Tor Bank Special School Celebration Event

On Wednesday 22^nd May 2024 students from Tor Bank Special School attended a celebration event along with their family at Stranmillis University College.  The sixth year students from Tor Bank Special School all took part in a DfE funded project called Step Up, one morning per week, from September 2023 until May 2024.  Coordinated by Danielle Armstrong, the students have attended Stranmillis every Wednesday over the past 8 months and have gained confidence, knowledge and skills in various areas of the college campus.  The aim of this project was to show the students that working is a possibility and we hope more businesses will create job opportunities for adults with special needs in the future.

Throughout this programme the students have been supported by Stranmillis University College staff and students along with Tor Bank Special School staff.  The Principal and CEO of Stranmillis University College said ‘The experience has not only been beneficial to the students from Tor Bank but the involvement of our staff and students with this project has been most rewarding and beneficial also. The young men have made a positive impact on whoever they engaged with – always willing to learn, listen and laugh.  A credit to their family and to the staff of Tor Bank Special School.’

The participants each received a small personalised gift along with their certificates for completing the programme and for OCN units they completed.  The college looks forward to continuing the partnership long into the future. A special thanks to DfE and their representatives, without whom, this programme would not be possible.