Family Information and Services Hub | National Star College

Where to go

Name

National Star College

Address

Ullenwood
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire

Postcode

GL53 9QU

View GL53 9QU on a map

Notes

Our main campus is in Cheltenham where we offer day and residential placements, we also have provisions in Hereford and Wales both of which are day provision only. We are a national and International provider.

The National Star College has many years’ experience of working with people with limited mobility. Approximately 75% of learners are wheelchair users.

All student areas are accessible for people who use wheelchairs including a ramped stage, hoists in some class rooms and in all accommodation areas, high low tables in most areas, specialist equipment where necessary. All college transport is accessible for people who use wheelchairs.

Costs

Details: Placements are costed individually following an initial assessment.

Availability

Referral not required

Local Offer

Description

We have outstanding multi-disciplinary support, assistive technologies and equipment plus excellent facilities. These include sensory, therapeutic, residential and supported work environments. Our charity also supports students with longer term accommodation and occupation options. Contact us for a visit to find out more or visit our website www.nationalstar.org.

We use a variety of communication and engagement support methods. These are embedded across the curriculum and throughout the learners’ day to day activities and include, Intensive interaction, Makaton, PECS, Visual Timetable, Objects of Reference, AAC devices, Tablets and other assistive technology, specialist support from Speech and Language therapy, IT access and technical support for communication devices.

We offer information and advice and guidance using a number of different media and in different formats. Our website offers a good starting point and will signpost prospective students and their parents or carers to other sources of information.

We support and facilitate an active Parent and Carer Forum within the college.

We have a transition team comprising of a careers advisor and housing specialist who work with learners and their Personalised Learning Mentors to plan for their future living and occupational destinations.

Prospective students are encouraged to attend a college visit day with their parents. Students are offered a multi-disciplinary assessment with their parents or main carer where they have the opportunity to meet with a variety of members of the college team.

Learners are inducted into college over a number of days and careful consideration is given to the views and wishes of them and their parents. Parents are given contact details in college and frequency and method of communication is agreed at admission.

Contact Name

Admissions Team

Contact Telephone

01242 527631

Contact Email

admissions@nationalstar.org

Links

https://www.nationalstar.org

How does the setting/school/college know if children/young people need extra help and what should I do if I think my child/young person may have special educational needs?

All young people wishing to use our service will have an assessment where they will meet and engage with staff from Therapies, Education and Residential services. Those staff will then meet to reflect on their findings from the assessment process to ensure we are able to meet the need of the young person.

How will early years setting/school/college staff support my child/young person?

Required support staff are assessed according to individual needs and activities. Support ratios range from 2:1 to 1:6.

How will the curriculum be matched to my child's/young person's needs?

Learning programmes can be built up flexibly around learner needs so many learners do not follow a pre-prescribed study programme, but may access a range of programmes to meet their needs. All learners have individual and personal timetables.

How will both you and I know how my child/young person is doing and how will you help me to support my child's/young person's learning?

Learners are inducted into college over a number of days and careful consideration is given to the views and wishes of them and their parents.

Parents are given contact details in college and frequency and method of communication is agreed at admission.

What specialist services and expertise are avaliable at or accessed by the setting/school/college?

We employ the following qualified staff:

Teacher
Speech and Language therapists
Physiotherapists
Occupational Therapists
Music therapists
Drama Therapist
Psychologist
Intensive Interaction Specialists
Behavioural specialist
Nurses
Learning support staff
Residential (care) staff
Therapy assistants

What training have the staff supporting children and young people with SEND had? Are any being trained currently?

All staff are trained in Safeguarding, safer working practice, Health & Safety, Equality and Diversity, Moving and Handling and where necessary, Team Teach, Autism, Working with people with ABI and other specialist training.

All teachers hold teaching qualifications.
Personal Learning Coordinators hold teaching qualifications (minimum CTLLs).
All therapists are qualified and registered in their own particular disciplines.
All residential (care) staff hold Diploma in Health and Social Care (or equivalent) at level 2 or above or are working to achieve this.

How accessible is the setting/school/college enviroment?

The National Star College has many years’ experience of working with people with limited mobility. Approximately 75% of learners are wheelchair users.

All student areas are accessible for people who use wheelchairs including a ramped stage, hoists in some class rooms and in all accommodation areas, high low tables in most areas, specialist equipment where necessary. All college transport is accessible for people who use wheelchairs.

We use a variety of communication and engagement support methods. These are embedded across the curriculum and throughout the learners’ day to day activities and include, Intensive interaction, Makaton, PECS, Visual Timetable, Objects of Reference, AAC devices, Tablets and other assistive technology, specialist support from Speech and Language therapy, IT access and technical support for communication devices.

How will the setting/school/college prepare and support my child/young person to join the setting/school/college or the next stage of education and life?

We have a transition team comprising of a careers advisor and housing specialist who work with learners and their Personalised Learning Coordinators to plan for their future living and occupational destinations.

How are the setting's/school's/college's resources allocated and matched to children's/young people's special educational needs?

Every student has a completely tailored plan ensuring all of their needs are met all of the time. We have more than sufficient resources to ensure that no student is evr left out

How is the decision made about what type and how much support my child/young person will receive?

We will review the EHCP and historical records, liaise with parents and caregivers and conduct a 24 hour assessment following which our professional staff will make their recommendations

How are parents involved in the setting/school/college? How can I be involved?