Foundation Learning
SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND DISABILITIES (SEND)
For those with learning difficulties or special learning needs, it’s incredibly important to find the right college with a strong support framework to support the young person’s next step. That’s why for students aged 16 to 24, we offer a unique package of Foundation Learning with four different ‘Pathways to Adulthood’ courses, ranging from pre-entry level to level 1. With a mixture of classroom, practical and enriching activities, our aim is to equip students with skills, confidence, an opportunity to meet new friends and explore new opportunities at a pace that feels right for them.

We’re now working in partnership with Skills Builder to offer the Skills Builder Universal Framework for all students with special educational needs in order for them to Prepare for Adulthood.
The Skills Builder Framework aims to build a set of essential skills to succeed in life.
The essential skills are defined as: Listening, Speaking, Problem Solving, Creativity, Staying Positive, Aiming High, Leadership and Teamwork.
Through the Skills Builder Framework, we can support our students to understand their existing skills and identify gaps they might have as well as see what progress looks like by getting to know what the next steps are to improve their essential skills further.
WE HAVE 10 DIFFERENT PATHWAYS
All pathways include classroom, practical and enrichment activities.
- Preparation for Life
- Preparation for Social and Community Engagement
- Preparation for Independence
- Preparation for Education
- Preparation for Vocational – Business Enterprise
- Preparation for Vocational – IT
- Introduction to the World of Work
- Preparation for the World of Work
- Preparation for Health and Wellbeing
- Supported Internship
- Excellent teaching and support through small class sizes
- Planned and supported transition from school to college
- Individual learning plans and targets
- Vocational tasters
- Work experience
- Enterprise skills
- Access to speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy
- Key English and Maths sessions
- North East Sports Academy with the chance to get involved in the Pan-disability Football Academy alongside studies.
Simply put, we make sure they have the best experience possible, so they can be the best they can be in the future
Complete your details below to apply for our Foundation Learning courses.
We want to make sure you have all the information you need to make the right decision about where the person you care for studies after leaving school. To make sure we provide the right support and guidance for the person you care for, we recommend you come along to one of our events.
You can also get in touch with our tutors Sarah and Heidi who can help support:
View our events here.
Can a young person access vocational options?
How many hours a week will the course run?
My young person suffers from anxiety, can they follow a reduced timetable?
What are the progression opportunities?
We have a number of different options; a young person may remain with us for more than a year, depending on their need. Or they can progress to mainstream, either a skills based course such as catering or hairdressing, or a more vocational route such as health and social care, media, or any other suitable course.
They may progress onto our supported internship and move on to paid employment.
A small number of our students will progress to Adult Social Care.
Can young people get transport to college?
Apply Now
Additional Links
Looking for something else?
Here are some links you might find useful.
And don’t forget, we’re always happy to help, so feel free to get in touch.
Get in touch
Our team is always ready to help. So if you have questions on courses, your career, or anything else, complete this contact form and we’ll be in touch.