Royal National College for the Blind

College Road
Hereford
HR1 1EB

Tel: 01432 265725
Fax: 01432 376628
Web: www.rncb.ac.uk
Best time to telephone: normal office hours

The Royal National College for the blind (RNC) is the UK's leading provider of specialist residential further education and training, working with people from the age of 16, who are blind or partially sighted, to promote their independence and potential.

RNC provides a range of full time programmes and short courses designed to prepare people for progression to further education, higher education, and the world of work, but most importantly - life.

If someone is currently unemployed, job seeking, or needing to update their skills to retain employment or to pursue a new career, they can find a range of full time, short courses, employment assessment and work preparation programmes invaluable.

They meet the education, training and employability needs of a wide range of clients, ranging from those who have recently lost sight and need basic preparatory skills to those who want to build on their existing skills to enhance their employability.

Residential training is not appropriate for all so RNC is constantly exploring new 'Distance Learning' opportunities.

The RNC learning package is complemented by braille, communication skills, literacy, living skills, mobility, transitional skills, numeracy, study skills and using enabling technology.

Life at RNC:

RNC is not a 9am - 5pm college. Social activity is just as important as the teaching, which takes place in the classroom. RNC is in the process of a multi-million pound campus redevelopment, ensuring that learners have access to the very best facilities. Their brand new sports complex, thePoint4 offers:

• A fully inclusive gym
• Fitness studio,
• Sports hall,
• Floodlit Futsal pitch,
• Spa and Hydrotherapy Pool
• Massage and Complementary Therapy Centre

In addition there are student run social clubs and student common rooms. Regular events take place both on and off campus to encourage students to develop interests, social skills and world awareness.

As home to the England/GB Blind Football Team, RNC has opened the world's first football academy for visually impaired footballers in order to find a new breed of talent to compete in London 2012 and beyond.

RNC can accommodate over 200 students in purpose-build halls of residence. The majority of rooms are en-suite and specially adapted; accommodation for wheelchair users is available. Ofsted recently graded RNC's residential and care provision as 'outstanding'.

Student Support:

RNC has around 175 teaching staff and 56 student support staff. Medical, counselling and student support services are provided by qualified staff and are accessible at all times.

For a prospectus, to arrange a visit, or for advice on making an application contact marketing on: 01432 376621