Neurodiverse and Disabled Learner Support
If you're one of our students and you have an impairment or disability, medical condition, or injury that might affect your studies, don't worry – we’ve got you.
We want everyone to be successful and reach their full potential, and we believe in creating a campus environment that's safe, inclusive, and free from any kind of discrimination.
Confidential support from day one
So, what exactly does this mean for you? Well, when you first enrol at Cut Above, we’ll ask if there's any specific support you need or if there are any barriers you think you might encounter during your studies. This information is kept confidential, so you don't have to worry about anyone else finding out about it without your permission. A Learner Success Coordinator will then meet with you individually to better understand your learning needs. Our Learner Success Coordinators liaise with our learners and Tutors to further understand what learning strategies have been effective in the past, and what could be helpful moving forward for you in the classroom and campus environment.
A safe space on campus
And if you're someone who's hypersensitive to sensory information or just need a quiet space to self-regulate, we have sensory spaces available at some of our campuses. These spaces are equipped with products that can help with de-escalation.New Zealand’s most comprehensive sensory space for neurodivergent learners is being launched by Yoobee Colleges at its 360 Queen Street campus, which houses learners studying at New Zealand School of Tourism, Cut Above Academy and Elite School of Beauty and Spa. Read more here.
Cut Above also offers additional support services like:
pastoral care
counselling for mental health and wellbeing
stress management
relationship concerns, and student advocacy.
Plus, if you're looking to connect with disability agencies or organisations in New Zealand, here’s some links to check out.
If you need any further information or assistance, just reach out to your onsite Learner Success Team member and they'll be happy to help you out.
MEET YOUR LEARNER SUCCESS TEAM
Kelly Stevens
Head of Learner Success
Kelly is the Head of Learner Success. She has been with the wider UP Education group since 2012, has worked in multiple roles, is a member of the Yoobee Colleges Executive team and is also a qualified adult teacher and facilitator. She understands the challenges students face daily. She is responsible for the Educational Performance Strategy, new initiatives and ensuring that we are providing equitable opportunities for all students.
Rachael Atkinson
Learner Success Team Lead
Rachael is the Learner Success Team Lead. She has worked within the UP Education group since 2017, supporting both students and campus staff to achieve successful outcomes. Rachael strongly values developing people and encouraging student achievement through education. She is responsible for leading the Learner Success Team to improve the overall educational performance of Cut Above by embedding effective practices across all campuses.
Preeti Kaul
Supports Cut Above Academy
Preeti is our Learner Success Coordinator for Cut Above in Auckland City. During her time with UP Education, she has successfully worked with multiple brands and campuses to improve learner outcomes. Nurturing youth and their success have been her main forte. Preeti is enthusiastic and eager to focus her attention on supporting her campuses with identifying learner needs and implementing strategies to help achieve equitable outcomes.