Type of service: Further & Higher Education, Respite and short breaks

Based in Hereford, the Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) is the United Kingdom's (UK’s) largest specialist residential college for people who are blind or partially sighted. The College offers a wide range of academic and vocational courses combined with training in Information and communications technology (ICT), living and mobility skills. Our vision is to enable people with sight loss to achieve their full potential, independence and integration into society. Each year around 150 students attend the College from across the UK, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, from ages 16 to 60+. RNC also offers a range of sporting opportunities and is home to the UK’s first Football Academy for blind and partially sighted players. We pride ourselves in our residential care which in 2011 was ranked by Ofsted as outstanding. As part of the College application process all students are required to attend an overnight pre-entry assessment visit, during this visit each individual receives one-to-one assessments with teaching, mobility and residential staff to indentify the correct programme of study and support requirements. The college does not apply a uniform teaching or support approach, each individual receives a robust one-to-one assessment with teaching and support staff that informs a bespoke programme and placement. Volunteers help as amanuensis, refectory, driving etc. All have CRB checks.

Aimed at: Adolescent , Adult

Specialisms: Generic