Orchard Hill College

Orchard Hill College is an Outstanding specialist College offering life-changing learning opportunities to young people and adults. We have six vibrant College centres across London and Surrey where committed, specialist teams deliver a range of programmes to meet the needs of our students.

As an Outstanding College we are committed to improving opportunities and outcomes for our students, this is at the heart of everything we do. For young people, especially those with special needs or who experience other barriers to learning, the world can present many challenges. All young people deserve to leave education confident that they have developed the skills they need to achieve their ambitions, with meaningful education, work and life experiences to draw on. This is the confidence we aim to deliver.

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Who can attend Orchard Hill College?

Students who study with us have a wide range of needs including:

• Profound and multiple learning disabilities
• Moderate learning difficulties
• Physical and sensory impairments
• Mental health and/or emotional difficulties
• Communication and behavioural difficulties
• Social and communication disorders e.g. Autistic Spectrum Disorders
• Specific medical needs

All students are individual and each programme is as unique as they are from Skills for Work and Living, Foundation Skills for Life to our WorkStart programmes. Our programmes are designed to support and empower each student to achieve their aspirations and goals, whilst developing skills to become more independent members of their community.

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What course will I be on?

We have eight different courses and you will be assessed to ensure you are on the most appropriate course

1. Foundation Skills for Life
2. Skills for Work and Living
3. WorkStart
4. Pre-Traineeships/Traineeships (18-19 & 19 with an EHCP)
5. Pre-Traineeships/Traineeships (19-24)
6. Into Work - Work Experience
7. Into Work - Enterprise Course
8. Return to Employment

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How will the College staff support me?

Specialist Therapists at Orchard Hill College undertake clinical assessments in the form of both formal and informal assessments in order to establish the level of input required. Therapists provide therapy using a multi-layered approach in order to support the students in both independence and education. These approaches can be direct 1:1 sessions or group sessions. Programmes are developed by therapists and delivered by trained members of the curriculum team. Programmes are embedded into the student’s day at College and are reviewed by therapists as required. Therapists also assess and review specialist equipment.

Therapists work closely with the teaching team and liaise with homes, parents and carers as well as other health professionals. The type of therapy offered is based on the student’s clinical need and the influence it will have on the student’s learning, independence and quality of life. The model of universal, targeted and specialist levels is used. Delivery of therapeutic interventions is not necessarily specific to weekly hours but over a period of time to ensure goals are supported/achieved. This may be in the form of staff training/upskilling, group or 1:1 sessions.

Within Orchard Hill College we have:

• Occupational Therapists
• Speech and language therapists
• Physiotherapists
• Music therapists
• Hydrotherapy

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Where can I study?

Following an assessment by the team, students can study at one of our six College centres across London and Surrey. Each centre is different but all have strong links with the community.

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Vocational Progression Centre, Carshalton

VPC is for students aged 16+ and can accommodate between 70-80 students. The centre has strong links with the community and students at this centre regularly access two working allotments.

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Beaconsfield Centre, New Malden

Beaconsfield is located within a quiet residential setting and is in walking distance of the town centre. The centre can accommodate 50-60 students aged 16+.

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Lomond House, Camberwell

Lomond House is situated just off Camberwell Green and is next to the library, in the heart of this vibrant area. Lomond House can accommodate up to 50 students aged 16+.

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The Vocational Centre, Wandsworth

The Vocational Centre is co-located with Nightingale Community Academy and has access to vocational facilities including the farm and allotment, industry kitchen, mechanical workshop and hairdressing salon. The centre currently accommodates 20 students aged 16+.

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Wyvern House, Uxbridge

Wyvern House is near Uxbridge town centre and has a large kitchen and open space. The centre can accommodate between 70-100 students aged 16+.

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How do I get a place at Orchard Hill College?

Come along to one of our Open Events and you can meet the teams, have a look at the College facilities and ask any question you may have.

Once you have visited one of the College centres and you decide that you’re interested in joining us then please complete an Expression of Interest form. The expression of interest form is available to download on our website www.orchardhill.ac.uk or call on 0345 402 0453 and our admissions team will send you a form in the post.

Once we have received your completed form, you may be invited for an assessment and we will advise you if we can offer you a place.

If you are applying for the Building Skills for Independence course you may be invited to a Transition Programme to support your transition into College.