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Kidderminster College opens SPACE – a new facility for students with SEND

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SEND Local Offer

Kidderminster College is offering new specialist facilities for students with special educational needs and disabilities.

The College has officially opened its new specialist provision SPACE – an acronym for Safe Place and Calm Environment – offering support for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) aged 16 and over.

The project, funded with £279,312 of capital investment from ƹƵ County Council, was designed to create new life skills and sensory accommodation.

Building work began in August 2024 and was completed in February 2025.

The first students began accessing the new facilities in May and will welcome new students in September.

SPACE at Kidderminster College features:

  • a fully accessible kitchen where:
    • students build essential life skills like cooking, budgeting and meal preparation
    • it also supports training in hospitality tasks like hot drink preparation and customer service
  • two calming sensory rooms to support emotional regulation and offer a multi-sensory experience tailored to individual needs
  • a realistic one-bedroom flat where students can practise key like skills such as cleaning, laundry, personal care and managing routines
  • a quiet, supportive student common room designed for those who prefer a calmer environment during breaks

SPACE is now open and playing an important role in preparing young people with SEND for more independent and fulfilling futures. The College has a range of specialist course provision for students with SEND as well as learning support across all study programmes.

There are over 100 young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) now studying at levels 1, 2 and 3, as well as entry level for those who need focussed education in preparing for adulthood and positive progress into the world of work.

The introduction of two sensory rooms reflects a need for quiet space to enable students to access their local college, whilst supporting their increasing independence as they move into adulthood.

Students are particularly enjoying using the new facilities to develop their hospitality, retail and customer service skills as well as enjoying new places to take time away from a busy day and reset.

Claire Heywood, Vice Principal at Kidderminster College, said: “At Kidderminster College, we’re proud to offer inclusive education for students with SEND across our full range of courses. Through this project, we’ve enhanced our SEND facilities, offering specialist spaces designed to support independence and wellbeing. ƹƵ County Council deserve credit for this because nationally, not a lot of capital funding is allocated to provision for those in post-16 providers, so this vision, commitment and investment is really appreciated.”

Councillor Dr Stephen Foster, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Education and SEND at ƹƵ County Council added: “It’s fantastic to see the courses and dedicated staff in place to support students as they move on to their next steps in life – and we’re proud to have been able to help Kidderminster College to make that possible.”