Post-16 Education and Training (SEND)

When a young person is nearing school leaving age, they might find it useful to talk to the school's specialist careers advisor or a SENDIASS Young Person's Advisor, to better understand the available post-16 education and training opportunities in Herefordshire. 

The advisor will be able to present different options, including mainstream and special schools, study programmes, apprenticeships and colleges of further education.

Find out more about Post-16 options in this SENDIASS video:

Education and Training Providers

There are two specialist school sixth-form centres in Herefordshire:

• The Beacon College
• Westfield School 

There are also two specialist colleges of further education within the county:

• National Star College at Hereford
• The Royal National College for the Blind
  

Independent Specialist Colleges

There are a number of independent specialist colleges around the country which provide day and residential education programmes for young people with complex learning difficulties and / or disabilities, who require a high level of expertise and support to transition into adulthood. The Department for Education website includes a list of independent special schools and colleges, including those approved on the Section 41 of the Children and Families Act. 

If you would prefer to search for colleges by their area of expertise, please visit the Natspec website. 

Supported Internships

A supported internship is a structured study programme, which is based primarily with an employer.  The internship is unpaid and normally lasts for a minimum of six months.  The young person will complete a personalised study programme, which includes the chance to study for relevant qualifications, where appropriate, along with English and maths. 

Wherever possible, internships aim to support young people to move into paid employment upon completion.  For those aged 16 to 24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), it helps them to achieve sustainable paid employment by equipping them with skills they need for work, through appropriate workplace learning.

To find out more, take a look at the Support Internships guidance from the DfE. 

Transport for Post-16 Students with SEND

In the case of post-16 students with special educational needs and disabilities, transport may be provided to the nearest suitable school or further education institution, irrespective of the normal statutory walking distances defined for primary or secondary pupils, if walking is too difficult for the student. Find out more in Herefordshire Council's Post-16 Transport Policy.