Foundation and Supported Studies
Our Foundation programmes meet the needs of a broad range of learners; from those with special educational needs or disabilities, to those who may have disengaged from learning in the past or not achieved their full potential.
Foundation Studies
Our foundation programmes meet the needs of a broad range of learners, allowing for progression onto vocational career pathways within Activate Learning.
During the one-two year programme, learners can try different vocational options or specialise in a chosen subject area. Our students also develop employability skills and continue their studies in English, maths and digital literacy where required. The programme includes citizenship and personal and social development, as well as work experience opportunities.
We offer a variety of pathways, including:
- Barbering
- Beauty
- Business
- Catering
- Construction (multi trades)
- Creative Arts
- ESOL
- Hairdressing
- Health and Childcare
- IT
- Motor Vehicle
- Performing Arts (including Music)
- Sport and Public Services
Tier 4: Foundation Studies
This programme is for learners who have been disengaged from learning or are underachieving, and who want to try different vocational options. Learners will develop vocational and employability skills, including English and maths, digital literacy and citizenship learning. Work experience is part of this programme.
Tier 5: Foundation Studies
This programme is for learners who need to develop their personal and social skills to achieve success. Learners will also take part in an introduction to a chosen vocational area at Level 1. The programme includes personal and social development, employability skills, work experience, English and maths, digital literacy and citizenship.
Supported Studies
Our SEND provision is at the heart of our colleges at Activate Learning. We believe that our learners can achieve anything with the right support, time and environment.
We offer a variety of study programmes, however, we know that every learner is different. We will design the right blend for your individual needs.
Tier 1: Pathway to Exploration
Provides for the needs of individuals with profound and complex learning difficulties including sensory impairment, physical disabilities and severe medical conditions. This programme will support all aspects of your needs including health, care, therapies, medications, and educational development.
Tier 2: Pathway to Independence and Supported Work
Provides for the needs of individuals with severe to moderate learning difficulties who want to continue to build on essential skills for living, employment and community
Tier 3: Pathway for Progression
Serves as a stepping stone for you to progress on to further studies and prepare you for the world of work in a supported college environment. The programme will help you build confidence and further develop your social communication skills by providing opportunities for you to independently apply skills and knowledge learnt in a range of settings including external work experience.
Pathway to Supported Internship
This award-winning programme is designed to prepare you for a Supported Internship and supported paid work if you have an EHCP. You’ll spend four days a week in college learning how to work independently in a range of service settings such as retail, postal services, cafés and administration. You’ll benefit from employer progress reviews, job coaching and specific qualifications that support these services, such as GDPR and manual-handling training.
Supported Internships
Year-long opportunities with rotations in one or several employers that aim to move you into paid work. This programme will provide you with the essential employability skills and experience by getting hands-on with an employer. You’ll be given the skills required to be successful in the job application process and build on your self-management and independence skills. You can expect to complete 3-4 days at work and then 1 day at college.
Specialist ASC Service (Stepping into FE)
A bespoke transition programme into further education for those with Autism. The service can provide a full-time specialist study programme to meet individual needs, delivered by the ASC team, or a complete wrap-around service to support young people in SEND courses or Level 1 - Level 4 academic programmes.
The Glade/Post-16 SEND Hub
Activate Learning and Wokingham Borough Council are opening a new Post-16 centre in Wokingham for people aged 16 to 25. It will be a safe, supportive place to learn for young people who need a more personalised approach to education, with assistance into employment through partnership working or further learning opportunities.
Adult Programmes (ACE)
Our part-time programmes provide opportunities for people aged 23 and over to maintain skills and friendships after full-time education has finished. You will attend college Adult Programmes one or two days a week and work on both functional skills and leisure activities, free of charge if you are in receipt of disability benefits.
Our facilities and specialist services
At each of our campuses, every student will be allocated an experienced personal tutor who will:
- support attendance
- raise awareness of health issues
- set targets and goals
- give careers advice
- help with study skills offer pastoral care
We offer a range of specialist services at each of our colleges, including:
- Our House, an off-campus specialist provision for profound and multiple learning difficulties
- Purpose built ASD Centre
A full range of extra-curricular activities are also organised each year that complement and extend our academic curriculum. The students have the opportunity to further develop their social skills, independence, self-esteem, self-reliance, and physical capabilities as well as having fun.
Philip, Foundation Tier 3Read my storyPhilip has also made massive progress on his work experience. The placement was so successful that he was invited back for another six weeks, which he attended fully independently!
Industry partners
RISE – Supported Internship and Employment
Real work. Real skills. Real opportunities.
RISE supports young adults with SEND to build confidence, develop workplace skills and take their next step towards paid employment.
Our programme combines personalised college-based learning with meaningful workplace experience, giving learners the opportunity to develop their skills in a real working environment.
We work closely with learners, employers and Job Coaches to make sure each placement is a good match for the individual. We match learners to opportunities based on their strengths, interests, and aspirations, helping them find a workplace where they can thrive.
What does RISE offer?
Real workplace experience
Learners spend time in a genuine workplace, developing practical skills and experiencing the routines and expectations of employment.
A placement matched to you
We get to know each learner – their strengths, interests, aspirations and support needs – and use this to help identify suitable employers and opportunities.
Dedicated Job Coach support
Our Job Coaches work alongside learners and employers to help make placements successful. They support learners in settling into the workplace, learning tasks, building confidence, and overcoming challenges.
As learners become more confident and independent, support can gradually reduce, helping them develop the skills they need to succeed in the workplace.
Developing workplace skills
Learners develop practical skills including:
- Communication and listening
- Teamwork
- Timekeeping and reliability
- Following instructions
- Problem-solving
- Professional behaviour
- Customer service
- Managing workplace challenges
- Asking for help and self-advocacy
- Confidence and independence
Preparing for employment
Learners are supported to develop their CV, explore job opportunities, complete applications and practise interviews. They also learn about contracts, payslips, wages, budgeting and other important aspects of working life.
Progression towards paid employment
RISE is focused on helping learners move forward. We support learners to identify their next step and work towards **paid employment, supported employment, further learning or other meaningful opportunities**.
Working with employers
We work with employers to create meaningful opportunities for young people with SEND.
RISE can support employers with:
- Finding enthusiastic young people who could become future employees
- Matching learners to suitable workplace opportunities
- Supporting successful workplace introductions and inductions
- Job Coach support throughout the placement
- Disability awareness
- Reasonable adjustments
- Developing confidence in supporting neurodiverse young people
For employers, RISE provides an opportunity to develop future talent while creating a more inclusive workplace.
What success looks like
For our learners, success means:
- Increased confidence.
- Greater independence.
- Meaningful workplace experience.
- New skills.
- A clearer career direction.
- Progression towards paid employment.
For employers, success means:
- Positive placement experiences.
- Greater confidence supporting neurodiverse young people.
- A more inclusive workplace.
- Access to future talent.
RISE – helping young people move from potential to employment.
