Birtenshaw College

Birtenshaw College provides specialist further education for young people aged between 16 and 25 with physical disability, including complex health needs and / or learning disability, including Autism Spectrum Conditions.

The College was established in 2014 initially in partnership with Bolton College in response to the lack of local further education opportunities for young adults with a disability who are over the age of 19 and have difficulty in accessing mainstream college courses because of the level of support they need.

The college achieved independent status in Summer 2016 which provided the opportunity to offer a wider range of courses to a greater range of people, working with local authorities across the North West.

Birtenshaw College provides a unique further education opportunity to young adults with a disability, providing a structured programme which works to develop skills for independent living, literacy and numeracy and work-based vocational skills, and offers therapeutic learning activities.

The Birtenshaw College curriculum is structured around our Total Communication approach where we view every behaviour as communication and work to ensure that we understand what the young person wants or needs and provide effectively to meet those needs.

Each student will access an individualised study programme delivered by qualified staff who are trained and experienced to meet the specific requirements of young adults with the most complex of needs.

Study programmes are accessible, motivating and are delivered at a level that will include progression and may lead to accreditation.

Birtenshaw College is a fully accessible and autism-friendly college for young adults with a disability .

Facilities at the College are tailored to ensure that young adults with a disability receive the same access to social, education and work opportunities as other young adults with every learner receiving an individually tailored study programme.

The College is set in spacious grounds which cater for land-based activities providing opportunities for outdoor learning through horticulture, animal care, habitat management and small-scale woodwork.

The college has a catering kitchen and small community café enabling learners to access a range of work related learning activities on and away from the college site.