Working in partnership with over ten local authorities in Greater Manchester and beyond, we provide a highly personalised Supported Learning offer for students with special educational needs (SEN) or disabilities in an inclusive, supportive learning environment.
Whether you study one of our mainstream 16-18 (16-24 with an EHCP) or 19+ Adult courses and require additional support, or you want to study one of our dedicated Supported Learning courses, at The Manchester College – the No.1 College in Greater Manchester for achievement* - our provision is specifically designed to support you into employment or further education.
We’re extremely proud of our strong track record of helping full time and part time students with special educational needs or disabilities to achieve their aspirational career goals. Our Supported Internship provision has been highly commended by the Department for Education and the department is also a 19/20 Beacon award winner for its application of assistive technology in supporting young people with a SEND need.
*As per the National Achievement Rates Tables 21/22
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Can you reach your potential? You can with us!
Make it possible today, view our range of Supported Learning courses and apply to study at the No.1 College in Greater Manchester.
Additional Learning Support
At The Manchester College we also have a team of experienced and dedicated staff who provide social, emotional, mental health and learning support for people with learning difficulties and disabilities – including hearing and visual impairment and dyslexia - enrolled on mainstream 16-18 and 19+ adult education courses including a supported learning degree.
We work with students from application, through their time at college and onto their next steps, and we’re committed to supporting aspirational outcomes and removing barriers to learning whilst studying at the college by providing supported teaching.
We understand that often, for people with disabilities there are additional barriers to learning and students might need help to study and contribute to a wider college experience. The support that we provide is not just about what happens today but is about developing the skills to empower and prepare our students for their next steps.
To learn more about Additional Supported Learning available at The Manchester College visit the Support section of our website:
Our Supported Learning and Transition Teams
Supported Learning
Our highly qualified, specialist support staff are able to provide person-centred support for students, in accordance with Education, Health and Care Plans as agreed with your home local authority. We have won numerous excellence awards for the quality of our support.
Director of SEND Supported Learning
- Andrew Hulme
Supported Learning Curriculum Managers
- Jodie Booth
- Daniel Kirkham
Head of Department Quality
- Dianne Pheasey
Additional Learning Support Managers
- Andrew Armstrong - Openshaw Campus
- Jenny Barnard - City Campus Manchester
- Jennifer Colville - Wythenshawe Campus
- Aliya Khan - Harpurhey and Shena Simon Campus
- Adele Robinson - All campuses
- Tracey Melling - Neurodiversity Team at all campuses
Transition
Our Transition Team are on hand to support access to college from as early as year 9 in specialist and mainstream schools and, on request, will liaise with schools and families to prepare bespoke transition packages. They will also contribute to personal learning plans and ensure we provide the most appropriate means of support for their courses and ambitions.
- Helen Sherwin (Transition Team Leader)
- Lloyd Gravell (Transition Team Officer)
- Nazmin Sultana (Transition Team Officer)
- Gabby Rowe (Transition Team Officer)
Our Facilities and Location
Our Supported Learning courses take place at our campuses across Manchester in classrooms that reflect a strong focus on employability and independence, as well as the development of essential transferable employability skills.
These classrooms contain rise and fall worktables, high quality equipment, and an increasing supply of assistive technology resources to encourage independent learning.
Accessible bathrooms and personal care spaces are readily available, and our large classrooms have sufficient space to accommodate students with mobility difficulties.
Find out even more about our Supported department in our subject area guide or on our YouTube playlist:
Contact us
Get in touch with us today via email:
Additional Learning Support Team: specialistsupport@tmc.ac.uk
Transition Team: transitionteam@tmc.ac.uk
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Available courses
Lucy Rowe • Community Engagement and Resourcing Manager Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustThe Supported Internship provides a strong evidence-base of what works well in terms of achieving genuine social and financial inclusion for young disabled talent, including meaningful and sustained employment. Year on year the partnership has grown stronger and the results speak volumes about the merits of joining forces to achieve a common aim, in this case delivering excellence in transition, careers and opportunities for all Manchester young people.
