Our Post-16 Offer

Our Offer

Post-16 | SEND

The Ark is a SEN College dedicatd to supporting young people who have an Education, Health and Care Plan or those with SEND and SEMH needs. We provide a nurturing, structured, and aspirational environment where every student is supported to thrive. Our focus is on helping learners build essential skills, gain recognised qualifications, and prepare for meaningful next steps—whether that’s further education, training, or employment.

We are committed to delivering high-quality information, advice, and guidance (IAG), supporting students with their transition into adulthood. Whether learners continue their journey with us or move onto other opportunities, we ensure they are confident, capable, and ready for their future.

We believe that with the right support, every young person can make progress and achieve their potential.

Who We support

Our Post-16 Provision is designed for young people aged 16-25 who benefit from a smaller, more supportive learning environment and a personalised approach to education.

We suppport young people who:

Have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
Have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)
May have found mainstream education challenging
Benefit from structure, routine, and consistent relationships
Need additional pastoral or emotional support alongisde learning
Are developing confidence, independence, and skills for adulthod

Preparation to Adulthood (PfA)

Preparing young people for life beyond education is central to our Post-16 provision at The Ark. We support students to develop the skills, confidence, and independence they need for their next steps.

Our approach to Preparation for Adulthood focuses on four key areas:

Employment & Careers

We support students to explore future pathways through vocational learning and practical experiences, careers guidance and goal setting and support with progression into further education, training, or employment.

Independent Living

Students are encouraged to build independence through developing everyday life skills, understanding routines, responsibilities, and decision-making and gaining confidence in managing their own learning and time.

Community Inclusion

We help students feel confident and included by encouraging positive social interactions, building communication and teamwork skills and supporting participation in activities beyond the classroom.

Health & Wellbeing

Wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. We support students to understand and manage their emotions, develop strategies for self-regulation and resilience and build healthy routines and positive relationships.

Preparation for Adulthood is embedded across the curriculum and wider college life, ensuring that learning is meaningful, relevant, and focused on long-term outcomes.

We work closely with families and professionals to ensure each young person is supported towards their outcomes.

Our Approach

Student Centred and Supportive

At The Ark, we take a student-centerd and supportive approach to Post-16 education. We understand that young people learn best when they feel safe, understood and valued.

Our Approach focuses on:

Small group learning, allowing staff to give time and attendtion to each student
Consistent routines and clear expectations, helping learners feel secure and confident
Strong relationships between students and staff, built on trust and respect
Individualised support, shaped around each young person’s strengths, needs, and goals

We recognise that some learners may have experienced anxiety, disengagement, or barriers to learning in the past. Our staff take time to rebuild confidence, encourafe indeoendence, and support emotional wellbeing alongside academic and vocational learning.

Support at The Ark may include:

Pastoral and mentoring support
Adapted teaching approaches and learning strategies
Emotional regulation and wellbeing support
Close communication with families and professionals

Our aim is to help young people re-engage wiht learning, develop essential life skills and prepare for the next stage in their journey in a clam, structured, and encouraging environment.

Safeguarding & Wellbeing

At The Ark, the safety and wellbeing of our stduents is our highest priority. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and nrturing environment where young people feel secure and able to learn.

All staff are trained in safeguarding and child protection, and we have clear procedures in place to identify and respond to any cocnerns. We work closley with families, Local Authorities, and external profesionals to ensure students are supported appropriately.

We also recognise the importance of emotional wellbeing. Our Post-16 provision includes:

Pastoral and mentoring support
A calm and structured environment
Support with emtoional regulation and mental wellbeing
Clear routines and trusted adults that students can turn to

Students are encoruaged to speak to a member of staff if they are worried or need support, and we ensure concerns are taken seriously and handled with sensitivity.

We believe that young people learn best when they feel safe, supported, and understood.

Enrolment & Admissions

Thinking about joinging the ark?

Our Post-16 places at The Ark are primarly funded by Local Authorities and are usually accessed through the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process.

Most students join us by:

Attending our Open Evenings
Naming The Ark as their preferred college during their Annual Review
Taking part in a visit and discussion to ensure the placement is the right fit
Taster sessions

If a young person would like to join us and we are confident we can meet their needs, we will make a conditional offer, subject to Local Authority funding approval.

We understand that the Post-16 transition can feel complex, and we aim to guide families through each stage of the process. Families and young people are welcome to contact us directly to:

Ask questions
Arrange a visit
Discuss whether The Ark may be suitable for

We work closely with families and the Local Authority to support a smooth and informed transition into Post-16 education.

For more information about enrolment, please email: info@thearkwigan.com and someone will get back to you.