About the College

Photo: Welcome, from some of our current students.
 

Northern Counties College opened in January 2006 as a regional provider of specialist education for young people aged 18 - 25 with complex disabilities. The College is part of the Percy Hedley Foundation and is therefore committed to promoting the rights, needs and aspirations of disabled people through the provision of specialist, high quality services. Our students are recruited from special and mainstream schools within our region. One of the main aims of the College is to develop a further progression route for students when they leave the College and plan to move into a supported work environment or activity.

Northern Counties College is located very close to the centre of Newcastle and uses the local environment to support the curriculum and provide realistic social and cultural opportunities. We make full use of the local metro, light railway system, to travel the region. Using the metro creates opportunities for learner to access learning and leisure facilities across the Tyneside area including museums, art galleries, theatres, cinema's and a variety of shopping outlets. The College is located within easy reach of the metro station and close to local shops and amenities that can be accessed by students. The realistic travel opportunities enable students to develop, consolidate and embed learning in a range of fundamental life sills including mobility, time and money management.

The College is very keen to identify and promote quality work experience placements for all students. The employability Manager identifies employers who are willing to be work experience providers for learners with learning difficulties and disabilities. All students will have this opportunity whilst attending the College.

Where necessary, therapy support is provided to enable students to access the curriculum as effectively as possible. This includes mobility training, physiotherapy, augmentative and alternative communications support, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy.