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
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...
Ascent Autism Specialist College celebrates huge success at enterprise fair
Students at Ascent Autism Specialist College in Newton-le-Willows recently achieved huge success at its highly anticipated enterprise-themed spring fair. The well-attended event showcased the students’ creative talents and reinforced the college’s commitment to...
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...