A new sensory learning base for students with Profound and Complex Learning Disabilities (PCLD) has been officially opened at Weston College.

The centre is the final part of a £1million investment that provides high quality facilities.

The new base opened its doors to students in September 2014 at the Knightstone Campus in Weston town centre, meaning students with PCLD no longer have to leave the local authority to receive specialist support.

Ben McConkey, the College’s strategic lead in inclusive practice, said: “In the past, students with PCLD may have had to leave the local authority when they finish school to access the specialist education and support they require.”

The Sensory Learning Base provides students with an individualised high quality multi-sensory programme.

Ben McConkey said: “Our programmes will help young people develop the skills to lead a more independent life, access their community and develop and maintain relationships with family and friends through a wide range of sensory experiences and holistic approaches.”

Weston College Principal and Chief Executive Dr Paul Phillips OBE described it as a ‘vital’ facility for the area.

He said: “It’s a far cry from when the College first opened its doors to a small group of teenagers with learning difficulties and disabilities back in 1981.

“We now have more than 1,000 learners receiving support on further education and higher education courses across all sites.

“This is a vital new facility for the local authority that will support some of the most vulnerable young people in our community and I look forward to welcoming new learners to the College.”

“The Sensory Learning base will work in collaboration external agencies to ensure every individual receives outstanding support and positive outcomes.” 

A former Weston College student is to become one of the youngest people in the country to be awarded a doctorate, after her work with local charity Integrate Bristol successfully raised the awareness of Muslim women’s rights issues.

Fahma Mohamed, 19, who studied Access to Higher Education at Weston College, is to be awarded an honorary Doctorate in Laws by the University of Bristol on Friday (15th July).

She gained prominence after her successful campaign to raise awareness of female genital mutilation (FGM) gained the attention of the former Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove.

The petition led to training to help teachers, doctors and social workers identify and assist girls at risk of FGM.

Sarah McLaughlin, Lecturer and Study Skills Tutor for Access to HE, congratulated her by saying: “We are extremely proud of Fahma and are delighted that her dedication to raise awareness of such an important issue has been recognised.

“She has worked diligently to achieve her Access to Higher Education diploma and her commitment to her charity work prior to and during her studies, is commendable.”

Access to Higher Education is a course designed to give adult learners the qualifications they need to get into university.

Fahma studied the Medical Sciences pathway, successfully completing the course in June this year. She will progress to study Biomedical Science at Kings College London this September.

20 students from Weston College’s Health and Social Care and Early Years departments got the opportunity to visit Disneyland Paris last week to attend seminars on food hygiene, health and safety and supporting people with a disability.

The four day visit included free time in the amusement park as a treat for the students, some of which had never left England before.

Emily Parsons, who studies Health and Social Care at Level 3, said: “Disneyland was fantastic, we got the chance to meet students from all across the UK and Europe who are studying the same course.

“The lectures we attended were very informative and we can’t wait to go again next year!”

Sarah-Jane Lewis, Health and Social Care Coordinator at Weston College, said: “The experience was amazing for the students, and they got to learn about what other Colleges in England and France teach about the subjects they themselves are learning.

“It was also helpful for our Health and Social Care students to mix with our Early Years students as these subjects go hand-in-hand and interaction enables them to share ideas and best practices.

“The students were all professional and represented the College and Weston-super-Mare very well and they were a credit to themselves and our faculty. The students felt exhilarated and excited to be part of this experience.”