The North East Autism Society (NEAS) is currently renovating a disused building at their Newton Aycliffe site to extend Thornbeck College to offer more vocational courses for people with autism.
Thornbeck College is the only Independent Specialist College in the North East graded Outstanding by Ofsted.
The College provides personal study programmes for learners with autism learning difficulties and, or disabilities. Programmes focus onequipping learners with the skills that they need for living and work. The College have developed a range of vocational pathways which currently include; floristry, retail and horticulture. These pathways provide opportunities for learners to develop work related skills in real –life-working environments.
The College are in the process of further increasing their vocational pathways and are currently refurbishing another building on the site. This development was made possible by a successful bid to the Education Funding Agency Independent Specialist Provider Building Improvement Fund and this contribution will fund 50% of this £375,000 development.
Christine Dempster, Director of Education at NEAS said; “This new building will enable the college to increase its offer of vocational pathways available to learners and will include car maintenance, woodwork and catering.” For more information about Thornbeck College please call 01325 328088 or email college@ne-as.org.uk
