We’re with you every step of the way during your time at The Cheadle College.
Before you start with us, the information you provide during enrolment will assist our teams and tutors in understanding the needs of the students in their classes with particular requirements and allow teachers to adopt the appropriate teaching and learning strategies that will meet these needs. From consultations with your course tutors and pastoral support, to one-to-one counselling, we want to make your time at The Cheadle College as enjoyable as possible.
We offer a wide range of personalised support to ensure you can fully access Cheadle College and your chosen course. We will help you to find the strategies that work for you during your time at college and in your future career.
We proactively implement the SEND principles: enabling participation, collaboration with partners, high quality provision, inclusive practices, removing barriers to learning and preparing for adulthood.
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by the move from school to college. Our friendly Transition Team is here to make your start to college run smoothly, so if you have any special educational needs (SEN) or you have an educational healthcare plan then the Transition Team is a good place to start.
The curriculum at The Cheadle College is split into 2 discrete areas of offer:
Foundation Learning/Choices: This provides an opportunity for anyone who may need additional learning to access further education courses. As there are no formal entry requirements, acceptance on a course is subject to an assessment and interview. To help prepare you for a higher level course, the Foundation Learning pathways combine English (GCSE and Functional Skills), Maths (GCSE and Functional Skills), employability and a vocational option.
Level 1,2 & 3 courses on offer at The Cheadle College: If you’re a young person enrolling on a full-time course with us, you will be placed on an appropriate study programme. The level of study offered is dependent on specific academic entry requirements. (Please refer to individual course entry details for each programme’s specific requirements.)
The study programme will consist of the following key elements:
As part of the Children’s and Families Act, a SEND Local Offer is a requirement for schools, colleges and local authorities to publish the provision available to children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) or disabilities.
At The Cheadle College we are committed to meeting the needs of all our students. Our offer describes how we support the special educational needs and disabilities of young people and adults. Find out more about our Local Offer here.
At college, we embrace the opportunities that technology can bring to your studies and encourage you to use it wherever possible. The college has a range of assistive software available for all students. We can also lend you equipment such as laptops and digital voice recorders, or even better, show you how to make the most of your own kit.
Your time at college is valuable. How you spend it will determine what direction you take after your time with us. As part of the learner support provided, the Career Guidance team is here to help you make the right decisions. We can help you in a number of ways, from giving you advice on the most appropriate course to take before you start, to helping you decide what you want to do when you finish your course by considering your interests, abilities and whether you’re after more education, training or work.
We also have a fully stocked careers library, including a section for graduates, with career databases and software packages to help you decide on your future direction.
When you submit your application to college we ask that you tell us if you are care experienced by ticking the relevant box on your application form. This enables us to link you with a Pastoral Support Mentor (PSM) who will contact you to discuss a bespoke support plan and ensure that you are settling in. Your Pastoral Support Mentor will also serve as a link with any social worker you are currently working with and a parent/guardian.
As a care experienced learner you are entitled to receive a bursary to help with travel, equipment, trips and college meals. You are entitled to up to £1200 on a study programme that lasts for 30 weeks or more. Study programmes of less than 30 weeks are paid a pro-rata amount. You will be sent an application form in the post or alternatively can collect one from Learner Services. If you require any help completing the form then please speak with your pastoral support mentor or the front desk of Learner Services.
For more information for care experienced young people, please read our Principles of the Care Experienced Covenant.
For definitions regarding care experienced learners please visit: The Higher Education Statistics Agency for Definitions of a care leaver / looked after status or the NSPCC definition of ‘looked after children’.
Our dedicated team of learning facilitators will work with you to design a personalised support package. We also work with partner agencies to ensure you can access the help you need. This could include any of the following:
All learners are assigned a Pastoral Support Mentor (PSM). The Pastoral Support Mentors are trained to provide a frontline service for any mental health needs and are here to support you through the difficult times in your life that could stop you achieving your best at college.
Self-care techniques and general lifestyle changes can help support a positive mental health. Here are some tips for looking after yourself that you might find helpful.
If these work well for you then you may find you don’t need any formal treatments or meetings. However, it’s important to remember that there is unlikely to be an instant solution.
