Treloar’s welcomes Damian Hinds, MP for East Hampshire, for Q&A with college students

Damian Hinds, MP, said: 

“It was wonderful to return to Treloar’s and speak with college students about their experiences, what they gain from being part of the community, and their thoughts on local issues, Parliament and democracy. My visit came ahead of The Power of Specialist FE awareness week, making the conversations especially timely. In my view, among specialist colleges, Treloar’s stands out as exceptional, a truly special space.”

The students prepared some thoughts and questions to share with Damian Hinds to demonstrate how specialist FE provision has helped them to explore their potential. Many of the college students had experience of mainstream education environments prior to coming to Treloar’s, where they felt overlooked and excluded because of their wheelchairs.

College students were keen to show Damian Hinds how Treloar’s programmes have helped them to increase their independence and gain the confidence and skills they need to thrive in life, contribute to their communities and gain employment.

Izzy said Specialist FE provision has supported her with reading, writing, typing, spelling and sentence structure, 

'enabling me to communicate my needs and feelings better.’

Toby said

 ‘FE has helped me to gain my independence and speak up for myself, so I can get the things I need, like my new power chair.’

Hope said 

‘FE has helped me come out of my comfort zone, 3 years ago, I was relying on my mum for everything, but now I can do it all myself, knowing I have support there if I need it.’

Xavi highlighted how all the on-site support from nurses, physio, speech and language therapy and technical support, enables him to feel 

‘part of education and get the most out of all the opportunities’.

Along with other specialist FE providers across the country, throughout the first week of December, Treloar’s will be celebrating learners’ achievements and highlighting the vital role of specialist provision. We will be showcasing the impact of specialist FE and sharing stories that demonstrate how it changes lives.

Inviting Damian Hinds to hear their thoughts and answer student's questions on the inside workings of Parliament, democracy and local issues, was a great start to the campaign and Parliament Week.
 

Clare Howard, Chief Executive at Natspec, said:

“Specialist FE is about unlocking potential and creating positive futures. Our colleges give young people, many with very complex needs, the skills, confidence and independence they need to succeed in their adult lives. They are critical to the government’s mission to create an inclusive education system, where no learner is left behind. Yet despite this, the sector is too often overlooked by policy makers.

“Through The Power of Specialist FE awareness week, we are shining a light on this vital provision to ensure that it is recognised, valued and fully included in future policy making.”