Just come back from a lovely 2 night residential trip to Foxes Academy ,right opposite the beach on the sweeping bay of Minehead .I urge you to watch the ‘Landmark Films- Strangest hotel in Britain’ .It’s a bloody stupid name for a dam good documentary . Foxes Hotel is a proper hotel , charging £55 for dinner , bed and breakfast, the difference being it is run by young people ,aged 16-25 years , with special educational needs. Myself and 2 assistants , took 5 of my 18 year old students ( on the train ) for some taster sessions and to see how the whole academy – training , shared houses , social life , shift work, additional therapies and support, etc works. It really is the nearest my students can get to the whole ‘university experience’. We all were bowled over by the place , the set-up and the downright refreshing honesty of the ‘learners ‘ ( as they call them.). After 3 years training ,they are encouraged to leave Minehead and seek a job elsewhere ..as we are well aware ,not easy in the present climate .I would LOVE to start a little cafe and employ a few of Foxes students… .
Well done, Rachel, for taking that journey with your students and all the responsibilty that went with it. I remember watching the documenatry and being moved by it, but it made me smile too. There should be more places like that.