Our Post-16 Offer

Our Offer

Post-16 | SEND

he Ark is an SEN college dedicated to supporting young people who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), or who have 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 on to other opportunities, we make sure they are confident, capable and ready for their future.

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 support 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 alongside learning
Are developing confidence, independence and skills for adulthood

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 Preparing 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 by 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.

Preparing 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 make sure each young person is supported towards their outcomes.

Our Approach

Student Centred and Supportive

At The Ark, we take a student-centred 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 attention 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, encourage independence 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 with learning, develop essential life skills and prepare for the next stage of their journey in a calm, structured and encouraging environment.

Safeguarding & Wellbeing

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

All staff are trained in safeguarding, and we have clear procedures in place to identify and respond to any concerns. We work closely with families, local authorities and external professionals to make sure 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 emotional regulation and mental wellbeing
Clear routines and trusted adults that students can turn to

Students are encouraged to speak to a member of staff if they are worried or need support, and we make sure 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?

The Ark is approved by the Department for Education as a Specialist Post-16 Institution and is included on the Section 41 list of approved providers. This means young people, or their parents, can request that The Ark is named in their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Post-16 places at The Ark are funded by local authorities and are accessed through the EHCP process. We currently welcome learners from Wigan, St Helens, Warrington and Salford, and we are happy to talk to other local authorities.

Most students join us by:

Attending one of our open evenings
Taking part in a visit and discussion to make sure the placement is the right fit
Attending taster sessions
Requesting that The Ark is named in their EHCP, often at their annual review

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 the right fit for them

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 a member of our team will get back to you.