A centre which will prepare students with learning difficulties for the workplace opened its doors today (October 16).
The Kennet West Skills Centre in Maida Vale was opened by the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Audrey Lewis.
Students aged 16 to 25 with learning difficulties and disabilities will be able to benefit from the centre’s vocational and work related courses in catering and hospitality, print room operations, creative media and drama and theatre skills.
Students will work and develop in mini enterprises to help them learn skills to make them employable, including communication, team work and resilience. They will also benefit from work placements with employers in the area to help build up their skills.
Kennet West is a partnership between Westminster Special Schools and Westminster Kingsway College which has proved invaluable in bringing together the relevant expertise in both special needs and vocational education.
Lord Mayor Lewis, said: “I am so proud to open Kennet West Skills Centre today, a superb facility for family’s right in the heart of Westminster. This state-of-the-art enterprise will help students develop skills in areas such as catering and drama, and hopefully we will see Westminster produce the next Paul Hollywood or Michelle Dockery!
“More than just classroom learning however, this new skills centre will help students develop important life lessons as well, meaning that pupils will be educated, happy and healthy - and have the best chance to get on in life. I wish pupils, teachers, parents and everybody involved in Kennet West Skills Centre the best of luck for the future.”
Today’s opening comes after Kennet West welcomed in its first students last month after the building was completed in July thanks to £1.6 million in funding from the Education Funding Agency’s Demographic Growth Capital Fund which aims to support the progression of post 16-year-old students with learning disabilities or difficulties.
The centre is also part of the Federation of Westminster Special Schools which is made up of Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee School, which is next to Kennet West, College Park School and the Training and Outreach provision.
