FAQ

The maximum capacity at Post 16 is 35 students.

The College has a number of large teaching spaces to accommodate our students needs. These have been designed specifically and will vary depending on its use. There is also a large common room with a fully resourced kitchen to support students independence, a life skills room, Spring Village (Shop and Enterprise Resource) and Health and Well Being room .

Onsite we also have a designated ‘Employment Hub’ to focus on career development, a professionals room for therapists to be based  and a well being room to help students relax and regulate. There are a number of Staff, Student and disabled access toilets as well as shower facilities and a lift. Staff have access to an office to prepare resources as well as a staffroom to relax which overlooks the outdoor. Reception is located at the entrance of the college with a parent/visitor room.

We currently have a 14 seater minibus to access the community and an outdoor area with age appropriate equipment to help regulate and promote a healthy exercise regime.  Adjacent to the college is a large open field where students can access and do a ‘daily mile’. We are in the process of developing a garden area.

This will be dependent on the level of ability of each cohort. There will be at least one teacher and teaching assistant attached to each class group.

As the name suggests, the Post 16 is for students who are at the end of Year 11 and who are ready to transfer to a Post-16 placement. As it is a three-year offer, students will typically stay until the end of year 14.

There is a range of different ‘Pathways to adulthood’ each tailored to meet individual student needs. These pathways support academic ability as well as many other areas of development such as communication, confidence and social skills. Each class is named after a planet chosen by the students, and here is the summary of each class*:

Jupiter – Working towards Functional skills in Maths and English from Entry level 3 up to Level 2 (with an exam focus). Students will typically demonstrate a higher level of independence but may require some support.

Neptune -Working towards Functional skills Maths and English from entry 2 and 3 (exam focus) with a medium level of independence requiring support.

Saturn – Working towards Functional skills Maths and English from Entry 1 and 2 (exams optional), with a focus on life skills and independence requiring a medium level of independence and a greater level of support.

Mercury- Working at Pre Entry level to entry 1 with a focus on life skills and independence, with a higher level of support required.  

*Depending on the cohort and needs, these classes maybe subject to change to ensure the level of support is in place  

Please see ‘Pathways and Criteria’ for further information.

NCFE Functional Skills English, Maths and ICT (from Entry 1 to Level 2)

All students across all three pathways will embed life skills throughout the curriculum. This will offer students the chance to learn and practise skills that they need for independent living depending on their current abilities.

Topics covered can include things like: using money, telling time, personal hygiene, health & fitness, cooking and travel training. Part of the work is done in class but regular trips into the local community give students the opportunity to practise these skills in real life situations.

Some students where appropriate are encouraged to use a mobile phone to aid with independence and organisation outside the classroom, especially when travelling independently. The Post 16 will have a mobile phone so students can contact us when required to do so.

 Yes, here at Post 16, staff and students have access to a therapy input, in line with their EHCP plans. This input may include Speech and Language and Occupational therapy, as well as Clinical Psychology and/or Educational Psychologist.

A therapist working with a young person will typically assess new and existing students in class through observations and will write reports reflecting on their work throughout the term. These reports will be included in annual reviews. As well as supporting students with their needs, the therapists will recommend strategies for staff to implement in class, relevant training will be carried out.

This is a 5 day programme so students will be expected to attend Monday to Friday across the school calendar year based on three terms – Autumn, Spring and Summer. We strive for 100% attendance; however we appreciate that students may be unwell or have special circumstances that may affect their attendance. Please avoid any medical or dentist appointments within the term time or day.

Please come and visit Springhallow Post 16! Here you will experience that we are a very unique setting. Although we have a range of facilities on offer, the provision itself is smaller than your average ‘college setting’, which makes it ideal for any student with Autism to experience but in a calmer environment.

It can however take some time to get to know your way around any new place, therefore we will be offering advice and supportive strategies to aid this change.

Some students joining the Post 16 will have little or no experience of travelling independently. We would strongly encourage parents to contact their local council to arrange continued transport or take part in a travel training scheme. We will run weekly travel training sessions, whereby staff fully supports students to various locations to develop their confidence. We insist that students that travel independently should carry a mobile phone so they can be contacted at any time. This too can reassure parents, the students and the staff and help develop their confidence.

Travel Training is part of the Life Skills course that we offer, once a week. Students who are not independent or confident travellers are identified and, if assessed as ready, are offered individual training on agreed routes. Students are given lots of opportunities to travel independently on short, medium and longer journeys to develop their skills and confidence.

Students can stay in the Post 16 for up to three years depending on their age on joining. However, students who are able to ‘move on’ after two years – or even one – are supported to do so. Staff will make recommendations based on the young person’s progress. All major recommendations about the young person’s future will be discussed at an Annual Review/Transfer Review.

There are many areas for the students to relax in. This includes teaching classrooms, common areas, outside spaces and kitchen facilities. In both common rooms students can relax on the comfortable sofas, bean bags and café style chairs. There will be games, magazines and a TV available to enjoy. There is also a well-being room.

A hot school lunch can be purchased on a daily basis (provided by a local school).

We will be hosting opportunities to come and visit college every month so that you can have a tour and ask any relevant questions. Visits to the provision are always welcome. (please refer to the news and events page on the website).

Please contact Katie Morley if you would like to visit on 020 8998 2700 (option 1) or e mail on post16@springhallow.ealing.sch.uk. We will also be happy to answer any questions you might have over the phone. 

All admissions to the College are made through the Local Authority.

The young person will be assessed and we may also arrange to visit the student at their current school (non Springhallow students) or class to observe their current environment and their learning needs. Where possible, information is gathered from teachers, parents and reports.

Places are offered to those students who meet the entry criteria through the Local Authority.

All students will aim to use the three year programme to prepare themselves onto the wider world.  Staff will support students to experience the expectations outside of the classroom.

To prepare for Post 19 transition, we would encourage you to start early by researching onward destinations such as Post 19 colleges, Supported Internships or employment options. This can typically start in year 12, when a child is 16. With the support from our Job Coach, Connexions Advisor, Family Support Worker and teacher, we can discuss possible routes at their annual review meetings. We would recommend that you visit any open days and career days as well as have an understanding of what academic level your child is working at so you are informed of what options are available.

We offer In house work experience for all students to express interest and apply for, across a range of job roles around the college. Hours will be tracked to showcase student’s experiences and to build their confidence in their abilities. They will also take part in a week’s work experience in an area of their interest. These opportunities help shape their understanding of the working world, and help to develop a positive work ethic.

When students leave Post 16, we encourage all leavers to keep in touch with our alumni events. This is a great opportunity to share with others their experiences beyond Springhallow and reconnect with old staff and students.

Springhallow Post 16 is an extension of the current main school which has a great reputation for specialising with students with Autism. The Post 16 department will offer students with Autism a curriculum specifically aimed at promoting independence, resilience and life skills whilst continuing to work towards qualifications in English, Maths and ICT. It is a “stepping stone” between school and college and/or supported employment which will enable students to reach their own full potential.

If your child is not quite ready to transition onto College/supported employment or not independent enough to take on the challenges these environments bring, we can support them over a three-year period to make these adjustments. Being in a new environment unfamiliar to them, but being supported by staff that are trained to meet the needs of students with Autism, we are confident we can offer a range of options to students across the spectrum.

We have dedicated staff to support students with a range of needs and interests across all four pathways to offer to deliver the high quality teaching each student deserves.