New College Worcester

• Location: Worcester, England,
• Founded in: 1866,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of study: blended.

New College Worcester is an independent boarding college for blind or visually impaired students aged 11-19. About 80 children study here every year.

In 2012, the college was featured in the Good Schools Guide, and back in 2007, it received an outstanding OFSTED report and was awarded the status of a specialized institution, which allows it to continuously improve its student support.

All teachers at New College Worcester have a mandatory QTVI (Qualified Teacher for the Visually Impaired) qualification: like QTVI, subject teachers understand how to create high-quality modified tactile diagrams, how to help students access tactile resources.

Braille students take up to three one-on-one lessons per week after completing the Fingerprint course.

New College Worcester has a dedicated transcription department where materials can be modified into formats required by students, whether it's a math diagram, an entire textbook on a subject, or a simple dish recipe.

Students receive one-to-one mobility lessons during the day and in the evenings from a team of highly qualified instructors who have developed a comprehensive program consisting of the following modules:

• cane skills,
• orientation in the environment,
• Vision orientation methods
• protection of the body,
• social skills,
• personal safety.

Independent living skills lessons are part of the curriculum at every stage.

New College Worcester offers a wide range of subjects and courses at all academic levels in line with the National Curriculum. Key subjects include Mathematics, English, Science, History, Geography, Religious Studies, Information and Communication Technology, Music, Drama, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Critical Thinking, English Literature, Public Administration and Politics.

Students study the National English Language Curriculum at GCSE and A-Levels.

New College Worcester was featured in an episode of Challenge Anneka, where the world's first multi-sensory labyrinth for mobility was created at the school: it included a number of conditions and tasks for blind and visually impaired people. The program aired in a popular television series during RNIB Week on September 18, 1993.

New College Worcester provides boarding in four main buildings for students in grades 7 to 11, a house and residence for students in the Six form program. Students are divided into three Houses, each with several bedrooms and special staff headed by the eldest of the parents, who live on the territory of the hotel next door. The houses also have classrooms, a living room and a shared kitchen. Students and staff often host parties, themed events, and birthday celebrations at the residences. Both boys and girls live in the residences, but in separate bedrooms, with corridors for both sexes.

Students in the Six Form program are made up of university-like dormitories, where students, supported by staff, cook their own meals, do laundry, iron, and practice other daily living skills.

During the week, breakfast is served in the residence, where everyone participates in the preparation of meals and serving them on the communal table. Lunch and dinner are served throughout the week in the cafeteria, which is located in a separate building on campus, accessible from the residential buildings and the main building. The catering staff prepares balanced dishes for every taste. On weekends, all meals take place at the residence.  Packed lunches are provided for extracurricular trips or off-campus activities.

Life at New College Worcester goes beyond the classroom, so students can take part in trips around the UK, experience the country's rich culture and further develop their English language skills. The college staff offers an extensive program of evening and weekend activities, which are updated annually.

All students can participate in sports and creative activities, including art, music, and drama.

• Each student at New College Worcester has an individualized program, carefully planned and delivered to meet their individual needs in three key areas: academic achievement, independent living skills, and participation in extracurricular activities at the college and in the community.
• Students learn to become independent in mobility classes and in basic life skills classes.
• A large staff allows us to ensure a ratio of teachers to students of 3-4 to 1.

The school year lasts from September to July and includes three trimesters: autumn, spring and summer. The dates of each of the study periods vary annually.

Additional costs for students include:

• registration fee,
• health insurance,
• visa fees,
• consular fee,
• unscheduled events (concerts, tourism),
• Flights.

The admission procedure works throughout the year, so new students are accepted at any time. Stages of admission to New College Worcester:

• Fill out the online registration form,
• Wait for a response from the commission and, if necessary, take a video interview with the college staff,
• Provide all requested information from the college's side,
• Receive an invitation from the Admissions Committee for a study visit,
• Make your final admission decision after reading the offer from New College Worcester.

At New College Worcester, the acceptance rate is 88%.

New College Worcester Admission Criteria:

• Visually impaired candidates in need of a special curriculum,
• Ability to study the National Curriculum and take courses leading to recognised qualifications.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision