![boy sitting at desk with his arms crossed at a desk](/sites/default/files/styles/header_h_400_by_w_2560/public/2023-08/Hayden%20Stitch%209-min.jpg?h=81518d5b&itok=mFjnRxT7)
Courses for learners with Special
Educational Needs and/or Disabilities
SEND Centre for Excellence
Courses for learners with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)
Foundation Learning: includes many highly successful, high-quality, programmes for learners aged 16-24 with SEND.
Our ethos is to put the learner first in everything that we do, and this is extended to all of our students. Over the last few years, we have created specialist facilities for learners on the autism spectrum and learners with profound and complex learning difficulties/disabilities to provide our students with the best possible environment to support their learning.
Foundation Learning is for students with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) and barriers to learning. Weston College is a highly supportive, ambitious and inclusive environment for all of its students, and we pay particular attention to the development of personalised curriculum.
We create an individual programme of study, which considers each student’s needs and aspirations. We take a holistic and learner-focused approach to ensuring that our students’ experiences, achievements and outcomes are outstanding and sustainable. We celebrate each one of our students, and encourage them to reach their potential, enabling independence through innovative programmes.
All students on a Foundation Learning programme will have an assigned personal tutor who will work with the student to co-create their timetable.
Study programmes are diverse, with flexibility to support learners to work towards their intended outcomes and aspirations, including:
- A range of vocational, creative and sporting options
- Personal and social development
- Employability skills
- Work placements
- Independent living
- Maths and English Development.
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Aspirations is a programme of study specifically developed for 17 – 24 year olds on the autism spectrum, delivered at Weston Bay. Many of the students on the course already have academic or vocational qualifications, but have found accessing employment, higher education or independent living very difficult. Aspirations allows students to exp...
Click HereThe aim of the programme is to support learners with moderate learning difficulties, specific learning difficulties and/ or social emotional and mental health difficulties, to progress into employment, higher level courses and/or independent living. We will work with learners to help them recognise and value their strengths, while developing a...
Click HereThe aim of the Preparation for Life curriculum area is for learners with a range of Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) to develop independence and successfully transition into adulthood. The programme aims to provide a differentiated and individualised approach to each learner’s study programme at college in order to work t...
Click HereA purpose-built, safe, self-contained, specialist facility at Weston College’s Knightstone Campus for students with Profound and Complex Learning Disabilities (PCLD). Where appropriate to the individual, students will also be able to access the many other student facilities across the College, including the library and Bistro. The provision ...
Click HereA purpose-built, safe, self-contained, specialist facility at Weston College’s Knightstone Campus for students with Profound and Complex Learning Disabilities (PCLD). Where appropriate to the individual, students will also be able to access the many other student facilities across the College, including the library and Bistro. The provision ...
Click HereSupported Internships provide an individualised programme of study for 16 to 24 year olds with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP), who want to move into employment and need extra support to do so. The programme has one primary aim which is to: wherever possible support young people t...
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WHAT IS FOUNDATION LEARNING?
Our Foundation Learning programmes are courses that offer a flexible curriculum that enhances our students' learning experience and provides them the strong 'foundations' that will benefit them as they prepare for adult life towards outcomes for working life, independent living and good health.
The inclusive programmes are delivered by our professionally qualified and specialist SEND staff who aim to instil self-belief and confidence in our students. The tutorial element is an integral part of the programme’s philosophy, encompassing the development of individual strategies, empowering learners to take responsibility for their own learning. This learner-centred approach uses the College setting to provide pathways to further study.
Why study Foundation Learning at Weston College?
Our Foundation Learning programmes have a 100% success rate.
At Weston College, students have access to a wide range of excellent, high-quality vocational experiences, specialist resources and accommodation across all Weston College campuses, giving learners the opportunity to learn in appropriate contexts, for example, the hairdressing and beauty salons, Grove Restaurant, Badgworth Arena, Sports Centre and the professional kitchens.
The programmes of study are further enhanced throughout the year with opportunities for learners with SEND to participate in additional sporting events, overnight and week-long residential stays, educational visits, lunch-time activities and the end-of-year celebration events.
Ofsted
Comments from Ofsted, 2013
"Learners with learning or physical disabilities make outstanding progress and can live more independent and enriched lives through the support, education and training they receive at college."
"Learners with identified additional learning support needs are supported well through differentiated classroom activities"
HOW TO APPLY
Thank you for your interest in applying for one of our courses for students with SEND.
Please click on the courses above and apply online using the Apply button.
If you are unable to complete your application online please email SENDadmissions@weston.ac.uk.
Once we receive the application, we will make some preliminary enquiries to your school and to Learning Partnership West to find out a little more about you.
We will then invite you in for an interview where we can discuss the best options for you and tell you more about what you can expect from the course.
When you come to your interview, please make sure you bring the completed forms which will be sent to you with your interview invite letter, along with information on your medical history (such as GP name and address and any medication you are taking), your expected qualifications and any certificates you have.
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YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Hopefully, you found the information you were looking for in this section, however if you still have some queries, please take a look at the frequently asked questions below, or give us a call on 01934 411 575.
Students are assessed on an individual basis to determine their support needs, and a support programme will be developed if appropriate. Group sizes are deliberately kept small to enable the tutor and support worker(s) in each session to target the learning needs of each student. Individual support will also be provided outside of the classroom environment to include work placements, breakfast and lunch club and break times.
Students should discuss their concerns with their tutor or a member of the Specialist Support team. All of our staff offices operate an open-door policy so students are more than welcome to drop in at any time.
Our Foundation Learning courses are all offered for an initial one-year period which will be reviewed towards the end of the year. Students studying on Extension Studies may be able to continue for more than one year if deemed appropriate. Students studying on Preparation for Work and Life may be able to continue for a further two years if it is deemed appropriate.
All students will take part in a group tutorial where you will learn about various aspects of personal and social development. All students also attend lessons in ICT, English and Maths, but, these lessons are catered to each student’s ability and group sizes are small so you can learn in the best possible environment.
All students can then freely choose from a variety of vocational subjects.
Yes, all students get an opportunity to go on a residential and there are also many day trips organised throughout the year. Students may be able to get financial support to pay for these trips through the bursary scheme.
Many learners may choose to go out into town at lunchtime with their friends which is absolutely fine, but some learners who don’t feel confident going out can have lunch in the Bistro. Here, there are members of staff to support you and there are also a number of lunchtime activities students can get involved in.
Students who require support at break times and lunchtimes will receive it, including support to enable access to the various lunchtime activities and enrichment opportunities.
For students on the Preparation for Work and Life course, we aim for you to achieve an Asdan qualification in either Employability, Personal and Social Development or Personal Progress depending on how long you stay with us and what is appropriate in working towards your agreed outcomes.
For students on Extension Studies, we aim for you to achieve an NOCN Step up qualification which is a very flexible qualification, enabling you to work towards units in a number of different subject areas.
Students on both courses will achieve NCFE functional skills qualifications in English, maths and ICT where it is appropriate.
Many students will purchase a termly bus pass when they come to enroll which is offered at a reduced price. However, for some students, getting to College on public transport can be really difficult and some students are eligible for North Somerset’s Home to College transport scheme. For more information on this, please see our transport information page.
Students will be provided with many of the relevant materials for their classes which will include paper, craft supplies for art, protective clothing and wood for DIY, food for budget cookery or anything else you might need which is relevant to your session. Students will however be asked to pay £25 at the beginning of the year to help cover the costs of this and will be asked to bring in a pen and folder.
All students will be allocated a personal tutor and will have a tutorial at least once-a-week but some students might need them more frequently. The tutorial time will be agreed between the student and tutors at the start of the course. Of course, if there is anything you need to urgently talk to your tutor about, they will be more than happy to see you at any time. The tutorial programme is an integral part of the students programme.
Based at Knightstone campus with use of specialist facilities across the Weston College campuses.
Moving onto Further Education is a big step for all young people, particularly for those with SEND. At Weston College, we arrange thorough and individualised programmes to ensure the transition is seamless. Our transition programmes could include meetings with the learner, parents, carers, school staff and external agencies, to establish a close liaison and a partnership approach:
- School or specialist provider observations
- Attending school review meetings and multi-agency meetings
- Planning a personalised transition programme with the learner
- Familiarisation days and taster sessions
- Collaboration with relevant agencies
- Access to Entry and Level 1 Link programmes as appropriate
- School visits
- Specialist support
- Initial Needs Assessments to gather full information
- Diagnostic assessments
Transition periods can last from a month to as much as a year. Each programme is arranged and agreed on an individual basis with each school, specialist provider, or external organisation. It is our experience that this planned transition into College plays a significant role in learners being able to access Weston College successfully.
Similarly, transition programmes support learners to transition out of College and into the next phase of their development - further training, higher education, supported or paid employment, and independent living.
Some learners may be entitled to free transport to College provided by the local authority, if they're under 19 years old and live more than three miles from Weston College.
For learners over 19 they can apply for the Vacant Seat Payment Scheme (VSPS) which provides access to this transport at a concessionary price. VSPS is not guaranteed and learners may have to be transported to a pick-up point. It costs around £450 a year.
Transport options are discussed during the application and interview process. Weston College liaises closely with the local authority and parents and carers are kept up to date with arrangements, priority learners commencing their course.
By bus - discounted bus travel
Learners who can travel independently can buy a bus pass (£70 a term) which allows them to travel five days a week, within North Somerset and Bristol.
Learners should bring a folder and stationery with them when they start college. Lockers are provided for files and equipment. They can buy drinks, snacks and hot meals from the College Bistro or alternatively bring a packed lunch.
Foundation Learning programmes encourage learners with SEND to take part in challenging sports events, overnight and week-long residential stays, educational visits, lunchtime activities, and end-of-year shows. Overnight stays cost between £35-£50, and summer residentials (3-4 nights) cost between £150-£300, depending on chosen activities.
These additional enrichment activities are real confidence boosters and, so far, every full-time learner has said they enjoyed their additional trips and residentials.
Learners can apply for the bursary to get help with costs, if their household income is below £32,000 a year. We can help your son or daughter apply for the bursary over the summer or in September when their course starts. If successful, they'll receive money once a term, and have their Spring and Summer term bus pass paid for. Learners from families with an income below £11,999 a year will also get help with buying lunch.
Your application will need to be accompanied by evidence of your household income (letters from the Inland Revenue, pay slips, or bank statements etc).
"Learners with learning or physical disabilities make outstanding progress and can live more independent and enriched lives through the support, education and training they receive at college."
"Learners with identified additional learning support needs are supported well through differentiated classroom activities"
Learners are invited to interview with one of the Foundation Learning team. Many learners who attend our Foundation Learning provision have an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) and we work with the Local Authority through a formal consultation process to ensure we have everything needed to help you succeed on a course.
We work with all learners to identify positive pathways into further educational programmes, work opportunities or into packages of support provided locally that will ensure you make a smooth transition into adult life.
Details of your son or daughter’s Personal Tutor will be given to you at the beginning of the year, along with their email address and telephone number. Our tutors do try to keep in regular contact with all parents as a matter of course and many parents like to use a communication book which the tutors can write in for the students to take home with them. Regular parent / carer meetings will take place throughout the year.
LATEST NEWS
![SEND learners with their lecturers](/sites/default/files/styles/max_1300x1300/public/2022-07/badge%20team%202.jpg?itok=3igr9KsF)
<p>As the heart-breaking situation in Ukraine continues to dominate everyone’s thoughts, the learners on the Preparation for Life course have shown their support to all the people in Ukraine by making badges which are being sold for £1. All the money they raise they are donating to the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC).</p>
<p><br />
The learners have really enjoyed selling them around the College, it has been a great opportunity for them to practice their communication and money skills. They are very proud of the small enterprise they have set up from scratch.</p>
<p><br />
Learners have visited staff offices at The Knightstone Campus and have started selling them at the “Pop Up Shop” at the Sovereign Centre.</p>
<p><br />
They have exceeded their goal of £100 and have raised £115.75 so far! A HUGE well done to everyone involved!</p>
![Leila teaching a class](/sites/default/files/styles/max_1300x1300/public/2022-04/SENDimage-1536x1024_2.jpeg?itok=NA1lDWx_)
<p><em>Leila Morne is an Advanced Autism Practitioner and Lecturer in Autism at Weston College. Leila plays a key role in Weston College’s Centre for Excellence in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and explains how the college is supporting students with autism to transition into higher education.</em></p>
<p>The number of university students with autism is increasing every year, but we know some autistic students find aspects of the university experience challenging.</p>
<p>Not only can this have a negative impact on individual students, their studies and their quality of life, but also on wider society and the contributions of this type of neurodiversity. The world needs different types of thinkers!</p>
<p>Our programme therefore aims to prepare them for a successful transition, as there is more support that is needed beyond the academic preparation needed to secure a place in higher education.</p>
<h2>A smoother transition</h2>
<p>Leaving home, family and all that is familiar and safe can be daunting for most young people. However, for individuals on the autism spectrum, university entrance may seem like an impossible dream or a predictable nightmare.</p>
<p>At Weston College, we acknowledge that excellence in academia will not automatically mean success at university for students with autism. They may not even feel confident enough to apply in the first place.</p>
<p>The difficulties associated with an autism diagnosis can mean that accepting a place at university is often a highly anxious journey into the unknown. An effective means of reducing anxiety and ensuring success is through experiential learning.</p>
<p>An autism specific ‘dual curriculum’ can help students to gain the necessary skills and understanding for meaningful participation in university life.</p>
<h2>Immersive learning experiences</h2>
<p>The college has developed and invested in a new initiative that focuses on preparing learners with autism to successfully progress into higher education (HE). We provide an immersive experience where students can live in a HE halls of residence, alongside HE learners, as a transitional year.</p>
<p>Students engage in exciting opportunities to gain relevant, age appropriate, real-life experiences which stretch and challenge them. They are encouraged to develop the independence, social and communication skills needed.</p>
<p>The programme is largely experiential with students learning new skills by ‘doing’ tasks rather than listening to someone telling them how to do a task. Some of these include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Independence training: shopping, cooking, washing, ironing and cleaning</li>
<li>Money management</li>
<li>Study skills: use of library; organisational skills; VLE</li>
<li>Digital technology: accessibility, chat bots and apps</li>
<li>Social skills training: range of activities in the local and surrounding areas</li>
<li>Visits to universities and cities</li>
<li>Application process and UCAS</li>
<li>Student finance application</li>
<li>DSA/University disability teams</li>
<li>Keeping safe socially, personally, and online</li>
<li>Using public transport</li>
<li>Driving lessons</li>
<li>Employability training for part time / temp jobs whilst at university</li>
<li>Individualised programmes</li>
</ul>
<p>We make sure that programmes are tailored to the individual student’s needs - many involve new experiences and unfamiliar environments. Ensuring our staff have access to high quality training and SEND practices is so important in order to deliver tailored support programmes for our students. We support and provide staff with opportunities to gain relevant qualifications ranging from Level 2 to Masters Level. All Specialist Practitioners hold a relevant degree in their chosen specialism.</p>
<p>In most cases, these experiences are supported by young people trained as peer mentors by highly qualified Specialist Autism Practitioners. These experiences can include a range of different things from going out in the evening to pubs or clubs, joining sports’ clubs or gyms and accessing local community facilities. Students who find it challenging to cope with the social aspects of university life, are facilitated in doing so.</p>
<p>It is so important that these skills are taught to ensure successful transition to university, future employment and that individual aspirations are achieved. As I’ve seen for myself from our students, the results can be absolutely life changing!</p>
![Students renovating Worle Juniors Football Club](/sites/default/files/styles/max_1300x1300/public/2022-07/IMG_1654_1.jpeg?itok=rEaVLJuZ)
<p>A team of Weston College students on the autism spectrum has renovated Worle Juniors Football Club as part of an annual community project.</p>
<p>The students planned, prepared and carried out the renovation work after raising £600 to put towards the project through bag packing and holding a summer fete.</p>
<p>The money was put towards repainting the Club’s hut and dugout, as well as re-fencing, clearing overgrown parts of the grounds, and re-laying the Club’s paving slabs.</p>
<p>Danielle Day, Manager at Weston College’s autism residential training centre, said: “Our community project this year is the largest our students have ever completed.</p>
<p>“Throughout the project they have developed skills such as teamwork, leadership, and problem solving – and as a result of their hard work they have created a facility that we can all be proud of.</p>
<p>The students were thanked by Worle Juniors Chairwoman, Amanda Donald, who resented the students with commemorative trophies and said: “The result is absolutely amazing and it was so touching to see that other people are as passionate about the football grounds as us.</p>
<p>“Over 140 young people use this club, so this work will have a big impact on under 16s in Worle.</p>
<p>“The College students have put in so much hard work and we’re so proud of the results. We can’t wait for the next season to start!”</p>
<p>Aspirations is a course delivered at Weston Bay, which is Weston College’s autism residential training centre. It supports the College’s students on the autism spectrum to develop independent living skills and improves their chances of completing their studies, going to university and entering into employment.</p>