• Specialism:
  Pre-vocational and independence training for students with learning disabilities
• Residential/Day:
  Residential and day places
• Course Start Dates:
  Courses start September
• Course Length per Year in weeks:
  1st year: 38 weeks; 2nd and 3rd year: 40 weeks
• Maximum Student Numbers:
  Maximum 36 Students (29 residential)
• Age Range:
  Age 16 - 24

General Description of College:
Fairfield Farm College is in the village of Dilton Marsh and provides pre- vocational and independence training for twenty- nine residential students and seven day students with learning disabilities. The course is usually offered over three years and is for students aged 16 – 25.

The Curriculum:
The individualised programme includes pre- vocational options in Engineering, Farming, Horse Studies, Horticulture and Woodworking Skills. There are work based learning opportunities in Catering, Horticultural Retail, Customer Care and Office Skills. Students follow a programme of Personal Development, Careers Education and undertake work experience placements. Social and Independence Training and Skills for Life are embedded across the curriculum. If appropriate, students may attend courses at the local FE College which lead to Literacy, Numeracy and/ or Vocational qualifications. Students are supported to organise a range of socialactivities, events and fundraising activities.

Specialist Facilities:
The college consists of a 26 acre farm which is equipped to teach land based skills to students with learning disabilities. Students learn to care for cows, pigs, sheep, goats, alpacas and horses and work in the college reception, kitchen and farm shop. There are five houses within a short walk of the college where students learn skills required to live as independently as possible.

Statements:

1. a range of vocational courses with opportunities for accreditation.
2. opportunities to work towards qualifications within Foundation Learning
3. a specialised land-based curriculum
4. a programme to help learners to look after themselves more independently
5. expertise in meeting the needs of students with moderate learning difficulties
6. opportunities to prepare for work after college
7. opportunities for learners to participate in community activities and to learn about citizenship
8. opportunities to take part in a wide range of social, leisure and sporting activities
9. residential provision linked to the academic year
10. day provision
11. opportunities to improve literacy, numeracy and/or communication skills
12. registered with the Care Quality Commission
13. opportunities to attend local mainstream colleges with support
14. opportunities to explore a range of living options after college
15. opportunities to prepare for further training after college
16. a personal development programme
17. opportunities to develop strategies to promote appropriate behaviour
18. expertise in working with learners with autism spectrum disorder
19. expertise in supporting learners with emotional difficulties
20. a programme to enable students to learn more about themselves and how to form relationships