Join us for our Common Leys Farm Open Day on the 19th of March!

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An inclusive environment in which to communicate, develop and learn

We develop life skills through a variety of enrichment activities, social opportunities and work experience. This includes our social enterprise project which is run at Common Leys Farm.

All courses enable students to further develop relevant English and maths skills, and where appropriate, students will have the opportunity to access a variety of therapeutic care, such as Speech & Language (SALT), Physio and Occupational Therapy (OT).

The Pathways department is like its own small community, where you will make new friends, discover new interests, go on exciting trips and have a lot of fun along the way. We can't wait for you to come and join us!

Celebrating student achievements!

Our Pathways students have made it to the Lord’s Taverners Table Cricket Finals at Lord’s Cricket Ground for the last 3 years. The students enjoy working with their friends and getting active, building teamwork, communication skills and confidence. The winning trophy has been just out of reach, but we remain determined to win it one day!

WikiMe

The College has invested in the digital learning tool, WikiMe. It allows students to upload videos and images, set goals and more importantly set up a circle of friends, all in a safe and secure setting. Pathways 2 students are so proficient with the tool that they show students from Pathway 1 how to use it!

The software also allows staff to set goals, to evidence tasks being completed and even message students off-site on work experience to be able to update progress.

Building confidence and becoming more independent through learning

Our Pathways programme is designed specifically for young people with a range of SEN needs who currently have an EHCP.

On Pathways, there is support at every point of your journey, with transition workers here to make that change from school as smooth as possible. There are 3 different Pathway routes:

  • Communication – for those with profound and multiple learning difficulties, who depend on adults for all their care needs.
  • Independence –focusing primarily on consolidating independent living skills and developing academic and communication skills.
  • Employability – focusing on developing the necessary skills needed for future employment opportunities.

Finding the right route for you will help to build your confidence and set you on the path to achieving your goals!

SEN Information for Parents

Did you know?

Our Pathways students regularly take part in Arts & Crafts and Horticulture activities, as part of a social enterprise work experience project, and the products they make and grow are then sold to the public to fund future projects!

It's not all classroom-based learning for our Pathways students! We encourage students to engage in fun activities outside in the fresh air too!

Dominic

Previous school:
Furze Down School

When Dominic first arrived at Witney on the Pathways course in 2022, he lacked verbal communication skills, (relying mainly on sign language and one-word answers), numeracy, and unaware of danger and the environment around him. Two years on, he is thriving with noticeable changes. Dominic’s parents saw a 100% improvement in his abilities to include speech and language, practical skills, confidence, and general awareness of the world around him. They were impressed that the team has a great sense of “duty of care” towards students focusing on their individual needs. The attention to detail within the curriculum is unquestionable and staff get to know their students on a one-to-one basis, adding:

"We would recommend this course and attendance at Witney to any parents with young adults who have special needs.”

Lewis

Previous school:
Woodgreen School

Lewis joined Pathways in 2022 and has now progressed to a Supported Internship. As part of this, Lewis also continues to come to college one day a week on a Friday where he learns English and maths as well as skills needed for employability. Lewis heard about Pathways from a teacher at his school, who thought it would be the right fit for him. Lewis has studied English and maths all the way through and he is now learning Level 1 Functional Skills in both subjects.

Lewis’s internship is with Yarnton Care Home where he works three days a week where he does a variety of tasks including property maintenance and taking the clients out on trips. He really enjoys the variety and getting to know all the different people and is hoping to transition into paid employment there once his internship has finished.

Lewis says the best thing about college is the staff who are lovely, caring, and helpful and have really helped build his confidence.

Craig

Previous school:
Springfield School

Craig joined the College in Witney on the Pathways programme in 2023 and he is now in his 2nd year. During his first year, Craig worked hard to pass his English and maths at Entry Level 1. He is now progressing to Entry Level 2 in both subjects, which is a significant step up, including more advanced division and multiplication in maths. In his first year Craig also enjoyed developing skills that promote independence, like going to shops to buy lunch and using a timetable to catch buses.

As his confidence has grown, Craig now gets the bus to college and back by himself, and along with his class enjoys venturing further afield on visits to garden centres and museums in Oxford. After this year Craig hopes to move onto the Understanding Skills for Work course, with a view to graduating in 2027 to get a full-time job. Craig is also learning to drive and his dream job would be as a HGV driver.

Your future career

Progressing from a Pathways programme can lead to getting a part- or full-time job, another course at college, supported training in the workplace, or even an apprenticeship!

Pathways courses

Communication

School Leaver P12808

This course is for young adults who have profound and multiple learning difficulties. The programme is multi-sensory and delivered in a supportive environment, with highly trained staff and a high staff/student ratio, aimed at improving communication...

8th Sept 2025 - 3rd Jul 2026

Monday to Friday

Pathways

Witney Campus

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Developing Independence

School Leaver P12805

This course is aimed at students working at or towards Entry Level 1 in English and maths and that are becoming more independent. Students work towards an OCN accreditation in Skills for Independence and Employability, alongside continuing to develop...

8th Sept 2025 - 2nd Jul 2027

Monday to Friday

Pathways

Witney Campus

View course details
Developing Skills for Work

School Leaver P12822

This course is designed for students working towards Entry Level 3 in English and maths and focuses on developing employability skills and enhancing independence skills, with aspiration to work in the near future....

8th Sept 2025 - 3rd Jul 2026

Various

Pathways

Abingdon Campus

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Developing Skills for Work

School Leaver P12802

This course is designed for students working towards Entry Level 3 in English and maths and focuses on developing employability skills and enhancing independence skills, with aspiration to work in the near future....

8th Sept 2025 - 3rd Jul 2026

Various

Pathways

Witney Campus

View course details
Living Independent

School Leaver P12809

This course focuses on consolidating independent living skills to enable learners to transition to life beyond college....

8th Sept 2025 - 3rd Jul 2026

Various

Pathways

Witney Campus

View course details
Pathways - Transition to Work

School Leaver P12801

This course is designed for learners with an EHCP (Education Health and Care Plan) who aspire to work in the future. It aims to enhance self-confidence, employability skills, and provide valuable work experience before transitioning to our Supported ...

8th Sept 2025 - 3rd Jul 2026

Various

Pathways

Witney Campus

View course details
Practising Work Skills (Supported Internship)

School Leaver P12824

This course is designed for identified learners with a current Education Health and Care Plan who wish to access full time work but may need support into the world of work....

8th Sept 2025 - 3rd Jul 2026

Various

Pathways

Abingdon Campus

View course details
Practising Work Skills (Supported Internship)

School Leaver P12834

This course is designed for identified learners with a current Education Health and Care Plan who wish to access full time work but may need support into the world of work....

8th Sept 2025 - 3rd Jul 2026

Various

Pathways

Witney Campus

View course details
Towards Independence

School Leaver P12807

This course is aimed at students working at Pre-Entry levels. It has a varied curriculum aimed at developing skills to make independent choices, communicate effectively, explore the world around them and prepare them for adulthood which includes bein...

8th Sept 2025 - 3rd Jul 2026

Monday to Friday

Pathways

Witney Campus

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Transition to Work

School Leaver P12821

This course is designed for learners with an Education Health and Care Plan who aspire to work in the future. It aims to enhance self-confidence, employability skills, and provide valuable work experience before transitioning to our Supported Interns...

8th Sept 2025 - 3rd Jul 2026

Various

Pathways

Abingdon Campus

View course details
Understanding Skills for Work

School Leaver P12803

This course is designed for students working towards Entry Level 2 in English and maths. The course is aimed at students who have a desire to live independently and work in the future but still require a certain level of support to help them achieve ...

8th Sept 2025 - 3rd Jul 2026

Various

Pathways

Witney Campus

View course details
Understanding Skills for Work

School Leaver P12823

This course is designed for students working towards Entry Level 2 in English and maths. The course is aimed at students who have a desire to live independently and work in the future but still require a certain level of support to help them achieve ...

8th Sept 2025 - 3rd Jul 2026

Various

Pathways

Abingdon Campus

View course details