Cambian Dilston College

Cambian Dilston College provides further education for learners with moderate to severe learning disabilities including autism, complex medical needs, developmental disorders, behavioural/emotional difficulties and communication difficulties. Cambian Dilston College offers a wide range of specialist interventions, tailored approaches and proactive options for learning including providing a total communication environment. 

We offer residential placements for students nationally and day placements for local students. We recruit staff from our local area including Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Newcastle and Durham.

At Cambian Dilston College there is the opportunity for all learners to participate in a full and active curriculum including flexible routes to accredited qualifications from pre-entry to Level 2. The launch of our new study programmes offers three distinct routes to learning: Skills for Work; Skills for Independence; Skills for Communication and Wellbeing. There are five strands of curriculum: Physical Wellbeing; Emotional Wellbeing; Citizenship; Functional Skills; Preparation for Transition. All study programme pathways and curriculum areas are holistically underpinned by the RARPA (Recognising and Recording Progress and Achievement) principles. As part of their course, learners are offered the opportunity of work experience supported by a dedicated Job Coach. Work experience placements continue throughout the year allowing learners time to prepare and settle into their placement and apply learning from their college course to the work environment.

Cambian Dilston College is set in beautiful countryside, providing a range of vocational learning environments including working café and bakery, vocational learning kitchen, horticulture and estates management, forest school, workshops for pottery and woodwork, ICT, creative arts including drama.  Our Sensory room offers learners a place where they can fully relax and increase or decrease their sensory experience.

Off-site work experience placements are undertaken within our local community and allow students to gain a real life experience of the world of work.

Accommodation on- and off-site, includes a superb community house that encourages community living.

Here at Cambian Dilston College we have a comprehensive and experienced therapy team who are available to meet the therapeutic and behavioural  needs of all of our students. Our team consists of an Occupational Therapist, a Speech and Language Therapist, A Mental Health Practitioner and a Clinical Psychologist.