MORE than 60 students and parents with Somali backgrounds attended a special conference this week to find out more about the education support and advice services on offer within the borough. The conference was aimed at increasing the level of opportunities for residents with Somali backgrounds.

The conference, held at the civic centre, included a number of workshops covering a wide range of subjects including school placements, admissions and examinations through to careers advice, work placements and network support groups. The workshops were run by staff from Lampton School and members of the Connexions service.

After opening the conference Bob Garnett, Director of Lifelong Learning, said the event was all about breaking down barriers so that students could achieve their potential.

"There are many schemes and organisations in the borough who can help and assist new arrivals and those with different ethnic backgrounds but unless we tell people about them they can't help, which is why we held this conference.

"The Somali community is growing in Hounslow and they have much to offer the borough, as long as we can break down the barriers to their learning.

"Support services for all ethnic groups are aimed at supporting new students so that they can achieve their potential, which often means intensive learning to integrate into mainstream classes in the borough's schools.

"Our young people, from every background, have a huge opportunity to succeed in our schools and achieve whatever it is that they want from adult life."