Student meets SEND Minister for important discussions

Digital T Level student, Tom Ashforth, attended a roundtable discussion with David Johnston MP, Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing organised by Thomas Pocklington Trust.

Tom got invited to share his experiences of post-16 education as a partially sighted student and discussed what went well and what needs to be better within the industry. Each attendee had five minutes to share the message they wanted the Minister to take away from the meeting and potentially what he can do to support blind and partially sighted students.

I’m very happy that I attended the event so I could share my experience with the Minister.

Thomas Pocklington Trust is a leading advocate for the experiences of blind and partially sighted young people so that their voices are heard, and they can achieve their aim of unlocking education for all.

Tom said: “I’m very happy that I attended the event so I could share my experience with the Minister. We discussed the challenges faced by blind students when transitioning through their educational path. The event was insightful because I learnt about the challenges that blind students encounter is very high and the many ways they have struggled within education and their different experiences and approaches.

“As part of the Thomas Pocklington Trust’s educational team I attend monthly meetings on two projects a year and attend many roundtable events with different governmental departments and minsters, in the hope to shape education for the better for other students.”

Last updated: 19th March 2024

Originally posted on: 18th March 2024

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