We are a  small, mainstream college with an inclusive ethos providing post 16 education and training in the heart of Bermondsey.

​

Students who have a SEN Support Plan or an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan are welcome to apply for placements and these will be considered individually. Please contact the college to discuss your needs.

 

We have been working with young people for over 40 years to support them to build a career for the future and overcome any personal challenges that they may be experiencing. When a young person applies to Bosco, we look at where they are now and where they want to be when they leave. Our staff are committed to providing a fulfilling educational experience through a selection of courses that are tailored to meet a range needs and give each student the skills needed to succeed in their chosen career. 

​

Our study programme offers a range of qualifications from Entry Level to Level 3 in a variety of academic subjects and vocational areas. The study programme is open to all students, and individual timetables will be devised at a suitable level of progression whilst also ensuring additional needs are met.

​

Level 1 and 2 – a flexible programme to build a foundation in vocational training where students can choose a ‘main aim’ such as Childcare or Digital Media as well as boosting their employability skills, digital skills and continuing English and Maths at an appropriate level for the individual (Entry Level, Level 1 or Level 2).  For main aims at Level 2, the range of subject options is broader, including Business, Health and Social Care and Sport alongside continuing to improve in English and Maths towards the universal target of level 2.

​

For those who have already achieved grade 4s at GCSE (Maths, English and other subjects) or those who successfully complete the Level 2 programme then progression to Level 3 may suitable. Each Level 3 student will have their own unique pathway with a modular approach to Level 3 learning that includes the flexibility of Cambridge Technical Qualifications and AS Levels, building their own portfolio of qualifications that can be used to apply for, higher level apprenticeships and university. 

​

Standard Placement – access to a smaller post 16 setting offering a wider range of vocational training options and high-quality alternatives to the typical post 16 programmes offered in other colleges. 

 

Students with Additional Needs (SEND Support Plans) – students who had some support needs or reasonable adjustments when in school may have had these recorded in a SEND Support Plan.

 

This may include specific learning needs such as Dyslexia, medical needs and/or other special educational needs that can be met with the resources usually available in mainstream settings:

For example:

• Reduced class sizes

• Inclusive, neuro-affirming values

• Alternative ways of presenting and recording work

• Multi-modal or multi-sensory teaching approaches

• Advice from a specialist teacher

• Support to structure and prioritise workload such as checklists, organisers and breaking tasks into chunks

• Adapted language when giving instructions, visual instructions and alternatives

• Pre- and post- teaching sessions for repetition, overlearning and consolidation 

• Support from a Teaching Assistant within a group

• Movement breaks, brain breaks and fidget toys, access to a quiet space for regulation

• Supportive seating arrangements within the classroom

• Use of assistive technology

 

Students with Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans - for students with EHC Plans, applications are made through consultation with their Local Authority (LA). Through agreement with the LA, Bosco is able to offer provisions and interventions that are different from and in addition to what is ordinarily available within a mainstream setting. 

For example: 

• A smaller setting, compared to other post 16 providers

• Small group teaching

• Differentiated curriculum and/or modified tasks

• Structured interventions to improve English and Maths, ideally to the universal standard (GCSE grade 4) or as part of a Functional Skills Curriculum

• Support from a Teaching Assistant in small groups, pairs or individually

• Speech and Language Therapy and/or social skills interventions

• Art Therapy

• Music Therapy

• Enhanced Pastoral Care and Coaching

• Dyslexia Specialist Teaching 

• Learning Disability Specialist Teaching 

• Trauma Informed Approaches

 

For those with an EHC Plan who are seeking to extend their vocational training and put their skills into practice, we are able to offer a Supported Internship Programme within a food service setting. We have our own community coffee shop, Boscoffee, where interns work with industry professionals and job coaches to boost their skills before entering the job market. This programme aims to expand the reach of Bosco’s Salesian ethos of enabling students to thrive academically, socially and spiritually with their communities. 

​

As with all students entering Post 16 education, interest and motivation to study the subjects chosen is an essential first step to success. Student choice and voice will be a key part of the application process at Bosco. 

​

Bosco is a mainstream, vocational college that aims to prepare students for adulthood, employment and a career beyond college. We do however have an incredibly inclusive ethos, and our staff are experienced in supporting students with the following types of needs and, where applicable, diagnoses:

• Neurodivergent students (e.g. autism, ADHD, specific learning difficulties) who are achieving at or close to Age Related Expectations.

• Students with mild to moderate learning needs 

• Students with medical and physical health related needs that present as a barrier to learning

• Students who have a history of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and/or trauma and/or social, emotional and mental health needs 

​

Students who require dedicated 1:1 support for safety and supervision, who regularly present with behaviours that challenge or whose learning and attainment is significantly below age related expectations will not be well placed within the mainstream setting. 

​