Life At NCW
What We Do
Underpinning all that we do is the recognition that a young person’s needs are about more than just their visual impairment. That is why we offer every student a tailored programme of education, mobility and Independent Living Skills to support them in reaching their full potential, both in and outside the classroom.
Curriculum
Our teachers are all specialists in their subject and additionally qualified to teach children and young people who are visually impaired. Our students follow the National Curriculum, take up to 10 GCSE subjects, AS, and up to four A2 levels. Particular emphasis is given to living skills, mobility, keyboarding and Braille. The college also has students on ASDAN programmes and works with local colleges for students wishing to undertake vocational courses.
Living on Campus
We appreciate that making the decision to send your child to a boarding environment can be difficult. We encourage constant links with home and students can visit home or have parents stay for the weekend, whenever they wish. We also have an extended ‘home weekend’ during every six-week half term where students can leave college Friday lunchtime, so that they can enjoy at full weekend with their family.
We have a team of experienced care staff who whose role at the College is to promote the happiness, health and welfare of our students. There are three junior houses and a Sixth Form Hostel on-site and students can choose to stay as a full, weekly or day boarder. The great thing for students is that they are surrounded by peers who understand and can relate to them, often for the first time. This can lead to a remarkable turn-around in self-confidence and self esteem.
Activities
We have a dedicated Activities Department who provide a wealth of activities both after school and at the weekend, from archery, to horse riding, to bowling, to climbing, to ice skating, to water skiing! In the Sixth Form, many students have the opportunity to take part in skiing trips, school exchanges and adventures to exotic places such as Costa Rica and Nepal, proving that, at NCW, we have a ‘can do’ attitude.
Being part of the wider Community
NCW is a DfES Specialist Special School and is committed to sharing good practice and working closely with the wider community particularly through our Outreach programme, which provides advice, training and support to visually impaired students and their teachers in mainstream settings.
The college also encourages projects and activities that bring together our students with young people from the local community in activities such as music, sport, drama and trips abroad.
Equal Opportunities
New College Worcester is committed to being an equal opportunities organisation. It is committed to promoting equal opportunities and preventing discrimination. This policy applies to both its service delivery and to its own employment practices.
"Students here are never the odd one out - you see kids relax into being themselves." Alan Drabwell, House Parent
