ncn students have been taking part in a project aimed at increasing the attainment and aspirations of young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities in Nottinghamshire, enabling them to plot a journey towards higher education (HE).
The OMEGA project is a collaboration between ncn, Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham, organised by Aimhigher Nottinghamshire. Charlotte Wadsworth, 17 from Hucknall spoke about her experiences as an ncn ‘A’ Level student with autism at the latest OMEGA event in July, describing the support she receives from the College’s Additional Learning Support (ALS) team.
She said: “I think the OMEGA event was really useful, as not everyone knows what support is available to them, and the ncn ALS team are brilliant.”
Charlotte was joined by fellow ncn student Thomas Hill who spoke about his own experiences as an autistic student on a Level 1 Carpentry and Joinery course.
This followed an event in March at which an ncn Foundation Degree Design student spoke about her course, the transition from school to HE and the support she has received from the ALS team as a deaf learner at the College.
Purnima Vadera, Aimhigher Nottinghamshire Manager, said: “With these events we aim to give young people, who may be disadvantaged due to their circumstances, an opportunity to participate in workshops to help raise their self-esteem, confidence and share experiences, enabling them to make informed choices about their future education.”
Following the success of the initial OMEGA events, more are scheduled from October this year and are open to learners, their parents and carers, and any professionals interested in this area of work.
For more information about future events contact Purnima at purnima.vadera@ntu.ac.uk or visit www.aimhighernotts.co.uk
Posted 10 August 2010