Need a little extra help at college? Our ASAs have got you covered!

Supporting our learners is one of our priorities at Coleg Gwent. So, we’ve worked hard to create a learning environment that gives you all the help and support you need to thrive at college. And our caring and friendly Additional Support Assistants (ASAs) like Anthony Price are central to our supportive community, making sure you’ll never feel alone at college.

Before joining Coleg Gwent as an ASA, Anthony worked as a Personal Shopper in Tesco where he enjoyed helping others on a daily basis. He also came from a sporting background coaching at his local rugby club and refereeing in the WRU National Leagues. He’s always enjoyed working with people and helping in any way he can.

After an inspirational experience where he was given support while developing his rugby skills at Australia’s Padua College, Anthony realised he wanted to work with learners in a further education environment too. He wanted a role where he could support students on their learning journey, and decided to become an ASA at Coleg Gwent. Anthony now helps and supports our learners daily by giving them a gentle nudge and confidence boost, enabling them to be successful and thrive at college.

So, what does an ASA like Anthony do to support our learners in college?

Arriving at college ahead of lessons, Anthony speaks to tutors and students to identify any needs that he can help to address during the class. Then once the lesson starts, he works in collaboration with our expert tutors to ensure that all learners fully understand their tasks and objectives. He works closely with the learners who need extra support, helping them stay on track and keep up-to-date. He also assists with off-site excursions and trips away from the college, such as outdoor expedition assessments.

It’s vital for ASAs like Anthony to build a strong rapport with our learners and get to know them well. He explained that “college life is different from school because it’s more relaxed. Students wear their own clothes and college is less formal. You can have a good laugh with your tutors and peers, and this relaxed environment helps students to feel at ease and settle into college life.”

So, Anthony’s role is an important one, helping our learners to feel settled and supported at college, which can be daunting for some students at the start.

What does Anthony enjoy most about being an ASA?

Anthony enjoys finding out what interests our learners, what they like and dislike, and whether there is anything specific he can do to support them to stay on task. He loves how every day is different and enjoys interacting with students and watching them grow as individuals on both a personal and academic level. He aims to inspire our learners and focus on the positives, helping and encouraging them to believe in themselves at every opportunity, just like he experienced in Australia. He particularly enjoys working with the Sports department in the college, where he can use his own experiences in sports to help tutors deliver an authentic learning experience.

Anthony approaches his role with an open mind and is always on the lookout for new opportunities he can take to assist others at college. He’s even taken the plunge to study our HND in Sports Coaching and Development at Crosskeys Campus and plans to top-up his qualification to a degree at the University of South Wales.

What advice would Anthony give to learners thinking of joining Coleg Gwent?

If you’re looking at courses you can study at Coleg Gwent, Anthony explains that the college has “a very diverse and welcoming environment that allows students the opportunity to grow and develop personally and academically.”

Our college is an environment where everyone can feel comfortable as part of a community. We have many enrichment activities that you can take part in alongside your studies, from representing the college in sports competitions to volunteering opportunities. There really is something for everyone at Coleg Gwent!

But above all, if learners require extra support, we can provide it. Our college has a wide range of support services and designated support staff like Anthony, who are always on hand to guide you. All our support staff and ASAs have been trained in Additional Learning Needs, difficulties and disabilities. So, alongside many other resources on campus, we can ensure that you progress through college and succeed in your studies.

Register now for our next Virtual Open Event to find out more about joining the Coleg Gwent community. As well as subject area chat rooms, campus tours, extracurricular activities and real student case studies, we also have a dedicated live talk about our learner support services. So, join us to find out all you need to know about how Coleg Gwent can support you through your further education journey!