Events and Training 2015/16 A national residential school and college for young people aged 11 to 19 who are blind or partially sighted For professionals, parents, students and families. Includes: ⢠Parent Information Days ⢠Family Days ⢠Outreach Open Days ⢠GCSE Revision Course ⢠Year 5 Taster Weekend ⢠Preparing Students for Exams ⢠Introduction to Supporting Students with a Visual Impairment ⢠Braille Workshops ⢠Preparation for University ⢠Open Day for Professionals Introduction New College Worcester runs a series of events throughout the year aimed at students, professionals and the families of visually impaired children. The aim is to open our doors to families who are interested in what we do here and to share our expertise in teaching those with a visual impairment. If you donât see an event that matches your requirements please do let us know â we are always keen to offer events that are of most benefit to professionals, families and students. We are also working on a series of âhow toâ videos which are available on our website, so please do have a look at those too. We look forward to welcoming you to the College. Mardy Smith Principal @newcollworc Diary of Events 2015/16 October Thursday 8th Introduction to Supporting Students with a Visual Impairment Wednesday 14th Parent Information Day Tuesday 20th Outreach Open Day November Tuesday 10th Preparing Students for Exams Saturday 14th Family Day Wednesday 25th Braille Literacy Workshop January Tuesday 12th Outreach Open Day Saturday 16th - Sunday 17th Year 5 Taster Weekend February Thursday 4th How to Teach Braille Friday 26th Preparing Students for Exams March Saturday 12th - Sunday 13th Year 5 Taster Weekend Wednesday 16th Parent Information Day Wednesday 23rd - Thursday 24th Applying to University (VICTA) Wednesday 23rd â Saturday 26th GCSE Revision Course April Wednesday 20th Outreach Open Day Wednesday 27th Open Day for Professionals May Monday 2nd Family Day June Wednesday 22nd Outreach Open Day Tuesday 28th - Wednesday 29th Moving on to University (VICTA) Who should attend: Parent Information Days are ideal for parents in the very early stages of exploring education options. Dates: Wednesday 14th October 2015 Wednesday 16th March 2016 Time: 11am or 2pm on each day How to book: Book online at www.ncw.co.uk or call 01905 763933 Parent Information Days are the opportunity for parents of a child who is visually impaired to come and have a look around the College and find out what we do. There will be an opportunity to meet some of the staff and students in a relaxed and informal environment. 04 Parent Information Days FREE EVENT Who should attend: Family Day is open to any family who has a child with a visual impairment. Dates: Saturday 14th November 2015 Bank Holiday Monday 2nd May 2016 Time: 10am â 2.30pm How to book: Book online at www.ncw.co.uk or call 01905 763933 * Refreshments and lunch included Family day is a fun and exciting day for any family who has a child with a visual impairment. The day offers a range of activities for all ages and parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters are all welcome. Family days are a great opportunity to see the College, and meet some students and teachers in a low key and relaxed environment. Examples of Activities include: ⢠Craft workshops ⢠Tours of the College ⢠Pony Rides ⢠Archery ⢠Laser Tag ⢠Animal Petting 05 Family Days FREE EVENT* Who should attend: Outreach Open Days are good for education professionals new to supporting visually impaired students, or parents of a child with a visual impairment. Dates: Tuesday 20th October 2015 Tuesday 12th January 2016 Wednesday 20th April 2016 Wednesday 22nd June 2016 Time: 9.45am â 3.15pm How to book: Book online at www.ncw.co.uk or call 01905 763933 * Lunch is available on the day (£3 per person) These informal days give a taste of how NCW teaches students who are visually impaired, the opportunity to meet subject teachers, and practical support and advice on specific curriculum areas of your choice such as Maths, PE, Music, Science and Braille. 06 Outreach Open Days FREE EVENT* Who should attend: Teaching Assistants who have recently started to work with students with a visual impairment in a mainstream school. Price: £30 (Pay on the day or we can invoice your organisation) Date: Thursday 8th October 2015 Time: 10am â 3.15pm How to book: Book online at www.ncw.co.uk or call 01905 763933 * Lunch and refreshments included This one day workshop will be a practical introduction to supporting students with a visual impairment in mainstream classes. Topics will include: ⢠Understanding the impact of visual impairment on learning ⢠Options for materials adaptation ⢠Effective strategies for working with students and teachers ⢠Low Vision Aids OR Introduction to Braille 07 Introduction to Supporting Students with a Visual Impairment ONLY £30* Who should attend: Any student who is visually impaired currently studying for their GSCEs in Years 10 and 11. Dates: Wednesday 23rd â Saturday 26th March 2016 Students will be offered residential accommodation in the College houses (may be shared). All meals are included as part of the course. How to book: Book online at www.ncw.co.uk or call 01905 763933 * Accommodation and meals included This residential course will support visually impaired students in Years 10 and 11 with preparations for their GCSEs. Study sessions will focus on Maths, English and Science and will also work on study skills and exam technique. Evening activities will be provided so the students will have the opportunity to socialise and relax. 08 GCSE Revision Courses FREE EVENT* Who should attend: Any student who is visually impaired currently studying for their GSCEs in Years 10 and 11. Dates: Wednesday 23rd â Saturday 26th March 2016 Students will be offered residential accommodation in the College houses (may be shared). All meals are included as part of the course. How to book: Book online at www.ncw.co.uk or call 01905 763933 * Accommodation and meals included Who should attend: The taster weekend is for young people currently in Year 5 considering a place at NCW for Year 7. Dates: Saturday 16th â Sunday 17th January 2016 Saturday 12th March â Sunday 13th March 2016 How to book: Book online at www.ncw.co.uk or call 01905 763933 * Accommodation and meals included Wondering if New College is for you? Our Year 5 Taster Weekend is a weekend of fun activities for young people currently in Year 5 who are considering a place at NCW when they move into Year 7. The weekend will give an insight into life at NCW and will help parents and students make an informed decision about their secondary school choice. Arrangements can be made for parents to stay on site. 09 Year 5 Taster Weekend FREEEVENT* Who should attend: Teachers and Teaching Assistants who are supporting a visually impaired student. Dates: Tuesday 10th November 2015 Friday 26th February 2016 Time: 10am - 3.15pm How to book: Book online at www.ncw.co.uk or call 01905 763933 * Lunch and refreshments included Focusing on GCSE and A Level study, this event will explore a range of ways that education professionals can support a visually impaired student to prepare for their exams and how they can develop independent study skills. Subjects will include: Exam arrangements, controlled assessments, coursework modification, research skills, the role of the teaching assistant and transition to University. 10 Preparing Students for Exams FREE FOR PARENTS OF A CHILD WITH A VISUAL IMPAIRMENT ONLY £30* UEB Braille Literacy Workshop Run in conjunction with the RNIB, this one day workshop will outline the changes in the Braille code, offer an introduction to the technical code and explore strategies in how to support a student that is moving from SEB to UEB. Who should attend: Professionals or parents with a working knowledge of SEB who are moving to UEB. The event is free to parents of a child who is visually impaired. Date: Wednesday 25th November 2015 Introduction to teaching Braille This is a lively and interactive workshop giving ideas about how to teach braille. Among topics for discussion will be ⢠The changing face of students ⢠Common problems in learning ⢠Ideas for beginners â¦and much more, including a chance to try touch reading for yourself. Although not essential, it would be of benefit to delegates to have some basic braille knowledge. There will be opportunity to exchange ideas, so please feel free to bring along helpful resources/equipment if you would like to, for others to see. Who should attend: We would expect all delegates to be involved in some way with someone who is learning braille. Date: Thursday 4th February 2016 How to book: Book online at www.ncw.co.uk or call 01905 763933 * Lunch and refreshments included 11 Braille Workshops £30* PER WORKSHOP Time: 10am â 3.15pm Who should attend: Students with a visual impairment applying for University for 2017. Dates: Wednesday 23rd â Thursday 24th March 2016 How to book: Book online at www.ncw.co.uk or call 01905 763933 Two residential courses, focusing on applying and preparing for life at University. Both are delivered by external speakers from various universities and NCW staff. For University in Autumn 2017 to spend two days exploring a wide range of issues, including: ⢠Why go to Higher Education ⢠How to choose a course ⢠How to choose a University ⢠Using UCAS online ⢠Self-advocacy and asking for support ⢠Sources of help and support ⢠Student finance and DSA ⢠Writing a personal statement ⢠Cooking for yourself at University 12 Applying to University Preparing for University Includes a session for parents wishing to learn more about the UCAS process (3pm Thursday 24th March 2016) FREE EVENT Who should attend: Students with a visual impairment preparing for University in Autumn 2016 Dates: Tuesday 28th â Wednesday 29th June 2016 How to book: Book online at www.ncw.co.uk or call 01905 763933 Spend two days exploring a wide range of issues, including: ⢠Preparing for studying at University ⢠Organising your support at University ⢠Taking a gap year ⢠Options for accommodation ⢠Making the most of the opportunities at University ⢠Question time panel with students currently at University 13 Moving on to University FREE EVENT Who should attend: SEN Officers and budget holders Date: Wednesday 27th April 2016 Time: 10am â 3.15pm How to book: Book online at www.ncw.co.uk or call 01905 763933 * Lunch and refreshments included Join NCW staff and colleagues from local authorities around the country for a varied programme of presentations, the opportunity to network with colleagues from other local authorities, look around the school and meet some of the staff and students: The day will include information on: ⢠What New College Worcester offers students ⢠Value for money ⢠The Local Offer ⢠Keeping Local Authority partners informed ⢠Transition Planning ⢠Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 Case Studies 14 Open Day for Professionals FREE EVENT* Who should attend: SEN Officers and budget holders Date: Wednesday 27th April 2016 Time: 10am â 3.15pm How to book: Book online at www.ncw.co.uk or call 01905 763933 * Lunch and refreshments included NCW has launched a series of video guides on âhow toâ support visually impaired students in mainstream lessons. Subjects include: ⢠How to create a tactile diagram ⢠How to light a Bunsen burner ⢠How to plot a graph ⢠How to use a light probe ⢠How to use drawing film ⢠Independent Living Skills: How to eat with cutlery ⢠Independent Living Skills: How to spread butter ⢠Independent Living Skills: How to make drinks 15 âHow toâ Videos The films can be found at www.ncw.co.uk or on the NCW YouTube Channel. We are here New College Worcester Whittington Road Worcester WR5 2JX T: 01905 763933 E:
[email protected] www.ncw.co.uk @newcollworc