Doncaster college wins national award for its dedication to supporting children and young people with SEND

The college was put in the spotlight at a glittery ceremony at The Grand Hotel in Birmingham for its remarkable work in helping their students with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and learning differences thrive and achieve.

The Awards are hosted by nasen – the National Association for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities – and supported by sponsors Scanning Pens, who is also the awards headline sponsor, Axcis Education, and official awards media partner, Schools Week. nasen is the leading membership charity that supports children and young people with SEND to reach their full potential, whilst being a champion, friend and protector of the SEND workforce.

Scooping nasen’s Award for 16-25 Provision, Harrison College was recognised for its future-focused support of students with SEND, which helps them overcome barriers to achievement.

Harrison College, a specialist business, enterprise, and employability post-16 education provision for young people with special educational needs.

The college was founded in September 2019 with a cohort of just three.

Today the majority of its 60+ students, many of whom are autistic, come from the surrounding local authority areas with higher-than-average deprivation levels and a lack of social mobility.

The college provides a bespoke and tailored timetable of activities to move students swiftly forward with progressive small steps or challenges, merging education and skills with pastoral development.

Harrison College joins 17 other award winners, judged by a panel of leading professionals with a wealth of experience in education and SEND – as well as individuals with lived experience.

Gemma Peebles, CEO of Harrison College said: "We are really proud of our students, each and every day, they constantly break expectations placed upon them and achieve their dreams.

"The recognition from nasen and the esteemed panel gives us further drive to work with more young people and their families.

"We may have only been open for three years but our team at Harrison College has achieved fantastic things and we want to thank everyone at nasen for our award."

Gail Stonier, Chief Operating Officer added: "Our staff team and wider business community are dedicated and committed to improving the lives and opportunities for our young people. This award is a thank you to them for all the work they do each and every day."

Chief Executive of nasen, Annamarie Hassall MBE said: “Harrison College should be extremely proud of what they have achieved.

"Our judges were keen to recognise the provision’s growth to the 2022 cohort numbering over 60 students, of which more than half have education, health and care plans in place for Autism Spectrum Disorder.

“We admire how Harrison’s future-focused approach helps young people consider employment and higher education, while partnering with an impressive range of employers. and can see the college obviously works by its mantra ‘Your future, your choice.”

Annamarie continued: “We received an amazing number of nominations for the awards this year and it has been a great honour to recognise and reward the people who are making a real difference for SEND. We very much hope the inclusive work of our winners, who go above and beyond every day to help children and young people thrive, will inspire more great work in the sector going forward.”

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