Pershore College receives six figure grant for new supported learning facility

Pershore College has been awarded a six-figure grant to create a dedicated facility to prepare students with complex learning disabilities for independent living.

Pershore College has secured £243,000 from Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire Children First, to create a new Preparation for Adulthood Centre and improve existing teaching and support facilities for students with high needs.

The college, part of college group WCG, will use the funding to convert one of its residential facilities into the new Preparation for Adulthood Centre and upgrade its Avonbank building to make it more accessible, creating additional high needs places.

Pershore College’s Supported Learning Department delivers a number of programmes which focus on preparing students for further education in their chosen vocational field, employability to help students progress into apprenticeships or work, and life skills to support students to live more independently.

As part of the college offer, there is an opportunity for some students to join an additional study day to focus on personal development which includes developing domestic skills, learning about making healthy lifestyle decisions, support with travelling independently, social integration and work skills.

It is anticipated that the centre will be open to students by September 2024.

Councillor Tracey Onslow, Cabinet Member for Education at Worcestershire County Council, said: “This funding reiterates our commitment to ensure all our students across the county have access to the facilities they need to go on and reach their full potential.

The funding was delivered through Worcestershire’s High Needs Provision Capital Allocations (HNPCA) for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or requiring Alternative Provision.