Dorset college launch social events to bring community together

Situated in the small village of Cranborne, Aurora Boveridge College is a day and residential independent specialist college which offers training for young people with a range of complex learning needs including social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication difficulties and autism. 

Following the success of its community lunch last November where around 30 members of the senior community attended, Boveridge College will be holding another event from 12-2.30pm on 27 January at Cranborne Village Hall, where the students will be serving up a three-course hot meal. 

“We’re looking to spread the word about the amazing work we do here while supporting the local community,” said Assistant Head of Education Odette Osborne. 

“Learning how to engage professionally with people they don’t know helps the students further develop their social and communication skills so they’re fully prepared when they go out in the world of work. We had great feedback from our first event, with the guests praising both the food and the students, so we’re now looking to hold similar events every half a term.” 

Alongside a wide range of academic courses, Boveridge College offers a bespoke curriculum and runs many nationally recognised vocational subjects such as Hospitality and Tourism, Motor Vehicle, Horticulture and Animal Care. 

The students enjoy access to a range of specialist on-site facilities including a working mini farm and a kitchen garden. 

Sarah Langford, parent of student William (17), said he was delighted to be involved in the community lunches. 

“He wants to work in the hospitality industry so this was a great opportunity for him to interact without judgement,” she said. “It’s such a nice way of linking the college to the local community as both parties can benefit so much from the interaction. It gave William a real confidence boost and he was extremely proud of himself afterwards, something he rarely feels.” 

The students are also providing support and entertainment every Monday at Cranborne’s Hot Spot at the Village Hall where residents can come to warm up and get hot drinks and soup. 

In addition, the college has plans to run exercise classes, a repair textile workshop and a table tennis club. 

Describing it as calm, nurturing and friendly, Ofsted recently gave Aurora Boveridge a “good” rating overall for its first full Ofsted since it opened in 2017 and noted that behaviour and attitudes were “outstanding”. 

“This first report was a recognition of the hard work and dedication of all our excellent staff team and our students, and is something that I know our college community will take great pride in,” said college principal Lloyd Richards. 

Mr Richards went on to say that the college welcomes applications from teaching professionals and education support workers. 

“We offer competitive salaries and we fund training so you can gain the qualifications you need while you earn, in an amazing environment,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for anybody interested in pursuing a career in specialist education and support.”