At North Hertfordshire College, we’re proud to be able to support learners with additional needs to help them achieve their full potential. Our dedicated Additional Learning Support team are on hand to organise arrangements and deliver in-class support to learners to help them along their NHC journey.
Meet Virginia Hancock, who works with North Hertfordshire College and Hart Learning & Development as an ALS Coordinator! Virginia brings her experience and positive attitude to her role, helping ensure every student has the best possible chance to reach their goals. Find out more about Virginia in her Meet the Team interview:
Can you tell us a little about your NHC journey so far?
“I’m an ALS Coordinator, which involves working with a team of inclusion assistants at our Engineering and Construction Campus. They in turn support students who have various needs for extra support in the classroom. I’m also a BSL Communicator, which involves supporting Deaf students in both their practical and theory sessions.
“I have worked at NHC for over twenty years, and I love it. Over my years here, I have learnt so much both from my colleagues and the students. I originally enrolled on a British Sign Language (BSL) at the College and completed my Level 1 and 2 qualifications. After I finished my Level 2 qualification, I was asked if I would like to support a Deaf student in catering, which I did and really enjoyed. He was the first Deaf full-time student to enrol, and he completed the course in three years. It was so humbling and gratifying to work with him and to see him work so well with his hearing peers.
“I have since worked with various students across the different campuses. I still support staff and students as a BSL Communicator, and as a coordinator for the apprentices too. My role with apprentices is to interview students with learning needs, make exam access arrangements, create support strategies, liaise with assessors to support the learners, update EHC plans, and co-chair EHCP meetings with the SENco Manager.”
What do you enjoy the most about working with NHC?
“I really enjoy the variety of the job and working with the students. No two days are the same in this role, and I enjoy getting to know each individual student and their own needs
“One of my personal highlights was when I was working with this one particular student who didn’t believe in himself. He was taught to play chess by his grandmother, but he got so good that she stopped playing with him! I asked if I could help him get into a chess club, and we managed to do that, and he still enjoys going once a week to take part. He has been beaten by a nine-year-old boy, but he still wants to go back to the club, and he has great pride in his chess skills when we talk about it. Not only this but he has also taught one of his peers within his group to play, too.
“Seeing his determination to keep going and keep pushing his skills has been great. I’m proud of his achievements and his resilience.”
If you could speak to someone who is thinking of applying for a job with NHC, what would you say to them?
“I would say that it’s important to be patient, understanding, consistent, and non-judgemental to be successful in this role. Working with young people can be challenging and so rewarding. You will have up and down days, happy, funny, and upsetting days. I have a wonderful manager and fellow coordinators who support me, and that enables me to support these young people who I enjoy working with.”
Work with the Hart Learning Group
We think all jobs in education are some of the most important and fulfilling jobs in the world – helping people realise their potential and build a life for themselves; helping businesses to grow and improve; and helping to build strong, vibrant communities.
If you share our passion, we want to hear from you – check out our available vacancies and come and join the team!