Our FLEX Department is for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) or High Needs.
You can choose from one of our three, project-led pathways depending on your personal aims and ambitions; Horizons, Pre-internships or Supported Internships with each pathway intended to help you towards one of two key goals – adulthood and independence or employment. We’ll also help you with your English, maths and IT skills
Our dedicated FLEX area includes a relaxation area, a sensory room, a purpose built independent flat/bedsit, a kitchen area, an arts and crafts area and an open classroom. You will also have access to our on-site facilities including our gym and sports centre, our hair and beauty salon and our brand new forest school.
We work closely with all of the Colleges within our Group to provide access to as many experiences as possible, so whichever one of our Colleges you’re based at you’ll have the opportunity to meet people from other areas.
We have strong partnerships with local businesses and organisations and work with them to get involved in community projects. You’ll also have the chance to take part in a wide range of health and wellbeing activities, from fitness classes to music and art therapy sessions.
Pre-internships are designed to introduce students with SEND and High Needs to working life and are offered in a range of different sectors including Construction, Business Administration, Health and Beauty and Motor Vehicle. The aim is to support you to develop the confidence and knowledge, skills and behaviours to become employable in your chosen sector. On a pre-internship you will attend College for two days (10 hours) and work placement for one day (5 hours) each week. You will study; Employability Skills, Personal Development and Independence, English, Maths and IT.
A Supported Internship is a study programme aimed at giving young people (aged 16-24) with an Education, Health and Care Plan experience in the workplace within a supported environment. It is a platform for you to further develop your skills and experience in a structured way. You will take part in the programme with one of our partner employers and spend at least two days (10 hours) per week working in different areas to gain valuable experience with the support of an on-site Job Coach. You will spend one day (5 hours) at College each week. You will study; Employability Skills and Personal Development and Independence. While studying with us we will work with you to ensure that your maths, English and ICT skills are the best that they can be. This course has an emphasis on being out in the work place developing valuable employability skills, you will spend the majority of your time with an employer.
On this course you will have the opportunity to try taster sessions in different vocational areas, giving you the chance to get a feel for the sectors that you are most interested in. You will develop your employability and personal and social development skills. A focus is placed on building confidence and communication skills to aid your mental health. On this pathway you will attend College 15 hours per week, typically over three days. You will study; Employability Skills, Personal and Social Development Skills, Independence Skills, Communication, Study Skills, Vocational Specific Units/Skills and English, Maths and IT.