For many students, coming to college will be a huge step. It is a step from childhood to adulthood and which will involve many changes, new freedoms and responsibilities. It will mean students adjusting to the changes, making more decisions for themselves and gaining greater independence in their life and learning.

Helping students progress to their next step

Our Inclusive Learning courses are designed to help students plan for the future and progress to their next steps. Small bespoke group learning is delivered by a team of dedicates staff across our campuses.

We recognise the challenges that our Inclusive Learning students face and we ensure that we provide the right level of support and encouragement to meet each individuals needs.

While on our courses, students have access to a range of teaching methods, resources and facilities that support their learning journey and progression through to adulthood. Progression could be onto further study, pre-employment provision, directly into employment or on to supported living/community-based options. Our course leaders work with their students to identify skills and strengths, areas of interest and potential progression routes.

Inclusive Learning courses at City College Norwich

Whatever you're aiming for, we have a variety of study options for you to help you achieve your future goals.

PAL (Pathway to Adult Life)

Our PAL course is designed specifically for students with complex needs. Students are supported to access a broad range of learning activities in the classroom and out in the college and wider community. Each student is set specific developmental targets which support them to make progress against their EHCP outcomes. Students have access to specialist facilities and activities such as: Sensory rooms, Speech and Language Therapy sessions and rebound therapy where appropriate.

Inspire

Our Inspire course supports students to develop their communication, social and independence skills in a small group environment. Students will develop their literacy and numeracy skills, practice everyday life skills in real-life contexts and undertake a range of subjects that enable them to develop decision making skills, build their confidence in their own ability and to cope with the everyday challenges that life may bring.

Connect

Our Connect course is designed specifically for learners who are highly anxious about coming to college and who require a reduced timetable to begin in order to access and take part in college life. Connect students may have previously struggled to attend school or missed periods of learning due to prolonged absence. Students will have a gradual introduction to college, develop their confidence and resilience and by the end of the year begin to undertake taster sessions on future courses to aid with transition to their next steps. This course is two days a week.

Progressions

Our Progressions course provides students with the opportunity to develop the key confidence and independence skills required for a new college environment. Through a range of topics and activities, students have frequent opportunities to develop and practice their communication and social skills, make decisions and become more independent learners.

Phoenix Purple Independence Pathway

Our Phoenix Purple Independence Pathway offers our autistic students the opportunity to develop the key communication, confidence and life skills required for a future life beyond college. Students have regular opportunities to learn out of the classroom in real-life contexts and are supported to develop their independence and coping skills.

Get Involved

Our Get Involved course is the first step in the building skills required for volunteering opportunities beyond college. Students on this course will work with the Course Leader and Job Coach to develop their personal, social and communication skills and to gain experience of voluntary work both on and off-site.

General Enterprise

As the starting point of our employment pathway, our General Enterprise course is the first step towards building the confidence, skills and knowledge required to work in the future. This course will provide students with a range of practical learning opportunities which support the development of customer service and team working skills. Students on this course are supported by the Course Leader and Job Coach to plan and run regular enterprise services such as: vegetable bag and bouquet deliveries.

Retail Enterprise

Our Retail Enterprise course offers our students regular opportunities to work with a Job Coach while on work experience in our onsite shop. This, alongside running a regular milk delivery service provides students with the confidence, independence skills and knowledge base required to consider future work within a retail environment.

Hospitality Enterprise

Our Hospitality Enterprise course offers our students regular opportunities to work with the Course Leader and Job Coach to provide an onsite lunch service for staff and a range of pop-up food stalls. Students work as a team to organise and run whole departmental Enterprise events, such as: A Winter and Summer Fayre and gain experience and skills to support future work within the hospitality sector.

Phoenix Purple Employment Pathway

Our Phoenix Purple Employment Pathway offers our autistic students the opportunity to develop the confidence, skills and experience required to begin to consider a future in employment. Students undertake a range of mandatory subjects which help develop the core skills required for work whilst at the same time choosing from a range of optional subjects that support wider skill and knowledge development. Students will have the opportunity to work with Course Leaders and a Job Coach to volunteer as a group and to undertake individual work experience.

Ticket

As one of our courses on our employment pathway, our Norwich Ticket course aims to prepare students for a successful future in employment. This course will provide students with the knowledge, skills and practical work experience opportunities to become highly effective and successful employees within the workplace. Students will work with the Course Leader and Job Coach to source and undertake group and individual work experience opportunities.

Work Matters

Our Supported Internships are based in a host employer and provide real-life work experience at one of our local employer sites. Students who undertake one of our Supported Internships at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital(NNUH) or NORSE are based in the workplace for five days a week. They undertake a range of placements in roles such as: ward cleaning, portering, housekeeping, catering and grounds maintenance. Alongside their work experience they spend an hour a day in the classroom learning employability skills whilst continuing to develop their Maths and English skills. The aim of a supported internship is to gain employment either during or by the end of programme.

MINT

Our MINT programme is designed for young people who are aged 16-25 who have a barrier to employment. Once referred to the service each young person is assigned their own Job Coach. The Job Coach will work closely with the young person and tailor their support and training to meet their needs. This generally involves the young person taking part in 1:1s and group training sessions, and being supported to create CVs, apply for jobs and attend interviews. In addition to this young people can undertake 12-week pre-employment courses which are themed according to sectors and combine training and work experience with local employers. Many of our young people are successful in gaining work through this programme which is something we are incredibly proud of.

Creative Pathway

Our Creative Pathway course offers our students opportunities to develop their confidence and personal skills through a range of activities and creative options. Students will explore and develop their art and media skills and have the opportunity to join dance/drama lessons. In addition to this, students will develop the skills they need to become more independent learners.

Discovery Pathway

Our Discovery Pathway course offers our students the time and opportunity required to develop their confidence and interpersonal skills through a range of practical learning activities. For part of their week students will work in the mechanics and carpentry workshop and develop basic skills in these areas. The course also offers a full day of off-site work experience at Catton Park, developing the teamwork and communication skills that students will require to progress onto future study and into work.

Social and Community Pathway

Our Social and Community Pathway course offers our students the time and opportunity required to develop their confidence and interpersonal skills through a range of learning activities. The curriculum has a strong focus on personal development and students are supported to increase their confidence, communication and team working skills to help prepare them for their next steps, whether that be onto further study or into work.

Phoenix Purple Vocational Pathway

Our Phoenix Purple Vocational Pathway offers our autistic students the opportunity to develop the confidence, skills and experience required to progress onto further study options at the college. Students undertake a range of mandatory subjects which help develop the core skills required for life and work, whilst at the same time choosing from a range of optional subjects that support and prepare them for future academic study. Students will also have the opportunity to develop their skills for work, whilst working with their Course Leader and Job Coach to volunteer as a group and/or undertaking individual work experience. On this pathway, if felt appropriate students can be supported to access mainstream provision alongside aspects of the Phoenix Purple course.

Rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted

We have over 200 Inclusive Learning students who study with us every year. In our Ofsted inspection in 2021, our special needs college provision was rated as ‘Outstanding’ in all areas.

Exclusive facilities for inclusive learning students

Our college provides a safe and supportive environment and specialist facilities for our Inclusive Learning students. Students with Autistic Spectrum Disorders have exclusive access to our RUG Room. This is a unique space with specialist staff that acts as a safe haven for students during the day at college.

Students with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties have exclusive access to our PMLD Building. This provides a safe and secure environment with high level of support available throughout the day. It includes various zones to access such as sensory areas, life skills, craft and suites for personal care.