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Centre for deaf marks 15 years of student support
AN award-winning centre for deaf and deaf-blind learners has celebrated a special anniversary this week.
Walsall College's Deaf Base marked its 15th year on Monday (June 8) with a celebration evening looking at the scheme's past and present.
Established in 1994, Deaf Base was formed to enable deaf learners to access further education independently alongside hearing peers.
Judged as being outstanding in a recent inspection health check, the service now has a national reputation for quality. In April this year, the Deaf Base won the sensory impairment award at the Walsall Disability Awards.
The centre offers a blend of discrete teaching which uses educational interpreters, note takers and one-to-one learning support to maximise the potential of its deaf students, enabling them to achieve on mainstream courses.
Over its 15 years it has greatly expanded and now has 35 members of staff, supporting over 50 students.
Curriculum manager for Walsall College's Deaf Base, Louise Timms, said: "We are very proud to be celebrating 15 years of our Deaf Base. We offer extensive support to our deaf learners, allowing them to flourish in mainstream education and gain the skills that employers are looking for.
"Our Deaf Base also creates a social point for the college's deaf community, providing somewhere for them to make friends, socialise and arrange trips together."
Walsall College Deaf Base student Jack Smallwood, who won the National Deaf Children Society's Young Citizen of the Year in 2008, said the centre helped build his self-esteem. "Being part of the Deafbase at Walsall College is fantastic. It's allowed me to meet new people and build my confidence further," he said.
"I have encouraged many of my deaf friends to come here, too."
In September Walsall College will expand its Deaf Base centre further at the brand new Wisemore Campus.
Former student Nathan Rollinson, who has gone onto become a television presenter for the deaf community, said: "There is a strong deaf community there and other colleges just don't have that provision.
"Deafness has got nothing to do with your abilities. There are plenty of opportunities for you to get qualifications and achieve success."
AN award-winning centre for deaf and deaf-blind learners has celebrated a special anniversary this week.
Walsall College's Deaf Base marked its 15th year on Monday (June 8) with a celebration evening looking at the scheme's past and present.
Established in 1994, Deaf Base was formed to enable deaf learners to access further education independently alongside hearing peers.
Judged as being outstanding in a recent inspection health check, the service now has a national reputation for quality. In April this year, the Deaf Base won the sensory impairment award at the Walsall Disability Awards.
The centre offers a blend of discrete teaching which uses educational interpreters, note takers and one-to-one learning support to maximise the potential of its deaf students, enabling them to achieve on mainstream courses.
Over its 15 years it has greatly expanded and now has 35 members of staff, supporting over 50 students.
Curriculum manager for Walsall College's Deaf Base, Louise Timms, said: "We are very proud to be celebrating 15 years of our Deaf Base. We offer extensive support to our deaf learners, allowing them to flourish in mainstream education and gain the skills that employers are looking for.
"Our Deaf Base also creates a social point for the college's deaf community, providing somewhere for them to make friends, socialise and arrange trips together."
Walsall College Deaf Base student Jack Smallwood, who won the National Deaf Children Society's Young Citizen of the Year in 2008, said the centre helped build his self-esteem. "Being part of the Deafbase at Walsall College is fantastic. It's allowed me to meet new people and build my confidence further," he said.
"I have encouraged many of my deaf friends to come here, too."
In September Walsall College will expand its Deaf Base centre further at the brand new Wisemore Campus.
Former student Nathan Rollinson, who has gone onto become a television presenter for the deaf community, said: "There is a strong deaf community there and other colleges just don't have that provision.
"Deafness has got nothing to do with your abilities. There are plenty of opportunities for you to get qualifications and achieve success."