1. Students outline their experiences Beth Sales & Cher Evans-Cooper, QAC

2. CREATED BY BETH SALES AND CHER EVENS COOPER

3. introduction Hi, my name is Beth Sales. I am at Queen Alexandra College doing Health and Social Care Level 3 BTEC. My aim is to go to university and study Psychology BSc (Hons) degree at St Marys University, Twickenham London. After completing this degree. I plan to work in the mental health sector. This is because I am able to relate to different experiences. During my time at QAC I have been able to become a residential student which has empowered me to feel free and independent. Also my dream is to raise awareness for those with cerebral palsy suffering from mental health difficulties.

5.  Hello, my name is Cher. I'm 20 years old.  I am in my last year at QAC, I started at QAC when I was 17 years old I came from a mainstream college to a specialist college which is QAC.  It was so different here it felt like I was fitting in to the college and when I first started I was in PFL because I was new to the college.  As the years went on I started health and social care (HSC) in my 2 nd year and I love being in HSC.  Now its my last year in health and social care I have grown into a very independent young lady. By getting myself a job and being a peer mentor for peers around the college who have social anxiety to help them to get the confidence and help meet new people.

6.  It’s a small college  Have a good rapport with the staff  Small group sizes in class with support from Learning Support Assistants (LSA)  Mentoring and counselling once a week.  Anger management support is available  Personal tutoring.  Staff are very understanding about our needs and always aim to support us.

7. The Joys of being in A SPECIALIST COLLEGE When I started QAC my first impression was highly positive as the staff were very supportive and the general atmosphere was warm. I have had a bad experience in main stream primary school as I didn't have to adequate support physically and emotionally but when I started a new beginning at QAC the staff helped me to grow as a individual and they got to understand how to support me. They have offered me a chance to succeed and by doing this it has enabled me to reach my dream by going to university. What is a specialist college Specialist College caters for students with different types of disability while others have students with one particular disability. Many colleges have a residential provision that enables students to develop on their independent living. Whatever stage you are in your life there is support for disabled people. Support can be lots of different things. It can be personal assistance to help you around College or it could be a mentor to help you through an Apprenticeship.

8.  Whilst I have been at QAC, I have had a number of work placements.  External work placement- Busy Hands- pre-school, Mother an toddler group  This academic year I have been completing work placement in one of the PFL classes. I support students who are non verbal and I communicate by using symbols and Makaton.

9. Task what do you think makes specialist colleges so beneficial? Task- in groups decide what has been positive about the specialist college. Include the support, etc. e.g. small groups, one to one support, physio, mentoring, counselling

10. Mission statement of QAC ‘’QAC creates challenging learning opportunities for people with visual impairment and/or other disabilities to realise their potential to work and to live independently’’