Our Sites
Ascent Autism Specialist College operates out of the North West of England over two sites
Ascent Autism Specialist College
Our main campus opened in 2012, known previously as LEAP Specialist College and is located on Wargrave Road, Newton-le-Willows in the grounds of Wargrave House School. This campus is designed to meet the diverse needs of autistic adults offering bespoke facilities and specialist teaching and learning experiential to support our young people with learning and development.
Ascent has developed from the original LEAP college and offers specialist teaching rooms over two floors and adult gym equipment outside. On site there is the Cosy Corner Café run by our students open to all on special occasions when we welcome in our community, families, and friends, Trustees, Governors and Local Authorities.
Some of our other onsite facilities are outlined below:
Preloved Project at Lyme and Wood Hub
Our secondary site is also located in Newton-le-Willows, off Vista Road at Enovert and was opened in the summer of 2022. The Preloved Project at Lyme & Wood Hub is a sustainability centre offering a community shop and cafe, The Project was initially funded by Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority’s Community Fund 22/23 and the community shop sells products such as upcycled furniture, pre-loved clothing and accessories, and products made from repurposed or sustainable materials. At this site we run free interactive workshops and resources to educate those within the local and wider communities about reducing household waste.
This site offers our students a bespoke vocational curriculum, enabling them to gain practical skills and experience in areas such as catering, hospitality, and retail.
At this site our students are immersed in:
- Retail
- Hospitality
- Woodwork
- Furniture restoration
- Horticulture/Ecology
- Planning, preparation and delivery of workshops
Parents and Professionals
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...
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...