Blended Curriculum
Ascent Autism Specialist College’s Blended Learning pathway offers a flexible and personalised approach to education, combining online and face-to-face learning to support and enhance meaningful interaction between students and teachers, while also promoting independence, collaboration and self-advocacy.
What are the most important benefits of Blended Learning
Ascent autism specialist college offers specialist education for students aged 16 to 25 with autism, co-occurring diagnoses and additional complex needs. Our students require a bespoke package of support to engage with their learning on multiple levels.
At Ascent, we provide highly specialised teaching and learning support to ensure each student’s needs are understood and we exceed their EHCP outcomes. One of our curricula offers a Blended Learning pathway.
Specialist Staff
The strength of our specialist staff’s relationship with our students is essential to Ascent’s success. Our offer of a Blended Learning curriculum ensures we engage and enable students by identifying what motivates them, what they’re interested in, their strengths, and aspirations and then applying this to determine bespoke educational pathways. Our students have high levels of individual support, meaning that learning opportunities are experiential, purposeful and specific.
Blended Learning
Blended Learning is an educational strategy that combines conventional onsite education with online/virtual learning. The Ascent approach to education and learning is flexible. It can offer those students for whom onsite learning requires an extended transition time a blend of an enriched virtual model alongside a face-to-face model onsite in college or at home.
The Ascent Blended Learning model has many advantages; through the systematic integration of online and face-to-face engagement, we support and enhance meaningful interaction between students, teachers and differentiated resources. Students can work ‘independently’ and at their own pace online but still have access to the personal attention of a specialist teacher and specialist teaching support assistant, accessing the knowledge and resources Ascent provide inclusively to all their students. At the same time, specialist teachers and teaching support assistants can structure bespoke courses and deliver instruction more flexibly or creatively than in a traditional classroom setting.
Blended Learning – the benefits:
- Facilitate information delivery
- Increases motivation, confidence, self – esteem
- Enhances students’ independence
- Creation of personalised educational activities
- Collaboration between specialist staff and students, promoting social inclusion
- Providing online personnel development opportunities for the digital world of work
- Create conditions for self-advocacy and inclusion
- Counter negative perceptions of SEN, supporting students accessing the education curriculum and enabling those with SEN to achieve their full potential
Parents and Professionals
Ascent Autism Advice Forum – April Session
Date: Thursday 3rd April 2025Location: Online via Microsoft Teams Join us for the next session of the Ascent Autism Advice Forum, where we bring together parents, carers, professionals, and anyone interested in learning more about autism and best practices in support...
Join us at the Ascent Autism Specialist College Spring Fayre!
We're delighted to invite families, friends, and supporters to our annual Spring Fayre taking place on Friday, 28th March 2025, from 10:00 to 11:30 am. It's set to be a wonderful morning filled with community spirit, colourful activities, and joyful moments welcoming...
Specialist college students host business breakfast for employers
Students from Ascent Autism Specialist College in Newton-le-Willows recently hosted a business breakfast, bringing together students and employers for a valuable networking opportunity. Held at the college’s Cosy Corner Café, the event welcomed current work experience...
An Individual Approach for Alicia
Curriculum Pathway: Vocational Training and Independent Living Skills Entry Date: 2021 Background: Alicia joined Ascent Autism Specialist College in September 2021 with an EHCP, autism and ADHD diagnosis. Prior to joining Ascent College, Alicia was in a mainstream...
Ascent College shortlisted for Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Award
Ascent Autism Specialist College, Newton-le-Willows, has been shortlisted for another award, this time at the Liverpool City Region (LCR) Culture and Creativity Awards. The LCR Culture and Creativity Awards recognise and celebrate the incredible contribution that...
Ascent College welcomes local community for Christmas extravaganza
On Friday, 13 December, Ascent Autism Specialist College, Newton-le-Willows, hosted its annual Christmas market event. The Ascent Christmas markets have become a highlight in the college’s calendar as they welcome family, friends, and community members. This year, the...
Specialist college earns prestigious recognition with six regional and national award nominations
Ascent Autism Specialist College, Newton-le-Willows, has been shortlisted for an impressive six awards, celebrating excellence at both a regional and national level. In September, it was announced that the college had been shortlisted for three Educate Awards: The...
Specialist college students invited to talk about college plans at Newton-le-Willows Rotary Club
Two students from Ascent Autism Specialist College were invited to Newton-le-Willows Rotary Club for an exclusive lunch where they discussed future plans for the college’s learning hub at Lyme and Wood. After a tasty lunch with Rotary club members, the two students...
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...