COLLEGE IN WALES RECEIVES PRAISE FROM ‘THE FONZ’

Recognition was delighted to be in contact with Hollywood actor Henry Winkler to promote the Priory Education Services innovative partnership with Coleg Gwent. the partnership provides specialist educational facilities for students with Asperger’s syndrome and tackles the long-term employment issues associated with the condition.

Henry Winkler has been associated with campaigns on this condition for some time.

In 2007, the National Autistic Society launched a report calling for better support and services for young people during the crucial transition stages between school, higher education, training and employment.
The ‘Don’t write me off’ campaign found that only 15% of adults with autism were in full-time paid employment, which could be greatly increased if the right planning, support and service is offered to people with autism during the transition stage.

Priory Coleg Wales is a co-educational college for students aged 16 to 25 designed to meet the academic, social and emotional needs of its students. The Coleg will accept its first students in September 2010.

Priory Coleg Wales is set within the grounds of Coleg Gwent, the largest further education college in Wales with 5 separate campuses. The learning centre is located on the Pontypool campus and comprises of classrooms, IT facilities, a therapy room, learning kitchen and dining room.

The learning centre is a safe area within a mainstream setting providing retreat when students feel challenged by social situations. It is also the base for the College’s in-house programme of support. Local buses and transport are used to travel between the campuses with the help of support workers where required, but with the overall aim of increasing independent travel skills for the future.

A number of therapies are also offered to students to help with their on-going personal development including art therapy, speech and language therapy and counselling.

The Priory Coleg Wales will initially create 10 jobs in the area, potentially reaching 50 plus jobs in the next couple of years.

Henry Winkler, best known for playing The Fonz in Happy Days, who is promoting the My Way! campaign, sent a message to Priory Coleg Wales: "Every child learns in their own way and no matter what that path is, each child must be celebrated."