SEND Local Offer- Going to Mainstream College

Mainstream colleges offer a wide range of courses and qualifications for young people leaving school and for adults and employers. The mainstream general Further Education colleges in Nottinghamshire and surrounding areas are:

Most of the large colleges offer provision specially designed for young people with special educational needs. This is often delivered in a separate unit and offers small group sizes and additional support. Your programme of study will typically combine a work-related area such as business administration, catering, or construction with functional skills in Maths and English. If appropriate you may also be able to learn some of the skills that will help you in adult life including money management, independent travel, and healthy living.

Many young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities access the main college curriculum studying subjects from art and design to engineering. These courses will generally have entry requirements in terms of qualifications achieved at school.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mainstream Colleges:

How do I know what courses are available?

The best place to start is by looking on the College’s website. School can help you with this as can your parents/carers.

How do I know if a college will be right for me?

Colleges hold regular open evenings and these are really good opportunities to have a look round and speak to staff and students. Most colleges will also be happy to arrange one-to-one visits especially for students with additional support needs.

How do I apply?

Details of the application process can be found on the individual college’s website. You will need to have already passed some qualifications to gain a place on most courses in the main college but for courses designed specifically for young people with additional support needs a positive attitude and willingness to learn are often all that are required. As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a form asking you if you have any additional support needs. It is important that you, and those working with you, complete this honestly and fully.

What happens next?

If you have declared additional support needs the College will almost certainly want to meet you to make sure that they are right for you and that you are right for them. If you are nervous about this meeting you should go with a parent, carer or friend or someone from school. At this meeting you will be shown round, your support needs will be discussed and you may be asked to undertake some assessment tests to make sure that you are offered a course appropriate to your learning level. If all goes well, you will receive a letter offering you a place at College. You may also be offered some transition visits to familiarise you with the College environment before you start.

Do I need an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) to go to Mainstream College?

You do not need an EHCP to go to mainstream college. If you have one, your Plan will be shared with the College to help them further understand your needs. Colleges receive funding from the Government and from Local Authorities to provide support including one-to-one and small group tuition as appropriate. Some mainstream colleges can also provide support with personal care needs.

How do I get there?

Wherever possible we encourage young people to access college transport or to travel independently if appropriate. Nottinghamshire County Council does have a post-16 special transport scheme and you may be eligible for this. For more information please go to Post-16 Transport Travel assistance for children and young people with special transport needs (Nottinghamshire County Council) You may also wish to access Independant Travel Training to help you to enable you to travel more indpendently without the need for Council funded transport.

Will I need to pay fees?

College education is free for all 16-19 year olds and for 19-25 year olds with EHCPs. You may also be able to apply for funding to support you with books or essential equipment that you need at College. You can find out more about the Bursary by going to 16 to 19 Bursary Fund GOV.UK

How long can I stay?

This depends on what you are studying, how well you are progressing and your plans for the future. All young people with Special Educational Needs are different and therefore we do not have a rigid policy. Your progress will be regularly reviewed at College and future options considered. The Government has recently published guidance which states its expectation that the majority of young people with special educational needs will finish their College course by age 19 in line with their non-learning disabled peers but we do not apply this as a rigid policy.