Learning support and development

The allowance is available to cover areas of need for example, specialist equipment and a non-medical helper allowance, this could be a specialist tutor for dyslexia, a sign support worker or note taker etc.

You can obtain further information from your local DSA funding body:

• England
• Northern Ireland  
• Scotland 
• Wales 

Students from the Republic of Ireland may be entitled to funding via the Fund for Students with Disabilities (which is funded by the Irish Government). For further information about the fund, guidance on making an application and other financial support, please visit their webpage

Unfortunately, international students are not eligible for the UK government disability allowances. However, the College can offer some Study Skills sessions and some basic equipment. It is the responsibility of the EU and overseas students to enquire from their own country whether or not they are eligible for any financial help.

You may also wish to look up the following helpful guides for prospective students:

• Into Higher Education 2019: For anyone with learning, health or disability issues (by Disability Rights UK)
• Bridging The Gap: A Guide to Disabled Students Allowances in Higher Education 2019/20

Evidence of disability or health condition

If you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD/ADD etc.) and had a diagnostic assessment after your 16th Birthday, please contact us so that we can advise you on applying for funding (Disabled Students Allowance/DSA).

We can then have the appropriate support in place for when your studies commence. If your diagnosis occurred before your 16th birthday, you will need to organise another assessment.

The sooner this takes place, the more likely it will be that support can be set up for you before your course begins.

For all other disabilities and long term health conditions, you will need medical evidence or a report from a suitably qualified specialist to support your funding application

What should I do if I suspect I may have a disability or learning difficulty?

If you are unsure but think you have a disability, we would encourage you to contact Student Services as early as possible, prior to starting your course or at your earliest opportunity once your studies commence (although this can be at any point during your course).  

We will offer you an informal discussion regarding your needs and study at Ravensbourne . Once your course begins, it can be difficult to prioritise this so we would encourage you to get in touch as soon as any issues arise, so that we can get appropriate support in place to enable you to get the most out of your time at Ravensbourne.

To assist you with disclosure and providing you have declared on your application form that you have a disability or learning difficulty, Student Services will contact you by email with a Student Services Checklist prior to enrolment.

We want to support the particular learning requirements of dyslexic students at Ravensbourne and can do so in a variety of ways:

• We can provide screening, advice and information in order to help you make informed decisions. Discussions are conducted in strict confidence.
• We can help you to identify how you can best use support and equipment to develop your abilities as an independent learner.
• We offer guidance and support in applying for the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA).
• We can organise diagnostic assessments through an Educational Psychologist and can discuss the implications of diagnoses. The College will meet the cost of an assessment where funds are available.
• We can assist with an appointment for a Needs Assessment.
• We can help to organise Non-Medical Helpers (NMH) these are people who can help with, for example, one to one dyslexia tuition, note-taking, and scribing. 
• We can work with your Course leader to make reasonable adjustments to teaching, learning and assessment and allow extra time for examinations.

Please contact Student Services for more information, help and advice.

Ravensbourne runs a series of workshops for its learners designed to support the development for reading, writing and academic skills during the course of their studies.

Sessions are held throughout the year and are freely available to all learners.

Please contact Student Services for more information, help and advice.

We welcome feedback of our Study Skills service. If you would like to comment, please complete the online feedback form. This form can be completed anonymously if you wish. 

We offer a professional and discreet counselling service to help overcome any problems you might face in your academic or personal life.

Whether you have emotional, financial or practical problems we can provide a supportive network of people who will listen and help.

For all student support enquiries please contact Student Services via email or phone +44 (0)20 3040 3501.

The quiet space, located on level three, is for the use of individuals, rather than groups, for prayer, reflection and quiet time. It is available for everyone, whatever faith or none.

Students and staff are invited to use the space for their own private prayer, meditation or reflection. Private study is not permitted.

Students and staff are free to display notices giving details of where to find local places of worship and to display posters advertising religious or other cultural events.

Notices may be removed by the Head of Student Services if they are deemed to be unacceptable in their content.

Guidelines for the quiet space

Please respect this space by using it only for its intended purpose and observing the following:

• Be sensitive to the customs and needs of others
• Keep noise to a minimum
• Refrain from talking with other users
• Turn off mobile phones
• Do not bring food or drink into the room
• Do not use for private study or other work
• Leave the room tidy when you depart

Storage cupboard for personal items

The quiet space is simply furnished for the use of all. No religious imagery is permanently displayed. Users may, however, use religious items such as prayer-mats, icons, statues, etc., to assist with their devotions.

Students and staff may use the cupboard to store personal effects (such as those mentioned above), when these items are not being used. Any property left here is, of course, stored at its owner's own risk.

Please ensure you remove any personal items when you leave the space, or store them in the cupboard.

Contact

The quiet space is overseen by the Head of Student Services. If you have any comments or feedback, please contact [email protected].

On the Peninsular

Prayer Space and Community Room: Located in the Aperture Building on Greenwich Peninsula

The Prayer Space provides a venue for faith groups to meet for prayer and worship and is available for booking by faith groups for their own prayer or worship activities. The Prayer Space is also open every day for people to drop in for prayer and reflection.

The Community Room provides a facility for activities or events which build up the local community and is available for booking by individuals or groups for such activities or events.