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 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.
OUR SEND VIDEOS
SUPPORT AND FACILITIES
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.
WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY
Autism Level 2 & 3
Foundation Learning
LATEST NEWS
<p style="margin-bottom:8px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Our adult learners from the Empower programme in the </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/cours…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/cours…; target="_blank">Faculty of Inclusive Practice</a> have been tasked with an important project that will test their skills, creativity, and decision-making, giving them chance to follow a brief and consider different factors that may affect their final product. </p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;">These learners are working with Griffiths Farrans JV and Bristol Airport to restore 4 picnic benches for Oatfield playground in Backwell. After lots of wear and tear, these benches have become old and damaged but are a community favourite in the playground. Rather than replacing them, our FIP students have been asked to refurbish them and salvage what they can to improve sustainability and reduce waste. </p><drupal-entity alt=""Old benches from Oakfield park that will be refurbished by students"" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f0a42126-fb64-4caa-a26d-23629a5523cb" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_500x500","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity><p style="margin-bottom:8px;"> </p><p>Griffiths Farrans JV are building a new public transportation interchange hub and multi-storey car park at Bristol Airport, which intends to reduce congestion, increase convenience, and encourage more public transport. </p><p>Our guest speakers from Griffiths and Farrans JV, Kate and Emily, came to excite our learners and get them involved, giving them the chance to help out a local community but also show them the increase in opportunities available in the future. </p><drupal-entity alt=""Faculty of inclusive practice students listening to guest lecturers from Griffiths and Farrans"" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7dc3e5bd-357f-4eb7-b598-aa4d92dfce07" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_500x500","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity><p style="margin-bottom:8px;"> </p><p>This project is for the students to not only restore the pre-existing benches, but also to create one new bench that is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all weathers. It can be made from any materials, and the students have complete freedom, with all the required materials being funded by Griffiths Farrans JV. </p><p>The students were thrilled by the possibilities, immediately discussing different designs and considering a variety of accessibility options for a wide range of wheelchairs. They began to explore the different materials that would be best suited for their design ideas as well as considering how many seats they wish to include. </p><p>Once the learners decide on the design as a group, they will begin to put their plan in motion with the help of their lecturers and technicians to ensure everything is carried out safely. By giving the learners this task, it builds their confidence, allows them to put their ideas into practice, and develop important transferrable skills in a supported environment which they can take with them after college. </p><p>A big thank you to Griffiths Farrans JV for giving our students this opportunity! We’re excited to see how it turns out.</p><p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/cours…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/cours…; target="_blank"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Weston college is one of four SEND Centres for Excellence, click her to find out more.</span></a></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">WorldSkills is a fantastic competition that aims to improve the skills and development of young people across the world. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">It encourages our students to step outside their comfort zone and go against a range of different people to improve their confidence and ability and be a part of something they may have not previously considered. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">At Weston College, we encourage all our learners to apply for WorldSkills in order to compete in something they are passionate about, and this year, three of our students have passed the application process and made it to the National Finals of WorldSkills in November 2024 – Aidan, Amber and Jack. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Aidan will be competing in the Welding category where he will show off his skills against the other finalists. He is currently completing a Level 3 Plate Welding Apprenticeship where he spends 16 hours a week preparing for WorldSkills. This preparation ties in well with his course but the welds he has been practising are more complex than those he needs to complete his course. </span></p><drupal-entity alt=""Aidan, a WorldSkills finalist in welding"" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5498c9ad-65b5-4ff6-82fe-dc25cda5dfbb" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_500x500","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"> </p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Aidan says, “the facilities at Weston College are excellent! They supply me with everything I need to succeed and the welders they use are the same as the ones I’ll be using at WorldSkills. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The staff are always there to keep me motivated for WorldSkills and my lecturer is very supportive and will always try his best to help me when I’m stuck. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">I hope I’m able to do well in the WorldSkills final so I can represent the college and my workplace.” </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Amber will be competing in the Foundation Skills Health and Social Care category, an area which was the closest to childcare and allows her to widen her knowledge base and learn more about different life skills.</span></p><drupal-entity alt=""Amber, a WorldSkills finalist in Foundation Health and Social Care""" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5b3ce919-1785-4975-8de2-42978382c9c1" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_500x500","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"> </p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">She is currently on her 2nd year of the ‘Into Work’ course which allows her to prepare for work in a supported environment. Amber balances her studies with her WorldSkills preparations by having one call a week to practice for WorldSkills, discussing what the assessments will entail, and how she can prepare for it herself. After Weston College, Amber wants to work in Childcare with SEND students. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">WorldSkills has already helped Amber gain a better understanding of Health and Safety, quality of care, and preparing her for work. The competition will be testing her on risk assessments, how to deal with certain scenarios, and her main exam will be role playing a phone call as a care worker to ensure that she can communicate effectively and ask the appropriate questions. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Amber is excited to be competing in WorldSkills and said, “the staff have been really supportive, whatever I need they’re on hand to help me.” </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Jack will be competing in the Foundation Skills Horticulture category, allowing him to deepen his love for gardening and prove his skills against others. </span></p><drupal-entity alt=""Jack, a WorldSkills finalist in Foundation Horticulture"" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fd18ae65-7957-4df1-9df7-fc30cf8fbf20" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_500x500","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"> </p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Similarly to Amber, Jack completed the ‘Into Work’ course at Weston College and found his passion for gardening when he worked at both The Garden on South West Skills Campus, and at Butcombe Farm. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">He completed his work experience at Red Chilli Kitchen where he made chilli sauces and sold them to raise money for charity. Jack worked so hard that he secured a job at the end and now works at Uncle Paul’s Chilli Farm charity doing gardening. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Jack balances his work with WorldSkills, ensuring he practices at least one day a week to prepare himself. He has found the staff at Weston College to be helpful in readying him and making sure he is fully aware of what to expect going into WorldSkills. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Jack says, “I am feeling a bit nervous because I don’t want to mess anything up, but I know that I will give it my all no matter what the result is”. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Good luck to all three of you in WorldSkills! </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"> </p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><em><span style="font-size:inherit;">Photo: courtesy of WorldSkills International</span></em></p>
<div style="float:right;width:50%;"><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oqTGkFNRcLU?si=3X3tHv_TzROLSBQN" width="560"></iframe></div><p>Supported internships can be a powerful tool to unlock young people’s potential, and also support employers with attracting a wider talent pool, which can be highly effective.</p><p>Supported internships offer a valuable chance for young individuals aged 16-24 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to acquire significant work exposure, all under the guidance of a skilled job coach. The job coach works closely with both the individual and the employer, to find a successful match.</p><p>The aim is to support young people into sustainable paid employment, giving them the confidence and skills to work independently.</p><p>They are also a fantastic opportunity for employers, not only to gain extra support, but often young people on supported internships will bring fresh ideas and new approaches, which can be highly beneficial. Through supported internships employers can create a more diverse and inclusive workforce.</p><p>We caught up with a few of our learners, who are on their supported internship, to see how they were getting on:</p>
