RNC students make a powerful case for fair access to specialist FE during Westminster visit

Students from The Royal National College for the Blind enjoyed a cream tea and an afternoon in the House of Commons while delivering a very important message. Four students attended the event with Executive Principal Lucy Proctor, Director of Quality and Student Journey Mark Fisher, and Teacher in Charge of Independent Living Skills Gareth Brydon to highlight fair access to specialist further education (FE) to those who need it.

Pictured in front of the Houses of Parliament are the group of staff and students representing the College Photo credit: Sophie Corness

It came as Natspec published Unlocking Potential, its manifesto for the 2024 UK general election. Students and staff from across Natspec’s member colleges met with MPs to explain the importance of specialist FE and to set out some of the policy changes needed to ensure young people with more complex needs can access high quality specialist provision.

RNC student Roco, delivered one of three speeches during the event where he drew attention to his experiences and the fact that a number of his friends have not been able to access specialist education due to lack of funding.

The Natspec manifesto calls for three key points:

- Fair access to specialist FE for those learners who need it
- Investment in the specialist FE sector to ensure high quality provision is available to learners
- A joined-up approach across government departments, so that young people with more complex needs have the support they need to thrive once they leave college.

Unlocking potential: a manifesto for specialist further education can be accessed here.