Worcestershire college partners with National Star on new teaching space

Young adults with special education needs and disabilities now have more choice about where they learn skills for adulthood thanks to funding from Worcestershire County Council.

Currently, many post-16 learners living in Worcestershire choose to study at National Star, a specialist further education college in Gloucestershire.

But that means students may travel up to 10 hours every week to access the specialist education and therapy that their education, health, and care plan (EHCP) states they need to prepare for a life of independence.

Now, Heart of Worcestershire College and National Star are set to transform the college’s St Wulstan’s Building into a teaching and therapeutic space for post-16 learners.

Students will enrol as Heart of Worcestershire College learners, with National Star sub-contracted to deliver teaching and learning.

Five young adults are set to start in September with the expectation that this number will increase to around 12 learners.

The space will include three classrooms, an accessible kitchen to learn life skills, a dedicated therapy space, an outdoor courtyard and access to two realistic independent flats for learners to prepare for life after college.

Cllr David Chambers, cabinet member for education at Worcestershire County Council, said: “Through our funding, we are proud to offer young adults with SEND in Worcestershire increased choices for their post-16 education.

“We understand the challenges students face in travelling long distances to access specialised education and therapy.

“This exciting initiative will provide essential support to enable these young learners to access local provision and linked to the college campus to develop skills for an independent life.”

Michelle Dowse, principal and CEO at Heart of Worcestershire College, said: “We are thrilled to announce that Heart of Worcestershire College has established a strong partnership with National Star, enabling us to enhance the support we are able to provide for young people with special educational needs and disabilities in Worcester.

“This collaboration, made possible with the valuable support of Worcestershire County Council, brings together expertise across various fields to deliver essential training to students.

“We are confident that this marks the beginning of a long and successful partnership that will benefit many young people throughout the county and help us to achieve our vision of nurturing brilliance of every student.”

Lynette Barrett, chief executive of National Star, added: “Our vision is for a world where people with disabilities can achieve their potential and lead equal and active lives like others in their local communities.

“We are delighted to be involved in this groundbreaking way of delivering specialist education in Worcestershire.

“This gives young people with complex needs the choice of attending their local college in their community, at the same time as receiving the specialised provision they need to achieve their outcomes.”

National Star has been working with Heart of Worcester College and the local authority for some time to establish this new model of specialist education.

The new facility will officially open in September 2024.

Plans are also underway to showcase the facility at the Heart of Worcestershire Open Day on 9 October, when prospective students and their families can visit and meet the teaching team.