• Specialism:
  Foundation Learning, independent living and communication skills
• Residential/Day:
  Residential and day learners
• Course Start Dates:
  38 and 52 week, full and part-time placements
• Course Length per Year in weeks:
  Courses start throughout the year
• Maximum Student Numbers:
  Maximum 70 learners
• Age Range:
  Ages 16-25

General Description of College:
The College is situated in the vibrant seaside town of Southport on the west coast of Lancashire. It provides full and part-time, 38 and 52 week placements for up to 70 learners on a residential or day basis. Courses start throughout the year.

The Curriculum:
Programmes focus on developing independent living, communication, social and vocational skills and are linked to external accreditation. Learners have the opportunity to gain work experience in the College’s own café, office and salon or with local employers. They can also participate in many social, leisure and sporting activities within the local community. All programmes are matched to individual needs and ensure the right levels of support. We encourage all learners to make choices and decisions and to negotiate within their programmes, using appropriate communication strategies. We also support learners with transition planning to ensure that they move on to appropriate provision when they leave.

Specialist Facilities:
Craegmoor’s Arden College offers individualised programmes for learners aged 16-25 with learning difficulties or disabilities, specialising in working with young people with significant communication and behavioural needs including autism/ASC. We work with specialist services to ensure learners receive the most appropriate support and teaching to enable them to develop into mature young adults.

Statements:

1. a personal development programme
2. opportunities to work towards qualifications within Foundation Learning
3. opportunities to develop strategies to promote appropriate behaviour
4. opportunities to experience real work situations
5. an extensive programme of performing arts
6. expertise in meeting the needs of students with severe learning difficulties
7. opportunities to improve literacy, numeracy and/or communication skills
8. expertise in working with learners with autism spectrum disorder
9. expertise in working with learners with communication difficulties
10. in-house speech and language therapy
11. a transition programme into independent living
12. opportunities to take part in a wide range of social, leisure and sporting activities
13. expertise in supporting learners with behavioural difficulties
14. specialist training to enable independent travel
15. a range of vocational courses with opportunities for accreditation.
16. opportunities for learners to participate in community activities and to learn about citizenship
17. a work placement scheme with local employers
18. residential provision extending beyond the academic year
19. day provision
20. registered with the Care Quality Commission