College's £5.3m SEND centre is 'hugely positive'

A £5.3m centre has opened to support people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Exeter College said the state-of-the-art RISE Centre, which stands for re-engagement, inclusion, skills and education, received the funding from Devon County Council's safety value and high needs block capital funding grants.

The centre near Queen Street includes 12 classrooms, a teaching kitchen, art room, break out spaces, care suite and therapy room.

Joanna Webb, head of faculty for foundation learning and inclusion at the college, said the centre made a "hugely positive impact" on the students, adding "it's calm and purposeful and creates a truly inclusive learning environment".

Exeter College said it was officially opened on Thursday by Devon County Council chair councillor Rosie Dawson and Exeter and North Devon Colleges Group Principal and CEO, John Laramy CBE DL.

Dawson said the centre would offer 100 more young people across east Devon to access the college's "outstanding training and education".

Laramy said: "We have created a specialist environment designed around our learners and their needs, giving more young people the opportunity to develop their skills, confidence and independence.

"We will continue working with our partners and stakeholders to ensure that we play our part in making sure young people in Devon can access exceptional education that supports their ambitions, whatever that may be."

The college said the centre would be used by people from the college's foundation learning and inclusion faculty and represents a "major development" in its SEND provision.

It said the RISE joins the the Hub for Independent Living and Learning (the HILL) in Exeter city cente and the Centre for Progression in Tiverton as dedicated learning spaces for Exeter College's Foundation Learning and Inclusion faculty.

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