Student life at Totton College for students with special educational needs (SEND)

Comprehensive support tailored to every student 

At Totton College, our focus is on a whole student approach, meeting the full range of a student’s needs including education, social, emotional, and therapy-based needs. The intention is to promote independence, employment, social and life skills and to encourage ambitious and realistic employment opportunities within the local area.  

Students with high levels of SEND are supported to achieve their full potential through bespoke and specialised provision, with an emphasis on setting achievable but ambitious targets and improving confidence and engagement in areas of key skills such as functional English and maths.     

Our intent is to balance a safe and supportive environment with the promotion of independence, exposure to realistic employment industries and significant progress towards achievement, outcomes and aspirations. Not just academically, but socially, emotionally and as independent individuals.   

Student life for Totton College SEND students 

A range of the provision on offer at Totton College is outlined below. 

SEND transport for Totton College 

Unlike school, all post-16 SEND transport is arranged between 

parent/carer and Local Education Authority (LEA). The deadline to apply is usually the end of July. Our support staff meet students from transport from 8:30 am and accompany them to be collected by transport at the end of the day. 

For more information visit Hampshire County Council and Southampton City Council. 

Sensory spaces 

Dotted around Totton College (particularly in the Skills for Life area), you’ll find sensory rooms and a sensory garden. These are specially designed to provide a safe space to be calm, de-stress and reset if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Sensory spaces are sometimes also used for classes and sensory therapy sessions.  

Help with personal care 

If you need help with personal care, such as looking after your belongings or going to the toilet, our support staff can help you. We have large accessible toilets with changing beds, sanitary disposal waste bins and hoists. If you need help with personal care, you will have a personal care plan and two members of staff will accompany you to the toilet. 

Communication 

We know not everyone likes to talk out loud. So, we have other ways to communicate such as Makaton, signs and symbols and visual timetables. If something has worked well for you in the past, we’ll do our best to do it at college too. For example, you might prefer to turn over a coloured card or agreed item on a desk to signal to staff you would like some help. 

Sensory boxes 

You’ll find sensory boxes in our Skills for Life and Pathways classrooms. These are filled with sensory and fidget toys and other items you can touch and feel to help you focus and feel calm. These are also available for all mainstream vocational students and LSAs. The boxes contain a quick guide and resources to help with fine motor skills exercises. 

Quiet rooms 

Sometimes, we all need a break. There are quiet rooms all around the college if you need to rest or take a moment to yourself during the college day. They are designed to be calming and are available to any student who needs them. These can also be used if students need to take an agreed ‘time out’ during lessons to help support their needs.  

Exam access arrangement 

If you need extra help during exams, we can arrange this in line with JCQ requirements. Usually, we’ll request information from a previous school, but we can also arrange additional screening and assessment of needs when required. 

Learning experiences for SEND students 

We ensure all our students have an enrichment and enjoyable experience while studying with us. We do this by:  

Small classes 

Class size at Totton varies depending on the course, but most are smaller than mainstream schools, sixth forms, or large vocational colleges. Our “small classes” are usually 8-12 students which means you get more time with the teacher and can learn in a cosy group. 

Social, emotional, mental health 

We’re dedicated to looking after the mental health of our students and offer services to support this. Our dedicated Wellbeing LSAs are available 5 days per week. Many of our LSAs are trained in mental health awareness and support.  

Enrichment activities 

Enrichment activities are built into our timetable. This means you can take part in activities such as social communication, dance, swimming or art. The options change termly. Enrichment activities give you a chance to try something new, make new friends and have some fun!  

Homework club 

Some students struggle to do college work at home for a variety of 

reasons and sometimes need additional support. Held regularly for two hours per week, homework club is a quiet space to study at college with LSA support outside of your normal timetable. So, if you’re worried about getting behind with assignments or just want some time to improve your work, get some help with proofreading or improve your understanding, come to homework club! 

Explore life at Totton College 

Join us at our Open Event

Join us at our next Open Event to explore our vibrant campus, meet our dedicated staff, and learn more about our courses. Take the first step to unlocking your future at Totton College.