Foundation Learning News

A team of Foundation Learning students on the Supported Internships programme at Nescot are celebrating after winning prizes at the Jim Green Challenge last week (13.03.24). They won first place in the Dried Flower arrangement category and one of the interns, Martyn also received the outstanding team member award.

Hosted by the South of England Agricultural Society at its showground, the Jim Green Challenge brought together 120 students and adults with additional educational needs from across Kent, Sussex and Surrey.

Students, Martyn, Beatrix, Kane, Darren, Matthew, Oliver and Lee were delighted to win the award which was presented by the Society’s 2024 President, Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Edinburgh GCVO.

The students who all work in the horticulture department at the college, have been planning for the Jim Green Challenge since October. Margaret Hughes, Employability coach and Horticultural Lead for Foundation Learning at Nescot said: “They put in a lot of effort and work sourcing recycling materials from the college’s farm and departments to, construct a model sheep and a self-supporting scarecrow, create wooden toy cars with movable parts, arrange a vase with collected dried flowers and cultivate a variety of spring bulbs in a planter.

“Working together and planning for the challenge has not only given the students an opportunity to showcase their horticulture skills but has also built their confidence and morale. The Jim Green Challenge is well known and great for their CVs. They all work really well and I’m so proud of all of them.”

At the competition, the students had to also undertake practical tasks that involved identifying pond life, plating a window box and de-weeding a flowerbed.

One of the students, Beatrix said, “We had fun doing the Jim Green Challenge. We did a lot of work and came up with lots of ideas. The best bit was making the scarecrow.”

Martyn who won the award for outstanding team member added, “I’m so happy to win the award. I’ve enjoyed working on the Challenge especially building the scarecrow.”

Fiona Kyereme Head of Supported Internship Programme commented, “I am so very proud of our Supported Interns who are on the Horticulture work placement. This is our first time entering the Jim Green Challenge, and to come away with a 1^st place in the dried flower arrangement was beyond our imagination. I cannot thank them enough for all of their hard work. I would also like to thank Margaret, their Job Coach for all of her time and effort that has gone into preparing the interns for this competition. It was a fantastic team effort!”

The Jim Green Challenge is an annual competition designed for students with mild or moderate learning difficulties attending land-based colleges and further education centres in the South East. Organised in memory of the Agricultural Society’s past chairman and founder of its educational outreach programmes, Jim Green, the challenge invites students to take part in both practical competitions and evidence-based project work, all focused around the countryside.

The Foundations Department are full involved with Nescot's 70th Anniversary celebration day on Friday 22 March 2024. Students will be invited to join a long list of activities in their normal college day. A highlight will be our 1950s-themed disco!

Dear all,

Dr Marie Martel, a lecturer in the Psychology Department of the University of Surrey is running an online study investigating motor strategies in adults with Dyspraxia and is looking for volunteers to take part. She is particularly interested in how having dyspraxia with other conditions (such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia…) or not can influence motor strategies. The study has the potential to deepen our understanding of Dyspraxia and improve the support that is currently available. It has been approved by the University of Surrey Ethics Committee. 

The study takes about 20min, and you only need a laptop to take part. It consists of some questionnaires about your diagnosis, age, and so on, the main game in which you will have to reach targets with your trackpad, and a questionnaire on daily motor activities. If you want more info or are interested, please visit https://test-your-movement-surrey.web.app/ 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email me at m.martel@surrey.ac.uk. If you do not have access to a laptop and live close to the University, you can also come and participate in her office, just drop her an email. Please do not hesitate to share the study widely, we still need a lot of participants to be able to complete this study. 

If you would like to participate in more research on Dyspraxia, you can join our research database: it allows you to be informed of our studies and the results, and also to be invited to special events that we organize around Dyspraxia. Drop her an email if you are interested. 

Kind Regards Amanda Aldridge 

Amanda Aldridge
Pronouns: she/her #mynameis Uh-Man-Duh
Engagement and Partnership Officer
Adults, Wellbeing and Health Partnerships
surreycc.gov.uk
Mobile: 07929 863582

More than 100 students gained valuable insights about their future education and employment paths at Nescot’s SEN Careers Fair held on 10 January.

The event was aimed at all students progressing within Nescot, work or supported internship. Students had a chance to learn more about vocational subject areas at the College, meet employers and training providers, seek job advice and find out more about extra-curricular clubs.

Thank you to all the employers and guests who contributed to its success - Sutton District Training, McDonalds, Aramark, Holiday Inn Express, Epsom and Ewell Hub, Chessington World of Adventures, Banstead Care Home, Palace for Life, Autism Project, Ringway, Mini Fab/Nescot Phab, LLC, JACE. Students also heard about progressing into 15 of Nescot’s vocational subject areas including Early Years, Construction, Animal Care and Supported Internships.

15 January 2024

Our Foundation Learning students enjoyed a fun taster session at the singing lunch club with the Include Choir who led the students in singing a selection of songs with Makaton signing. 

Slavina, Head of Foundation Learning said, “It was wonderful to see the students taking part in the session with such enthusiasm and joy. One of our students even led the session with the Choir leader. Thanks to the Include Choir for this joyous taster session.”

The session ended with a rousing rendition of ‘This is Me’ from The Greatest Showman complete with top hats.

November 2023

E3 Construction and Grounds work group have been very busy again helping to clear up green community spaces and streets in the local area

Entry Level 1 Foundations made picnic food in their Cooking class that included sandwiches, sausage rolls, pesto swirls and flapjacks. Then the class had the opportunity to enjoy their hard work with a trip outside to the quiet area beside the Foundations Polytunnel for a picnic. Students served each other and ate the food they had made. The weather was very sunny so we stayed in the shade and, after eating, students had some time to play games including a ring toss game and a game of 'Would you rather?'. 

Students had a great time, and the experience developed their cooking skills, as well as communication and social skills. There was no food left over by the end of the picnic!

A few of our groups and 14-16 provision ended the year with a group visit to Hollywood bowling. Students showed their competitive spirits and teamwork skills in a range of arcade games and bowling competitions.

Our 14-16 provision visited High Ashurst in May on a team building trip for a day. Students worked together on problem solving tasks, supported each other through some of the physical activities. Students learned new skills in archery and climbing. The visit aimed to develop students' personal, social and physical health through the many adventurous activities High Ashers has to offer.

Our partners The Sunnybank Trust are holding an Alice in Wonderland afternoon. It takes place on Sat 24 June at 2pm at St. Barnabas Church, Epsom, KT19 8HA. There will be tea, jam tarts & live jazz band. Suggested donation £5 per person. Book your place by emailing info@sunnybanktrust.org

Foundation Learning students held a Coronation tea party in the Seasons Learning Hub.

More than 100 students on a range of courses across the department had a competition to decorate crowns, with college CEO and Principal Julie Kapsalis judging the winners and presenting prizes.

The students then enjoyed cakes baked by the department and took part in a special Coronation-themed quiz, as well as writing their own Coronation oaths in their English lessons.

The ten winning entries will now be sent to His Majesty the King, in the hope that the college will receive a reply from Buckingham Palace. 

The event was aimed at helping the students to work on their art and catering skills, as well as providing an opportunity to socialise in a supportive setting. You can read more about it on our website here.