Coleg Gwent pioneers overseas educational trip for learners with additional needs

Coleg Gwent is celebrating the 240 learners on its Independent Living Skills (ILS) courses — following a successful educational trip to Paris and Chantilly.

This unique experience marks a milestone for Welsh education, with Coleg Gwent being the first college in Wales to arrange an overseas trip specifically for learners with additional needs.

Delivered in collaboration with the LEARN Institute and funded by Taith, the trip provided 10 learners with a wide spectrum of additional learning needs  the opportunity to experience many ‘firsts,’ including travelling outside of the UK, using public transport, and experiencing air travel.

Visits to the Eiffel Tower and Disneyland Paris were high on the trip’s itinerary, alongside many practical lessons such as navigating the Paris metro system, experiencing large crowds, and spending an extended period of time away from their parents.

This trip was all part of the college’s wider ILS curriculum, which aims to equip learners with the essential skills needed to live independently within the community — including money management, cooking, career planning and self-esteem growth.

The parent of Curtis who studies on the ILS Main Programme said: “This was Curtis’s first trip without me, so there were a lot of mixed emotions, but I knew it would be a trip of a lifetime.

“Whilst he was nervous to go at first, he absolutely loved it! It has really helped him become more independent.

“I know if the opportunity to go on another trip came around, he would jump at the chance. I’d like to say a big ‘thank you’ to all of the tutors who helped keep me at ease with the continuous updates during their trip!”

Jonathan Smith, Head of School for ILS at Coleg Gwent said: “Our first overseas visit was a great success. Our students faced various challenges, such as managing crowds, using unfamiliar transportation, living independently, and handling money. 

“Following the success of this trip — and in the spirit of World Youth Skills Day — we hope to plan many more trips like this one. It’s a fantastic, practical way of enabling learners with additional needs to grow essential independence skills — skills which can be applied in their academic and personal lives.

“This is a tremendous achievement for everyone involved, and I couldn’t be prouder to be part of a community that consistently strives to support learners in fun and engaging ways.”

Find out more information on Coleg Gwent’s ILS courses.