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 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 joined the College in Witney on the Pathways programme in 2023 and he is now in his 2^nd 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.