A teaching centre in Reading is helping adults, people with learning difficulties, migrants and other groups of people to succeed.

The New Directions College is a learning centre for adults in Reading that has a history stretching back to 1958, with the main aim of helping adults acquire life skills and help them into employment.

Teaching is spread across several sites, with the main centre located at 330 Northumberland Avenue in Whitley.

The College primarily supports those who struggle with unemployment, learning difficulties and refugees.

The performance of the college is reported each year to Reading Borough Council's adult social care, children's services and education committee (ACE).

The New Directions College at 330 Northumberland Avenue in Whitley.The New Directions College at 330 Northumberland Avenue in Whitley. (Image: Google Maps)

This year, the work staff do to teach English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) was particularly highlighted.

Lisa Welch, principal of the college, said: "The core of our provision is what we call Skills for Life curriculum, which is maths, English, digital skills and skills for employment and work.

"And a large proportion of our learners are either long-term unemployed, have a vulnerability such as a mental health condition, are adults with special educational needs and disabilities, or are asylum seekers and refugees.

"ESOL remains are largest and growing area of demand at the college."

Lisa Welch, the principal of the New Directions College in Reading.Lisa Welch, the principal of the New Directions College in Reading. (Image: New Directions College)

A report alongside her presentation stated that the college is meeting the learning needs of an increasing number of refugees and asylum seekers in Reading, particularly Ukrainian, Afghan and Hong Kong nationals.

The number of English as a second language learners increased from 271 in 2020 by 400 to 671 in 2022-23.

In an effort to continue supporting immigrants and refugees, New Directions has a contract with the Home Office to deliver employment support to refugees.

Furthermore, the South East Strategic Partnership for Migration has provided funding for the college to chair a Reading ESOL Provider Network Group to increase collaboration and improve outcomes for people who don't have English as their first language.

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The report stated that satisfaction levels are high among learners, with 99 per cent of respondents saying they are happy with the college and the support it provides.

Learners will obtain certificates on completion of their course.

New Directions also has a Recognition Award scheme with 143 awards being issued to staff, learners and volunteers.

The third annual awards ceremony took place in the Town Hall this July
to coincide with the celebration of the end of the academic year.

Welcoming the report, Ruth McEwan (Labour, Church), lead councillor for Public Health said: "I was lucky enough to attend the awards ceremony earlier in the year.

"It was a really uplifting evening. I spoke to quite a lot of students and chatted to them one-to-one about their experiences."

The College is mostly funded by an annual National Skills Fund allocation of £1.3m and a small budget provided by the council.

Additional income comes from course fees and apprenticeship delivery.

The report was presented to the ACE committee meeting on October 16.

Recently, it was announced that hospitality students at New Directions are receiving hands-on catering experience at the Cedar Court sheltered accommodation in Whitley Rise.