About us
Ascent Autism Specialist College’s multi-disciplinary team has expertise in supporting social communication, sensory integration, behaviour and emotional needs within a life and functional skills-based core curriculum.
Our Aim:
Ascent College is dedicated to providing expert specialist education to students with autism, our focus is upon achieving the very best outcomes. Ascent college supports young people with autism to fulfil their own unique potential, we provide this through safe and nurturing education environments that meet the full range of young people’s needs.
ASD Specialism
Ascent College specialises in education and preparation for adulthood for young adults with autism and associated difficulties. We provide:
- Personalised curriculum pathways around a deep understanding of young people’s challenges.
- Bespoke access to social skills programmes
- Well-equipped education and therapeutic facilities
- Pathways that tackle the difficult transitional journeys from childhood to adulthood
The Curriculum
Ascent College multi-disciplinary team has expertise in supporting social communication, sensory integration, behaviour and emotional needs within a life and functional skills-based core curriculum. Education and care services are supported in house by a large therapy team (speech and language and occupational therapy). In addition, students will follow a range of vocational programmes and access community facilities to promote development of functional, personal and self-help skills. There are good opportunities to develop employability skills through partnership with a wide range of local community businesses and services.
Curriculum Allocation
Curriculum Planner Lakeside Mainframe Foundation Curriculum Planner Lakeside Curriculum Planner Supported Internships
About us
Join Us for a Magical Christmas Market at Ascent Autism College!
Looking for festive fun and holiday cheer? Ascent Autism College is thrilled to invite you to our annual Christmas Market on 13th December! Step into a winter wonderland filled with sparkling lights, seasonal food and drink, live music, and plenty of unique shopping...
Ascent College open morning Friday 22nd November at 10.00-11.30 am
Ascent College will be hosting an Open Morning for families who are looking for a post 16 or post 19 autism specialist educational provision for 2025. This will take place on Friday 22nd November at 10.00-11.30 am. If you are interested & would like to reserve a...
Join Our Next Ascent Autism Advice Forum – November 5th: Meet Our SENCo and Learn About the Annual Review Process
Following the success of our last Ascent Autism Advice Forum we are holding the next one on Tuesday 5th November, you can attend in person or remotely. The forum will give you the opportunity to meet our SENCo Andrea to find out more about her role and the annual...
Specialist College celebrates student achievements with awards evening extravaganza
Ascent Autism Specialist College, based in Newton-le-Willows, recently held its annual Aspire Evening, bringing together students, staff, parents, and community partners to celebrate student achievements. The end-of-year celebration took place at the Mercure Hotel...
Specialist college launch community autism advice forums to help families
Ascent Autism Specialist College, based in Newton-le-Willows, has announced a new initiative to support parents and carers as their child progresses into adulthood. The Ascent Autism Advice Forums, developed in-house by head of adult services Julliet Doherty, employer...
Specialist college named finalists in the Northern Cultural Education Awards
Ascent Autism Specialist College, Newton-le-Willows, has been shortlisted for a Northern Cultural Education Award. The awards aim to shine a light on best practice, innovation and activism in the field of creative and cultural education across the North of England....
Specialist college launch ‘Hubway’ project
Ascent Autism Specialist College, Newton-le-Willows, has launched the ‘Hubway’ project, an initiative run by two students, Will and Tarran, to help them develop entrepreneurial skills and support them to integrate socially with their peers from the college’s main...
Ascent College leader shortlisted for prestigious TES Schools Awards
Julliet Doherty, head of adult services at Ascent Autism Specialist College in Newton-le-Willows, has been named as one of only four finalists in the Specialist Provision School Leader of the Year Award at the TES Schools Awards. The national awards celebrate and...
Specialist college welcomes the local community for spring fayre extravaganza
Ascent Autism Specialist College, based in Newton-le-Willows, recently celebrated the beginning of a new season with its annual spring fayre. The spring fayre, which took place on the college grounds, welcomed students, staff, parents/carers and the local community to...
Ascent Autism Specialist College celebrate Neurodiversity Week with a jam-packed schedule of activities
Ascent Autism Specialist College, based in Newton-le-Willows, recently participated in Neurodiversity Celebration Week from Monday, 18 March to Friday, 22 March. The college, which provides specialist education to autistic individuals aged 16 to 25, is committed to...
