Canterbury College - Staff Spotlight - meet Donna from Supported Learning

Staff Spotlight - meet Donna from Supported Learning

Our Supported Learning department offers a range of courses which are designed to ensure young people develop the skills and independence needed to progress on to a vocational programme at College. Our courses help students to develop their life and work skills, preparing them for adulthood and the workplace. The department has dedicated facilities to support students in their learning, including a flat, training kitchen, garden area and specialist woodwork, ceramics and multipurpose rooms.

We caught up with Skills Practitioner, Donna Scott, to find out what it's like working in the Supported Learning department.

When did you start working as a Learning Support Practitioner?

I first started working at Canterbury College in the Supported Learning Department as a Learning Support Practitioner in 2020 and I have since progressed into a Skills Practitioner role for the coffee shop.

What do you enjoy in this role?

I enjoy all aspects of the Skills Practitioner role, working with the students and teaching them how to work in a coffee shop. I love that everyone works as one big team who always put the students first.

The students make the job so worthwhile; they are always so keen to learn, and nothing is ever too much to ask. Being greeted with warm smiles every day is just so warming.

What is the coffee shop?

It's a training kitchen for students, teaching them life skills, as well developing their employability skills so they can go out and complete industry placements. It's brilliant - some of our previous students have secured jobs working in cafes and restaurants.

What do you enjoy making in the coffee shop?

I enjoy making the meals, especially the savoury dishes. There are too many dishes to choose from to pick a favourite!

How do you support the students in the coffee shop?

We teach them how to run it and they get involved in everything - the preparation, serving other students and staff, learning how to use the till, learning how to make the sandwiches and restocking items.

Earlier this year you fundraised for the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. How did it feel to be so supported by the department?

I've always been supported in the department and encouraged to come forward with ideas. I raised money for the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal with a sponsored head shave and the whole department got behind me to raise over £750; an amazing amount of money.