FAQ

The maximum capacity at Post 16 is 35 students.

The College has a number of large teaching spaces to accommodate our students needs. These have been designed specifically and will vary depending on its use. There is also a large common room with a fully resourced kitchen to support students independence, a life skills room, Spring Village (Shop and Enterprise Resource) and Health and Well Being room .

Onsite we also have a designated ‘Employment Hub’ to focus on career development, a professionals room for therapists to be based  and a well being room to help students relax and regulate. There are a number of Staff, Student and disabled access toilets as well as shower facilities and a lift. Staff have access to an office to prepare resources as well as a staffroom to relax which overlooks the outdoor. Reception is located at the entrance of the college with a parent/visitor room.

We currently have a 14 seater minibus to access the community and an outdoor area with age appropriate equipment to help regulate and promote a healthy exercise regime.  Adjacent to the college is a large open field where students can access and do a ‘daily mile’. We are in the process of developing a garden area.

This will be dependent on the level of ability of each cohort. There will be at least one teacher and teaching assistant attached to each class group.

As the name suggests, the Post 16 is for students who are at the end of Year 11 and who are ready to transfer to a Post-16 placement. As it is a three-year offer, students will typically stay until the end of year 14.

There are three available ‘Pathways’ based on the students ability, not age. More information on each pathway can be found under the ‘Pathway’ tab on the website. However in summary:

Pathway 1: Working towards Functional Skills in English and Maths Level 1 and 2 (exam focused) with a higher level of independence but may require some support

Pathway 2: Working towards Functional Skills English and Maths Entry 3 with a medium level of independence requiring support

Pathway 3: Working towards Functional skills English and Maths Entry Level 1 and 2 (non-exam based) with a focus on life skills and independence with a medium level of independence with a greater level of support than pathways 1 and 2.

Pathway 4: Working at Pre Entry Level with a focus on Life skills and Independence with a higher level of support required.

Please see ‘Pathways and Criteria’ for further information.

We offer students a bespoke curriculum with the main focus on Employability as students will be working to support their transition into employment. These qualifications will include:

❖ NCFE Functional Skills English, Maths and ICT (Level 1,2 and Entry Level 3).

All students across all three pathways will embed life skills throughout the curriculum. This will offer students the chance to learn and practise skills that they need for independent living depending on their current abilities.

Topics covered can include things like: using money, telling time, personal hygiene, health & fitness, cooking and travel training. Part of the work is done in class but regular trips into the local community give students the opportunity to practise these skills in real life situations.

Some students where appropriate are encouraged to use a mobile phone to aid with independence and organisation outside the classroom, especially when travelling independently. The Post 16 will have a mobile phone so students can contact us when required to do so.

Yes, depending on the student’s needs (as detailed on their EHC plans) we will offer therapy either 1:1 or small group work. This may include the Speech and Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist as well as Educational Psychologist for example.

During the term the therapist will assess new and existing students and will be expected to write reports reflecting their work to be included in their annual review meetings. As well as supporting students with their needs, the therapists will recommend strategies for staff to implement in class so relevant training will be carried out.

This is a 5 day programme so students will be expected to attend Monday to Friday across the school calendar year based on three terms – Autumn, Spring and Summer. We strive for 100% attendance; however we appreciate that students may be unwell or have special circumstances that may affect their attendance. Please avoid any medical or dentist appointments within the term time or day.

Please come and visit Springhallow Post 16! Here you will experience that we are a very unique setting. Although we have a range of facilities on offer, the provision itself is smaller than your average ‘college setting’, which makes it ideal for any student with Autism to experience but in a calmer environment.

It can however take some time to get to know your way around any new place, therefore we will be offering advice and supportive strategies to aid this change.

Some students joining the Post 16 will have little or no experience of travelling independently. We would strongly encourage parents to contact their local council to arrange continued transport or take part in a travel training scheme. We will run weekly travel training sessions, whereby staff fully supports students to various locations to develop their confidence. We insist that students that travel independently should carry a mobile phone so they can be contacted at any time. This too can reassure parents, the students and the staff and help develop their confidence.

Travel Training is part of the Life Skills course that we offer, once a week. Students who are not independent or confident travellers are identified and, if assessed as ready, are offered individual training on agreed routes. Students are given lots of opportunities to travel independently on short, medium and longer journeys to develop their skills and confidence.

Students can stay in the Post 16 for up to three years depending on their age on joining. However, students who are able to ‘move on’ after two years – or even one – are encouraged to do so. Staff will make recommendations based on the young person’s progress. All major recommendations about the young person’s future will be discussed at an Annual Review/Transfer Review.

There are many areas for the students to relax in. This includes teaching classrooms, common areas, outside spaces and kitchen facilities. In both common rooms students can relax on the comfortable sofas, bean bags and café style chairs. There will be games, magazines and a TV available to enjoy. There is also a well-being room.

A hot school lunch can be purchased on a daily basis (provided by a local school).

We will be hosting opportunities to come and visit college every month so that you can have a tour and ask any relevant questions. Visits to the provision are always welcome. (please refer to the news and events page on the website).

Please contact Katie Morley if you would like to visit on 020 8998 2700 (option 1) or e mail on post16@springhallow.ealing.sch.uk. We will also be happy to answer any questions you might have over the phone and we can send you a copy of our latest prospectus or you can download our prospectus here and view it immediately.

All admissions to the College are made through the Local Authority.

The young person will be assessed and we may also arrange to visit the student at their current school (non Springhallow students) or class to observe their current environment and their learning needs. Where possible, information is gathered from teachers, parents and reports.

Places are offered to those students who meet the entry criteria through the Local Authority.

All students will aim to use the three year programme to prepare themselves onto the wider world. Staff will support students to experience the expectations outside of the classroom. They may start with a short work experience which will hopefully develop into more meaningful placements. Students will work with their own Vocational Profile which will be bespoke to them and tailored to their skills, interests and goals and will be encouraged to meaningful and realistic.

Springhallow Post 16 is an extension of the current main school which has a great reputation for specialising with students with Autism. The Post 16 department will offer students with Autism a curriculum specifically aimed at promoting independence, resilience and life skills whilst continuing to work towards qualifications in English, Maths and ICT. It is a “stepping stone” between school and college and/or supported employment which will enable students to reach their own full potential.

If your child is not quite ready to transition onto College/supported employment or not independent enough to take on the challenges these environments bring, we can support them over a three-year period to make these adjustments. Being in a new environment unfamiliar to them, but being supported by staff that are trained to meet the needs of students with Autism, we are confident we can offer a range of options to students across the spectrum.

We have dedicated staff to support students with a range of needs and interests across all four pathways to offer to deliver the high quality teaching each student deserves.