Last month, Treloar College students travelled to a reception at the House of Commons, Westminster to join their peers from specialist colleges across the country to support the launch of the NATSPEC manifesto for the UK general election. NATSPEC is the membership organisation for specialist further education (FE) colleges. Their manifesto sets out some of the policy changes needed to ensure young people with more complex needs are able to access high quality specialist provision.
Treloar's stands with NATSPEC and supports their vision for an effective FE system for learners with SEND, in which learners can access the education and support they need. The NATSPEC manifesto is calling for 3 key things:
• Fair access to specialist further education for those learners who need it;
• Investment in the specialist further education sector to ensure high quality provision is available to these learners;
• A joined-up approach across government departments, so that young people with more complex needs have the support they need to thrive once they leave college.
During the event, students and staff met MPs at Westminster and talked to them about the importance of quality specialist education and the challenge young people face to attend specialist colleges.
Treloar College students Joe and Hannah met Dr Lisa Cameron MP. Hannah was invited to speak at the event. She used her speech to explain the impact attending Treloar’s has made to her life and to show how important specialist education placements are for all disabled young people:
"I have been at Treloar’s for three years and it has been amazing. They have helped me find my identity and be more independent with my life, for example making my own meals and doing my laundry.
"The facilities are really good. I have had loads of physio to support my walking, and speech and language therapy to help me communicate better. I have had lots of other opportunities and have done things like sailing, rock climbing and skiing. I attend Boccia, Archery and Wheelchair dancing and karaoke club during the week.
"This is my final year and I am doing the Supported Internship Programme. I am currently working for the Surrey Coalition for Disabled People as a reporter and blog writer, reporting on access to public transport. I am also working for a local care home supporting activities for people with dementia. I also have English, Maths and personal development lessons, and am busy working on our class business project called ‘Let Me In’.
"‘Let Me In’ is a business offering accessibility assessments for retail, workspaces and community facilities. We write reports and provide certificates. I feel very proud to represent the disabled community, and my goal for the future is to continue to work for ‘Let Me In’.
"I am so grateful to be a student at such a wonderful college and don’t know where I would be without Treloar’s. I certainly would not have been able to stand here and make this speech!"