New College Worcester

NCW is a national residential school and college for young people aged 11 to 19 who are blind or vision impaired.

Every student at NCW has a tailored programme, carefully planned and delivered to meet their individual needs in three key areas; academic achievement, independent living skills and involvement in extracurricular activities at the College and in the community.

The opportunities provided to students in these three areas of provision play a crucial role in the development of confidence and self-esteem and preparation for life beyond our College.

At NCW it is our aim to ensure there are no barriers to success for any child with a vision impairment. The combination of tailored learning, extra-curricular experiences and the immense support offered by staff and peers means that every child has the opportunity to achieve their very best potential.

New College Worcester provides:

• Academic focus for students with a vision impairment

• Expert subject teachers qualified to teach the vision impaired

• A 'Waking Day' curriculum - learning doesn't stop at the end of the school day

• An individualised approach for every student and very small class sizes

• An ethos which puts students first

• A robust safeguarding environment

• Increased student employability through academic achievement and social skills

• High aspirations for every person

• Outreach Service offering training and advice to mainstream settings

• Work experience, internships and careers guidance

• A transcription service to ensure all learning materials are individualised for each student

The College accepts students with a wide range of vision impairments and some students have additional needs such as a hearing impairment, autism or have limited mobility. Places are usually funded by the student's Local Authority.

NCW Students have a wide range of academic ability following the National Curriculum at Key Stage 3, following onto GCSEs and AS/A2 courses. The College offers some entry level and vocational courses in key stage 4 and 5 and some 6th formers follow vocational programmes at a local college supported by NCW staff. Students also have Independent Living Skills (ILS), Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Mobility, Braille and PE lessons, and some students follow ASDAN courses (personal, social and communication skills). We follow the Curriculum Framework for learners who are vision impaired which has eleven presents outcomes within 11 teaching areas:

• Facilitating an Inclusive World

• Sensory Development

• Communication

• Literacy

• Habilitation: Orientation and Mobility

• Habilitation: Independent Living Skills

• Accessing information

• Technology

• Health: Social, Emotional, Mental and Physical Wellbeing

• Social, Sports and Leisure

• Preparing for Adulthood.

Accommodation at NCW for years 7 to 11 is in one of three junior houses, each with several bedrooms, dedicated residential staff, a study room, sitting room and communal kitchen - staying as full or weekly boarders, or attending daily. Once in sixth form students in the sixth form house or hostel are encouraged to be self-sufficient and independent, in preparation for their journey beyond NCW.

To find out more visit our website at www.ncw.co.uk or call us on 01905 763933.