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.
Downloads
- Mainframe Curriculum planner 2023/24 (137KB PDF)
- FOUNDATION: Curriculum planner 2023/24 (119 KB PDF)
- Curriculum planner: Pre Internships 2023/24 (128KB PDF)
- Curriculum planner: Supported Internships 2023/24 (121 KB PDF)
- Curriculum Map: Access to HE Diploma Level 3 (155KB PDF)
Parents and Professionals
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...
Specialist college receives £20k boost to develop digital futures for neurodiverse students
(From left to right: CEO of Remarkable, Robin Bush; head of adult services at Ascent College, Julliet Doherty; Ascent College student, Will; director / founder of DAB, Anne-Marie Atherton; employment engagement officer at Ascent College, Tara Thomas; bid writer and...
Local specialist college hosts event for new neighbours
Ascent Autism Specialist College in Newton-Le-Willows welcomed a range of local businesses to its ‘Meet the Neighbours’ event ahead of its new site opening on The Parks in September. Part of the Remarkable Autism Charity group, Ascent College is moving to its new home...
Autism Advice Forum – Safeguarding Hate Crime
Wednesday 2nd July on teams 10 am - 11.30 am Micheal Belcher from Merseyside police will talk to parents and careers about "Safeguarding Hate Crime". The forum is aimed to support parents and carer with sole purpose to enlighten and offer the tools and knowledge to...
Ascent College Earns National Careers Education Accreditation
Ascent Autism Specialist College is celebrating a major milestone after being officially accredited with the Quality in Careers Standard - the UK’s only national award recognising excellence in careers education, information, advice, and guidance. This prestigious...
Inspirational Ascent Autism Specialist College students attend Buckingham Palace
Two students from Ascent Autism Specialist College in Newton-le-Willows attended Buckingham Palace to receive their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, making them the first students in the college’s history to achieve the prestigious accolades. Earlier this month, Ben...
Ascent Autism Advice Forum – EHCPs, annual reviews, phase transfer, Tribunals and appeals
Our next Ascent Autism Advice forum is taking place on Wednesday 5th June at 10.30am. The topic of our first session will cover EHCPs, annual reviews, phase transfer, Tribunals and appeals and will be delivered by Samantha Williams, Solicitor in the Education...
Work begins on local specialist college’s new 10,000 square foot site
Ascent Autism Specialist College has begun the transformation of its recently purchased site on a St Helens multi-use business park into a bespoke facility designed to offer personalised pathways to independence and employment for its cohort of students. The...
Ascent Autism Advice Forum – May Session
Our next Ascent Autism Advice forum is taking place on Wednesday 7th May at 10am. Michelle Seddon from 'Enable Law' will be supporting to discuss 'Wills, Powers of Attorney, Trusts and Estate Administration'. Website: Specialist Personal Injury & Medical...