Today I visited Orchard Hill College in Wallington, who shares the Wallington Town Hall with SCOLA and provides non-residential specialist education services to students with severe Learning Difficulties and Disabilities. The college provides real life learning opportunities within a framework which is flexible, safe and responsive to individual needs. I was greeted by one of the students and was shown around the well-equipped and cheery environs of the centre. The Curriculum Manager at Orchard Hill Wallington explained that most students were out on day activities, shopping, interacting with the public and enjoying the sunshine.
It was great to hear from tutors and assistants that SCOLA and Orchard Hill, as neighbours, have a very good working relationship, which has enabled students to progress after they finish their programmes at Orchard Hill and access further opportunities offered through SCOLA's LLDD department. On several occasions Michele Humphrey's name was mentioned and she was praised for her dedication to her learners and her approach to ensuring there are equal opportunities for learning and progress. Michele is the programme manager at SCOLA and has dedicated her profession to teaching students with learning difficulties and disabilities.
I was warmly greeted by Caroline Allen the Principal of Orchard Hill who I knew remotely from my past work at Carshalton College. She is inspirational, motivating and strongwilled. She explained the work and plans for the future of the college to me and it clearly showed the vision and passion that she has for the work she does. We discussed opportunities of how we could work more closely together to ensure the services we provide for learners are diverse with good progression pathways and at various levels. I very much look forward to working closely with Caroline and her team and wish them the very best of luck for their plans for the future of the college. A worthwhile visit and a supportive friend to work with. What more could you wish for on a Friday morning.
Saboohi Famili - Principal
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