Nottingham Campus
Join Nottingham’s only Ofsted Outstanding specialist college.
If you’re aged 18-25 and have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), our new Nottingham Campus may be the start of an exciting future.
We offer study programmes and work experience in E-sports & Games Development, Gardening & Trades and Retail & Hospitality, all tailored to meet your individual goals.
Portland Comes to Nottingham
Great news! We’re expanding our specialist Further Education provision into Nottingham, so even more people can benefit from the Outstanding Portland experience.
So if you live in or near Nottingham, our easily accessible Nottingham Campus could be perfect for you.
Programmes at Nottingham Campus are available to learners of all levels.
Work experience and Supported Internships are available for you if you’re working on your employability skills. We have excellent links with local employers to help you gain the valuable skills to progress into employment.
Our Preparation for Adulthood sessions are perfect if you’re concentrating on your independence and communication skills.
A range of therapies can also be built into a bespoke programme.
Where we are
Our new Nottingham Campus on Forest Road West is easily accessible from across the city, with great public transport links and drop-off points for taxis.
Learners on the Gardening or Trades programmes will do the practical elements of their course at Wollaton Park.
Our Study Programmes
If you’re looking at improving your employability skills our vocational study programmes are the perfect route. You will gain lots of work experience and vocational skills in your chosen subject and maths and English will be built into your programme. You can choose from:
E-sports & Games Development
If you love gaming then this exciting new course will be right up your street.
Players, designers and other roles are in high demand to support the fast-growing industry of competitive gaming and e-sports and this is a sector where neuro-diverse people really excel.
What will I be doing?
Based at our Nottingham Campus, you will learn about working and competing in the e-sports industry, game design, improving your skills and reaction times, developing communication and staying healthy and safe online.
We have excellent on-site facilities and links with local employers and work experience will be built into your programme.
Gardening & Trades
Be part of restoring the amazing secret garden at Wollaton Park.
Improve your health and well-being by learning outdoors, while gaining lots of independence skills and practical experience.
What will I be doing?
Based at our Nottingham Campus, you’ll learn a wide range of practical skills in your chosen subject:
- Gardening – How to plant, look after and harvest a range of produce.
- Trades – Grounds maintenance and entry level trade skills such as brickwork, carpentry and basic DIY.
All practical elements of the programme will take place at Wollaton Park and work experience will be built into your programme.
Retail & Hospitality
This programme is perfect if you want to work or volunteer in a restaurant, cafe, shop or office.
What will I be doing?
Based at our Nottingham Campus you will learn about working in the retail and hospitality industries.
There are lots of local work experience opportunities so you can experience working in the commercial, public or voluntary sectors.
As you progress through your course, you can choose whether you’d prefer to focus more on retail or hospitality.
Prep for Adulthood Programmes
If you’re more focused on improving your independence, social and communication skills, our Prep for Adulthood programmes are the perfect choice for you.
Based at Nottingham, you will learn basic maths and English skills, as well as work on your independence, social and communication goals.
You can also choose a vocational day across our full range of subjects available at Nottingham and Mansfield. Transport will be provided if you choose a Mansfield-based subject.
When will I be at College?
Whether you choose a Study Programme or a Prep for Adulthood Programme, you will start in September.
You’ll spend 3 days a week at college. A typical week could be:
Day 1 – Tutorials covering Employability or Preparation for Adulthood skills at Nottingham Campus
Day 2 – Improving your English and Maths at Nottingham Campus (if appropriate, you could do GCSE or Functional Skills)
Day 3 – Vocation Day – developing your practical skills in your chosen subject. (At either Nottingham Campus, Wollaton Park or Mansfield Campus – transport will be provided for Mansfield & Wollaton)
Therapies can be built into your programme either at Nottingham or Mansfield if needed.
Your programme will usually last between 1-2 years and will be tailored around the outcomes in your EHCP. This means, we might help you focus on developing your personal skills, or you might choose to study a related qualification up to Level 2.
What’s Next?
When you’ve finished your programme, you might progress into a second year, do a Supported Internship, move into mainstream education or choose to look for paid or voluntary employment.
Your tutor and our Information, Advice, Guidance and Transition (IAGT) Team will help you make your decision.
Who can Apply?
You will need to be aged 18-24 and have an Education, Health and Care Plan to apply.
We offer courses for learners of all levels and we can discuss your individual support needs once you’ve applied.
