This blog is part of our Quality Times series, inviting professionals working with young people with SEND / ALN in further education to speak about their work developing quality provision.
Lisa Holland is the Curriculum and Quality Manager at Pure College.
I am the curriculum and quality manager at Pure College, Stockport, Greater Manchester. Our students are aged 16-25 with an education, health and care plan (EHCP) and an aspiration to gain employment. We are a specialist employability college which provides a range of employability focused courses that prepare our young people for the workplace.
Pure College is part of Pure Innovations, a charity which began over 30 years ago. Since then, we have supported hundreds of people with a disability into employment, and hundreds more people are engaged in meaningful activities that progress learning, build confidence and independence enabling them to lead the very best lives they can. We are a values led organisation and believe that with the right support people can achieve amazing things and have a valued presence in their communities – Our Story – Pure Innovations (2025).
“At Pure Innovations, we believe that everyone deserves a life filled with meaning, opportunity, and belonging. Our approach centres around the individual, ensuring they have fair and equal access to the everyday, ordinary aspects of life that everyone values. We support people to live purpose-driven lives.” Louise Parrott Bates, CEO Pure Innovations.
Our journey
Pure College was established in 2022 with a mission aligned to shared values, aiming to support young people in gaining meaningful employment and developing the essential skills required to lead independent and fulfilling lives. Six students started their journey with us learning employability skills in preparation for their next steps onto the supported internship.
The internship programme commenced in 2023 with an initial cohort of six students. It was developed using a robust, employer-led curriculum and strengthened by the positive relationships cultivated with industry partners. These employers provided invaluable support in equipping our students with the essential skills required for success in the workplace. The strong foundations of these partnerships are integral to the continued success of our students at Pure College.
In addition to work placements, students engage in classroom employability sessions which prepare them for the world of work helping them to develop the skills and knowledge to transfer into the workplace. These activities are supported by our team of knowledgeable and professional staff who have a wealth of experience in a range of settings which complement the student journey. The skills practiced in placements are assessed using the RARPA framework, which assists the staff team to personalise the programme in line with the students EHCP outcomes and targets. Students are actively encouraged to personally reflect on their experiences which enables them to become skilled in problem solving and critical thinking. The 100% success rate of students gaining employment, upon completion of the internship, is testament to the hard work and commitment they demonstrate throughout.
Although the internship programme was very successful, college leaders identified the need for pre-internship provision. Young people with entry level 2/3 qualifications needed an opportunity to access a curriculum which supported them to prepare for and be successful in the world of work and to live independently.
In effect, we worked backwards from the internship to build a high quality educational provision! Curriculum design and development aligned to Pure College’s strategy, students’ and employers’ needs and interests, and practice underpinned by rigorous quality assurance activities were all fundamentally important in our improvement journey, whilst retaining the employability expertise from the founding charity. Ambition for Life and Ambition for Work programmes were established and our supported internship programme became the third and final year for students.
Typically, Ambition for Life is the first year programme in which students complete an entry level 3 qualification for Further Learning and Employment. This programme supports the students with independent living whilst helping them to understand the fundamentals of the world of work. Students are supported through careful and supportive coaching with topics such as communication and social interaction, which are important workplace skills, but often present barriers for our students.
Our second year programme is Ambition for Work, during which students complete a level 1 Employability and Professional Development qualification. Topics such as how to manage stress in the workplace and working as a team are included in this programme. The focus very much being on gaining and sustaining rewarding and gainful employment.
Whilst students learn employability theory within the classroom, they also take part in practical placements within the workplace and put their learning to good use! Ambition for Life students have the opportunity to take part in internal placements within businesses operated by Pure Innovations, examples include cafes and shops. The expectation being that students will carry out duties within the job description of the existing staff, thus gaining real life experience. The staff within these placements can offer a nurturing space and gentle coaching to support the students to develop their skills, confidence and self-esteem, all of which build the foundations for the years that follow.
Ambition for Work students participate in external placements. Students are supported by our experienced team of employment officers and tutors, who carry out vocational profiling to devise a personalised placement which focuses on the student choices and preferred area of work.
Our curriculum is person centred, aligned to the students’ EHCP and preparing for adult outcomes. Students have ownership of their journey, they are encouraged to devise their own plan to establish the actions needed to achieve their target outcomes. Building confidence, self-esteem, resilience and key employability skills underpin our overall aim of gaining employment and promoting independence.
Maths and English are integral within our curriculum, but these sessions place less emphasis on traditional academic content and instead focus on the development of practical life skills, equipping learners with the tools to better understand and navigate real-world contexts. Our curriculum also includes access to enrichment activities which provide opportunities for our students to take an active role in activities they might not have otherwise considered, such as drama, sports, music and art.
Now, I am not saying that our journey hasn’t had bumps in the road. The curriculum is an ‘ever evolving beast’ and changes are inevitable to ensure we provide the best quality experience for our students. The successes are testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff team and the support and expertise provided by governors, trustees, internal and external employers and professionals. Having such positive and proactive relationships have been instrumental in being able to provide the best opportunities and secure the best outcomes for our students. The students themselves show a level of commitment which is outstanding, and they fully embrace the opportunities we provide.
In our third academic year we can reflect on a journey where so much has been achieved, yet we have so much more learning and growing to come. The journey has had its challenges, but we are already looking forward to tackling those whilst celebrating the successes of our students.