Daniel Suthalong
Edward Timson MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families will officially open the learning centre, on Monday 28 October 2013 at 10.30am at the Freemen’s Park Campus, where the new centre is based.
The new Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) Centre includes a series of specialist learning spaces
The £2.1 million project has included the redevelopment and extension of the former Action Deafness building, which Leicester College purchased in August 2010.
The new Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) Centre includes a series of specialist learning spaces, including a performing arts classroom, art room, dining room, high specification sensory rooms and an external sensory garden.
The location of the new centre has enabled Leicester College to re-locate the centre from its Glenfield Hospital site in north Leicester to the Freemen’s Park Campus on Aylestone Road.
Programme Area Manager for Continuing Studies, Franki Williams said: “Our new centre offers specialist sensory rooms and learning environments which will enable learners with high support needs to access a person centred curriculum.”This is the first purpose-built premises of its kind at Leicester College thanks to a grant provided by Skills Funding Agency.
“Our learners now have access to the full range of College facilities and their involvement in the College community will support inclusion for all learners.
Verity Hancock, Principal at Leicester College, said: “This is a proud moment for the College. Our new centre provides a specialist provision for our PMLD learners and will continue to promote our strong inclusive links to specialist schools.
“We are aiming to provide the best learning environment for our current learners and for future generations of learners to come.”
Edward Timpson, Minister for Children and Families, said: “Leicester College’s new specialist learning centre is a fantastic example of how mainstream colleges are coming up with ever new and innovative ways of helping young people with SEN realise their full potential. Targeted support, such as the services on offer here, are vital in helping these young people to become independent as they make the transition from school to college, and I look forward to hearing about your work over the coming months and years.”
