New College Worcester has a proud tradition of teaching braille to generations of blind people including many famous alumni. In 1866, Worcester College for the Blind Sons of Gentleman was founded, and so began high quality secondary education for blind boys in England. But what about the girls? In 1921, Chorleywood College for girls with little or no sight opened, and finally young girls who were blind could receive an equal education. In 1987 the two schools merged, becoming the New College Worcester that we know today.
To celebrate 150 years of New College, 150 wonderful memories were gathered. These included stories from those who are currently working or studying at NCW, as well as stories from those who have left. Interesting accounts were taken from newsletters and memoirs from much further back, and all together it provides a wonderful look back at such a unique place.
Although many things have changed over the years, braille is still a big part of the lives of the young blind students. They are taught to read and write braille as well as how to combine it with technology like braille displays so that they are able to learn in all environments. Recently, the students and staff worked together to produce a video celebrating 200 years of braille, and what it means to them.
One former student you are bound to know is Peter White, BBC journalist and presenter of In Touch. In a wonderful interview conducted by Harriet Smith (another former student) Peter opened up about his career and the role braille has played in it, as well as the most difficult people he has interviewed!
Peter went back to New College for BBC’s the One Show, speaking about his time there, including how he ruffled some feathers with a rather political school magazine.
We are so pleased to be hosting our first ever conference at a place that genuinely values braille. Whether it is making sure that students have the opportunity to learn the code, or by providing eager readers with a seemingly endless supply of library books, New College Worcester shows us that whilst many things may change, a love of braille endures.