Mainstream and specialist SEND courses in further education – from age 16
Sixth form and college
Sixth form and college are called further education. This is where you can:
- Learn new skills
- Get qualifications for the future
Sixth form
Sixth form is usually part of a school.
It is usually for young people aged 16 to 18.
College
College is for young people aged 16 to 25 (and adults too)
Watch a video 🎬
Do you like the idea of going to college but are not sure what it's like? Students with SEND from East Norfolk Sixth Form College in Gorleston talk about their move from school to college and share their experiences.
Find out more
Choosing the right course and college
If you are thinking about going to a mainstream college, here are some things to help you choose what is right for you.
Here are Help You Choose's top 3 tips for choosing the right course and college for you:
- Look at different colleges or sixth forms
- Read about the courses they offer
- Check what support is available
Help You Choose shows all courses at sixth forms and colleges in Norfolk. You can also use Help You Choose to apply for most courses too!
You can look at full-time courses, including:
- Entry level
- Level 1
- Level 2
- Level 3
There is also a SEND courses section. These courses are easier to find in one place. They are more focused on inclusive learning. These courses are also listed in the full-time courses section.
If you’re aged 16 to 24 and have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), a Supported Internship could be a great way to help you get ready for work and build your skills. In Norfolk, there is also a pilot programme where you may be able to take part without needing an EHCP. You can check the supported internship section to find out more about what support is available and how it works.
🏫 College life
Colleges are often bigger than school. You might feel nervous about visiting. That's okay. Visiting a college is important. It helps you decide if it's right for you.
👍 What's different?
At college:
- You may have more independence
- Some young people like this
- Some young people prefer more support
❓ Questions to think about
Here are a few questions you may find helpful to think about. You can also talk about them with your parents or teachers.
- Will I need to move between different classrooms?
- What course do I want to study?
- Is it the right level for me?
- How many days a week will I go to college?
🚌 Travel
- How will I get to college?
- How long will it take?
- Do I need help with travel?
👍 Top tip
- It is okay to feel unsure.
- Talking to people can help you decide.
You can find help with travel in the SEND transport section on Help You Choose.
You can find help with finance questions in the money section on Help You Choose.
Did you know that the law says colleges must support disabled students? This is part of an important law called the Equality Act 2010.
The Equality Act 2010 means that colleges must do everything they reasonably can to remove barriers to learning for young people with SEND and and allow them to take part and succeed at college.
Where can I get help?
What support can I get at college?
It depends! You might not need support but if you do, support can include:
- Easy-to-read information
- Mentoring (someone to talk to and guide you)
- Technology to help learning (like laptops or specialist tools)
- Extra help in class (one-to-one or small groups)
- Specialist teaching or note-takers
- Therapies (if you need them)
- Help with living skills or housing
Mainstream colleges support students with SEND, like schools do. They follow rules called the SEND Code of Practice (0–25)
Read about the special educational needs support that is available at some of Norfolk's colleges by hitting the link to the left.
Who can help me?
There will always be a named person in charge of SEND support at a college.
The college should:
- Tell you who they are
- Show you where to go for help
It's a good idea to find out who the person in charge of SEND is when you visit the college to have a look around with them and find out more about the SEND support available there.
Can I do a course to help me feel more confident?
Yes, there are lots of courses that can help you build your confidence.
If you are at school, a careers teacher or SENCO can help you find the right course.
The Help You Choose – Part-time, Flexible and Short Courses section has information about courses that:
- start at different times during the year
- are often shorter than full-time courses
- help you build confidence for your next steps
Additionally, if you are not in work, education, or training (NEET), and are aged 16–18 (or under 25 with an EHCP), you can get free support from an adviser. Contact them:
- Call: 0344 800 8022 📞
- Email: helpyouchoose@norfolk.gov.uk ✉️
Further information and support
>How to apply for courses
You can apply through Help You Choose or if you already know where you want to go, you can apply on the college or sixth form website.
Useful links:
- You can look at full-time courses in Norfolk.
- You can also look at SEND (inclusive learning) courses.
To apply on Help You Choose, you will need to create an account. The videos in the resources section will show you how to do this.
Remember: you can't apply to Specialist further education providers through Help You Choose but this section will show you what you need to do instead.
>Ideas to fill your time if your course is less than 5 days a week
It's important to remember that college or sixth form can be different from school.
- Your course might be 2 or 3 days a week, not 5 days like school.
- This means you may have extra days to plan out.
This can feel confusing, and that's normal. Help You Choose can give you ideas on how to fill your time but it might also be a good idea to talk to a professional, depending on your needs:
- your SENCO (if you are in education)
- your EHCP Coordinator (if you have an EHCP)
Why not check out the ideas and useful links below?
Volunteering - giving your time to help others, without being paid, to gain experience can be really rewarding! See the volunteering section for more information
Work Experience - spending time in a workplace or online to learn skills and understand different jobs can be useful too! See the work experience section for more information
Community - The Community Directory might have some ideas that interest you.
Care Farms - Take a look at the 'Special schools, specialist colleges and other provision' section to find out more cool info about care farms.
Other information in the Education section
