National Star College Visit Day Agenda and Faqs

National Star College Visit Day agenda and FAQs

Welcome to National Star College. We hope that you enjoy your visit and the opportunity to see our Ullenwood campus in action, ask questions and speak to learners and staff.

This document outlines your Visit Day agenda, alongside the answers to some commonly asked questions.

Agenda

11am Arrival and welcome to National Star College. You will be met by the Admissions team and directed to the Anderson Meeting Room, where tea, coffee and refreshments will be provided.

11.15am - General tour of the main college campus and an introduction to the core facilities we 12.45pm offer. The tour includes a brief look at:

• StarBistro at Ullenwood • An art room • Accommodation • Health and wellbeing areas • Learner areas • Sports • Hydrotherapy and sensory rooms • Learner social areas and information relating to evening and weekend clubs • Day and residential provision 12.45pm Return to the Anderson Meeting Room for a buffet lunch and refreshments. Please note that dietary requirements can be catered for if staff are notified in advance. Lunch is followed by a presentation and an informal discussion with the opportunity to ask questions around the following areas: Education, Residential, Nursing, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy. Information about booking assessments and the assessment process will also be provided.

2pm Departure. We hope that you enjoyed your visit. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01242 534928 or [email protected]. Have a safe journey home.

National Star and National Star College are working names of National Star Foundation which is registered in England and Wales, company number 522846, charity number 220239. Registered office Ullenwood Manor, Ullenwood, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL53 9QU FAQs

What is the history of National Star College? We first opened our doors as the ‘National Star Centre’ in May 1967, with 10 learners and 26 members of staff. We were originally established as a charity to support and educate those whose lives had been affected by thalidomide. In 2002 the National Star Centre was renamed National Star College. Most of the learners at college today require a high level of support, with around 75% being wheelchair users. The change in complexity of disabilities and acquired brain injuries over the years has meant that we have needed to grow and develop our range of specialist provision. In 2007 National Star College launched an appeal to raise funds for new buildings, conversions and refurbishment, and the first stage of this was completed in June 2011.

In 2012 National Star College was rated ‘outstanding’ in all areas by Ofsted. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated us ‘outstanding’ in 2015.

How many learners study at National Star College? There are currently 117 residential learners and 59 day learners at college.

How many staff are there? National Star as a whole currently employs nearly 800 members of staff across the UK.

Can learners go home at weekends? It’s natural that during their first month at National Star College learners may wish to go home frequently while they are still settling in. However, after the October half term, learners usually go home only once or twice a term, as this can have an effect on funding. Those who start later in the academic year will have the first term to settle in.

Do you have 24-hour staff? All residences are staffed 24/7, and there are 24-hour nursing teams. We also work in partnership with a local doctor who holds surgeries on our Ullenwood campus twice a week.

In the event of extreme weather, there is a winter contingency plan with access to all-terrain vehicles. Staff are accommodated on-site during periods of adverse weather, ensuring that there is no interruption to learner care.

Can day learners access the evening social activities? Day learner funding does not currently cover any evening or weekend extra- curricular activities.

Can learners decorate their bedrooms? We want all learners to feel completely at home at National Star College, and we encourage them to add their own personal touches to their bedroom. Posters and pictures are welcome. The only thing we ask is that learners don’t paint the walls!

Can learners bring their own food from home? Learners can bring whatever they like to eat. Each residence has a fridge and a freezer for food storage. Non-perishable items can be kept in the resident’s bedroom (crisps, sweets etc.).

Where can learners eat on campus? There are many different venues where learners can choose to eat. There are two main dining rooms – one of which is quieter than the other and suitable for those who prefer a more relaxed environment. Learners have the opportunity to take food from our main dining room and eat in their residence, around campus or in communal areas such as the StarBar. In the summer months some learners enjoy dining outdoors. If none of these ideas appeal, learners can also be supported in cooking a meal of their choice at their residence.

Do learners need to bring money to college? While all social activities that take place at our Ullenwood campus are free of charge and unlimited (with the exception of the weekly disco, which costs £1), some external activities will incur expenditure - such as a trip to Butlins or an evening at the cinema. In addition, learners will have access to the on-site shop to purchase essentials such as toiletries and greetings cards. We therefore advise that learners do bring money with them to college. Each learner will be provided with a safe in their room in which to keep their valuables.

How often will I get a progress report? Residences and Personalised Learning Coordinators (PLCOs) will update parents / guardians at pre-agreed intervals. These reports can be daily or weekly, and by telephone or by email.

All learners have an annual review with multi-disciplinary teams which parents are invited to attend. This is to discuss the progress that the learner is making, and any changes that need to be made. In a learner’s first year there is a review after the first term and then again a little later in the year.

How do I get in touch after my Visit Day? We hope that you have enjoyed your visit to National Star College. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01242 534928 or [email protected]. Have a safe journey home.