Success Stories from past students
This correspondence course leads to a BTEC Advanced Certificate at level 3. It is aimed at those who work alongside individuals using braille in an educational context and provides complete tuition in how to read and write the grade 2 English braille code. The fast track mode is available for sighted and non-sighted individuals who already have a good working knowledge of braille.
Here we share some of the success stories we have received from students.
Ruth's story
Ruth Armstrong learnt braille on our full correspondence course and successfully passed the examination in July 2007. She was thrilled when her hard work was recognised when she was appointed as a Peripatetic Learning Support Assistant.
Read Ruth's full story.
Elaine's story
Elaine Vonberg learnt braille to enable her to transcribe books. Since then she moved into the education field and gained the BTEC qualification through our fast track course. She regularly uses braille in her professional role supporting pupils with sight loss, and on a social basis within the community.
Read Elaine's full story.
Rebecca's story
Rebecca Lilley is part-way through the full correspondence course and is learning braille alongside her daughter Leonora. This is enabling her to support Leonora's learning, reading for pleasure and developing literacy skills.
Read Rebecca's full story.
Yvonne's story
Learning braille can be a daunting prospect, especially to those with recent sight loss. For Yvonne Maxwell, who also has hearing loss, it was doubly challenging. Yet with a little help from her tutor, and a lot of determination, she broke through the barriers and gained a qualification through our fast track course!
Read Yvonne's full story.
Feedback from course participants
Below is feedback from students who have successfully completed the course and examination.
The course overall
95 per cent of past students who gave feedback felt that the course met their needs.
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"Fantastic support with a clear scheme of work."
Sarah, Teaching Assistant, Rushey Mead School, Leicester
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"Studying and preparing for the Braille exam was a very rewarding and enjoyable, albeit challenging experience. I found myself thoroughly enjoying the tasks - thanks to the humour and interesting topics they were on."
Yocheved, Learning Support Assistant, Yesodey Hatorah Jewish School, London
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"I was overwhelmed at the beginning with so much to learn, but the structure of the exercises as we progressed made it very clear and easy to learn."
Julia, Special Needs Assistant, Manor Field Primary School, West Sussex
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"Excellent course - structure of course and materials very good."
John, parent, Dorset
Course information and materials
98 per cent of past students who gave feedback felt that the course materials were appropriate.
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"The information was clearly stated and easy to understand."
Natalie, Student, Swansea
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"No question was left unanswered!"
Sylvia, Teaching Assistant, Braeburn Infant & Nursery School, Scarborough
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"Full details were given - I knew exactly what was expected of me."
Lynn, Braille and Visual Resource Technician, Moor End Technology College, Huddersfield
Tutorial support
90 per cent of past students who gave feedback felt that the tutorial support met their needs.
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"Excellent support by email or phone as often as necessary. I was never made to feel I was bothering the tutor, or that I should have know the answers to the questions I was asking."
Anne, Teaching Assistant, West End Primary School, Lancashire
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"She was very helpful and only a phone call away."
David, Advisor, Belfast
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"Very good indeed - Prompt help with queries/difficulties and marked work returned quickly."
Kathleen, Communication Support Worker, Stoneydelph Primary School, Tamworth
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"Support was excellent, I never felt afraid to ask!"
Cheryl, Teaching Assistant - VI, St Thomas Primary School, Tunbridge Wells
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"Excellent - high standard - friendly support."
Alison, Teaching Assistant, Oxted School, Surrey
The examination
90 per cent of past students considered that the examination was a fair test of what they had learnt on the course.
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"I am so glad you insist on the submission of practice exams - they really helped boost my confidence!"
Sylvia, Teaching Assistant, Braeburn Infant & Nursery School, Scarborough
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"I thought the examination was appropriate and the past papers were a great help."
Tracey, Parent, Port Talbot
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"My confidence increased by completing the practise papers, these were a very good way of practising and revising."
Anne, Teaching Assistant, West End Primary School, Lancashire