DISTANCE LEARNING PROVIDES LOCKDOWN BOOST FOR SPECIALIST COLLEGE

Image caption: NWSLC Logo in Green.

A distance learning programme is helping staff at a local special education college as they adjust to new ways of working during the coronavirus crisis. Over 100 staff at Homefield College near Loughborough have signed up to follow an online course in Understanding Autism with North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC).

Homefield College offers provision for individuals with a range of learning difficulties and the majority of students are on the autistic spectrum. It is currently offering a reduced service as part of lockdown arrangements and many staff are working remotely from home. Homefield College principal, Tracey Forman, encouraged all staff to take advantage of their time at home to sign up for the NWSLC course.

Tracey said, “During this unprecedented time, enrolling our staff on distance learning courses has provided them with structure and will improve the overall knowledge and qualifications of our team, in turn helping our students and residents to achieve their full potential. It has been a fitting time to invest in staff training and has also helped to rebuild a sense of community while we are apart because we are all working towards a common goal.”

The Understanding Autism course, which leads to an accredited Level 2 qualification, covers knowledge and awareness of autism, how individuals with autism can be supported, an understanding of common misconceptions, and autism is diagnosed.

Staff member Helen Gerrard from Homefield College said, “Being enrolled on the Understanding Autism course during lockdown has given me something positive to focus on while at the same time helping me to understand our students better. I have also talked to my colleagues more as we discuss our unique experiences of working in a specialist education provision, so it has been really good to have something to think about other than the current coronavirus situation. The course has given me a set goal to work towards when everything else seems so uncertain and I can feel the progress being made with each unit I submit.”

With the coronavirus lockdown sending people online like never before, NWSLC has been re-directing some of its tutors into online assessment roles to cope with the increased demand for distance learning.

Marion Plant, OBE FCGI, Principal and Chief Executive of NWSLC said, “I am delighted to hear that we have been able to help the team at Homefield College to cope with the current situation and to learn new and highly relevant skills at this difficult time. Our distance learning offer is ideal for everyone, wherever they are based, to help them cope with restrictions on their usual activities. Distance learning is a great way to continue studying from home. It also enables employers to upskill their staff and those on furlough to develop new skills and gain qualifications.”

The college offers free* online and distance learning courses that lead to fully accredited, nationally recognised Level 2 qualifications in a range of subjects from health and wellbeing to business and management.

To follow a distance learning course with NWSLC, you must be a British EU or EEA a citizen, have been a permanent resident of the UK, EU or EEA for the whole of the previous three years and be over 19. If you are aged between 19 and 23, you must already hold a Level 2 qualification. If you choose to complete the course online, you will need a computer or a laptop and access to the internet. If not, you will just need writing materials for the postal work booklet.

Click here to discover more about Distance Learning courses at the College.