Author: kimberley blundell

Priestley Smith School

Colleges and Post 16 Provision

For more information contact: careers1@priestley.bham.sch.uk

Royal National College for the Blind (RNC)

RNC is a specialist residential college for students with a visual impairment. The College is situated just a mile away from Hereford city centre and incorporates the main teaching campus and the student village. Students can access both academic courses and independent living skills to support them as they grow into independent adults.
The College experience is more than vocational and academic qualifications. It's about achievement beyond the classroom - developing self-confidence, personal independence and communication skills that are needed for the future.
Partnerships with key organisations, businesses and individuals enables the student body to participate in a range of activities from Duke of Edinburgh Awards to national elite sports events.
Www.rnc.ac.uk

Queen Alexandra College
(QAC)

QAC is a national specialist College and community charity that supports a diverse range of student abilities and needs based in Harborne.
Their curriculum aims to maximise adult life, independence and work opportunities for all students. QAC offers a broad range of study programmes that are tailored to ensure you receive the educational, therapeutic and support services that you require.
During their time at QAC learners are able to develop their academic as well as their social skills, make new friends and enjoy being independent and responsible for their own decisions and actions. QAC offers a wide range of courses in a safe and friendly environment to suit all levels of ability and many different interests.
Www.qac.ac.uk

Newfriars College
Newfriars College is an Independent Specialist Day College in North Staffordshire dedicated to supporting young people with learning difficulties and disabilities aged 16–25.
They provide specialist resources and facilities for all their learners and have an excellent support network within the local area. This provides the college with many opportunities including transition routes into the wider community, employment and supported work experience, independent living and specialist support from highly skilled multi-agency professionals and therapists. Learning in the community and vocational education is extremely important and we are eager to successfully prepare our young peoples for adulthood.
https://www.newfriarscollege.org.uk/

Blue Whale Training

They are offering a bespoke training programme for young people who are interested in gaining qualifications, ranging from Entry to Level 2 in different areas of Digital media. We teach a range of subjects including Graphic Design, Video Production, Music Technology, 3D Design and Entrepreneurial Skills. These are delivered in our bespoke and engaging programmes tailored specifically towards young peoples interests, which makes them both enjoyable and achievable. Alongside this we offer a pastoral programme that will support young people in developing the necessary skills needed to thrive after education and in gaining Functional Skills qualifications in Maths and English where required.
Contact: Megan Morgan
megan@bluewhale.training – 0121 643 2641

Derwen College is a specialist college based in Shropshire. We offer students with special educational needs and disabilities the opportunity to learn vocational and independence skills. Students at Derwen College have a choice of pathway areas, with subjects including:
Horticulture
Hospitality
Retail and Enterprise
Performing Arts
Work and Independence Skills
https://www.derwen.ac.uk/

Derwen College

Jericho

JERICHO supported apprenticeships are available for people who need a helping hand to enter the workforce.
Employed in one of our social enterprises, apprentices can expect a real job in a real business plus a recognised qualification thanks to our partnership with Next Level Training. In addition, a JERICHO supported apprenticeship offers a wrap-around programme of personal development, mentoring, training and specialist support.
https://www.jericho.org.uk/social-projects-info/supported-apprenticeships

Argent College (Ruskin Mill Trust)

The old jewellery factory has been transformed into a college, the highly commended Hive Café and Bakery, a heritage centre, community spaces and an urban rooftop micro farm. In addition to Jewellery Making, students can participate in a wide and varied selection of crafts including Textiles, Candle Making, Leatherwork, and Woodwork. Students can also access crafts at the Glasshouse College site. Each student receives an individual timetable which is created by their Education Health & Care Manager (EHCM) and designed to meet their needs and interests. Interwoven with the land and craft activities are performing arts, therapies, catering and work experience.
Argent College currently only offers day placements. Students learn essential skills in the new Independent Living Suite, which includes a kitchen and dining area and social space.
https://rmt.org/argent/

Westminster Specialist College

The Westminster Specialist College (SPI) provides specialist education for young people aged 19 – 25 who have a primary diagnosis of Moderate Learning Difficulty as defined in their Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP). The provision is focused predominantly on Employability and therefore students must be able to demonstrate a realistic trajectory and ambition to enter into employment. They currently have 12 students on roll which is set to increase over the coming years. In line with their admissions criteria, they will be able to take students from the Black Country conurbation (Sandwell, Dudley, Walsall, Wolverhampton and Birmingham).
https://twspecialistcollege.co.uk/

SENSE College

Sense TouchBase Pears is a welcoming, accessible environment where everyone can feel connected, included and part of the community. We combine health and social care services with arts, sports and wellbeing activities, and support disabled people to access employment, education, volunteering and training opportunities. Sense TouchBase Pears is for the whole community and open to all.
Located within Sense TouchBase Pears, Sense College East is a specialist further education college for students who are aged 16-25, have an active Education Health and Care Plan, and who may have one or more of the following: Deafblindness/dual-sensory impairment/multi-sensory impairment; Single sensory impairment with additional needs; complex communication needs; complex needs, which may include learning disabilities, physical disabilities and/or autism. We provide personalised learning experiences that equip young people with the best education and skills required to achieve their chosen independent living, education and/or employment goals through our three education pathways which are: Learning for Life, Foundation Learning and Employability.
Www.sense.org.uk/get-support/centres-education-and-day-services/sensecollege

South and City College

Their foundation learning courses are delivered from our Hall Green, Handsworth and Longbridge (Bournville College) campuses.
If you are looking to learn solid skills in English, maths IT and employability, our foundation courses are for you. They offer a wide range of externally accredited programmes to ensure the right foundations are in place to move on to the next level.
Staff will provide full support and will help to assess skills, regularly review progress, and help students to work towards achievable goals. Students will have the opportunity to go on educational trips and other enrichment activities together with work experience as part of the course, so there are options to meet lots of interesting people too.
https://www.sccb.ac.uk/courses/foundation-learning

Mencap

Mencap’s supported internship programme supports young people with a learning disability, aged between 16 and 24 who have an EHCP and who want to work.
They help young people make the important step from education into employment through their classes and by arranging work experience opportunities with a range of employers in lots of different sectors.
www.mencap.org.uk/advice-and-support/education-skills-and-work/supported-internships

The Hive College
Live @ The Hive

The Hive College is for learners from 19-25 with high needs such as physical and learning difficulties and sensory impairments. The LIVE study programme focuses on preparing the learners for employment. Many of the LIVE students’ progress on to a Supported Internship which is a personalised study programme based mainly at an employer’s premises where students are supported by a Job Coach. In addition to the work placements the learner’s study Preparation for Work as part of their curriculum along with Maths, English and ICT.

Thrive @ The Hive

The aim of our THRIVE study programmes is to support students into volunteering roles or assist them with their communication skills and prepare them for adult life so that when they leave college they can participate in activities within their own communities. The study programme’s curriculum consist of:
Preparation for Adulthood
Participation in a variety of volunteering roles
Maths
English
ICT
Independent living skills
Health and wellbeing activities
Community projects

The STRIVE study programme offers an individualised curriculum which aims to develop the student’s communication, problem solving skills and their independence, allowing them to become active members of their communities. “Students with complex learning needs experience a sensory curriculum. Managers have designed this curriculum to enable students to take part in the wider community and make steps towards a greater independence” Ofsted Report (March 2019)
https://www.hivecollege.org.uk/

Strive @ The Hive

Victoria College
Victoria is a vibrant, specialist college for young people aged 19 to 25 years with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties.
We educate the students through a balanced curriculum including communication and cognition, the pathway to adulthood outcomes; Community Inclusion, Independent Living Skills, Employment and Health. Students work on their personal targets in all areas of the curriculum that may include other learning opportunities such as RPSHE, rebound therapy, physiotherapy, music therapy and speech and language therapy, being a member of the college orchestra and learner voice.
https://www.victoriacollege.bham.org.uk/

Trinity Specialist College
Trinity Specialist College is a Further Education day placement centre providing a forty-eight week provision for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC). The college currently caters for 40 students. The Lindridge is a converted and much extended farmhouse located in a beautiful rural setting surrounded by farm land. The building is light, spacious and airy with large classrooms accommodating up to eight students.
There is space for group sessions, individual work stations, ICT work stations, relaxation areas and a 'safe area' where students are encouraged to self-manage their anxieties. There are wet rooms for personal care, a large garden with sporting facilities and a domestic kitchen and laundry where learners can develop their independence skills.
https://trinityspecialistcollege.co.uk/

Heart of Birmingham Vocational College
Heart of Birmingham Vocational College offers personalised learning programmes for learners aged 16–25 who have moderate to severe learning difficulties and/or autism. At Heart of Birmingham Vocational College you will be encouraged to reach a level of independence that is right for you and the direction you want your life to take.
You will learn within the college, and at local community facilities and through trips out into the wider community. You will gain experience and learn new skills to prepare you for employment and to help you become more independent.
https://www.hbvc.ac.uk/

What to do next

All students must also complete a college application form and SENAR’s preference form.
Visit the websites of the colleges or opportunities you are interested in.
Visit places for open days, the best way to learn about a place is to go there!
Reach out to us if you need help:
careers1@priestley.bham.sch.uk