Sarah Laszlo, Derwen College Students’ Union
Sarah Laszlo Collects the Simpson/King Staff Achievement Award
Simpson/King Staff Achievement Award
1. How has the staff member exceeded the expectations of their role and gone beyond the normal call of duty?
Sarah began teaching at Derwen College thirteen years ago and during this time has almost single-handedly shaped the student council to what it is today. The student council now has twenty two students, all with learning difficulties and disabilities, representing a range of departments within college. Sarah has supported learners in a vast number of fundraising campaigns as well as continually encouraging learners to become involved in all aspects of the local community to ensure their voices are heard. Sarah manages all of this in just two and a half days per week. Inevitably, Sarah regularly works over and above these hours during evenings and weekends to ensure students can attend community meetings, conferences and most recently she transported sixty students back and forth to the local polling station in a car to vote in the General Elections. Prior to the election Sarah succeeded in getting the local candidates to address the students here at the college. Sarah often has a stream of students visiting her office during breaks and lunch hour seeking advice and guidance as they know that she is always there to discuss their problems and listen to their ideas.
Sarah has helped make ground-breaking changes, working collaboratively with the NUS to develop Officer Training packs for FE Leaders with learning difficulties and disabilities. Most recently she attended the NUS National Conference with three students with learning difficulties. During their time at the conference Sarah supported one student to put forward a motion which was passed unanimously and which will make a huge impact on the way the NUS works with individuals with learning difficulties and disabilities.
Due to Sarah’s excellent communication skills she has been very successful liaising with external organisations in England and Wales. One outstanding link has been with National Rail and Arriva trains Wales. This has given the students the opportunity to make a film about confident rail travel which will be shown nationally. This film will enable many colleges to access this excellent training aid and will raise awareness of the needs of people with learning difficulties and disabilities.
2. How have they been an inspiration to others and exemplified the values of the students’ union?
Sarah is undoubtedly an inspiration to both her work colleagues and the students at Derwen College. The whole student council believes Sarah is extremely well deserving of this award as she is always there to help and support them. Officers in the student council have said that Sarah has helped to build their confidence and all agree she is kind, caring and never lets them down, “she is one in a million”. Sarah continuously strives to provide learners’ at Derwen College the best opportunities and is continuously taking on new projects to provide these opportunities and to raise awareness. Sarah is continuously busy, however no matter how much work she has to do, she still has an excellent sense of humour and always has time to help others when they need it.
3. What has been the effect of their work and how has this contributed to the work of the students’ union?
Many of the projects Sarah has been involved in are now driving forward massive change for people with learning difficulties and disabilities on a national level. Examples include collaborative work with NUS, Association of National Specialist Colleges (Natspec) campaign ‘A Right not a fight Campaign’ and also the Railway Project mentioned previously. Sarah has developed the learners’ confidence and made real change. One officer from Derwen Student Council has stated “She’s made such a special landmark to the student council; that’s why Derwen has changed and made vast improvements”.
Sarah has supported learners to attend events and meetings in the local community and as a result she has made many contacts, due to her amazing enthusiasm and how highly she speaks of Derwen College and the things the Derwen student council are achieving. This has inspired others who then want to come and visit the college, thereby raising its profile and again raising awareness of learning difficulties and disabilities. Recently, a prominent local councillor visited and spoke with the students and listened to their concerns. Sarah’s enthusiasm for being heard in the local community has also ensured our learners have a voice about what goes on locally and enabled them to realise that they as a council are able to make real changes.
The work that Sarah has done so far will continue to have a huge impact on raising awareness of the needs of individuals with learning difficulties and disabilities and the student council continues to go from strength to strength due to Sarah’s commitment to learner voice. This is why we believe Sarah is so deserving of this fantastic award.
Nominated by Jenna Marsden, Students’ Union Staff
What the judges said…
“Sarah stands out because of her commitment to students with learning difficulties and disabilities which is an inspiration to all students and the college community as a whole. Her positive impact on the SU is clear as is her level of personal commitment to the students.” Christine Lewis, Unison