News: Rotherham Opportunities College unveils major expansion plans

Rotherham Opportunities College has secured planning permission to transform a former industrial facility into a new state-of-the-art education hub, and the college is planning to give businesses from across the region an exclusive sneak preview of its exciting future plans.

Located on Sycamore Road, Eastwood Trading Estate, the new premises will double the size of the college’s existing site and will include purpose-designed teaching spaces, purpose-designed classrooms and breakout spaces, vocational learning areas, training kitchens, integrated therapeutic facilities, an outdoor learning space and a multi-use games area (MUGA).

The decision to relocate from its existing premises was made to expand its provision and better meet the needs of young adults with special educational needs and disabilities across Rotherham and South Yorkshire.

With the new venture set to welcome its first students later this year, the college expects the site to become fully operational by 2027, and to realise its ambitions, a new fundraising campaign has been launched, with the aim of raising £500,000 to complete the planned renovations.

To mark the launch of its new site, Rotherham Opportunities College is also hoping to collaborate with local businesses, by hosting a special drop-in networking event at its new site. The event will provide a chance to find out more about its exciting plans, make new contacts and discover more about the college’s supported internships programme – an initiative that helps young adults prepare for life after education.

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Dr Perdita Mousley, Principal of Rotherham Opportunities College, said: “The need for special education provision, particularly for young adults, has never been greater, and as demand for our services continues to rise, relocating to our new site forms a vital aspect of our future growth plans. Moving to our new Sycamore Road site is an incredibly exciting moment for our students, staff and the local community. Our new home will provide a blank canvas to create the right environment to help young people with special educational needs to unlock their full potential.

Our networking event aims to showcase some of the truly unique work we are delivering at Rotherham Opportunities College, and we are inviting local businesses to come along, find out more about the unique work we deliver and get involved – whether that’s working in partnership with the college, contributing towards our charitable aims or providing supported internship work placements for our students.”

Launched in 2018, Rotherham Opportunities College supports young people aged 16–25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to develop independence, wellbeing and employability skills. The college was rated ‘Good’ in its most recent OFSTED inspection and secured an outstanding rating in two areas. Last year the college became a registered charity.

The Rotherham Opportunities College business networking drop-in event will take place on Wednesday 28th January between 10am-2pm and is free to attend.

Rotherham Opportunities College website

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News: Rotherham Opportunities College forges partnership with Magna

Two former students at Rotherham Opportunities College are embarking on the first chapter in their chosen careers, after securing new roles at the Magna Science Adventure Centre.

Millie and Asia are the first beneficiaries of a new partnership between the two organisations, which aims to help young adults with disabilities to secure paid employment after successfully completing their studies.

During their time studying at Rotherham Opportunities College, both Millie and Asia, who have special educational needs, successfully spent time developing their communication and teamwork skills, as well as gaining valuable work experience through the college’s supported internship programme. The duo also successfully completed independent travel training courses, helping them to develop the vital skills needed to make unassisted journeys using public transport.

In their new roles, Millie has joined Magna’s front of house team, where she welcomes visitors to the popular attraction as well as processes online ticket sales, whilst Asia works in Magna’s busy gift shop and can be regularly found working behind the till.

The partnership between Rotherham Opportunities College and Magna will help more students to gain valuable work experience, through a specially developed supported internship programme, as they prepare for life after college. It is hoped that more students will be able to follow the path that Asia and Millie have carved by securing paid work at the popular attraction.

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Richard Hammill, Chief Executive, Magna Science Adventure Centre, said: “Rotherham Opportunities College is a truly unique organisation and having seen first-hand the transformational work being delivered, I was keen to explore ways in which Magna could support the students by working together in the future.

"Since joining us, both Asia and Millie have made an instant, positive impact and have quickly established themselves as valued members of staff. Through our partnership, I hope that more students will have the chance to gain work experience at Magna, and I’m sure others will follow the shining example set by Asia and Millie and go on to secure paid work with us.”

Dr Perdita Mouseley, Principal, Rotherham Opportunities College, said: “Over the past few years, we have forged some excellent working relationships with businesses throughout Rotherham. Our mission is to ensure that students at Rotherham Opportunities College are able to enjoy many of those things that we all take for granted – and that includes earning a regular salary.

"Millie and Asia were both wonderful students during their time at college and it’s great to see that their efforts have been rewarded with paid employment. Our partnership with Magna is an exciting milestone for the college, and it will help more students to gain valuable work experience.

"Supporting students, through providing work experience or a supported internship, can also be a very positive experience. Employers have regularly told us that the experience boosts morale, strengthens teams and enables staff to enjoy a real sense of achievement by helping someone to succeed.”

Magna website
Rotherham Opportunities College website

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News: Business boost helps students end the year in style

Over 100 students and special guests swapped the classroom for the ballroom in a unique night of celebration, thanks to the generous support of kind-hearted local businesses.

For many of the students at Rotherham Opportunities College, the end of year prom isn’t just an important rite of passage but a chance to come together with friends and celebrate their achievements. Recognising that for students with special educational needs, entering unfamiliar environments can be a challenging and daunting experience, yet at the same time, with many of the students keen to enjoy the glitz and glamour of an end of year prom, the college turned to South Yorkshire’s business community to create a night to remember.

With 15 prom dresses to source, Goldthorpe-based The Sewing Room stepped in to ensure that every student could feel like the belle of the ball. In addition to donating ball gowns, staff donated their time to make the all-important final adjustments and tweaks, ensuring that every student felt like a million dollars. To complete the experience, students were also treated to pampering, hair and make-up, donated by Whiston-based India Rose Hair and Beauty, where the students headed to enjoy a full salon experience.

Taking place at the Fitzwilliam Arms Hotel, with guests of honour Deputy Mayor Cllr Haroon Rashid and Past Mayor Cllr Sheila Cowan in attendance, students spent the evening dancing the night away, accompanied by a live DJ who played a range of songs especially chosen by the students.

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It proved to be a particularly special evening for Asia Munshi, who celebrated her birthday that day. She ended her year at the college on a high, receiving a highly commended award in the supported internship category at the Rotherham Apprenticeship of the Year Awards, before dashing across town to join her classmates at the prom-night celebrations.

Asia’s award was presented in recognition of the work she has undertaken at Crossroads Care, where she trained to become a barista in the charity’s busy café, as well as helping out in its busy shop, where she has quickly established herself as a popular and well-loved member of the team.

Dr Perdita Mousley, Principal, Rotherham Opportunities College, said: The end of year prom isn’t just a chance to come together and celebrate achievements, it’s also an important rite of passage for any young person to experience. We wanted all our students to be able to take part and that just wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support we have received from the local business community.

"Each and every business that has supported our prom has gone above and beyond the call of duty, from the dresses and suits that were so generously donated to the amazing help and support provided by the venue on the night, to ensure that everyone who took part enjoyed a night to remember. Without their support and dedication, it just wouldn’t have been possible.

This year has been an incredible year for Rotherham Opportunities College. It was a year that saw us receive a glowing OFSTED report and forge new partnerships and collaborations with businesses and community organisations across South Yorkshire. It was terrific to end the year on such a high, with Asia receiving her highly commended award.”

Rotherham Opportunities College is an independent, specialist college that helps young adults with learning difficulties to build rich and fulfilling lives in adulthood. The college provides tailored education programmes, which take a holistic approach towards understanding the individual needs of each student, helping them to develop the vital skills needed to gain independence and secure employment.

Rotherham Opportunities College website

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News: Students celebrate social enterprise café success

Visitors to Ulley Country Park in Rotherham are enjoying tasty homemade treats, thanks to a pioneering social enterprise that is helping students with special educational needs and disabilities to prepare for life after college.

Launched last June, the ROC Café was developed through a unique collaboration between Ulley Country Park and Rotherham Opportunities College. Operated by students with physical and learning disabilities and/or autism under the watchful eye of experienced catering co-ordinator, Gaynor Cooper, the café operates every Tuesday and Thursday.

The ROC Café has already helped more than 40 students to develop practical life skills, with the underlying aim of helping them to live as independently as possible in adulthood, as well as securing future employment within the hospitality industry.

Working under supervision, students spend time serving customers, preparing food, as well as learning about customer service.

Many of the tasty snacks and treats sold in the ROC Café are prepared by students in college, using locally sourced meat, fruit and vegetables and bread.

To date, the café has received rave reviews from visitors to the park, as well as achieving a five-star food hygiene rating, the highest available.

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Dr Perdita Mousely, Principal, Rotherham Opportunities College, said: “Many of our students look forward to spending time in the café, and for many it is one of the highlights of the college week. Our mission at Rotherham Opportunities College is to equip our learners with the vital skills to enjoy rich and fulfilling lives in adulthood, and providing work experience in a safe, welcoming environment has helped many of our learners go on to secure jobs in the hospitality industry after successfully completing their studies. The café is one of a number of activities we deliver in college to help our students to feel connected to the local community.

"Time spent working in the café helps our students to develop important life skills, including how to communicate effectively, preparing food safely and learning about handling money. The café also forms an important part of our commitment towards investing in the local community. Through our collaborations with local businesses, visitors are able to enjoy a wide range of tasty, home-cooked produce, and it’s been truly heart-warming to hear the positive feedback we’ve received from visitors.”

Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Cllr Victoria Cusworth said: “We want Rotherham to be a great place to grow up, where all children and young people are safe, valued, able to enjoy their lives, achieve their aspirations and get the best possible start in life.

“We’re pleased to welcome the students in the café, and we can see the positive impact it has had on the visitor experience at Ulley Country Park. Taking part has helped students to achieve a greater sense of independence and personal growth by developing their skills as they prepare for adulthood.”

Based in Rotherham town centre, Rotherham Opportunities College is an independent specialist college that supports young adults aged 16-25 who have learning disabilities and/or autism.

The college provides tailored education programmes, which take a holistic approach towards understanding the individual needs of each student, helping them to develop the vital skills needed to live independently, secure employment and build rich and fulfilling lives during adulthood.

Rotherham Opportunities College website

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