Hugh Baird College

Hugh Baird College Logo

Further Education College in South Sefton providing a range of courses for 14+ students.

Courses:

Access to Higher Education;  Accounting,  Art, Design, Fashion & Textiles;  Business, Law & Administration;  Childcare, Connect for 16-18 Year Olds; Construction, Engineering, Electrical & Plumbing; English & Maths, ESOL and EFL, Floristry, Hairdressing, Beauty & Make Up;  Health & Social Care; Hospitality - L20 Hotel  School; Information Technology; Learning for Life,  Media & Photography; Music & Music Technology; Prince's Trust Team Programme; Public & Uniformed Services; Sport & Outdoor Education; Science, Teaching & Education, Travel & The Visitor Economy; Vehicle Technology

Full support assessments are carried out by our specialist staff to enable appropriate allocation of in-class academic and out-of-class care support as required, plus one-to-one additional teaching support. We are also able to provide a range of adaptive and assertive technology and software depending on the needs of the student.

Entry is by application form and interview. Entry requirements vary according to the level of the course applied for and are detailed in the college's prospectus.

Personal visits to view the College's Learner Support facilities can be made by arrangement with the Learning Support Coordinator.

At Hugh Baird we offer a SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) provision within the mainstream college- this is called Learning for Life, this curriculum develops learners’ skills for life and prepares them for future vocational study and employment. Class sizes are reduced with enhance learning support and care support for learners whose needs require this. Learners have opportunities to undertake related work experience and enrichment opportunities whilst studying qualification from Entry 2 to Level 1. Many learners then progress to the mainstream college or Foundation learning. For the first-year learning for life is offering a 25+ programme for adults with SEND to enhance their well-being and confidence.

Foundation learning offers the following courses, Prince’s Trust, Vocational Pathways, Connect, Hugh Choose, Level 2 extended Certificate in Employability, Youth Work Practitioner. Learners commonly have low to no entry level grades and achieve a range of qualifications in the area whilst undertaking a study programme to develop their maths and English skills to gain confidence and employability skills. Specialist tutors nurture and support learners through any previous barriers to learning whilst setting high expectations and raising aspirations. Knowledge skills, behaviour and attitudes to learning, are a key focus in foundation studies where many learners then progress onto Level 2 or high further education or gain employment. Learners are diverse and range from potentially NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) young people, learners with SEND or those studying their first level 1.

Click here to download a copy of Hugh Baird's Local Offer Information.

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Who to contact

Contact Name
Jenny Quinn
Contact Position
Head of Learner Support
Telephone
0151 353 4444 ext. 5850 0151 353 4444 ext. 5850
E-mail
Website
https://www.hughbaird.ac.uk
Social Media
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Where to go

Name
Hugh Baird College
Address
Balliol Road
Bootle
Merseyside
Postcode
L20 7EW
View L20 7EW on a map Get directions to L20 7EW

Other Details

Video

Local Offer

Description

Sefton Supported Internship Programme

The Sefton Supported Internship Programme enables young people, aged 16-24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan, to access real employment opportunities.

Initially delivered by Southport College, the programme has been expanded to include Hugh Baird College. By working with local businesses, the Colleges are able to place students with suitable employers with the aim of securing paid employment at the end of the programme.

Access to Work funded Job Coaches are in place to support the young person throughout the whole process, ensuring that the programme meets the requirements of the employer and the future employee.

Placements move at an appropriate pace depending upon the needs of the learner, building up to up to 3 days a week at the employer and resulting in the student increasing confidence, ability and experience.

While part of the programme involves the student attending College, the key aim is for the student to develop the experience and skills to demonstrate his/her value in the workplace.

Local Offer Age Bands
11-15 Years Old
16-19 Years Old
20-25 Years Old

Schools Extended Local Offer Response

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?

Local authorities, support services and external agencies will contact the Learner Support department at Hugh Baird College to identify a learner with specific needs.

A prospective learner may contact the college to inform of their needs at interview, enrolment or any point in the academic year to highlight potential support requirements.

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

We can provide support in-class to an individual, small group and provide additional teaching and/or care support outside of lessons.

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

A link Additional Support Lecturer will liaise with course tutors to ensure the curriculum meets your needs. Relevant information is transferred to ProMonitor where tutors can gather details on your preferred learning style and use strategies that help you learn better.  

Some of strategies learners most commonly request are as follows: 

  • Adapted learning materials (e.g., overlays, coloured paper, enlarged print)
  • Copies of presentations/handouts issued to you in advance
  • Dictaphones to record lectures to help with revision
  • Additional time allocated to complete tasks
  • Reassurance that you won’t be asked to read aloud in class
  • Time out breaks during lessons if you feel stressed or have difficulty concentrating
  • Access arrangements in exams, such as extra time, a separate room, use of a reader, scribe, etc.
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?

Parents/carers will be able to check your progress at college by speaking to your Study Programme Coordinator. They take responsibility in making sure you have a positive experience at college and support you if you have any problems. If there are issues with your attendance, behaviour or progress on your course, your Study Programme Coordinator will help you overcome these problems. 

There are two Parents’ Evening’ and one ‘Meet the Tutor’ Evening throughout the academic year. Hugh Baird College also offers the Parent Portal which is a way to check a learner’s progress and performance online.

What support will there be for my child's/young person's overall well being?

Some of our students are particularly vulnerable, perhaps due to a more complex learning difficulty or disability. If you have care needs, Hugh Baird College can provide you with:

  • Care Assistants outside of lessons to meet and greet you when you arrive at college. They will escort you to and from classrooms and be available at lunch and break times to reassure you, help you feel safe, interact with others, assist buying lunch, etc. They will also wait with you before your transportation arrives.
  • Support for personal care, such as toileting those with physical needs. We have excellent adapted equipment like hoists and evacuation chairs.
  • Medical care and storage of certain medication.
  • Access to a quieter area.
  • Support to help you communicate with others.

Care Assistants all wear black uniforms so they are identifiable.

NB: Relevant information is shared with other college staff to ensure everyone who works with you understands what they need to do to support you. The College understands the sensitivity of certain information so it can be kept confidential and only shared with your consent.

Further support with social skills

Hugh Baird College is a fantastic place to meet people and make new friends. We know some learners have difficulty with this. Therefore, we have care staff on hand to reassure you and give assistance in between lessons. We can also work with Autism Initiatives if you have autism or similar difficulties to improve your communication skills and help to mentor you with the day to day demands of being a student. You will have a learning plan which sets out targets for you to work towards and boost your self-esteem.

What pastoral support is there?

The College has recently been graded as ‘Outstanding’ when it comes to safeguarding learners. We have an excellent Student Services team responsible for your wellbeing whilst at college. They include:

  • Retention and Progression Officers

  • Health and Wellbeing Officer

  • College Counsellor

  • College Chaplain

Our priority is to ensure every student has a positive experience in college, and is able to stay on their course and achieve their goals. We set high standards and also offer a Learning Mentor for 14-16 provision to ensure behaviour is monitored, so where possible a learner stays in college and succeeds.

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

Specialist dyslexia tuition, communicators and opportunities to bring in other support services such as Autism Initiatives (OSSME).

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

Our ASLs have a wide range of qualifications associated with working with SEN, and undergo continuing professional development to ensure they are familiar with the latest advances in supporting students. In addition, we work with teaching staff to ensure they understand the specific needs of our individual students. We also deliver in-house training to teaching staff on strategies that can be adopted along with training in assistive technology.Ongoing training programmes in safeguarding, health & safety, equality & diversity, etc. enable our support staff, as well as our teaching staff, provide an outstanding inclusive environment.

How will my child/young person be included in activities outside this classroom including school trips?

Your child/young person will be able to access trips and educational visits with care support if this is required.

Our ASLs work closely with teaching staff to ensure you are able to take part in college trips on your course. They arrange for the necessary academic and/or care support to be put in place and assist you on your trip. In addition, they will arrange accessible transportation, ensure the venue is accessible, organise accommodation and make all reasonable adjustments so you can participate fully in the activities.

How accessible is the setting/school/college enviroment?

Learner Support is a department dedicated to meeting the needs of young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The Learner Support office is situated in B148 of the Balliol building and the ASLs provide their teaching in a specialist area on the ground floor, which enables suitable access for learners with mobility difficulties. The department offers several teaching/assessment rooms, including assistive technology adapted seating and signage that reflects aspects of SEN. Learner Support also provides learners with overlays, coloured paper, enlarged print and specialist materials upon request.

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?

Coming to a new environment is always challenging, so lots of preparation is required to help prepare you for the next stage of your education. We work closely with our partners in local schools and Sefton Council to identify those who need support with this. This support can include: 

  • Visiting the College and looking at our facilities, perhaps at a quiet time of the day.
  • Meeting the teaching and support staff.
  • Taking part in ‘taster’ activities (‘Get on Course’ days) to help you get comfortable with college.
  • Planning the support you will need at college.

Once you are approaching the end of the course, we can support you with planning your next steps. This can include: 

  • Identifying another course for you to progress onto at Hugh Baird College.
  • Passing information to another college/university if you are continuing your education elsewhere.
  • Providing you with guidance about employment opportunities and supporting you to apply for jobs.
  • Referring you to other agencies, such as Shaw Trust, Career Connect and Job Centre Plus to support you into employment or other training opportunities.
How are the setting's/school's/college's resources allocated and matched to children's/young people's special educational needs?

Further Education colleges are provided with funds for 16-18 year olds by the Education Funding Agency (EFA) and are also provided with a budget for 19+ by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA). Your individual needs will be assessed by one of our ASLs as detailed above. It is the responsibility of the Director of Student Experience to ensure we us our funding effectively to meet your individual needs.

If your needs are particular complex, we may need to work with Sefton Council to identify additional ‘High Needs’ funding to cover these costs.

 

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

You will meet your link ASL in Learner Support who will assess your needs and work with you to plan your support. This can involve discussion with your parents, carers or other professionals who work with you. 

This support is reviewed at least twice a year and you will also have an opportunity to let us know how you are feeling through online student questionnaires and the Learner Support focus group. We will talk to you to see how you are doing and ask for feedback on staff who teach you. We will encourage you to become as independent as possible, but we aim to ensure you have enough support to reach your full potential.

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

Parents can attend interviews with their son/daughter and also liaise with the Learner Support department to ensure their child has things in place for when term starts.

Last Updated

Last updated: 14/07/2023

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