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Prospectus

A guide to specialist residential education for students aged 16+

Proud to be working with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards (D of E), The Association of National Specialist Colleges (Natspec), Cisco Networking Academy and Young Enterprise.

Welcome to the Royal National College for the Blind.

Introduction from Mark Fisher, Principal:

“Welcome to RNC, a college that is as unique as you are. We aim to empower you with the skills and confidence to independently live the life you have dreamed for yourself. RNC is a friendly campus, offering an environment of encouragement, safety and fun. Here you will be provided with resources, support and opportunities to enjoy new experiences, while receiving an individual and specialist learning experience tailored just for you.”

Our VisionA world where every person with a visual impairment has true equality

Our MissionEducation, employment and empowerment for all people with a visual impairment

OfstedRNC maintained its ‘good’ rating in the Ofsted inspection of October 2013, with some elements reported as ‘outstanding’. This is in addition to the residential and pastoral support having been rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in 2011.

All College information is available in alternative formats. To request this, or if you would like details in another language, contact us on 01432 376621 or info@rnc.ac.uk

Os hoffech gael unrhyw o’r wybodaeth hon yn y Gymraeg, rhowch wybod i ni.

RNC welcomes international students.

Courses

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GCSEsEnglish LanguageMathematicsFrenchGermanSpanishPsychologyHealth & Social Care

AS & A LevelsArt & Design (A Level only)BiologyEnglish LiteratureExtended Project (equivalent to 50% of an A Level)FrenchGermanHealth & Social CareHistoryMathematicsMedia StudiesPsychologySociologySpanishStatistics

BTECsBrailleBusiness StudiesHome Cooking SkillsInformation Technology (IT)

OCR/Cambridge TechnicalsArt & DesignBusiness StudiesMediaPerforming Arts Practice

NVQ & QCFsBusiness & AdministrationFrenchSpanish

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Sport & RecreationSupport Work in Schools

ITECsMassage & Complementary therapies

CiscoIT EssentialsCCNA

For Sport & Recreation course please see the Sports Academy Prospectus

For Art and Design, Media Studies, Media and Performing Arts Practice courses please see the Arts and Media Prospectus

Please note that AS and A Levels became two separate qualifications in 2015 (with AS worth 40% of an A Level), however we intend to offer parallel teaching in all subjects.

If you do not find your preferred course in the above list, please call Student Enquiries to discuss your aims.

ASPIRE Study Programme

Achievement for Social, Personal & Independence, Responsibility for future Employment and/or Education.

Vocational training for students studying Entry to Level 2, lasting 1-3 years.

With a focus on providing and supporting work skills and developing industry awareness, students undertake a selection of courses to meet their needs, with an emphasis on embedding all of the following skills into a regular work placement:

Customer Service Work Skills Personal & Social Development Money and Finance Communication Skills English, Maths

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ICT

ASPIRE is based on small group and independent work, with different subject- specialist teachers leading on units. Lessons emphasise independent working in a real internal/external setting, from classrooms and offices to outdoor education centres and plant nurseries.

Further experience is gained through the weekly RNC Market Stall (counter set up, display, cash handling), pop-up events stall, client liaison for massage clinics, horticulture and garden practice (planting and selling products), catering (front of house duties and selling products), Tech Novice Café (supporting members of the public with technology and providing refreshments).

Seasonal projects include: Arts and crafts Product design and sales Outdoor and practical skills (at Dinedor Outdoor Activity Centre)

Students from other vocational areas such as Business & Administration, are encouraged to support their own work based learning by working with ASPIRE students on the Market Stall each week and within customer service role-play sessions.

A portfolio of work will include evidence of presentations, plans, discussions, debates, and statements from work placements. Students combine a variety of units to suit their current needs and future aspirations, receiving recognition of their certified achievements at the end of the course.

Cisco Networking Academy™

IT Essentials covers fundamental computer and career skills for entry-level IT jobs. The IT Essentials curriculum includes hands-on labs that provide practical experience.

CCNA Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Routing and Switching is a certification programme for entry-level network engineers that helps maximise your investment in foundational networking knowledge and increases the value of your employer’s network.

CCNA 1: Routing and Switching Introduction to Networks

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Provides a foundation on internet and computer networks

CCNA 2: Routing and Switching Essentials

Configuration and troubleshooting of routers and switches in a small network

RNC is unique in providing Cisco training for people with visual impairments in the UK. We are developing distance learning for the future – details will be provided on the website once confirmed.

Quote from Nuno Guarda, Cisco Programme Manager and Head of Corporate Affairs:

“Cisco is dedicated to using its technology, expertise and network to create opportunities. The Networking Academy not only empowers students with ICT knowledge, but they develop a range of other career skills like problem solving, team work, critical thinking and entrepreneurial skills; enabling students to compete and thrive in the global workplace. Cisco ultimately believes that education can benefit people, communities and the planet. These shared values with The Royal National College for the Blind resulted in the launching of the UK’s first Networking Academy for people with visual impairments.”

Meet The Team

Alena Critoph – Registrar

Alena began working at the College in December 2007 and supports students from their initial visit, through their Pre-Entry Assessment, to their first exciting day of term. She has a background in education and knew RNC was special straight away. On her first day, Alena sensed there was a perfect mix of expertise and real care.

A significant part of her role relates to student recruitment and securingstudents’ funding. It is about giving potential students the quality, professional advice they need to explore their options and find the right next step in their studies or career.

Alena and her team work closely with local authorities and other bodies to secure the correct funding for each student, knowing the difference the right course can make to an individual’s life.

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Alena says: “Securing that funding is always satisfying. But even better is seeing students grasp the opportunity and take ownership of their own destiny.”

Teresa Allen - Teacher in Charge of IT Skills and Development

A former Business Studies student at RNC, Teresa worked for the Department for Transport in London before returning to the College as a member of staff in January 1988, qualifying as a teacher in 2000.

Teresa works within a specialist IT team that helps students develop their own computer skills, as well as leading on and teaching the BTEC Level 3 IT course. She also organises the Tech Novice Café, where students teach members of the public how to use their own devices.

Students meet with Teresa on Pre-Entry Assessment, where she discovers each individual’s strengths and what they hope to achieve. Working with assistive technology underpins every course at the College, as well as making the world a more accessible place.

With experienced teaching staff, a number of whom have visual impairments themselves, RNC offers holistic tailored support, setting it apart from other educational institutions.

Teresa says: “Students gain so much from staff keeping up to date with changes in technology and good practice, they are prepared for life after College.”

Nicola Smith and John Lynch - Directors of Learning and Curriculum

Nicola spent the first 10 years of her career in management before retraining to become a teacher 23 years ago. She has spent the last 10 years at RNC, first as a Literacy teacher and then as a manager.

Maintaining high quality teaching and learning and reviewing the curriculum to meet the needs of the students for now and for their future lives are the key priorities of her role.

John started at RNC in 2002 as a lecturer in sport, primarily teaching theblind and partially sighted football teams. Prior to this, he studied Sports Science at university and had undertaken multi-sports coaching.

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He progressed to Head of Vocational Skills, focusing on work based learning, and became Co-Director of Learning and Curriculum with Nicola in 2014, maintaining his sports and work training bias.

John says: “We strive to ensure the students achieve their career and life aspirations.”

Stephanie Mackey - Teacher in Charge of Mobility, Independent Living Skills and Braille

Having formerly worked as a qualified rehabilitation worker for local authorities in Telford, Shropshire, Birmingham and Dudley, Steph joined RNC in May 2011 from a desire to work in a more focused way and do more rehab.

She is keen to promote the independence that students build up through mobility, living skills and having an accessible working medium in Braille. She leads a team who work on a one-to-one basis with all students to ensure they meet their full potential in independent travel and managing their day- to-day lives.

Stephanie says: “The best bit about the job is seeing changes in students. Like a student who has never left the house alone, or used a cooker, gain the confidence to go shopping for a meal that they will make for their friends.”

Why RNC?

Studying or training at a residential college is an important decision. Here at RNC we have created a fresh, vibrant and supportive environment to start you on an incredible new pathway and begin turning your dreams into reality.

The College experience is more than just vocational and academic qualifications. It’s about achievement beyond the classroom, a time when you start to develop the self- confidence, personal independence and communication skills you need for your next step. This is your journey for your future.

One clear focus… you

Your timetable – a personalised learning plan specifically designed to meet your current needs and future ambitions

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Your support team – we are specialists in visual impairment and work with you from day one to make sure you have access to exactly the right level of support, at a pace that suits you

Your Student Hub – a flexible and dynamic student resource area designed to signpost you to all the advice and guidance you need

Your independence – the skills you develop at RNC are essential for independent living and study – from mobility and orientation to laundry, cooking and money management

Your social life – RNC is not a nine-to-five college and there’s never an excuse to be bored. Our range of activities will enable you to test your boundaries and try things you never thought possible

Your safety net – our residential, wellbeing and nursing teams are here to ensure you have the confidence to flourish and enjoy an active social life, all within a safe and supportive environment

Your time to shine – your ambitions and goals beyond RNC are important to us and we will help you gain the necessary skills and qualifications to fully prepare you for your future

Our promise – to be flexible and help you lay the foundations you need to move forward

Support from start to finish

Alongside your academic or vocational courses, you’ll have the chance to learn essential skills that will be invaluable as you move into the next phase of your life.

Independent Living Skills – a flexible and intensive programme that is tailored to build on your current skills and meet your future ambitions – everything from money management to cookery skills

Mobility Training – confident spatial awareness and mobility skills are central to your independence; from long-cane skills and independent train/bus travel, to guide dog support and advice

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Functional English and Mathematics – practical and relevant training to help you improve your skills, raise your confidence and support your study

Braille – RNC is the only organisation to offer approved Unified English Braille BTEC qualifications. Knowledge in this area can offer practical solutions for everyday work and study; whether you are a beginner or wish to develop your existing skills, the expertise offered by our staff is unique

Work Experience – in addition to designated internal and external work experience, you will be able to undertake regular work-based learning opportunities at RNC, from office services to sound engineering

Information Technology (IT) – our specialist staff all have an excellent working knowledge of the assistive technologies and computer-based solutions available to visually impaired people – including large print, speech and Braille. Our aim is to ensure that you are a confident and independent user of IT with a practical and effective working medium

Language Skills – if English is not your first language, we can offer support to improve your confidence and ability; or maybe you want to learn skills in another language (French, German or Spanish). You can also take advantage of our links with colleges in France and Germany to broaden your knowledge

Quote from Laura, current student:

“Since being at RNC, I feel that I have progressed at my mainprogrammes better than I would have if I had done them at my mainstream school. I think this is because of the amount of support that I have received here at College.”

A place to live, learn and make friends

Culture

Theatre trips

Conversational languages

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‘X-mas Factor’

Summer Prom

Art Club

Dining Club

Craft making

Nature and conservation activities

Other social and cultural experiences take place throughout the year, including many in the Chapel Arts Centre.

Sport

Tandem cycling

RNC Angling Club

Woodland, forest and hill walks

thePoint4 gym and spa

Further detail on sporting activities can be found in the Sports Academy prospectus.

Duke of Edinburgh Awards

RNC is a licensed centre for the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. You can complete Bronze and Silver Awards to learn skills, improve old ones and make new friends. Duke of Edinburgh Awards are a great addition to a CV or university application. They demonstrate volunteering, teamwork and overcoming challenges, such as an overnight camping trip, involving walks along rugged terrain and outdoor cookery.

Young Enterprise

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Taking place weekly during term time, Young Enterprise will equip you with skills that you can use in your life after RNC. You will learn to work effectively with your company team. Experience can be gained liaising with customers and suppliers, as well as improving your verbal and written communication skills, developing problem solving skills and increasing your self-confidence. This is another great addition to your CV and you do not need to be studying Business to be successful on the scheme.

Something for everyone

Developing you…

At RNC we understand that no two students are the same. Our commitment is to offer you a personalised package, with the choice and flexibility you require. Your needs are at the heart of everything we do.

RNC delivers a diverse range of academic and vocational qualifications, from Entry Level through to Level 3. Not all of our courses are unique:

class sizes are small and supportive

staff specialise in teaching people with visual impairments as well as being experts in their chosen field

learning materials are readily available in your preferred format

you have access to the latest in assistive technology and software

Everything we do is designed to develop your self-confidence. Building self-esteem and gaining practical experience will help you as you progress towards employment, self-employment or further/higher education and independent living.

Living at RNC…

All student accommodation is on RNC’s lively but compact campus, situated approximately 20 minutes’ walk from Hereford city centre.

Our Halls of Residence provide a range of accommodation including single en-suite study bedrooms, shared kitchens and lounges. Halls have 24/7 support that is matched to your individual needs and goals.

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A range of fresh, healthy and delicious food is served in the Bistro. There is the opportunity to self-cater, subject to discussions with the Independent Living Skills team.

To ensure that your time at RNC is both healthy and happy, we have a team of health specialists (nurses, counsellor, wellbeing officers) who offer advice, support and discretion.

We have well-established links with local providers of all faiths. There is a prayer/ mediation room on campus plus a visiting College Chaplain serves our diverse student population.

I Can... Campaign

RNC is different from other colleges. We are passionate about removing barriers and encouraging our students to achieve their ambitions. For this reason, we launched our first national campaign, I Can, in 2015.

Rather than telling them what they cannot do, we support our students to succeed and find out what they can do. We asked our students to tell their own stories in their own ways and we had great interest from all areas of the College, including sports, performing arts, technology and the Duke of Edinburgh scheme. We even had a couple of staff members get involved!

The campaign posters can be found at www.rnc.ac.uk/ican. We think they are inspirational, and hope you do too.

The student voice is heard throughout College and utilised effectively in the Student Representative Group and through the role of Student Governor. RNC students have participated in government consultations, lobbied MPs and campaigned at Westminster for people with visual impairments to have more say in their own education.

Your RNC journey starts here!

1. Start looking ahead

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It’s never too early to explore your options for further education and to gather information about the courses that will help you achieve your ambitions. Our website (www.rnc.ac.uk) has lots of information, with more detail on our academic and vocational programmes

2. Contact your local Connexions or Careers Adviser

Speak to the Connexions/Careers Adviser in your school or local careers centre who will help you look into your options for post-16 education and training. One possibility for your future may be specialist residential education like that offered at RNC. Your adviser will be able to help you with making an application, but please do not hesitate to contact us for additional support and information

3. Visit RNC

An informal visit is by far the best way to experience what RNC has to offer. At a time that suits you, a tour of the College will allow you and your family the time and space needed to ask questions, speak to staff and students, experience our outstanding accommodation and see what RNC has to offer

4. Discuss your options

Talk through your choices with those closest to you. If you need further advice, please call our Student Enquiries team who will answer any questions and can send you an application form, which is also available to download on our website. Once you have applied to RNC our Registry team will get in touch to arrange next steps.

5. Pre-Entry Assessment

All potential students are invited for a Pre-Entry Assessment (PEA). This is a two-way process. It gives us an opportunity to get to know your strengths, interests and support needs. It gives you an opportunity to meet staff and students and decide whether we can offer you what you want.

For more information on PEAs and the funding process please visit the Apply Now pages of our website www.rnc.ac.uk

6. New Student Conference

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Once you have an offer of a place at RNC you are invited to join all other new students at a weekend conference for both you and your family. Taking place at the beginning of July each year, it is a great opportunity to meet fellow new starters and familiarise yourself with your surroundings.

7. Start your programme!

As you settle into life at RNC, our experienced staff are on hand to ensure you receive all the support you need as you live and study away from home.

“Members of staff have high expectations of students and are ambitious for them, ensuring that they are engaged, interested and enthusiastic about their college work.” (Ofsted 2013)

For further information and support, or to book your personal one-to-one visit to RNC, please contact our Student Enquiries team on 01432 376 621 or email info@rnc.ac.uk

Education Health and Care Plans and the Local Offer

Important information for students in England

The Children and Families Act 2014 introduced the Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP). This is a legal document which replaces a Statement of Special Educational Needs or Learning Difficulty Assessment (LDA). While all Statements and LDAs will eventually transfer to an EHCP, at this stage if you already have one of these documents and wish to change you will need to ask your local authority to consider this.

The EHCP is designed to last from the age of 0 to 25 but can be requested at any point during this age range, for instance if you experience a deterioration in your sight. It will be reviewed regularly to ensure it is up to date.

You can request it yourself or it can be requested on your behalf by your parent(s) or a professional working with you. The local authority will assess your request and may take advice from a range of professionals before proceeding. They will then advise you on whether they agree to your request. It can take up to 20 weeks from requesting an EHCP to it being finalised.

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The key points about an EHCP are that:

Your views, wishes and future ambitions should be at the heart of the document

It should cover all of your education, health and care needs in one place

There will be an emphasis on outcomes – that is, making sure you have what you need to achieve what you want

It should be written in a way that you can easily understand

An important change from the old system is that you can ask for your preferred further education college to be named in your EHCP. If this is agreed, the local authority and the college will then work together to make sure you can attend, and that all of your needs are met there.

Your local authority must publish what is known as a Local Offer. This is a slightly misleading name, but it means that you should be able to easily find information on every college you could potentially attend. By law this list must include specialist national colleges such as RNC, and you should have the opportunity to name RNC in your EHCP if this is your preference. There are only very limited grounds on which the local authority can refuse to name your preferred college.

You also have the right to independent advice and guidance about your EHCP and the Local Offer and can ask your local authority to signpost you to this. If you struggle to find advice you can contact us on 01432 376 621 or email info@rnc.ac.uk. We will be able to answer most of your questions or can refer you to experts who can help.

Get in touch and ‘have a go’

Contact us…

You will have lots of questions but please don’t be afraid to get in touch; we are here to help you. For further information, please contact our

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Student Enquiries team on 01432 376 621, email info@rnc.ac.uk or visit our website at www.rnc.ac.uk

We also have active social media channels:

facebook.com/RNCHereford

twitter.com/RNC_official

youtube.com/use/RNCHereford

Try us…

Twice a year we offer free residential experience weekends aimed at young people aged 13 to 17.

We put together a programme of activities that allow you to ‘have a go’ at college life first-hand, including an overnight stay in our Halls of Residence for both you and a parent or guardian.

Where we are…

Situated in the West Midlands, just 15 miles from the border with Wales and within easy reach of Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff and Manchester.

You will find us at:

The Royal National College for the BlindVenns LaneHerefordHR1 1DT

And finally…

If you take just one thing away from this prospectus, please remember that only one person can change your future and take control of where you want to be: you. Here at RNC, we encourage you to take responsibility for your own learning and will work with you to ensure you have the confidence, knowledge and skills you need for your future.

Support us

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As well as a centre of further education, RNC is a registered charity. The help of alumni, parents, businesses and other supporters is essential to running the College. Please consider helping us to help future generations by leaving a legacy, holding a fundraising event or making a regular donation. However you get involved, every penny will help to support our work. Please call the Fundraising team on 01432 376 371 or email fundraising@rnc.ac.uk for further information.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion at RNC

RNC welcomes a diverse population of students and staff. We aim to ensure that our college environment is free from prejudice and harassment. In all aspects of delivery and employment, no individual or group will be discriminated against on the grounds of gender, marital status, gender reassignment, age, disability, race, religion and belief or sexual orientation.

In 2015, RNC was recognised with an Investors in Diversity award.For further information on our policies on Equal Opportunities and Diversity, please contact us or visit our website: www.rnc.ac.uk

This prospectus is available in other formats. Please contact our Student Enquiries line on 01432 376 621

Company limited by guarantee no. 2367626 Registered charity no. 1000388

The information provided is correct at the time of going to printRNC Copyright 2015

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