Feature
Barbara Abrahamson On City College Norwich
About this feature
In this interview from the programme Community Chest, guest Barbara Abrahamson discusses vocational and progressive learning at City College Norwich. She details the college's inclusive approach, including the young parents project and a partnership with the cathedral refectory for NVQ students. Abrahamson also shares success stories of students overcoming educational barriers, including one who progressed from an evening catering course to a PhD.
In this interview from the programme Community Chest, guest Barbara Abrahamson discusses vocational and progressive learning at City College Norwich, which is described as one of the largest further education colleges in the country. Abrahamson details the college's inclusive approach, including adapted kitchens for learners with physical disabilities and a partnership with the cathedral refectory for NVQ students. She highlights the 'young parents project' for young mothers and shares success stories of students overcoming barriers, including one who progressed from an evening catering course to a PhD. The conversation also touches on the influence of parents on education and the importance of staff development to support learners.
Topics
- Vocational and progressive learning opportunities at City College
- Inclusive education for students with special learning needs and disabilities
- The role of family and parental influence in pursuing further education
- Inclusive and personalised education
- Overcoming educational barriers and self-esteem
- The impact of teacher motivation on students
Participants
- Dominik
- Barbara Abrahamson
- Thorly Svegriksen
- Thordis Fredriksson
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But I sometimes think that we need to target the parents. I think that I know when I was leaving school and I wanted to go to university, my mother said, "No, it's not for people like us." And I and I think that there is still an element of that. That I think that.
Is the barriers we put up for ourselves? You know, it isn't what people can't do; it's what they can do. And you've got to build on what they can do. It's not that they're disabled; they'reabled. We've got to find what they'reabled at.
Response from what you're doing, you can make progress. I think we put ourselves into boxes, and what I like to think is that when people come to the City College, we open the lid of the box and let them out. You know, let them see the opportunities.