JCC has about 2,500 young students and more than 1,100 adult learners. Many of the adult students are refugees who are learning English and developing skills to help them succeed in England. I found this especially inspiring because the college isn’t just focused on academics, it’s focused on helping people create opportunities and stability in their lives. The college offers both A-levels and BTEC programs, and they are ranked in the top 15% nationally for A-level performance. That’s incredibly impressive considering the diverse backgrounds and challenges many of their students face.

One thing that stood out to me right away was how supportive the college is of its students’ real-life needs. Classes run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to accommodate childcare schedules, and the school provides free tuition, travel, and childcare for students who meet certain financial criteria. They even have an on-campus doctor and nurse available for students who may be too nervous or unsure about seeking medical care on their own. This really showed me how education and wellbeing are deeply connected. JCC is trying to create an environment with high expectations while also removing barriers that might prevent students from reaching their goals.

Another initiative I loved hearing about was their community connection events. Local businesses, banks, charities, and job organizations visit the campus to help students build connections and explore career opportunities. It was clear that the college is focused not just on academics but on preparing students for real life.

We were lucky enough to visit two adult classes while we were there. The first class was made up of adults training to become teaching assistants in elementary schools. They were learning about the different roles and responsibilities they would take on in classrooms and discussing both personal and professional development. The small class sizes made the environment feel supportive and collaborative, and it was inspiring to see students working toward careers that will help shape the next generation.

The second class we observed focused on basic math skills. The teaching style was very hands-on and interactive, which seemed to make learning feel approachable and engaging. It reminded me how important it is to meet students where they are and build confidence step by step.

After our visit to JCC, we headed back to Birmingham City University for a lecture about learning disability nursing. This session was incredibly meaningful and gave us insight into another area of healthcare that I hadn’t thought much about before. In the UK, there are about 1.5 million people living with learning disabilities. One of the most important principles we discussed is that adults with learning disabilities still have the right to make their own decisions about their lives and care whenever possible.

We also learned about the Mental Capacity Act 2005, which provides a framework to protect and empower people who may struggle to make certain decisions. Historically, individuals with learning disabilities were often placed in asylums and treated through harmful practices like eugenics. Thankfully, care has shifted toward smaller community hospitals and a more person-centered approach.

The lecture explained the shift from the traditional medical model, where everything was treated primarily with medication, to the biopsychosocial model, which considers biological, psychological, and social factors together. This approach recognizes that people are more than their diagnoses and emphasizes holistic care. We also discussed concerns about overmedication and the role of nurses as patient advocates. I loved hearing about “experts by experience,” individuals with lived experience who help shape healthcare services and policies.