keep and understand the basic British values of: Democracy The rule of law Individual liberty and mutual respect Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

Welcome to the Leicester Adult Skills and Learning Service

Workclubs and Careers AdviceAs part of the Leicester to Work strategy, Leicester Adult Skills and Learning Service offers Workclubs. These are run on a weekly basis at various settings across the city. Learners work towards learning outcomes to develop the skills required to be able to effectively and independently search for work, including:

n Searching and applying for jobs using the Internet n Using email to apply for jobsn Setting up and using a Universal Jobmatch account n Understanding the content of a CVn Creating or updating a CV n Composing and producing a covering lettern Completing paper application forms n Identifying realistic work opportunitiesn Identifying skills and training needed to achieve goals n Preparing for an interview

Monday 9.30am – 12.30pm Leicester Adult Education CollegeTuesday 9.30am – 12.30pm Belgrave Neighbourhood CentreTuesday 1.30pm – 4.30pm Pork Pie Library and Community CentreWednesday 10.00am – 12.30pm New Parks LibraryWednesday 1.30pm – 4.30pm Central LibraryThursday 10.00am - 12.30pm St Barnabas LibraryFriday 9.30am – 12.30pm St Matthews Neighbourhood CentreFriday 9.30am – 12.30pm Beaumont Leys Library

These systems are checked for inappropriate use or offensive or illegal content. Accounts will be suspended immediately if concerns are raised.Your tutor will help you login and learn about the materials and activities they plan to use as part of your induction to the course.If you would like to improve your IT skills you could join one of our short computer courses for beginners.

Health, Safety and WelfareWe believe that our learners should be able to learn in a safe, healthy environment. Please take a minute to read these Health and Safety guidelines:

Make sure you know the evacuation process for the way out of the room you are using, especially if you are in a different room from usual.

If you are disabled and will need help to leave the building, please talk to a member of staff about a Personal Evacuation and Escape Plan (PEEP).

If you hear a fire bell calmly leave the building by the nearest exit.

Do not go back in to the building until the person in charge tells you it is safe.

Please follow the health and safety instructions given by your tutor. If you are not sure please ask for help before you do anything.

Your course will include information and advice about health and safety.

Tell a member of staff if you see anything you think is dangerous to the health and safety of staff, other learners or members of the public.

The service believes in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse, exploitation and radicalisation. If you have concerns please talk to a member of staff or contact a senior manager on 07676348214

Comments, Compliments and ComplaintsLeicester Adult Skills and Learning Service wants to give an excellent learning service to all our learners. If you would like to tell us about good service, please fill in one of the forms at reception.Sometimes things go wrong but we will do our best to put things right if you tell us about the problem. To help us do better, please speak to a member of the Adult Skills and Learning staff in the centre or call 01164541900. If you are still unhappy please write to [email protected] or Comments, Compliments and Complaints, Customer Services, Leicester City Council FREEPOST (LE985/33), City Hall, 115 Charles Street, Leicester, LE1 1FZ

After your course:We might contact you by telephone or e-mail after you have finished your course. This helps us to make sure that our courses give you the skills and knowledge that you need. If you have a positive and encouraging story to tell as a result of your course, for example, getting a job or having your artwork in an exhibition, please let us know so that we can celebrate your achievement and success.

Funding and FeesLeicester Adult Skills and Learning Service gets most of its funding from the Skills Funding Agency (SFA). The money we get from the SFA helps us to reduce the cost for most learners. Without this money, the cost would be much higher.Many learners may get free classes or help with fees; we will talk about this with you when you come to enrol. If you are in financial difficulty you could get help from our Learner Support Fund. It could be used for help with child care costs and materials for your course. Ask at your centre for information about this, or see our website www.leicester.gov.uk/adulteducation

Additional Learning SupportIf you have a learning difficulty, disability or long term health problem and need support in class and / or in exams, please tell your tutor or centre staff as soon as possible or email [email protected]

Quality MattersLeicester Adult Skills and Learning Service wants to keep improving the quality of our learning and teaching. One of the ways we do this is by visiting classes. We might visit your class and watch some of the lessons, talk to the tutor and speak to you about what you are learning and how you are progressing. We want all our learners to make progress and be successful.At the start of the course your tutor will talk to you about what you want to achieve and will fill in some paperwork with you about this. During the course your tutor will talk to you about your progress and keep a record of it. At the end of the course your success will be recorded. Your tutor will talk to you about what you would like to do next.

Google Apps for EducationWe want to help learners to develop their IT skills during their course. Leicester Adult Skills and Learning Service uses Google Apps for Education for online learning. Your tutor can share course materials electronically. You can safely contact and work with your tutor and other learners using a learner email that you will be given.Your tutor will give you your student ID number. Your account will be your student [email protected] you first login the password will be ‘Lasals123’ and then you will be asked to change your password. Gmail – To protect your privacy outside and after the course,

your tutor and other students will only contact you using your leicesterlearns.ac.uk e-mail account

Google Classroom – Your tutor will give you with the code for your class.

Go to www.classroom.google.com click on the + and enter the class code.

Google Drive – You have use of Google’s free storage for your course materials.

These Google resources are for the courses you are taking with LASALS, so please do not use them to store personal or important materials or messages as it may not be possible to return them to you. At the end of your course we recommend that you download any materials you want to keep on a memory stick.

Keep in touch!

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Like us on facebook/leicesterlearns

Follow us on twitter@lasals

Join our MEETUP groupmeetup.com/leicester-learns

Email [email protected]

Website: leicester.gov.uk/adulteducation

British Values Statement Through all of our work we actively promote British values of mutual respect, individual liberty, acceptance of different faiths and beliefs, democracy and the rule of law. We help students to build the skills, knowledge and confidence to lead safe, successful and happy family, community and working lives in modern Britain and compete in a global labour market.

What this means to us… Even though we might not always agree, we listen to each other’s points of view and we show respect for their views and feelings. How we promote it…Clear ground rules and high expectations of behaviour. Managing group discussion well to ensure all voices are heard and respected. Intervening promptly when needed.

What this means to us… As long as we don’t break the law we are all entitled to make our own decisions and pursue our own path in life.How we promote it…Enabling all students to develop to their full potential and pursue their interests and learning goals. Providing impartial advice and signposting students to relevant support services.

What this means to us… We celebrate the rich cultural and religious diversity of Leicester and contribute to mutual understanding between those of different faiths and

beliefs including those with no faith or belief. How we promote it…Ensuring our teaching resources and topics take opportunities to celebrate and explore different faiths and beliefs.Whenever possible take account of festivals and practices that may

impact upon learning. Encourage staff and students to share information or dispel myths about their religious and

cultural beliefs.

What this means to us… Every citizen is subject to British law. This helps keep us

safe and makes sure everyone knows what is expected, and the consequences of not meeting those expectations.

How we promote it…Equipping everyone with the English skills to understand and follow the law. Building confidence, self-respect and communication skills to enable

individuals to challenge wrong-doing and uphold their rights under the law. We ensure our policies and practices are transparent, fair, equitable and meet legal requirements.

What this means to us… The people of Britain vote to decide who makes the laws and run the country. Elections are our opportunity to have a voice.

How we promote it…Equipping everyone with the English

skills to understand and participate in the democratic process. Promoting voter registration and participation in elections.

The Rule of Law

Democracy

Individual Liberty

Mutual Respect

Acceptance of different faiths and

beliefs

The PREVENT DutySince September 2015, further education and skills providers have had a legal duty to protect learners from radicalisation and extremist influences and promote the British values of mutual respect, individual liberty, the rule of law, democracy and the acceptance of different faiths and beliefs.