prospectus

Specialist further education for students aged 16 to 25

A place for developing skills, independenceand confidence

Bridge College is an inspiring specialist college for 16 to 25 year olds. We are at the forefront of our field for developing skills, independence and confidence for each student who may have disabilities, complex needs or autism.

At Bridge, we stand out from the crowd because of our expert team of in-house therapists, support staff and teachers who get to know and work closely with each student to help with the positive transition to independent living.

We believe in putting you, the student, at the heart of everything we do. We are here to provide a bridge which enables you to live your life to the full and go on to enjoy a future where you are confident and able to achieve your goals.

Our college is part of the Together Trust, a charity that is approaching its 150 year anniversary of working with young people with learning disability and autism. With experience, comes excellence.

Like the Together Trust itself, here at Bridge College we believe that everybody deserves an equal chance in life - there are no exceptions.

Come to Bridge College and see for yourself what we do. Phone now to arrange a visit. I look forward to meeting you and supporting you for your future.

Lisa Duncalf Principal, Bridge College

everybody deserves an equal chance. No exceptions!

The Principal sets a clear vision, based on high expectations for staff, and staff support recent changes to improve further the learners’ experience.

osted, 2014

We are the only Makaton centre of excellence in the North West.

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You’re in safe hands with the right support

You have a range of needs that are unique to you. At Bridge College, we will offer bespoke, person-centred support to ensure that you can enjoy your education to the full. We will enable you to learn in a positive environment that always focuses on what you do well and what you bring to the Bridge College community.

Our college is particularly unique because we have so many inspiring and supportive in-house experts that will support you in your learning. So even if you have the most diverse and complex needs, we can give you the best support to meet your needs.

As part of the Together Trust charity, we have nearly 150 years of experience which places us at the fore-front when it comes to supporting our learners with a range of needs including:

• Sensory / Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties

• Autism

• Visual impairment

• Acquired Brain Injuries

• Down Syndrome

• Cerebral Palsy

• Communication difficulties

Our programmes are designed to meet your individual requirements. You are our focus. This is ‘The Bridge Way.’

You ‘re unique. Let’s focus on you!

supporting you through our experience

Nathan has severe learning disabilities and lots of health problems. He’s getting everything he needs here. Living skills are what I want for him in life and I think that this is the place for him.

parent, 2014

AT BrIDgeyou

Are AT The ceNtre

Of WhAT We DO

Makaton centre of excellence

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AT BrIDgeWe STrIVe TO COnSTAnTLY

iMprove AnD iNNovAte

“five years ago I was in a car accident that changed my life.

I woke up in hospital to find I couldn’t move the right side of my body and had lost all speech. I felt frustrated, angry and depressed.

After my initial stay in hospital, I began to rebuild my life. Before I started at Bridge College, I had never been to a specialist school or college so I didn’t know what to expect.

As my confidence improved, I started doing more things in college to push myself. for example, I frequently use the hydro pool, which helps me to walk by strengthening my muscles.

Being at Bridge College has helped me to feel much more positive – it’s helped me to rebuild my life.”

rachel Stevens, a specialised speech and language therapists at Bridge College, encouraged Steven to develop his non verbal communication by making better use of gestures and also suggested he tried out a hi-tech communication aid as another way to share his thoughts, feelings and opinions.

Steven is now able to interact with others in ways he couldn’t otherwise have done - an important step towards achieving his goals.

steven’s story it’s helped me rebuild my life!

As my confidence improved, I started doing more things in college to push myself.

Steven

Rachel

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A college for you, led by you

Bridge prides itself on its success within the area of developing students’ communication skills. We know, more than most, that good communication requires good listening.

We value the student voice and it shapes how we work, how you study and how we help you to develop your skills for life beyond college.

We are experts in using a range of specialist communication methods – a total communication approach – which enables students to express their choices and preferences for themselves. the students ask and we deliver.

Our students work closely with our speech and language therapy team who support the curriculum team to promote and value all methods of communication including signing, symbols, voice output communication aids and other technologies such as eye gaze.

We know that the learning experience expands beyond the classroom. We develop individual learning packages which help you to achieve your ambitions. We stay aware of your possibilities, your interests and how you make friends.

To support this belief, we use person centred planning to identify your aspirations and goals to create a learning programme that is bespoke to you.

Have your say

experts close to hand

Made with you in mind

The college has an excellent team of therapists who help learners to access and make the most of their learning.

osted, 2014

Makaton centre of excellence

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reach your goals, your way

You choose your own path. Where do you want to be? We work with you to identify your goals and we help you to achieve those goals through a tailor-made curriculum programme.

Come and develop your skills through subjects you will enjoy. These include:

• horticulture

• Art and media

• Daily living skills

• Community access

• Music and performance

• Sport and outdoor education

• Duke of edinburgh Award Scheme

To enable you to meet your aspirations and goals you may want to access a mainstream college as well as Bridge. Bridge College specialist staff can support you in creating a blended package.

Want to know more? give us a call and we’ll be happy to speak to you about the right path for you.

Learners! You’re on the right path

it doesn’t stop there

Learners make very good progress in developing their confidence, communication skills, independence and ability to make choices for themselves.

osted, 2014 Makaton centre of excellence

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What do you want to do? We’ll help you get there.

We have a strong track record in delivering a wide range of vocational and work-related opportunities for our students. Work placements have included opportunities at Manchester City football Club, hairdressing at the Manchester College, working in food banks for The Trussel Trust, shopping for the elderly in eastlands homes and being photographers for a charity.

crossing the bridge to work

A recipe for your success!

AT BrIDge We ALL WOrk fOr The SAMe gOAL - Your success!

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Our multi million pound state of the art facilities at Bridge College and our caring and expert therapists bring tremendous benefits that can’t be matched elsewhere. We know that our facilities and therapy input have a huge impact on your learning, enabling increased independence, communication skills and preparing you for adult life.

Bridge College was purpose built for you and your needs. We’ve got everything covered with a hydrotherapy pool, rebound therapy, sensory integration and specialist bikes. We also have a highly specialised 4D sensory learning space.

Our students love the state of the art learning environment and resources. At Bridge College. We also have occupational therapists who are trained to use a Sensory Integration approach so that students can maintain a calm alert state and enjoy the best possible opportunities for learning.

At Bridge College, we stand out from the crowd because we have a team of specialists who will get to know you and your needs and, as well as being experts in their field.

We have physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, a behaviour team, qualified nurses and assistive technology specialists. When you need in depth knowledge and support, you’ll find it here.

Our therapy team also work with your family and external providers to ensure that you get the best support at Bridge College and beyond.

unrivalled facilities

specialistknowlege

The standard of accommodation and resources to support learning are excellent.

ofsted, 2014

We are the only Makaton centre of excellence in the North West. We have been judged by The Makaton Charity to be using Makaton signs and symbols to a consistently high standard across all areas of the college and we have a high number of qualified Makaton trainers and offer all of our staff the

opportunity to complete the Makaton Beginners and follow Up training courses to ensure they are able to effectively use Makaton to support students’ communication and learning.

our facilities, your opportunities!

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AT BrIDge YOU CAn ACCeSSstAte of tHe Art

TeChnOLOgY!

experience the magic of our

innovative technology

When you study at Bridge you will access state of the art technology to promote your learning.

We are experts in using a wide range of access methods including eye gaze, touch screens and switch technology. This ensures all students have a creative and varied learning experience.

Our assistive technology team move at a pace that is in keeping with the latest developments to help you in your learning and communication. Our assistive technologists are actively involved in research projects with local universities which places us at the cutting edge of this exciting field.

As part of our technologically advanced learning environment, our 4D immersive space allows you to be transported to a range of exciting experiences. You can experience being the first man on the moon, visit new York and see underwater tropical fish. Importantly, the space allows you to become familiar with the sights and sounds of community environments such as your local supermarket, which helps you build skills in a safe and supported learning environment.

You learn at your pace

We are proud of our Assistive Technologists who enable students to push the boundaries of what they are able to accomplish within their communication, independence and creativity.

Lisa Duncalf, principal 1514

Makaton centre of excellence

The college works very well with families and community services to ensure learners’ skills are sustained when they leave college. osted, 2014

Makaton centre of excellence

At Bridge College we ensure we equip you to develop sustainable skills for your future. This may be in a work environment, access to further education day services or through helping you to be more independent at home.

Bridge is a strong community as well as a College. You can join us and leave us knowing that we will offer support and training to new providers and families to ensure you maintain and develop new skills after your time with us.

The best way to understand what we can offer is to come and visit for yourself. give us a call and we’ll be happy to chat or to arrange a visit.

See back page for our contact details. We look forward to meeting you.

Bridging the gap

parent, 2014

It’s like home from home. It’s a brilliant place. You can speak to anyone at any time.

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To find out more about Bridge College please contact:

Bridge collegeOpenshaw Campus, Whitworth Street Manchester M11 2GR

0161 487 4293

Registered charity number 209872

https://www.facebook.com/bridgecollege

@Bridge_College

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At Bridge college we also provide extensive stand alone training and support. for more information or to request a therapy Booklet, please contact Kate Duggan, clinical services Manager, on 0161 487 4293

Bridge CollegeSpecialist further education for students aged 16 to 25

A guide to our Therapy Input and Training Programme