Foundation Studies (Peterlee Campus) 2025-26

Foundation Studies at East Durham College is supportive, inclusive and exciting post-16 provision. Within the department, we have a range of young people - all of whom require some form of additional support as they transition from school to college life.

The students within our department are all unique individuals, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, goals and aspirations. However, broadly speaking, provision within Foundation Studies is ideal for young people who:

• Have formally diagnosed learning difficulties or disabilities such as ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia, Processing Delay and SLCN difficulties.
• Have complex needs in relation to their Education, Health Care and Social Care which may be documented in an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP).
• Have found education within a mainstream environment to be unsuccessful, difficult or stressful,
• Have not been able to successfully complete or achieve GCSE exams as expected,
• Have challenges in relation to their social, emotional and mental health which make learning and life more challenging than it otherwise would be,

Foundation Studies at our Peterlee Campus offers the opportunity for young people to experience and develop their interest and skills in a wide range of subject areas including; Media, Performing Arts, Catering, Retail Skills, Painting & Decorating, Woodwork, Art & Design, Hospitality and much, much more.

As well as vocational curriculum topics and subjects we aim to offer a broad curriculum which also integrates and explores outcomes linked to 'Preparing for Adulthood Outcomes'.

Life Skills, Independent Living, Maths, English, Work Experience, Travel Training, Skills for Working Life, Sex & Relationships, Preparing for Adulthood, as well as a range of specific vocational subject areas.

Our Foundation Studies provision aims to give learners who may have additional support needs, learning difficulties or disabilities an opportunity to engage with post-16 progress and to work on their own individual short, mid and long term aspirations and goals.

For some students this will involve progression toward employment and our provision aims to develop a holistic set of life, academic and employability skills and abilities.

Our Foundation Studies provision intends to provide those with additional support needs or challenges in their wider life a supportive progression pathway which unlocks further study within the department, within wider mainstream college provision or with providers external to East Durham College.

Suitability of provision is assessed on an individualised basis and dependent upon a number of factors which will be explored at application and consultation stage.

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

East Durham College's Houghall Campus is committed to providing a supportive and welcoming environment for all our students. The campus, some of which is over 80 years old, has seen over £40m invested in new facilities over recent years. However, there are still some aspects of the site which are not fully accessible and would cause an issue for those with limited mobility or wheelchair users and due to the nature of the site, adjustments may not always be reasonable at this stage. The College is committed to further investment and improvements of the site, as we work towards ensuring the campus is as accessible as possible. If you have limited mobility or are a wheelchair user and wish to undertake a course at the Houghall Campus, please contact Student Services on 0191 375 4710 in the first instance to discuss your needs and options.

The course is assessed through a range of assessment methods in order to give all students the best opportunity of evidencing their progress and achieving all elements of the course. These include the creation of portfolios, completion of coursework and participation in practical activities which are assessed through observation by a tutor.

September 2025.

All of our programmes within Foundation Studies last for one full academic year (September-July) with a yearly review of the suitability of provision in relation to need and ability. Session are delivered in a range of settings including in traditional classrooms but also a range of indoor/outdoor vocational learning spaces.