The Henley College

Support for students with ASD includes transition meetings, virtual tours, one-to-one support, safe places, quiet rooms and drop-in support.

“For students with ASD, we offer a meeting prior to the start of the terms to help you familiarise yourself with the College site. Email ALS@henleycol.ac.uk to book an appointment. We also have accessible virtual tours which can be used to help with transition. We can also offer timetabled one-to-one support and offer safe places, quiet rooms and drop-in support”

Weekly one-to-one learning-tutor support covers time management, planning, barriers to learning and liaison with teaching staff.

“This would be a timetabled weekly slot to meet with a Learning Tutor. They will concentrate on time management, assignment and homework planning within your subject areas. You will also be able to discuss any barriers to learning you may have, and they will be your “voice”, liaising with teaching staff on your behalf”

The NHS and Oxfordshire County Council provide free confidential drop-in clinics, and a qualified nurse supports students three days per week.

“The NHS and Oxfordshire County Council provide free drop-in clinics offering confidential advice and support to students. A qualified nurse also provides advice and support in relation to any health issues, three days a week.”

The college has a dedicated safeguarding team led on child-protection and safeguarding matters by Simon Wright, and all staff receive relevant training.

“The College has a dedicated Safeguarding Team and the Designated Safeguarding Person, Simon Wright, is responsible for child protection and safeguarding matters. All staff have received safeguarding and Prevent training.”

Students combine an intensive full-time football programme with A levels or a broad selection of vocational qualifications.

“Students follow a full time football programme alongside studying A levels or a wide range of vocational qualifications. It is an intensive programme with training throughout the week with fixtures on a Wednesday afternoon.”

An Engineering Extended Diploma student reports gaining practical experience with manual machinery, CNC machinery and industrial cleaning processes.

“Every week I have been able to operate the manual machinery, CNC machinery, and different cleaning processes that they use at Ashby.”

The skills builder programme develops problem-solving, critical-thinking and communication skills to support career ambitions.

“The recently implemented 'skills builder' program helps learners become aware of and develop valuable skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication, supporting their career ambitions.”

The digital suite aims to prepare students for future careers by developing entrepreneurial and employability skills.

“The aim is to prepare students for their future careers by embedding entrepreneurial and employability skills.”

The college promotes ambition, respect, inclusion, innovation, creativity, resilience, collaboration, growth and transformation.

“The word ‘heart’ underpins our values and behaviours as it reflects our approach to all that we do, as well as our position within our communities. We aim high and turn ambition into reality, within a culture of respect and inclusion. We show passion and dedication to improving our learners’ experience and outcomes, encouraging innovation, creativity and resilience. We are united in our vision for the future, working together for growth and transformation, with our students at the heart of all that we strive to achieve.”

High expectations and striving for excellence are stated values.

“H – High expectations We always strive for excellence”

The college offers more than 60 A Level and vocational courses, including options unavailable at some local school sixth forms.

“The Henley College offers a competitively broad range of subjects, including over 60 A Level and vocational courses, some of which are not available through local school sixth forms.”

Students below grade 4 in GCSE English Language and Mathematics must resit them alongside their main vocational course; resits cannot be taken alongside an A Level programme.

“Students who have not achieved a grade 4 or above in GCSE English Language and Mathematics will be required to re-sit these qualifications at College alongside their main vocational course_. _Please note that it is not possible to resit GCSEs alongside an A Level programme.”

Open events are held throughout the year for prospective students and their families.

“We also have open events throughout the year for prospective students and their families to visit us, if they are not able to visit during the college opening times.”

Applicants are asked to disclose learning difficulties or disabilities, including mental health difficulties, on their application form.

“We ask that students tell us on the application form of any learning difficulties or disabilities (including mental health difficulties). If appropriate, a further questionnaire will be sent to you to gather more information, before an interview date is set.”

Many students progress to Russell Group universities, including Oxford and Cambridge.

“Many of our students progress to Russell Group Universities, including Oxford & Cambridge.”

The page states that 84.9% of Henley students progressing to university gain a First-Class or Upper Second-Class Honours degree.

“84.9%\* students progressing to university from Henley gain a First-Class or Upper Second-Class Honours.”

In 2022, the college reported a 95.8% overall A Level pass rate, with 17 subjects achieving a 100% pass rate.

“The Henley College has an excellent track record of exam results, with a 95.8% overall A Level pass rate for 2022, with 17 subjects gaining 100% pass rate.”

Ofsted rated the College Good overall and Outstanding for its support for high-needs students.

“The College was judged ‘Good’ overall, and ‘Outstanding’ for its support for high needs students”