Who are we?
Each campus has an Additional Learning Support Co-ordinator (ALSCo) and a team of Additional Support Assistants (ASAs) who provide in-class and out-of-class support for young people with ALN. Each campus team is supported by an ALN Administrator and the ALN Assessor assesses young people for exam access arrangements.
In addition, Communications Support Workers (CSWs) provide support for young people who use British Sign Language (BSL) and the Transition and Review Officers support young people moving from school to college.
Find your campus ALN support team’s contact details below:
Elaine Jones
ALN Manager
I qualified as a primary school teacher and worked in inner-city schools in Birmingham for 10 years. When I moved back to Wales, I began working for Coleg Gwent. Since starting in 2007, I have worked as a lecturer, skills co-ordinator and learning advisor in the library before specialising in additional learning needs. I was the Additional Learning Support Co-ordinator in Newport and was appointed ALN Manager 3 years ago.
I have a Masters in Education, a Post Graduate Diploma in Specific Learning Difficulties and Post Graduate Certificate in Autism.
I enjoy travelling and back-packed around the world by myself for a year. I’m scared of heights but I have done a parachute jump, bungee jump and aerial assault course. It hasn’t helped cure me of my fear of heights though.
Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone
Gavin Vowles
Additional Learning Support Co-ordinator
I have worked in education for around 10 years.
I love my family, music, and Tottenham Hotspur Football Club (COYS).
Email: Gavin.Vowles@coleggwent.ac.uk
Room: D2.06
Phone: 07485 329910
Louise Russo
Transition and Review Officer / ALN Administrator
I have worked for Coleg Gwent for 20 years with many different job roles.
I love being abroad and turn into a 12-year-old when I go to Disney World Florida.
Email: Louise.Russo@coleggwent.ac.uk
Room: D2.06
Phone: 07485 329846
City of Newport Campus
Sharren Bessant
Additional Learning Support Co-ordinator
I have worked for Coleg Gwent for 7 years.
I enjoy creating beautiful jewellery with real flowers.
Email: Sharren.Bessant@coleggwent.ac.uk
Room: C201C
Phone: 01633 466133
Jordan Davies
Transition and Review Officer
I have worked for Coleg Gwent for a little over 2 years, and work for the ALN Team in Newport, TLZ and Usk.
I study a Politics & Philosophy Degree part time and have adopted a Panda in China!
Elinor Morgan
ALN Administrator
I have 20 years’ experience in hospitality and public facing roles, working in both Wales and England. I have been lucky enough to travel to some fantastic countries including Singapore and Australia, as well as living for a short while in Norway.
I enjoyed playing netball while I was in school and went back to it some 20 years later and now love playing each week for my local club!
Crosskeys Campus
Michelle Williams
Additional Learning Support Co-ordinator
I have a background in learning support and have worked across multiple campuses teaching and supporting learners in further education. I have worked for Coleg Gwent for the last 5 years, and have recently joined the ALN team.
I love music, camping, walking and being outside with my dog.
Email: Michelle.Williams@coleggwent.ac.uk
Room: K.10
Phone: 01495 333482
Lowenna Huggins
Transition and Review Officer
I have worked in education for over 10 years, since I trained to be a drama teacher.
I love cats and running half marathons.
Karla Ball
Communications Coach
I have a background in working with Adults with ASD, Learning difficulties and Communication needs for over 24 years.
I worked within the community and in supported living as a Social Care Worker and for the past 10 years I have worked in education for Coleg Gwent as a ASA in the ILS department.
I have training in Speech, Language and Communication, PEC’s and some BSL.
During my free time I love to go to the Theatre, Music concerts and Toy fairs. My interests and hobbies include Arts& Crafts, Baking, logical puzzles and playing darts.
Email: Karla.Ball@coleggwent.ac.uk
Victoria Cleave
ALN Administrator
I worked in financial services for over 10 years, within educational administration for 6 years, and Coleg Gwent for a little over 2 years.
I have a Masters Degree in Novel Writing and enjoy writing Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Cosy Mysteries.
Torfaen Learning Zone and Usk Campus
Luka Brackley
Additional Learning Support Co-ordinator
I have worked in education for 8 years as an SPLD/literacy specialist, English teacher and ALSCo. I have a Postgraduate Diploma in SEN (SPLD), have previously been accredited by the British Dyslexia Association and have had an article published on supporting learners with dyslexia in the Psychology of Education review.
In my spare time, I enjoy horse riding and attending a Movie Musical Dance Fit class. I am a huge Disney fan and have won several Disney trivia quizzes.
Email: Luka.Brackley@coleggwent.ac.uk
Room: TLZ 2.20
Jordan Davies
Transition and Review Officer
I have worked for Coleg Gwent for a little over 2 years, and work for the ALN Team in Newport, TLZ and Usk.
I study a Politics & Philosophy Degree part time and have adopted a Panda in China!
John Smith
ALN Administrator
I have worked in administration for the past 10 years with HMCTS, Prison and Probation. I also spent 18 months running Torfaen Museum. Prior to this I worked in retail management with several employers including Superdrug, Sainsburys and B&Q.
I enjoy playing golf, snooker and darts and enjoy most sports. A lot of my time is now taken up with my 4 grandchildren.
Email: Jonathan.Smith3@coleggwent.ac.uk
Room: TLZ 2.18
Cross-Campus
Rhys Lewis
Autism Spectrum Disorder Coach
I have supported people with autism for over 10 years. First at University where I studied Creative and Therapeutic Arts. From there I started to work in an Autism Resource Base where I provided support and strategies to staff, families and pupils with ASD across Torfaen.
During my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends. My interests include technology, current events and cooking. I especially enjoy going out for a meal to my favourite restaurant Wagamama.
Email: Rhys.Lewis@coleggwent.ac.uk
Phone: 07485 314804
David Clegg
Assistive Technology Coach
I have worked in education for approximately 7 years both as a support worker and teacher. Previously I worked in the programming sector and used to create websites for various different companies.
I enjoy going to the theatre, music and all types of sport. I am an Arsenal fan and once played semi-professional football for Dagenham and Redbridge as a goalkeeper.
Email: David.Clegg@coleggwent.ac.uk
Amanda Taylor
Individual Development Plan Co-Ordinator
I have worked in education as a support worker for over 30 years, with career breaks to have my 2 children. In my earlier career days, I worked in primary schools, then 10 years ago started supporting in post 16 education, quickly realising that this was my strength.
I worked as a 1:1 support worker with learners diagnosed with ASD for 8 years and very recently joined Coleg Gwent as a support assistant and now I am proud to say I am part of the Additional Learning Needs team.
My hobbies and interests are my 2 grandchildren and walking my 2 sprocker dogs on the mountains near where I live. I also enjoy listening to music, going to the theatre, reading and going on holidays abroad.
Carly Williams
Individual Development Plan Co-Ordinator
I have been working for Coleg Gwent for 11 years. I began as a support worker in mainstream and now I teach in ILS and as the IDP Coordinator for ILS. I have a PG Cert in Autism and working towards my MA in Autism.
I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I love animals and I currently have 2 cats and 2 rabbits. In my spare time I love painting, drawing and yoga.