14th January 2020

• Sheffield College has decided to stop running its Personal Progress course. This was an entry-level course for young people with no formal qualifications and extra support needs including special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

  From September 2020 the College will offer two courses for students with SEND:

  • Pathway for Independent Living
  • Pathway to Supported Work

  There are no specific entry requirements for these courses. The College will offer an interview to all applicants, including those with high needs. However, it is unclear how the College will decide which students are suitable for these courses.

  These changes will affect students already studying at the College, Y11 pupils from mainstream and Y11 and Y14 students from special schools planning to go to college in September 2020.  As yet we don’t know how many students will be affected.

  We are concerned that these changes may restrict the number and choice of post-16 education and training places for young people with SEND.

  Sheffield City Council officers have told us that they are working to secure additional places with other providers including Sheaf Training and that they will work with young people and their families to identify and agree placements for September 2020.

  We will publish more information when it becomes available.

  Please email post16changes@sheffield.gov.uk for more information.