• Specialism:
  Developing independence for young people with learning and/or social/emotional difficulties.
• Residential/Day:
  Both
• Course Start Dates:
  September
• Course Length per Year in weeks:
  Termly 38 weeks per year (with 52 week option)
• Maximum Student Numbers:
  50
• Age Range:
  16-26

General Description of College:
Oakwood Court College is an independent, residential provision for up to 35 students, aged 16-25, for 38 weeks, extending up to 52 weeks. We provide single bedrooms and shared communal facilities within two main residences, Oakwood Court and Fairfield House, plus supported living within six flats.

The Curriculum:
Central to our curriculum is the development of self-esteem, confidence and independency skills. Individual programmes are designed, in partnership with the student, encompassing the whole of the day, experiential to NVQ. Programmes include: Personal Skills: independency skills in the home and the community, personal care, life skills. Basic Skills: embedded within the curriculum plus discrete sessions leading to accreditation; communication; information technology. Work Skills: work preparation and work placements within the work place and the community. Creative Arts, including Craft, Music and Drama; Physical Well-Being, including Swimming, Riding and Tae Kwan-do; plus the extended curriculum which includes the Duke of Edinburgh Award, encourage the development of individual interests and skills.

Specialist Facilities:
Personal Support is our specialism and reflects our ethos. Provision includes: Personal tutors, key-workers, speech and language therapist, Living Your Life course, external counsellor, plus other professionals as required; together with sleeping-in / waking-night staff and 24 hour senior management on-call availability.

Statements:

1. expertise in meeting the needs of students with profound and multiple learning difficulties
2. opportunities to explore a range of living options after college
3. a programme to help learners to look after themselves more independently
4. opportunities to attend local mainstream colleges with support
5. opportunities to prepare for work after college
6. a work placement scheme with local employers
7. opportunities to improve literacy, numeracy and/or communication skills
8. opportunities to improve Information and learning technology skills
9. opportunities to develop strategies to promote appropriate behaviour
10. a transition programme into independent living
11. opportunities to take part in a wide range of social, leisure and sporting activities
12. guidance and counselling services
13. registered with the Care Quality Commission
14. residential provision extending beyond the academic year
15. day provision
16. opportunities to improve communication skills such as the use of Makaton, Bliss, symbols or objects of reference
17. opportunities to work towards qualifications within Foundation Learning
18. a personal development programme
19. a social skills programme
20. a programme to enable students to learn more about themselves and how to form relationships