RNIB School and College Staff have a wealth of expertise within the visual impairment field offering training, advice and support to colleagues and professionals working in mainstream and special schools across the country. Our schools and college undertake research projects and pilot studies to improve services and support learners through their education.
Learners participate in 'Mystery Shopper' for sexual health services in Loughborough
A group of 6 learners from RNIB College Loughborough have participated in and evaluated 4 Sexual health services in Loughborough as part of the Leicestershire Teenage Pregnancy Partnership and Youth Service 'Mystery Shopper' project.
This project involves young people across the county who are getting involved to assess the service they receive at local provisions, highlighting excellent service and offering advice for areas of improvement. The project focusses on a selection of criteria which are evaluated during a 'Mystery Shop'. This includes aspects of accessibility, the environment, publicity, staff training skills and attitude, joint work with other services and more. Learners from the College did their Mystery shop in pairs and marked the services against these criteria.
As the learners from RNIB College all have a disability they were able to give a real insight into the local sexual health services available for young disabled people including accessibility of the building and the information provided. When asked what they wanted to achieve by taking part in the project the learners said that they wanted to have a voice, make a difference, feel more confident and assertive about accessing these services, to raise peer awareness, contribute to improving services and to acknowledge good services. The project also includes the opportunity to complete an ASDAN award which can help to demonstrate useful skills on their CV.
For further information contact: Claire Watkin, Marketing and Development Manager at enquiries@rnibcollege.ac.uk or visit the RNIB College Loughborough website.
Arts Centre Opening!
RNIB College Loughborough celebrated the official opening of the College's new Arts Centre by the Mayor of Charnwood on Friday 7 October. The Arts Centre becomes the fourth edition to the College's enterprises, which provide a practical learning environment for learners to enhance their skills.
The Arts Centre will give learners the opportunity to develop their creative skills including, performing arts, singing, dancing and music. The Centre will also be used to host local artists' exhibitions, which will be organised and advertised by learners, increasing their involvement within the local community.
The College provides support and education for people with disabilities and the learners have worked together to get the centre ready for the opening, just five weeks after the beginning of a new term. The event provided learners with the perfect opportunity to feature their film production of Dr Vox. They filmed, directed, acted, edited and even composed the music for the entire production which was enjoyed by guests and staff. Before leaving, the Mayor was presented with a basket of crafts that had been handmade by learners as a thank you gift for attending.
For further information contact Sarah-Jane Smith, Arts Centre Tutor by emailing enquiries@rnibcollege.ac.uk or call 01509 611077.
Vision Assessment Project
In response to the need for better eye care services to meet the needs of people with learning disabilities, RNIB Pears Centre for Specialist Learning is currently working on the development of a new multi-disciplinary vision assessment service for children and young people with complex needs.
It will involve ophthalmic professionals and optometrists, as well as education and care staff, to ensure that every aspect of the young person's life is considered when assessing vision. The project aims to develop a tool to provide information on the use of vision and suggest strategies for young people to effectively manage their sight problem and to maximise the use of their vision.
To find out more contact Ginny Tyler on 024 7636 9500 or email pearscentre@rnib.org.uk.
Learners support environmental initiatives at RNIB College Loughborough
RNIB College Loughborough has been working hard to become more sustainable and we recently hosted a Sustainability Development Workshop where the RNIB Health, Safety and Environment Team set out RNIB's sustainability targets. Since 2006 the College has taken a number of actions to reduce its energy consumption and increase recycling rates, this has included:
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Learners monitoring the daily internal air temperatures and a pro-active programming system to reduce gas consumption
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More timers on electrical items, careful monitoring of air con units and better housekeeping of switching off lights and computers.
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Food composting systems, removing general waste bins from offices and increased advertising of items that can be recycled.
The project has been a huge success with the College reducing its energy consumption by 22% and increasing its recycling rates from 38% to 50% since 2006. The local electric supply company have been so alarmed by the electrical savings that they have twice sent out their employees to check the calibration of the meter.
The College is particularly proud of the lead role learners have played in environmental initiatives and the challenge is now on to make yet more improvements.
For further information contact: Andrew Duxbury, Assistant Principal (Business and Finance) by emailing enquiries@rnibcollege.ac.uk or call 01509 611077
Learner Led Catering Function
A major initiative from September 2010 at RNIB College Loughborough, has been the introduction of a learner-led catering function.
After full consultation, the previous catering team was disbanded and posts readvertised as trainers. Learners now organise and operate the catering function. This has been successful with YPLA learners telling us that they enjoy working in practical based sessions.
The catering area is providing a rich and realistic area for the embedding of soft skills and numeracy skills. Learners have been observed working more independently than originally anticipated, making choices, deciding how to organise their workload and generally displaying increased confidence levels and communication skills. This has been particularly notable amongst those learners on the autistic spectrum. Progress is tracked through the Individual Learning Plan. The team will be interested to monitor how many learners move into catering work placements and catering employment as a result of the catering experience.
To find out more contact June Murray, Assistant Principal Programmes at enquiries@rnibcollege.ac.uk or call 01509 611077.
Enterprise in the Community Research
Along with their peer review colleagues (5 specialist colleges in the region), RNIB College Loughborough has been researching best practice in 'Enterprise in the Community'. This research was funded by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service.
The College runs its own enterprises within which learners work towards personal goals and targets (retail, catering and horticulture). The College with the peer review group visited several other Independent Special Colleges' enterprises in order to bring together a best practice guidance to support all Independent Specialist Colleges. This has now been completed and the guidance is available. RNIB College is presenting this best practice guide at the forthcoming Natspec Conference in May 2011.
The purpose of the research was to identify effective practice and the potential difficulties needing to be addressed when establishing an enterprise to offer curriculum delivery. The best practice guidance is available to support other provisions in developing working environments and improve overall provision within colleges.
We hope a further impact will be an increase in good, effective working environments being established to complement teaching and learning within ISCs, thereby supporting learners in preparation for them leaving college.
Find out more about ideas around enterprise in the community by contacting enquiries@rnibcollege.ac.uk or call 01509 611077.
E-Safety Bid
RNIB College Loughborough has an e-safety policy and all learners sign an 'Acceptable Use Agreement'. The policy is invoked although there are very low incidences as SuperJanet (JISC/University filtering system) filters all material deemed unsuitable in an education setting. Learners in their Peer Review Conference (with the five other specialist colleges in the region) told the College they wanted to have more awareness and understanding about e-safety.
Learners felt it was discriminatory that some colleges (not RNIB College) locked access to the internet or social networking sites. Learners told the College they wanted to be risk assessed for accessing the internet and they wanted training. Learners at the College have access to the internet and social networking sites and are learning the skills and abilities to use this safely.
The Peer Review and Development Grid has just won an LSIS bid for e-safety policy and procedures development - Dec 2010 which will support the College to meet best practice standards.
To find out more about the e-safety initiatives contact Graham Owen, Head of Care at enquiries@rnibcollege.ac.uk or call 01509 611077.