The Learner Journey

The Journey Towards Adulthood at David Lewis College
Like any other college, David Lewis College is a great place to meet people, a chance to broaden horizons and enjoy a wide range of learning opportunities and activities. Our aim is to lift students out of the dependency of childhood and help them develop the skills for adult life.

Success in helping our young adults stems from the quality, care and expertise of our staff via personal development, education, care, therapies and medical support in helping to stabilise their epilepsy. The collaboration between each of these teams greatly benefits the progress of every student.

College Ethos
We consider our role at College as helping our young people on a journey. We facilitate their path with proven support structures during their time at College and with tailor-made learning programmes to suit their individual needs, which enable them to reach their potential. We intend that learning is fun and they flourish in a happy environment.

Our ultimate aim is to enable students to take ownership and responsibility for themselves to their maximum capability, to enable them to make decisions and to make choices about their lives. Everything we offer and provide is built around their progression to this goal.

The Journey of Life
College helps to prepare students to move into the wider community and live as independently as possible. Our integrated, consistent approach, which encompasses College curriculum, extended curriculum, Centre resources and housing, and by providing stable, well structured surroundings and values, students feel secure and learn more easily.

No facility at David Lewis College works in isolation. This holistic approach ensures continuity which brings out the best in the students, reinforces values and aids personal development.

Strands
To support our young adults, we offer three pathways, which reflect the different abilities and needs of the students:

Complex Needs Strand
Those with a complex array of difficulties (epilepsy, genetic or medical conditions, severe learning difficulties, severe communication and mobility problems) follow a largely sensory curriculum, while those with autism and severe learning difficulties have provision which provides a calm, low stimulus environment to support living and learning.

Core Strand
The Core pathway is suited to young people with moderate to severe learning difficulties, epilepsy and/or related neurological conditions, behaviour and communication difficulties.
 
These students need some support and are able to achieve varying degrees of independence. Full and varied individualised programmes prepare them for adult life. Some of these students can become capable of living in sheltered housing.

Independence Strand
This path is for those with mild to moderate learning difficulties. Emphasis is on preparing them to achieve optimum independence for employment or further study in a sector college.
This group can spend their final year in our newly developed house in Macclesfield in preparation for independent living or life in supported accommodation.

A Message to All Potential Students:
Having epilepsy does not mean you have to stop doing things you like. It means you have to know how to cope with the practical and emotional effects of your symptoms. At David Lewis College, the support we provide helps you to deal with how epilepsy affects your life.
 
We help you be aware of any risks your epilepsy could entail and encourage you to enjoy life in all its fullness.