Specialist college secures charity milestone

A unique education provider that helps young adults with special educational needs to realise their full potential has been granted charitable status by the Charities Commission.

Rotherham Opportunities College, which helps young adults aged 16-25 to prepare for life after education, was recently awarded a good rating by OFSTED, and becoming a charity means the college will be able to develop its fundraising efforts, which are used to provide vocational support for its students.

The college is expecting to welcome 75 students in September, and the unique learning approach that has been pioneered by the organisation has seen it attract interest from students across South Yorkshire, Kirklees and North East Lincolnshire.

Rotherham Opportunities College aims to equip its learners, many of whom have complex needs, with the vital skills needed during adulthood, with many of its students going on to live independently and secure full-time work.

The college enjoys close working relationships with local businesses, with its students benefitting from supported internships, whilst staff and students also work together to run the popular ROC Café, which operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Ulley Country Park. Students also play an active role in supporting their local community by undertaking a wide range of vocational activities throughout the college year.

Dr Perdita Mouseley, Principal, Rotherham Opportunities College, said:

“Becoming a registered charity is something we have been working towards for some time. It is an important milestone for the college because it will help us to explore new opportunities when it comes to accessing new streams of funding.

We believe that everyone who spends time at our college can play an important role in our local community. Our learning experiences are designed to equip our students with the vital skills needed to enjoy many of the things that we all take for granted in adulthood.

Over the years, we’ve forged some terrific partnerships with local businesses and community-led organisations, and we are hoping to extend our offering to ensure that no young adult with special educational needs is left behind.

We’ve got some exciting plans for the college and becoming a charity is central to us realising those ambitions.”