DEAF STUDENT'S EXPERIENCE

Past students

Benjamin Lampert (2001-05)

I studied at Harrow College for four years taking BTEC Sports Diploma, GCSE Maths/English and IT key skills level 3. Without CSU (Communication Support Unit) I would not have succeeded in gaining the grades to attend university. The reason I applied to this college for these courses is because there is a wonderful support for deaf students. The support helped me with my confidence and my studying, both these things were essential to me. They helped immediately with any problems, while encouraging and helping to get success at my studies. I will never forget them and recommend anyone to work with them as they deserve the support. You will have a lovely experience and learn a lot from them.

Yuvraj Manek (2005-08)

I joined Harrow College in 2005 and left in 2008. I think CSU is really good for the deaf community. They were always happy to help me if I had any problems with my course or something else. They were always there to help me out with homework and provided help on one to one basis. The support was really excellent. If I had any problems I could talk to Su Reeve.

Amritpal Kaur Nangla (2007-09)

During my studies at Harrow College between 2007-09, I’ve found CSU was very useful for the communication support as it helped me to study completely, the one to one tuitions with the study co-ordinator. The CSU can be only used by hard of hearing/deaf students and staff, which can be openly accessible and colloquial for us. We also use CSU to socialise with other deaf students whilst we studied, helped each other for opinions in our work. Through the whole experience, we also motivate each other to gain more confidence in our studies and to socialise. And if we had any problems with either personal or education, the support is hundred per cent available for us. The atmosphere in CSU is completely unique and certainly lively! The experiences I had in CSU will be never forgotten.

Current students 2011

Hannah Ashton

CSU is brilliant for us deaf students, because it is very important for us to get access to classroom information, and also so we don’t miss any information. I think the Communication Support unit room is very useful for us all so we can work on our college work and be able to get help from the CSU if we don’t understand the work. I live in Welwyn Garden City, it take me 2 hours to come to harrow college. The reason I come to harrow college is because the college provides good support and my local college doesn’t provide same level of support. I’m deaf but I can speak and hear, in lesson I lip read and listen, and the communicator take notes for me. If I don’t understand or miss out information, I get the communicator to repeat it.

Savraj Sehra

When I came to harrow college I felt good because I have lots of supports for my coursework and homework as well. I made new friends in the CSU room and lots of people to chat to. CSU is really friendly and the communicators offer me support with notes so that I can catch up if I miss a class. I find it so easy to access the door into CSU as I use a frame or wheelchair. If I have a problem I will ask for someone to support to me like lost paper or problem with my computer etc. I really like the 1:1 support as well because it makes me feel confident and helps me understand my work.

Joe Weaver

I live in Enfield, and it usually takes around more than one and a half hour journey to Harrow College every day for third year running. I came here to study BTEC Art and Design, not only because they have good department for art but they also have excellent support for deaf students, compare to my local college where they do not have much support for deaf students. The CSU will be always there every time even the trips with a huge support which is very important for every deaf student including myself. That leads me to success in this course and gives me the confidence of doing well and it also gives me the chance of going to university after completing my Foundation course.