Search

At New College Durham we aim to create outstanding futures for all our students and we do this in a number of ways.

We offer an extensive foundation learning curriculum, with specialist teaching and support staff for learners with a range of specific and general learning difficulties and/or disabilities.  In addition to this, our broad curriculum can be accessed by all learners with appropriate support, help and guidance to meet the students’ individual needs.  We have courses ranging from Entry Level 1 to Degree Level.

  • Application & transition

    All students that complete an application form will be interviewed and receive confidential and impartial information, advice and guidance.

    For further education students, there is the option to apply by downloading our paper form below. You must apply online if you are applying to our University Centre.

    pdf Application Form for School Leavers (58 KB)

    pdf Application Form for Adults (535 KB)  

    Please return a digital copy to us via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or print it, complete it and post to:

    Admissions
    New College Durham
    Framwellgate Moor Campus
    DH1 5ES

    The College works in partnership with young people, parents/carers and local authorities to determine whether the College can meet their needs and aspirations.

    Applicants are actively encouraged to declare a learning difficulty/disability on pre-entry and throughout their course, so that appropriate support can be put in place to ensure maximum opportunities to achieve.

    Specialist help and support is available to assist students to access the curriculum on offer.  We provide specialist support for autism, behavioural and emotional difficulties, moderate learning difficulties, dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD.  The College also provides specialist support for students with other physical disabilities including medical, mobility, mental health and sensory loss.

    Our campus is fully accessible.  There are lifts in all three buildings and several automatic doors. It has a portable induction loop system.  There are accessible toilets available on each corridor as well as a Clos-o-Mat toilet for students who require help with personal care, along with staff to support access.

    A range of assessment techniques are available to students with additional support needs.  All students are invited in to meet the staff and discuss their support needs before the start of the academic year.  Students are regularly reviewed at school, and other specialist arrangements can be made.  The College works very closely with schools, parents/carers, the local authority and the young person so that all information regarding a student’s needs is available prior to enrolment, and appropriate support put in place.

    Students’ transition into College is arranged flexibly according to their needs, once accepted onto a course, students will be invited to attend summer schools and activities where they will meet other students and start to forge friendships before starting in September.  This is to ease the transition to College which can be a big step for some.

    Click here for more information about assistive transport to college for students.

    Special arrangements can be made according to need. Please speak to our Learning Support Team

    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

    0191 375 4380

  • The curriculum

    We have specialist provision in our Foundation Studies for students with moderate learning difficulties or those that are vulnerable and have other specialist educational needs. 

    The broader curriculum can be accessed by all students with appropriate support, help and guidance to meet the individual’s needs. 

  • Virtual offer

    In these unprecedented times, our priority has been to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of our students and staff, whilst ensuring that teaching, learning and support continues. Supported by cutting edge technology and highly experienced tutors, we are confident that students will not be disadvantaged in their studies and will successfully achieve as planned.

    To ensure you can continue to learn we offer a blended learning environment. Timetables will clearly identify on-site face to face delivery and when the delivery will be remote and done through our VLE Schoology and TEAMS/ZOOM. Your course team will make sure you understand how to access these and provide you with access to the online material you will need to access. Access to these will be through your college enrolment number and college email, enabling access to your Microsoft Office 365 account.

    Our learning support offer is also blended, and you can expect the support package we have agreed with you after your initial assessment to include supporting you when you are learning off site.

    Alternative methods of learning

    • You will receive a timetable that will highlight which lessons you will have in college or remotely. Remote lessons will be delivered to you by your lecturer via Teams or Zoom. This is an exciting way to learn and we will provide the support needed.
    • You will need to inform your tutor if you have difficulties accessing online learning.
    • You may hear the term ‘blended learning’ and this means different ways of learning – face to face, distance learning and a combination of both. You may be required to take videos of your practical work and send them to your lecturer for assessment.
    • You will continue to have a tutorial session along with English and maths if applicable

  • Teaching & learning

    The College curriculum is broad and teaching styles vary according to the level of the programme and the abilities of the students.  Strategies include, but are not limited to; one-to-one work, direct teaching and learning, practical skills teaching, self-study and information learning technologies.  Group sizes vary throughout the College.  Class sizes in Foundation Studies are small and organised according to students’ ability and needs. Teaching and learning across the college is interactive and challenging. Assessment of learning and progress takes place in all lessons.

    The Learning Support Centre has access to assistive technologies such as specialist software and hardware; as well as help to access these resources.  There is access to specialist maths and English support available in the LRC.

  • Assessment & progress

    Whilst on the programme, staff carry out regular formative assessments with all students to help them work towards their final outcomes.  A number of different assessment methods are used, both written and practical. Where appropriate additional support is provided.  

    Regular assessments of students’ needs are undertaken with a view to promote independent learning. 

    Formal reviews of progress are held and students at risk are identified and arrangements made with Personal Learning Coaches and tutors to assist, guide and support the student.  Parents’ evenings are arranged to discuss all students’ progress, however parents/carers of those at risk are involved at an early stage.  Each student has an individual learning plan which identifies intended outcomes and is reviewed and amended regularly with input from the student and the course team. 

    Students with High Needs are reviewed in partnership with the parents, Durham Co Council and where appropriate other agencies.

    The College has comprehensive quality processes and through Curriculum reviews the progress of all students is monitored and the quality of teaching and learning assessed.  College success, retention and achievement data is published in the College’s self-assessment report which is available on through this site. 

  • Support & contacts

    A dedicated team of staff work in our Learning Support department. This includes a Learning support Office where students, parents/carers and other agencies can drop in to ask for help.

    All teachers, lecturers and learning support staff are fully qualified and specialists in either their vocational areas or in areas of learning support.  Staff attend external professional development events; as well as structured internal continuous professional development which has included behaviour management, Autism Awareness, Mental Health Awareness and Learning Support Awareness.

    The College has specially trained and qualified staff to deliver support in the following areas:

    Specific Learning Difficulties – including Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Autistic spectrum Conditions.  Support is tailored to each student’s needs and where appropriate, but can include:

    • One-to-one tuition with a specialist teacher
    • Enhanced and Specialist in-class support
    • Loan of digital recorder
    • In-college loan of laptop – with specialist software
    • Strategies and overlays to support difficulties with visual processing
    • Assessment for access arrangements for examinations
    • Membership of a social group for young people with Autistic Spectrum Conditions
    • Out of class specialist support.

    Hearing and Visual Loss – support for students with a sensory loss can include, but is not exhaustive:

    • Assessment of individual support needs
    • Trained and experienced support staff
    • Specialist equipment available
    • Communication Support Workers/Note Takers
    • Sight guidance.

    Medical and Mobility  - the team provided support for a wide range of medical/physical conditions and mobility difficulties.  Support for students with medical and/or mobility needs can include, but is not exhaustive:

    • Assessment of individual support needs
    • Learning Support Assistants
    • Specialist equipment
    • Support to access College facilities
    • Individual plans to meet specific support needs.

    Medical Needs Policy

    Wherever possible medication should be taken outside of college hours. If this is not possible and you have a medical condition and require medication to be stored at College or require support to administer medication, a Medical Management Plan needs to be developed before this can take place.

    The College has a Medical Needs Policy which was developed to ensure that adequate control measures are in place for the staff and students involved in this process.

    Please contact the Learner Support Office to discuss support for your medical needs in more detail and obtain a copy of the policy.

    Mental Well Being – support from our mental health team can be:

    • Advice and support for students with mental health problems
    • Support with course related issues
    • Help to access community-based support
    • Mindfulness resource packs
    • Assessment of individual support needs
    • Referral to outside agencies.

    Literacy and Numeracy – whatever course you are studying, we can support you to develop:

    • Reading strategies
    • Spelling strategies
    • Punctuation and grammar
    • Proofreading strategies
    • Basic maths skills

    For further information on the support available please contact:

    E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    T:0191 375 4380

    Minicom: 0191 383 2371

  • Extra-curricular activities

    The College prides itself on the enrichment activities enjoyed by our students.  There is a fully equipped gym, as well as the opportunity to join a number of different sports teams.

    The Students’ Union supports activities, societies and development opportunities for students including the opportunity to get involved in a range of college activities and voluntary work.  Students are encouraged to represent their courses at Student Representative Level and are given training on how to do this.  The student voice is very important at New College Durham.

    Each course has lots of different opportunities to participate in enrichment activities that are there to develop skills, knowledge and understanding. This develops skills needed for progression either into work or Higher Education. 

    In the School of Foundation Studies work experience and the development of employability skills are often seen as an area students need to concentrate on.  The Vocational Access courses offer a range of employability options to all students which will complement employability qualifications and ensure that all learners are encouraged to develop skills for progression into workplace learning.

    In order to do this every student will be encouraged to follow a well-planned work experience route which could consist of:

    •           Professional work related Information and guidance (IAG)

    •           Workplace visits

    •           Real work environment (within college)

    •           Work tasters

    •           Work shadowing

    •           Work trial

    •           Supported Employment

    •           Well planned work experience placement

    The benefits should include:

    •           Increased confidence for all learners

    •           A reference for the learner

    •           The opportunity to assess skills for employability and vocational qualifications

    •           The opportunity to improve partnership working

    •           Clearer aspiration and progression routes

    In order to prepare the students to engage in the work placement activities a series of enrichment sessions on Wednesday afternoon are timetabled to develop:

    Employability Skills through Sport  –  team work, independence and leadership.

    Maths/English through Cooking – reading, following instructions, measuring.

    Personal Social Development through Art/Performing Arts – confidence, self-esteem, exploring different cultures and genres. 

    The sessions are planned and developed by maths and English Specialists and delivered using a combination of facilitators and lecturers.  The aim of these activities is to:

    •           Develop fitness/increase activity levels

    •           Practice/develop motor skills and dexterity

    •           Develop ideas for future career choices

    •           Develop numeracy and literacy skills

    •           Develop thinking and creativity skills

    •           Develop confidence.

  • Finance

    Do not let the cost of undergraduate education put you off studying, with our affordable tuition fees, bursaries and support, we can help you finance your education.

  • Policies
  • External agencies

    New College Durham works in close partnership with One Point, The Improving Progressions for Young People’s Team, Durham Co Council, Mencap, CAMHs and other agencies that provide services for vulnerable young people.  Please see the link below for Co Durham’s Local Offer.

    http://www.countydurhamfamilies.info/kb5/durham/fsd/home.page