Duke of Edinburgh
Ascent College is a Duke of Edinburgh Award provider. We are pleased to be able to offer all levels, up to and including Gold.
Duke of Edinburgh Award
Through the award we aim to provide students with an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding programme of personal development that helps and and supports our students in developing key skills for life.
Students take part in various trips, visits and challenges as well as work built into our curriculum that helps us to complete the four different sections. These four sections are tailored to your interests , ensuring everyone has the opportunity to take part.
Volunteering: Working in College and out in the community we will make a difference to other people’s lives.
Physical activities: We will offer various activities to give you the opportunity to work towards a healthy lifestyle and contribute to your physical and mental wellbeing.
Skills: From E-Sports to Cookery, whatever strikes your personal interest, we will explore it with you while building practical and social skills along the way.
Expeditions: Be it camping or an indoor accommodation we will take part in overnight stays of various lengths, preparing meals, travelling across countryside, reading maps and learning more about the outdoors.
Residential: This is for Gold Level participants only and involves five days and four nights away from home. The residential is all about having new experiences, in a new environment and gaining new life skills.
Student Life
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...
Opening Doors: Dominic’s Work Experience Journey with Vinci Facilities
At Ascent Autism College, we’re passionate about creating real opportunities for our students to develop meaningful skills that prepare them for life beyond the classroom. One shining example of this is Dominic, a student who has been taking part in regular work...
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...