Amy Bangura

Amy Bangura – Student Enrolment Manager

Overview

Amy Bangura, a dedicated and passionate professional, serves as the Student Enrolment Manager at the British Creative Institute (BCi). In this role, she oversees all aspects of student enrolment, primarily focusing on supporting post-16 learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Her key objective is to ensure that each learner receives an inclusive and welcoming enrolment experience, paving the way for a supportive journey at BCi.

Below is an in-depth look at Amy’s responsibilities and how her work benefits post-16 SEND learners.

1. Enrolment Strategy and Planning

Amy collaborates with senior leadership to develop an enrolment strategy that recognises the diverse needs of SEND learners. This involves:

• Data Analysis: Review past enrolment statistics, learner feedback, and external reports to identify gaps in the enrolment process and refine recruitment plans.
• Targeted Outreach: Working with local schools, community centres, and relevant charities to promote BCi’s programmes specifically to SEND learners.
• Forecasting Needs: Monitor potential enrolment numbers to allocate resources—such as specialist staff and accessible materials—so that each learner is well supported from the outset.

Benefit to Post-16 SEND Learners:

Through strategic planning, Amy ensures BCi has the proper infrastructure and staff expertise to accommodate learners’ specific requirements. This foresight reduces assessment waiting times, promotes equitable resource distribution, and helps create a smoother transition for new enrollees. Ultimately, this results in a more inclusive and supportive environment for post-16 SEND learners at BCi.

1. Marketing and Communication

Amy oversees BCi’s marketing activities, ensuring that all promotional materials are inclusive and accurately reflect the support services available to SEND learners. This includes:

• Inclusive Marketing: Collaborating with marketing teams to produce materials (brochures, digital ads, open day flyers) highlighting BCi’s commitment to SEND inclusivity.
• Community Engagement: Hosting outreach events, open days, and online forums where prospective learners can discover available programmes and ask questions directly.
• Clear Information: Ensuring that all communications—whether web-based, printed, or face-to-face—use accessible language and formats, such as large print, easy-to-read documents, and captions on videos.

Benefit to Post-16 SEND Learners:

Amy reduces potential barriers that deter SEND learners from applying by focusing on inclusive marketing and clear communication. Prospective learners and their families gain an accurate understanding of BCi’s resources and feel confident about how BCi can meet their educational needs.

1. Admissions Process Coordination

Amy coordinates the admissions process, ensuring it runs smoothly from initial enquiry to confirmed placement. Key tasks include:

• Application Review: Maintaining a fair and transparent admissions policy that recognises the varied educational backgrounds of SEND learners.
• Specialist Assessment: Organising or recommending assessments to identify individual learning needs, ensuring that resources and support plans are in place before enrolment.
• Documentation and Compliance: Monitoring all required documentation for learners, including Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), support letters, and medical reports, to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

Benefit to Post-16 SEND Learners:

A well-managed admissions process ensures that each SEND learner’s needs are recognised and addressed. Amy’s attention to detail helps prevent delays or oversights that could hinder a smooth transition into BCi’s programmes.

1. Collaboration with Internal Teams

Amy’s work is not done in isolation. She works closely with tutors, SEN coordinators, and other BCi departments to streamline the enrolment experience. This collaboration includes:

• Cross-Department Meetings: Scheduling regular meetings with teaching staff, pastoral care teams, and learning support assistants to discuss learner profiles and specific needs.
• Resource Allocation: Advising senior management on staff deployment, budget considerations, and necessary specialist equipment, ensuring learners receive tailored support.
• Ongoing Feedback: Gathering feedback from staff who interact with new learners, helping refine and improve the admissions and support processes over time.

Benefit to Post-16 SEND Learners:

When internal teams collaborate, learners benefit from a cohesive support network. Clear channels of communication among staff members mean that key information about a learner’s needs, aspirations, and challenges is shared promptly, creating a more consistent experience.

1. Support for Learners and Families

Recognising that enrolling in a new institution can be daunting for learners and their families, Amy provides guidance throughout the process:

• One-to-One Guidance: Offering direct support for families navigating entry requirements, financial aid, and specialist services.
• Information Sessions: Organising webinars or small-group sessions to help parents and carers understand BCi’s approach to SEND support.
• Accessibility Measures: We will work with BCi’s facilities management to ensure that physical spaces are accessible and that appropriate adjustments (e.g., ramps, hearing loops) are in place before the start of each programme.

Benefit to Post-16 SEND Learners:

By offering ongoing support and familiarisation opportunities, Amy helps learners and their families feel more at ease, boosting learner confidence and engagement from day one.

1. Post-Enrolment Follow-Up and Retention

Enrolment is only the beginning of a student’s journey. Amy places a strong emphasis on follow-up and retention strategies for SEND learners:

• Initial Settling-In Check: Coordinating with SEN coordinators to assess how well new learners adapt during their first weeks of study.
• Continued Monitoring: Tracking attendance, academic progress, and overall well-being throughout the year to address emerging issues quickly.
• Retention Initiatives: Developing workshops, peer mentoring programmes, or additional support sessions where learners can access help, share experiences, and build confidence.

Benefit to Post-16 SEND Learners:

Amy ensures that potential challenges are identified and addressed promptly through regular follow-ups. This proactive approach promotes higher retention rates and allows learners to thrive socially and academically, instilling confidence in the support provided at BCi.

1. Policy and Compliance Advocacy

Amy plays a crucial role in ensuring that BCi remains compliant with UK regulations regarding SEND provision. Her vigilance and dedication ensure that BCi’s admissions and support structures always meet the highest legal and educational standards, providing a secure environment for SEND learners.

• Legislative Awareness: Keeping informed about updates to the SEND Code of Practice, Ofsted guidelines, and other relevant legislation.
• Policy Implementation: Working with BCi’s leadership to embed inclusive practices across policies, handbooks, and learner contracts.
• Staff Training: Encouraging and, where necessary, delivering professional development sessions on safeguarding, equality, and SEND inclusion.

Benefit to Post-16 SEND Learners:

By upholding and promoting compliance, Amy ensures that BCi remains a safe and supportive environment, minimising legal or administrative hurdles that might otherwise disrupt a learner’s educational journey.

1. Continuous Improvement and Innovation

In her quest to provide the best enrolment experience possible for SEND learners, Amy is deeply committed to continuous improvement and innovation. She actively seeks opportunities to enhance and innovate, ensuring that the services provided at BCi are always at their best.

• Learner Feedback: Conduct enrolment feedback surveys or focus groups to discover how processes can be improved.
• Benchmarking: Examining best practices in other institutions and integrating successful strategies at BCi.
• Technology Integration: Exploring digital platforms to streamline enrolment workflows, enhance accessibility, and provide real-time support.

Benefit to Post-16 SEND Learners:

A continuous improvement mindset ensures BCi remains at the forefront of inclusive enrolment processes. Learners benefit from new tools, refined practices, and an overarching commitment to tailored support.

1. Leadership and Mentoring

As Student Enrolment Manager, Amy mentors junior staff, cultivating a team that shares her vision for inclusivity:

• Training and Development: Providing coaching sessions and performance reviews for enrolment officers and administrative staff.
• Team Empowerment: Fostering a culture of empathy and respect, where staff members are encouraged to suggest improvements and share best practices for supporting SEND learners.
• Positive Work Environment: Encouraging open dialogue and collaboration creates a more welcoming experience for prospective learners.

Benefit to Post-16 SEND Learners:

A knowledgeable and motivated enrolment team is better equipped to respond swiftly and compassionately to SEND learners’ unique situations. With Amy’s guidance, her staff consistently demonstrate a proactive approach to problem-solving and learner engagement.

1. Impact and Outcomes

Amy’s role at BCi has a demonstrable impact on the organisation’s ability to serve and retain post-16 SEND learners:

• Increased Enrolment: Targeted outreach efforts result in more SEND learners discovering and choosing BCi.
• Higher Retention Rates: Ongoing support and close monitoring reduce dropout rates, helping learners stay on track.
• Enhanced Reputation: Positive word-of-mouth and proven success stories contribute to BCi’s standing as an inclusive and learner-focused institution.
• Improved Learner Satisfaction: Feedback from students and families often praises Amy’s commitment to personalised support, highlighting her role in creating a smooth transition into further education.

Conclusion

Amy Bangura’s role as Student Enrolment Manager at BCi is vital to the organisation’s commitment to providing inclusive, high-quality educational opportunities for post-16 SEND learners. Through strategic planning, close collaboration with internal teams, and unwavering attention to each learner’s unique needs, she has successfully cultivated an enrolment experience that champions accessibility, equality, and personal growth.

Her dedication to continuous improvement ensures that BCi meets regulatory requirements and evolves to anticipate and meet the changing needs of a diverse student body. Amy further solidifies BCi’s reputation as a centre of excellence in inclusive education by empowering her team to adopt a learner-centric approach.

Ultimately, her unwavering focus on removing barriers, offering clear communication, and providing tailored support means post-16 SEND learners can genuinely thrive—academically, socially, and personally—during their time at BCi.