Curriculum Pathways & Learning Programs

Ascent Specialist College is committed to providing exceptional education and support for autistic young people and associated difficulties. Our multi-disciplinary team specializes in social communication, sensory integration, behaviour and emotional needs, and works with students to develop life skills, personal and self-help skills, and vocational skills to prepare them for adulthood.

Our Aim:

Ascent Specialist College is dedicated to delivering excellence, always seeking to go above and beyond expectations. Through highly supported and person-centred pathways students are facilitated to embrace diversity and demonstrate integrity.

ASC Specialism

Ascent Specialist College specialises in education and preparation for adulthood for autistic young people and associated difficulties. We provide foundation learning, development of life skills, personal and self-help skills, social and communication skills and therapeutic support with sensory integration difficulties.

The Curriculum

Ascent Specialist 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 is 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.

Parents and Professionals

A Heartfelt Thank You to Speedy

We are incredibly grateful to Speedy for their generous donation of £496.17 to Ascent College. We truly can’t thank you enough — and we couldn’t have asked for better neighbours. Your support directly strengthens the opportunities and experiences we’re able to provide...

Ascent Autism Advice Forum – December Session

Date: Wednesday 3rd December 2025 Time: 10:00 AM Location: Online via Microsoft Teams Register your interest: gemmasutton@ascent.college This month’s Ascent Autism Advice Forum focuses on an important and sensitive topic for families navigating the digital world:...

Student Business Breakfast – Christmas Edition

College students welcome you to a Christmas-themed Business Breakfast Ascent Autism Specialist College is hosting a special Student Business Breakfast on Thursday 11th December 2025 at 11 The Parks, WA12 0QJ. Local business guests are warmly invited to join us for a...

Ascent College Christmas Market

Join us for some festive cheer at the Ascent College Christmas Market! Students and staff at Ascent College are delighted to invite families, friends, and members of the community to our Christmas Market at the Ascent College Vocational Learning Hub, Vista Road, WA11...

Ascent Autism Advice Forum – November Session

Date: Wednesday 12th November 2025 Time: 10:00 AM Location: Online via Microsoft Teams Register your interest: gemmasutton@ascent.college We are pleased to announce the next session in our Ascent Autism Advice Forum series, continuing our mission to share practical...

Ascent College staff and students move into their new home

Last week, staff and students at Ascent Autism Specialist College moved into their new home on the multi-use business park, The Parks in Newton-le-Willows. Staff and students walked through the college’s doors in awe as they started the 2025/26 academic year by...

Autism Advice Forum – October Session

Ascent Autism Advice Forum – October Session Date: Thursday 2nd October 2025 Location: Online via Microsoft Teams Register your interest: gemmasutton@ascent.college We’re pleased to invite you to the next session of the Ascent Autism Advice Forum – an open and...