Ealing Hammersmith and West London College

Acton

Main information

Type of service: Further & Higher Education

The Gatehouse provision is based in Acton and West London College, which is part of Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College (EHWLC), providing Grade 1 education for all learners. The Gatehouse is a two year transitional programme / curriculum which has been set up to enable students with a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome or high functioning autism (HFA), to prepare and acquire the skills and qualifications needed to access mainstream provision. (They may go on to study at one of our four sites). We offer students a second year as we understand our learners may require a longer preparation period, prior to mainstream or transition into employment. Students should be performing at an academic level of Entry 3 to level 1 or higher. Previous qualifications are not required but will be a plus when applying for mainstream courses. As part of the application process students will attend a formal interview and undertake diagnostic testing in literacy, numeracy and information and communications technology (ICT). This will provide information needed for the lecturers to provide differentiated teaching and learning in order to make the learning process accessible to all learners. Timetables may change from year to year as the programme is fine-tuned and altered in line with the needs and interests of the students attending. All sessions have embedded Essential skills - literacy, numeracy and ICT. The program runs over a four day week. The course also concentrates on independence skills as part of the work we do, therefore, we consider student's ability to travel, or learn to travel independently and to take independent lunch breaks very important. Travel training can be done in connection with local travel training organisations. We also include various work experience opportunities as part of our curriculum. Our students participate weekly in the running of our college shop 'Shopzila' and other enterprises in order to develop the necessary core employment skills. There is flexibility within the programme for students to attend the Gatehouse and also access mainstream courses. So they can have a split timetable with lecturers liaising with mainstream lecturers so that there is ongoing support offered. The Gatehouse is a transition course at EHWLC that focusses in preparing learners for transition into mainstream study programmes, employment, apprenticeships and trainships. Learners will be able to develop a range of skills necessary to succeed in their next stage of their career and personal development. The course contains sessions that aim to develop: Independence Skills, Vocational Skills, Executive Skills, Communication and Social Skills Employability Skills.