Education

Overcoming barriers to re-engage with learning

Overcoming their barriers to learning re-engages our young people with education and sees them achieve and progress. The students at Arden College face a range of barriers and many of our students also have mental health needs and difficulty with emotional regulation, which can result in behaviours that may challenge.

With our specialist support, young people learn to address and overcome these difficulties, developing emotionally and socially. Arden College develops a bespoke package to support each student to overcome the specific barriers that they face, which includes strategies to help them progress towards learning. They build functional literacy and numeracy skills, develop increased independence through vocational and life skills, and become more confident interacting with others, both in college and in the wider community.

Small class sizes and a specialist curriculum

The curriculum at Arden College is specially adapted to meet the needs of our learners. We have small class sizes of typically no more than five students, giving young people substantial time with staff members who can provide the more intensive support they need to progress and succeed. The college has high staff to student ratios and offers one-to-one support, or higher as needed.

Our teaching staff work closely with our therapy team to ensure that learning meets each student’s specific communication and sensory needs. Many lessons are structured to include a high amount of practical activity, which increases learner engagement and promotes the retention of new skills.

The college offers both accredited and unaccredited learning pathways to suit students’ needs, ranging from pre-entry to Level 2, and areas include English, Maths, independence skills, work preparation and employability skills. 

Building skills for life

We know that our young people need support to develop the everyday skills that enable independence. From the very start of their time with us, students learn in the community, building confidence and social skills in a safe and supported way.

Learners get involved with a broad range of activities tailored to their individual needs and interests, including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme and working in our college and community cafés, hair and beauty centre and horticulture centre.

We work with a range of business partners in the community. These placements give students opportunities to develop their understanding of roles and routines in real working environments. The college works with its community partners to tailor work experience to the needs and interests of each individual, ensuring that they gain the most from their work experience.

Specialist learning facilities

Our college has modern, well-equipped learning spaces, developed with our young people’s needs in mind. In January 2021, we opened our new site in Banks, just outside Southport. The college is designed to meet the sensory and learning needs of students with autism and provides a low stimulus and visually structured environment.

Arden Café and Arden Beauty Centre both enable our students to develop their employability and life skills by working in real world environments that are open to the public. In our café, they work under the guidance of a chef to prepare meals to order and interact with members of the public by taking orders and serving.

The students learn vocational hair and beauty skills at our hair salon and beauty therapy suite, which also has a classroom to further facilitate learning. Both facilities are also ideal for students to build their confidence and skills in community activities, such as ordering food, socialising with friends and having their haircut.

Our Horticulture Centre has extensive grounds and the horticulture course runs all year. We grow organic fruit and vegetables and we are proud that our apples and pears are used to make Arden’s Cider, in collaboration with Thatcher’s Cider.

Supporting and engaging families

Parents and carers play a crucial role in supporting their child’s education and ensuring that they reach their potential. We seek to work alongside parents during their child’s time with us.

This begins with our assessment process, when we discuss the young person’s needs, strengths and preferences with parents and carers. Once a young person has started at Arden College, their tutor will maintain regular contact, updating on progress, consulting on next steps and discussing any issues that may arise.

We know how challenging life can be for families of a young person who has learning disabilities and autism, and we provide guidance, practical support and advice from day one of their journey with us.

Part of one of the leading specialist education providers

We are proud to be part of Aspris Children’s Services, one of the UK’s leading specialist education providers. We form part of a network of schools and colleges sharing best practice and learning from each other’s successes.

We benefit from a comprehensive and continually updated range of training, expert information and advice for educating and supporting students with learning difficulties and autism.

Our college is supported by a central team including an Operations Director, Health and Safety Advisor and Quality Lead, ensuring a consistent and robust approach of the highest standards.