YOUNG people with special needs will be better prepared for the world of work thanks to a new project at Kirkley Hall.

The Foundation Academy provides five day a week courses for young people with special education needs or disabilities, to help them make the transition from school to working life.

While Northumberland College has previously offered entry level and level 1 courses, this is the first time they have been available over five days a week.

The college has invested in a specially-built classroom and has employed a dedicated course team leader for the new Inspire courses at its Kirkley Hall campus.

Horticulture and animal care are being offered during the first year of the Foundation Academy, which began in September, and were selected because of their therapeutic properties. Courses in catering, sport, travel and tourism will be added to the curriculum in 2017/18.

As part of the programme, students will learn softer skills, including team work, how to travel, handle money and communicate with members of the public. Maths and English is embedded into each Inspire course.

Northumberland College’s head of learning support Barry Fenn said: “The Inspire courses are designed for students with special education needs or disabilities who are unsure what they want to do as part of the transition to adulthood.

“Importantly, the courses are five days a week. We took on board what parents said about being reluctant to send students to further education colleges because the courses were only run over three days.

“Students will receive an understanding of college life that sets them up for the following year to study specialist courses if they want to.”