Unique partnership creates greater education choice for young adults with special educational needs in Worcestershire

Currently many post-16 learners living in Worcestershire choose to study at National Star College in Gloucestershire – an award-winning specialist further education college.

But that means students may travel up to 10 hours every week to access the specialist education and therapy that their Education, Health, and Care plan (EHCP) state they need to prepare for a developing life of independence.

Now, the Heart of Worcestershire College and National Star are set to transform space in the College’s St Wulstan’s Building, Deansway, Worcester, into teaching and therapeutic space for post-16 learners.

It’s all being made possible thanks to this partnership and a grant from Worcestershire County Council.

National Star College tutors, therapists, and care staff will deliver the learning within the St Wulstan’s building, bringing National Star’s expertise to local learners with special educational needs.

The students will enrol as Heart of Worcestershire College learners, with National Star sub-contracted to deliver teaching and learning. Five young adults will start at the provision in September with the expectation that this number will increase with capacity for approximately 12 learners.

The space will include three classrooms, an accessible kitchen to learn life skills, a dedicated therapy space, an outdoor courtyard and access to two realistic independent flats for learners to prepare for life after college. Its central location will enable students to access and learn in the college community and the community of Worcestershire.

Councillor David Chambers, Cabinet Member for Education at Worcestershire County Council said, "Through our funding, we are proud to offer young adults with SEND in Worcestershire increased choices for their post-16 education. We understand the challenges students face in travelling long distances to access specialised education and therapy and this exciting initiative will provide essential support to enable these young learners to access local provision and linked to the College Campus to develop skills for an independent life."

Michelle Dowse, Principal and Chief Executive Officer at The Heart of Worcestershire College added: “We are thrilled to announce that Heart of Worcestershire College has established a strong partnership with National Star, enabling us to enhance the support we are able to provide for young people with special educational needs and disabilities in Worcester. This collaboration, made possible with the valuable support of Worcestershire County Council, brings together expertise across various fields to deliver essential training to students. We are confident that this marks the beginning of a long and successful partnership that will benefit many young people throughout the county and help us to achieve our vision of nurturing brilliance of every student.”

Lynette Barrett, Chief Executive at National Star said: “Our vision is for a world where people with disabilities can achieve their potential and lead equal and active lives like others in their local communities. We are delighted to be involved in this groundbreaking way of delivering specialist education in Worcestershire, this gives young people with complex needs the choice of attending their local college in their community, at the same time as receiving the specialised provision they need to achieve their outcomes. 

“This unique partnership arrangement between The Heart of Worcestershire College and National Star means that young people with special educational needs and disabilities can receive education tailored to them and delivered by experts in their field without significant daily travel. 

National Star have been working with Heart of Worcestershire College and the local authority for some time establishing this new model of specialist education. It has been great for National Star to work with likeminded colleagues putting the student at the centre of the provision. 

The facility will be officially opened in September 2024.  

Plans are also under way to showcase the new facility at the Heart of Worcestershire Open Day on 9 October, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm, when prospective students and their families can visit the new facility and meet the teaching team.