Post-16 Vocational Education

Practical Learning. Recognised Qualifications. Positive Futures.

The Orchard Equine & Land Based College provides specialist post-16 education for young people aged 16–25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities who benefit from a calm, structured and practical approach to learning.

As a City & Guilds Approved Centre, we combine recognised vocational qualifications with personal development, English and mathematics, digital skills, employability, work-related learning and preparation for adulthood.

Our Current Post-16 Pathways

  • City & Guilds Horse Care at Levels 1, 2 and 3

Planned from September 2027

  • Animal Care at Levels 1, 2 and 3, including dog grooming

  • Land-Based Studies and Horticulture

  • Business and Administration

New programmes are subject to final approval, demand and availability.

Learners develop practical competence, confidence, independence and professional behaviours through meaningful real world experience , preparing them for further education, training, volunteering, employment and adult life.

Growing Confidence. Growing Skills. Growing Futures.

Explore Post- 16 Programmes
Register Interest for September 2027

Post-16 At a Glance

  • Age Range

    Ages 16-25

    Specialist post-16 education for young people with SEND who benefit from practical, personalised learning.

  • Recognised Qualifications

    City & Guilds vocational programmes delivered at an appropriate level according to each learner’s starting point, readiness and aspirations.

  • Personalised Study Programmes

    Learning is planned around the learner’s strengths, support needs, intended outcomes and future goals, not a one size fits all timetable.

  • Skills for life & Work

    Vocational learning is combined with English, mathematics, digital skills, personal development, employability and preparation for adulthood.

  • Learning Through Experience

    Learners develop knowledge, practical competence and professional behaviours through realistic routines, projects and work related experiences.

  • Progression with purpose

    Every programme supports movement towards further education, training, supported internships, volunteering, employment, community participation or greater independence.

Who We Support

Specialist Education Built Around the Individual

The Orchard supports young people aged 16–25 who benefit from a calm, structured and practical alternative to a large or traditional college environment.

We primarily support verbal neurodivergent learners and young people who may have:

  • Autism

  • ADHD

  • Mild or moderate learning difficulties

  • Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs

  • Anxiety or barriers to accessing education

  • Sensory differences

  • Difficulties with confidence, relationships or emotional regulation

  • A history of trauma or disrupted education

  • Low attendance or previous disengagement from learning

  • A strong preference for practical, visual or outdoor education

Learners do not need to be interested in an equine career. Our growing vocational offer creates opportunities across Horse Care, Animal Care, Land-Based Studies, Horticulture, Business and Administration.

Reconnecting with Education

We welcome enquiries concerning young people who are not currently in education, employment or training. A structured vocational programme can provide a meaningful route back into learning while developing confidence, routine, independence and future direction.

Children in Care and Care Leavers

The Orchard welcomes referrals for children in care and care experienced young people, including care leavers up to the age of 25.

Places may be considered where suitable funding and support arrangements are agreed through the Local Authority, Virtual School, Leaving Care service, Children’s Social Care or another authorised organisation.

Our consistent, relationship led environment may be particularly valuable for learners who have experienced disrupted education, changes of placement or difficulties developing trust in educational settings.

Education, Health and Care Plans

Learners may have an Education, Health and Care Plan. Where applicable, personalised learning and progress reviews can be aligned with identified EHCP outcomes and Preparing for Adulthood priorities.

Staffing and Additional Support

Our usual staffing ratio is up to one member of staff for every Six learners.

Where assessment identifies a need for dedicated support, additional 1:1 staffing may be available where it is appropriately funded and agreed as part of the commissioned placement.

Every Enquiry Is Considered Individually

We consider each learner’s:

  • Strengths, interests and aspirations

  • Previous educational experiences and achievements

  • Communication and sensory profile

  • Emotional-regulation and support needs

  • Health, mobility and safety

  • Level of supervision required

  • Vocational readiness and intended outcomes

  • EHCP provision and funding arrangements, where applicable

Learners must be able to communicate their essential needs through spoken language, respond to immediate safety instructions and participate safely within an active equine, animal-care, workshop or outdoor environment.

The Orchard provides specialist education and pastoral support rather than clinical treatment, personal care or constant line-of-sight supervision. A place is offered only where we are confident that we can meet the learner’s needs safely, appropriately and meaningfully.

We begin with the learner, their strengths, their starting point and the future they want to build.

Your Study Programme at The Orchard

More Than a Qualification

Every learner follows a personalised study programme designed around their starting point, vocational interests, support needs, intended outcomes and future aspirations.

A learner’s programme may include:

  • Vocational Qualification

    Learners work towards a recognised qualification at an appropriate level while developing the knowledge and practical competence required within their chosen subject.

    Practical learning is supported by theory, discussion, research, written work, observation and assessment.

  • English & Mathematics

    English and mathematics are developed through meaningful vocational and everyday contexts.

    This may include reading instructions, communicating with others, completing records, measuring, calculating quantities, managing time, understanding costs and using information safely and accurately.

    Where appropriate, learners may also work towards relevant English and mathematics outcomes or qualifications.

  • Science & Digital Skills

    Scientific understanding and digital skills are embedded within vocational learning.

    Learners may explore animal health, behaviour, nutrition, plant growth, environmental processes, workplace technology, online research, digital communication and the recording and presentation of evidence.

  • Personal Development & Wellbeing

    Learners are supported to develop:

    • Confidence and self-belief

    • Emotional awareness and regulation

    • Mindfulness and strategies for wellbeing

    • Resilience and perseverance

    • Communication and positive relationships

    • Trust, empathy and respect

    • Independence and responsibility

    • Problem-solving and decision-making

    The Orchard provides supportive education and pastoral guidance. We do not present this work as therapy or clinical mental health treatment.

  • Employability & Professional Behaviour

    Workplace expectations are introduced and practised throughout each programme.

    Learners develop skills such as:

    • Attendance and punctuality

    • Following instructions and working safely

    • Communication and teamwork

    • Reliability and responsibility

    • Initiative and problem-solving

    • Appropriate workplace behaviour

    • Receiving feedback and improving performance

    • Understanding different job roles and career routes

  • Work Related Learning

    Where appropriate and available, learners may take part in workplace routines, employer engagement, projects, visits, volunteering or work-experience opportunities.

    Activities are selected according to the learner’s readiness, interests, support needs and intended destination.

  • Preparation for Adulthood

    Learners develop skills that support greater independence and participation in adult life.

    This may include:

    • Making choices and expressing preferences

    • Travel awareness and community participation

    • Personal organisation and time management

    • Understanding health, safety and wellbeing

    • Managing responsibilities

    • Building positive relationships

    • Exploring further education, volunteering and employment

    • Planning realistic and aspirational next steps

  • Individual Targets & Reviews

    Learners work towards personalised targets informed by their starting point and intended outcomes.

    Progress is reviewed regularly with the learner and, where appropriate, their family, funding organisation and other involved professionals.

A Post-16 programme at The Orchard develops the whole learner: their vocational competence, personal growth, independence and readiness for the future.

Discuss the Right Programme

The Orchard Learning Framework, Growth Passport and associated programme materials have been developed by The Orchard. Programme content, assessment resources and teaching materials may not be reproduced without permission.