Supportive relationships

From the beginning, help is available from individual tutors. Each student has a personal tutor with whom they meet once a term. Students are also encouraged to talk to their local church leaders, who are often well placed to understand the particular context and to direct individuals to appropriate support (and sometimes they have key resources on their own shelves!).

Our chaplains help with the leading of worship on evenings when we meet for learning and are available for the personal support of all Lindisfarne students.

Coffee breaks, residential weekends and student relationships are all potential sources of support, and chaplains and those leading modules are encouraged to keep a watchful eye for student wellbeing and to draw alongside students if appropriate.

Study skills

We have a flexible approach to personalised learning which includes many strategies to make life easier for students.

All students are offered the opportunity of attending a study skills day in the first term, timed to take place after induction is completed and study has begun, to allow for reflection on the experience so far.  Before this, the student handbook includes advice and sources of support for specific study skills, and at the study skills day individuals are encouraged to reflect on their preferred learning styles and preferences, and the opportunities and constraints of their study context, and to develop strategies to deal with these.  The experience so far is reviewed, and the day also covers the following main topics: information skills (including an induction into the use of the Religious Resources Centre, reading too much/too little, making notes, academic reading, referencing sources, writing skills.

We know that these are effective because of the amazing attainment of our former students, many of whom were new to academic study, or returning to it after some time.

“I am now in my late fifties and I had not studied in any formal way since my early twenties and my essay writing predates the internet and the use of computers. The support for someone coming back to formal study has been amazing and tutors are generous and constructive in the feedback they give to all, whatever their background.” Derek, Student

Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) and Disability support

LCT operates as an inclusive environment for all students.  A range of support is provided by the staff team, to provide the best possible learning experience for those who need some extra support. We have a nominated Learning Support Lead and a team of Learning Support Tutors.

Lisa speaks in the video below about about her experience of studying with LCT.