Graduate Focus: Daniel Whooley

Dunboyne College of Further Education is committed to providing the best possible learning environment in relation to students with special educational needs and disabilities. Dunboyne College welcomes applications from students with special needs and makes provision, wherever possible, to facilitate access and participation in the academic courses and student life.

We provide services to all students with additional needs, which may include, but is not limited to:

• Visual Impairment

• Hearing Impairment

• Mental Health Conditions

• Physical or Mobility Difficulties

• Specific Learning Difficulties, e.g. Dyslexia, Dyspraxia

• Autistic Spectrum Disorders

• Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

• Developmental Co-ordination Disorders (Dyspraxia / Dysgraphia)

• Neurological Conditions Significant On-going Illnesses

Students who have been assessed as having additional needs or a disability should contact the Student Support Services early in the academic year to discuss their individual needs and their individual support plan.

All enquiries to Catherine Joyce cjoyce.dbc@lmetb.ie 

Academic Support is available to all the students of Dunboyne College. One-to-one appointments can be made via our online booking system to avail of support in the following areas:

• Reading an assignment brief

• Using Moodle, Outlook, Office365 and OneDrive to assist in your studies

• Research and referencing in your assignments

• Academic writing

• Time management and organisational skills

• Exam study and revision skills

• English Language (ESOL) support

One-to-one appointments take place in the Learning Hub. Queries relating to this service can be directed to the Academic Support Co-ordinator, Aoife O’Dwyer, who is based in the Learning Hub.

Dyslexia Adult Screening Testing is also available in the Learning Hub, please contact Catherine Joyce or Aoife O’Dwyer aodwyer.dbc@lmetb.ie for further information on this service.

Personal Counselling is available to students to assist with issues which may arise in the course of the academic year, for example, difficulty in adjusting to college demands, time management, exam anxiety, or other ongoing concerns. Personal counselling is bound by strict confidential ethical guidelines. Appointments can be made through the website, a mentor or directly with Meabh – mnimmo.dbc@lmetb.ie or Derek - dball.dbc@lmetb.ie 

The college welcomes adults over 23 who wish to return to education and who wish to retrain in new skills and technologies. Our mature learners enjoy the following supports in addition to the overall supports provided to all students:

• Mature student meet and greet before the college year begins.

• A dedicated mature student room where mature students can meet and work with fellow mature students.

• Tea and coffee making facilities are available in the Mature Student room daily.

• A mature student officer available for guidance and support.

• Academic support tailored to ensuring the smooth transition to DCFE.

 • Coffee Mornings in the mature student room.

• Guest speakers from past mature learners.

• Career guidance talks tailored to mature links.

• A dedicated induction process for mature entry.

• Workshops in exam study, time management, presentation skills, IT skills, referring and research techniques, etc.

• Basic computer skills workshops.

• Organised social events for mature learners.

• We look forward to welcoming our future mature learners to Dunboyne College.