Life Skills with Us
Building Independence at Ascent College – Preparation for Adulthood
These are the skills and knowledge areas that Ascent College focuses on to support their students in developing independence, resilience, and self-awareness. From personal safety to employability skills, students learn to navigate and manage different aspects of life as they move towards greater independence.
Ryan preparing for Independent living
Independent Living
Preparing for independent life as an adult
Students recognise risk during Personal Safety
Personal Safety
Recognising risks and identifying how to manage them safely and how to get help
Students from Ascent practicing Road safety & Travel
Road Safety & Travel
Demonstrating how to be safe in the community when travelling and getting ready for independent travel
Khovan preparing lunch Keeping Healthy
Keeping Healthy
Learning how to remain healthy through exercise, diet and well-being
Owen and Chris recognising that it’s good to take time out to do something you enjoy for Personal Care
Personal Care
Building independent functional skills to support independence and self regulation
Ascent 4 work on Health & Fitness
Health and Fitness
Recognising different aspects of leisure and identifying ways and means to navigate and enjoy leisure activities
Courtney showing she can achieve her goals learning in a way that is suitable for her. Organisation and Learning skills
Organisation and learning skills
Becoming an independent young adult engaging in learning independently in whatever method is appropriate to the individual.
Ruby employing Motivation and engagement
Motivation and engagement
Gaining attention skills and engagement skills to support resilience
Ascent 4 Expectations
Expectations
Recognising and understanding there are different expectations across different settings.
Ben building self-esteem and self-awareness Evaluating own learning
Evaluating own learning
Building self esteem and self awareness
Joseph developing resilience and reducing vulnerability while Managing Change
Managing Change
Developing resilience to manage change whilst reducing vulnerability
Leon managing Transitions
Transitions
Through experiential opportunities develop resilience to manage transitions
Chris is showing us how he feels about his Special Interests
Special interests
Understanding own special interests and their significance on mental health and well-being
Student showing their Thinking and problem solving
Thinking & problem solving
Develop the ability to use knowledge, facts, and data to effectively solve problems, be confident in a range of settings
Owen working on skills for Employability
Employability
Building the essential skills, personal qualities and values that enable young adults to thrive in any workplace. Through a range of experiential work experience opportunities students adapt their ‘enterprise skills’, ‘communication skills’ and ‘workplace skills’.
Parents and Professionals
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...