Students usually study at Harding House Sixth Form for 3 years, and then move on into post school provision. Most students go to a local college for a 2 or 3 year further education course – at Aylesbury, Amersham or Flackwell sites.
Recent Local Authority initiatives have developed specialist units at both Aylesbury and Amersham Colleges to meet the needs of students who may need additional support to access both college courses and community provision. This is designed to minimise the need for students to go out of county for appropriate provision, meeting all the individual’s needs in their own familiar community. Students based at these units will also access personalised, additional support if they need it – Speech and Language Therapy, Physiotherapy, O.T. etc, as part of their learning package. There are also links to a range of residential providers, for those students for whom it may be relevant. Further units are planned for other sites.
Generally speaking the College courses are either 2 or 3 days per week. If at Review, and on the Connexions S139, it is recommended that a student requires 5 day provision, the additional days are supported by Community Partners – No Limits (MacIntyre), Talkback or Stocklake 19-25. These providers develop a very well supported personalised programme for their learners, complementing the College provision and reflecting personal goals and aspirations. These sessions are often delivered in the community or workplace.
Some students with exceptional needs, may apply for Specialist Residential Colleges. This may involve joint funding.
Some students may choose to access local Adult Services Day Provision – subject to Adult Services' assessment and eligibility criteria.
Connexions continue to monitor and support students as necessary, until they reach 25.
Students are actively involved in every stage of their transition planning and support is put in place to meet needs. All the agencies work with the students and their families to ensure the best possible post school provision, enabling students to carry on learning and achieving.
Once the students' post school destination is agreed, a full transition programme will be planned to meet individual needs. Initially students will be supported by Harding House staff on transition visits. Staff will also work on independent travel programmes to support independent access to local colleges. We will provide a full package of relevant information including prior attainment, special needs and personal aspirations.