To receive a presentation from Bracknell and Wokingham College on their provision for students with Learning Disability.
Minutes:
Representatives from Bracknell and Wokingham College, Vronwryn Hutch and Martin White presented to the Access Group on how they support students with a learning difficulty or disability.
It was explained that the College aimed to work together to help learners to have the best experience at college regardless of their learning difficulty or disability.
· The programmes are all study programmes which combine life and study skills. There are two groups: Ambitions and Aspirations and mainstream study programmes.
· Learners often had special educational needs or a EHCP.
· There was a new programme which was a supported internship designed to give the learner prolonged work experience in a sector such as car maintenance. Along with extra maths and English to help them achieve with the ultimate goal to get them into the work place. So far this had been well received.
· The Apprenticeship courses could include various subjects including hairdressing, electrician and marketing.
· They also supported learners with work experience programmes
It was noted that Bracknell and Wokingham College would join with the ACTIVATE college group in October 2018. ACTIVATE had high quality special needs courses and could offer a wider range of courses than currently available at Bracknell and Wokingham College.
After questions, it was confirmed that Bracknell and Wokingham had close links with Kennel Lane School and Addington in Wokingham and close links with all main stream schools, independent providers and SENCO’s. The College arranged transition periods with the schools if needed to help students adjust.
A typical example of the transition help provided, was where the College had worked closely with a guide dogs charity to ensure the building was easy to navigate and so the guide dog and student could both get used to the building and get around unaided. This was a success and the student was now attending university.
It was commented that there were no age limits on apprenticeships and red diamonds members had found the courses at the College beneficial.
It was confirmed that the college had 1000 mainstream students every year which included 63 students with a EHCP and studying in mainstream courses. It also included 32 students on the foundation course and 200 students also had in class support with specialist or 1:1 help with English and Maths. The courses were successful and well liked because the met the individual at their point of need.
The Ambitions Course lasted up to 3 years and was a flexible study programme for learners with support needs. The course included work skills and life skills were also covered along with work experience. Following the course, students would move onto supported internships or start working.
The Aspirations was a 1 year course designed to help students before they move on to college life. The students may have done GCSE’s before and majority have ECHP. The students study Maths, English, Life skills and complete work experience to help them get into the workplace.
It was noted that the learner would decide what particular subjects they wanted to do from a range of options. Options for the courses included; performing arts to develop confidence, cooking, working on the land share, carpentry and supported internships.
The students were also an integral part of the community and raised money through RAG week.
It was noted that OFSTEAD were pleased to have integration between students with additional needs and mainstream students.
It was confirmed that the slides would be circulated to group members
(Action: Emma to circulate)
It was questioned what age range the students were and it was confirmed that there was no age restriction for students with an ECHP and that students arrived from the age of 16. The college were conscious that they didn’t want students to become too settled but push them onto new things.
It was noted that students aged 24+ would still have the courses available to them but the cost would be funded through a loan and it was acknowledged that there were funding issues over the age of 24.
It was questioned what support was given from local companies regarding work experience and it was confirmed that Level 2 hospitality courses had work experience with Waitrose. They were also supported by local hotels, garages, building sites and care homes.
The Access Group thanks Vronwyn and Martin for attending their presentation.