East Durham College offers a wide range of courses for students with special educational needs and disabilities.
All teachers and lecturers are fully qualified and specialist in their vocational areas. All staff are required to undertake regular professional development. Staff attend external professional development events. There is a Bronze, Silver & Gold internal Professional Development Scheme which has included Behavioural Management, Autism Support, Mental Health Awareness training amongst many other topics.
College offers courses for learners aged 14 and over. Provision for 14 and 15 year olds is provided by the ‘Transitional Development Team’. This service gives unique, bespoke provision to help young people who are unable to remain in the school environment. Intense support is given around behaviour, responsibility, social & emotional management. Click here for more details on the Engage (Pre-16) School Referral Service page. Our Foundation learning team caters for students with moderate learning difficulties and a range of disabilities.
Foundation Studies & Land-based Foundation have a number of pathways which may be of interest to students with learning difficulties.
The Houghall Campus may be a challenging environment for those with limited mobility. However, transitional visits are recommended to ensure it is accessible for the individual.
Specialist help and support is available to assist learners access the broad curriculum on offer across all College sites. Click here for details of the support available.
Specialist provision for Autistic learners is based at the Houghall Campus. It includes Derwent. Advice on specialist provision can be obtained from the Inclusive Learning Manager on 0191 375 4768.
Learners following a course or programme at East Durham College are allocated a Progression Coach to help them on any matter.
Other Enrichment Provision
Each course or programme has an enrichment programme which may include visits, guest speakers, sports activities, work experience, travel training etc.
Transport
The College provides a free bus service for all learners to access both the Peterlee and Houghall Campuses using the Arriva buses network.
If College transport is not suitable for your needs, for example for non-independent travellers, more information can be obtained from Durham County Council’s Families Information Service (FIS) website. It is the place to find free and impartial information to support you and your family from pregnancy until your child's 20 years old, or 25 years old for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
SEND