Support at residential school

People are available to help you once you're at the school

Undergraduate residential schools

Several weeks before you go to residential school a member of the Disability Resource Team will contact you to discuss your requirements. If they have arranged a personal assistant for you, they will send you a letter or email confirming their details. The residential school Disability Support Coordinator (DSC) will contact you to confirm that the facilities or equipment you’ve asked for will be there at the school.

The DSC is mainly responsible for making sure that your domestic arrangements are suitable and that you have the appropriate equipment. They will also meet you when you arrive at the school to pass on any important information, such as wheelchair routes round the campus. The DSC will also provide you with the equipment you’ve asked for and show you to your accommodation if you request this. At some of the larger residential schools there may be arrangements to help you complete registration quickly so you’ll have more time to find your room, relax and begin to feel familiar with your surroundings before the evening’s introductory sessions.

Most residential schools also have a Learning Adviser who can offer general support for study, guidance on choosing future modules and other academic matters. A Learning Adviser will get in touch with you during the week and tell you where and when they’re available — for appointments or just for a chat.

Your academic needs at the residential school are the responsibility of the Module Director, who will see that an appropriate teaching strategy is worked out with you at the school.

OU Business School residential schools

Several weeks before you go to residential school a member of the Disability Resource Team will contact you to discuss your requirements, and a support package will be sent to you a week before you go.

The regional or national centre, or the Residential School Support Manager (RSSM), will contact you to confirm that the facilities or equipment you’ve asked for will be there at the school.

The RSSM is a member of OU staff, and offers administrative support to you at the school. The RSSM will provide you with the equipment you’ve asked for, show you to your accommodation, and pass on any important information such as the wheelchair routes around the site.

The RSSM, Module Director and your tutor are there to provide support, and will work with you to make sure that you’re comfortable throughout your residential school.