Page 20 - link magazine

New education centre for young adults with special needs
South Swindon MP Robert Buckland opened The Learning Centre, a unique new provision for young people
aged 19 to 25 years set up by the Uplands Educational Trust.
Based in a new facility on Stratton placements because they are in such the word go, so I was honoured to be
Road, Swindon, the centre specialises short supply. invited to open the centre.
in helping young adults with special The centre has been inspired by “Thanks to the energy and drive of
needs acquire life skills so that they Uplands headteacher Jackie Smith the Uplands team, plus the support of
can help themselves. who said: “We listened to the frustra- local organisations and businesses, the
After finishing school, many young tions of parents and carers of young dream of post-19 provision for young
adults with special needs are unable special needs adults living in Swindon people with complex and acute needs
to attend mainstream colleges and are and the surrounding areas and knew has become a reality.
faced with two options. Either cease that opening a 19 to 25 Learning “The ethos of the ULC is to help
their education and stay at home with Centre was something the Uplands young people help themselves. I be-
their family or travel over 300 miles Educational Trust had to do. lieve that this is the right approach,
from Swindon to take up residential

BABY & TODDLER FIRST LESSON FREE
SWIMMING FOR LINK MAGAZINE READERS

We’re the original baby swimming
teachers. Teaching for over 20 years

01249 661561 Robert Buckland at The Learning Centre opening on 9 September.
Photo: Richard Wintle www.calyxpix.com
www.aquababieswest.co.uk “We can’t fail these families; if, as and look forward to future success.

Swimming in Living Well Health Club – The Hilton and Spirit Health Cub – Holiday Inn, a community, we don’t support them If you are a parent or carer of a
weekdays and weekends. the impact can be catastrophic." young person with special needs who
Robert, who has backed the project would like to attend the Learning
from the initial concept in 2011, Centre, call Lin Mitchell, transitions
opened the centre on 9 September. He manager, on 01793 493910.
said: “I have supported the Uplands See more images at www.bit.ly/
Learning Centre initiative right from Uplands-TLC
Academy of Dance celebrates 25 years in 2014

ISTD - Ballet - Tap Following a highly successful summer at the All England National Dance
Finals, Swindon Academy of Dance is looking ahead to 2014, which will be
- Modern - Jazz the school’s 25th anniversary.
Commenting on the competition comment on how polite our students
Contemporary academy principal Sarah Watson are it’s worth more than all the med-
Street Jazz said: “The national finals were the als we bring back. When our dancers
Musical Theatre & culmination of hard work over a two are in their uniform they are not just
RAD Major Ballet year cycle, including local festivals representing the academy they are
and regional competitions. This year representing Swindon as well.”
BRING THIS ADVERT was particularly tough as a new ruling Two students have completed
meant that only the top two dancers the National Youth Ballet summer
AND GET FIRST TWO with honours from an area could go school this year and in September the
WEEKS FREE through from the regionals. whole academy enjoyed workshops
“Nevertheless we were very well with visiting West End dancers and
Classes from 2 /2 years upwards. represented at the Bloomsbury The- performers.
1
Lessons held at: atre in London during the last week Outlining her plans for the school’s
The Haydon Centre of July, with a number of our dancers anniversary celebrations Sarah said:
achieving medals or fourth place with “There’s going to be a show at the
Haydonleigh School honours.” Wyvern in February. It will be good to
Abbeymeads Community School Describing the academy’s ethos see as many of our previous students
Blunsdon Village Halls Sarah said: “We have a very happy as possible there.”
Tel: 07825 543529 or 01793 524112 environment; all our students mix well The academy accepts boys and
together from the youngest to the girls from as young as 2 years and
Visit our website for more details: oldest and it’s like an extended family. 4 months into its classes at Abbey
www.swindonacademyofdance.co.uk “We are strict on behaviour too, and Meads, Blunsdon and Haydon. See
when teachers from other schools details in the advert on the left.
20 swindonlink.com • October 2013

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