Students with Disabilities Policy

Phoenix Academy is committed to an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students. We recognise the importance of equal access to education for students with disabilities, and we make reasonable adjustments to meet their needs. This policy sets out how we support students with disabilities on our part-time online programmes.

Adjustments are made where they help disabled students demonstrate the learning outcomes required for credit or qualifications. They are tailored to each student’s needs, as the academic board judges appropriate and fair.

1. Procedure

1. Declare any impairment when you apply for the course, so we can make provision as described above.
2. Make a written application asking for reasonable adjustments to your learning and/or assessments. It should clearly explain the impairment, disability or specific learning need and its impact on your training, and include supporting evidence from a relevant registered health or clinical professional (such as a GP, consultant, healthcare practitioner, care assessor, occupational therapist, educational psychologist or diagnostic assessor), written within three years of the course start date.
3. Arrange a meeting with the Course Director to discuss your application. An initial assessment is made at the meeting, then your case is reviewed with the Course Team and the outcome sent to you in writing.
4. The Course Director and/or Course Team agree the reasonable adjustments and write to you.
5. The administrative team discusses the details with you, and we create a Learning Support Plan (LSP) together.

2. Examples of reasonable adjustments

• Extra time for examinations and summative in-class tests (such as multiple-choice questions, essays and practical report proformas)
• Rest breaks during examinations

Clinical supervisors are told when a student needs adjustments and take this into account when providing experience and support.

3. What students must do

• Tell Phoenix Academy if your condition changes, and provide up-to-date evidence when asked.
• Contact the administrative team one month before an exam or event, so arrangements can be made.
• Tell the administrative team if you decide not to use agreed adjustments in any of your exams.

4. Please note

• Any adjustment must be justified and consistent with demonstrating the skills and competencies needed for the course learning outcomes and for the profession.
• Every case is supported individually, so students with similar disabilities or learning needs may have different Learning Support Plans.
• Support is reviewed at the start of each academic year to make sure it is still appropriate.
• We raise awareness of disability issues among staff and students, train staff in inclusive teaching, and promote a culture of respect and inclusion.

5. Data protection

Students claiming support must agree to relevant personal information being used as appropriate within Phoenix Academy. For example, we may need to share information with colleagues so that support needs are known and reasonable adjustments can be put in place.

You can choose not to disclose information about your disability. If so, we may not be able to make reasonable adjustments, and we will discuss this with you.

6. Contact

Chunyan Glover or Joe Quieros, Phoenix Academy of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Email: office@phoenixtcm.org.uk · Telephone: +44 1245 350822

Effective date: 1 January 2025