RSBC opens new VI Centre of Excellence in Surrey

This September, RSBC has expanded its specialist education provision with the launch of a new VI Centre of Excellence in Surrey.

 Housed at North East Surrey College of Technology (Nescot), the Centre of Excellence will follow RSBC’s celebrated hybrid further education model, blending the benefits of mainstream and specialist education to support the diverse needs of blind and partially sighted students aged 16 - 25.

It’s a unique approach in which RSBC works in partnership with mainstream education providers such as Nescot to help students gain academic qualifications, while receiving tailored support from RSBC specialists. 

RSBC delivers a bespoke curriculum that’s tailored to each blind or partially sighted student. The college tutors share lesson materials in advance so that specialist RSBC staff can adapt them into the format students need, from braille to large print, coloured text, raised diagrams and other accessible versions.

Alongside their main studies, students also receive specialist lessons in braille, assistive technology, and orientation and mobility. With the support of a dedicated Learning Support Assistant, these sessions help them build the practical skills, confidence and independence they need to prepare for adult life.

The students study at their chosen local college or sixth form for part of the week and attend the centre for the rest of the week. 

RSBC is the only specialist post-16 education provider for vision impaired young people in London and the South East. The new Centre of Excellence is RSBC’s first external hub, with more planned in the future. Until now, learners have needed to travel from across London and the Southeast to attend RSBC Dorton College’s hub in Orpington, Bromley. The new site will allow more students to access this ‘best of both’ model without the barrier of long journeys.

The hybrid teaching model has proven to be a resounding success story, delivering outstanding results. While around half of RSBC students have had at least one previous unsuccessful placement elsewhere, almost all - 98% - go on to achieve strong educational outcomes at Dorton. 

Josie Grainger-Francova, RSBC’s Director of Education and Executive Principal, said: “Young people with vision impairment are so often excluded from the full education experience. Combining RSBC’s specialist expertise with Nescot’s broad curriculum and inclusive environment, we’re creating a blueprint for high-quality, person-centred provision. We’re proud to be expanding and supporting even more young people to thrive. I am incredibly grateful to the SEND commissioners in Surrey for all their support in getting the VI Centre of Excellence off the ground.” 

Principal and Chief Executive of Nescot, Julie Kapsalis, commented: “We’re delighted to partner with RSBC to host the new Centre of Excellence. Our college community is enriched by its diversity, and we believe all young people should be able to access quality education and support. This partnership is a fantastic step forward.” 

Eamonn Gilbert, SEND Assistant Director Commissioning at Surrey County Council, added: “The new Centre of Excellence marks a significant step forward in how we support learners with visual impairments in Surrey. RSBC’s proven track record, combined with Nescot’s welcoming and ambitious culture, creates an exciting new post-16 offer for young people with visual impairments. It provides the specialist support they need alongside access to a wide range of courses at Nescot, which we believe will be popular with young people and their families across Surrey.”

Lee Roake, RSBC Education student at Nescot, added: “It’s so much more convenient for me to travel to Nescot - previously, I had to commute four hours a day to college. It’s a really inclusive space and I’m supported to be as independent as possible. It’s nice to meet people who are similar to me, too, as I was the only person with vision impairment at my school. For me, it’s the best of both worlds.”