Calman Colaiste (Kisimul Group)

Overview

Calman Colaiste is a small independent specialist college providing further education for young adults with autism, severe learning difficulties, and associated challenging behaviour. The report describes a "positive, respectful and caring environment" where leaders have designed an "effective person-centred curriculum" that prepares learners for independent living. Overall effectiveness is judged as Good, marking an improvement from the previous inspection.

Strengths

• Learners benefit from staff who demonstrate "compassion, patience and perseverance," creating a "safe space" for learning.
• Leaders prioritise behaviour management with the aim to "regulate before you educate," enabling learners to access learning successfully.
• Staff work effectively with therapeutic professionals to identify "bespoke strategies" for individual needs, including trauma-informed approaches.
• Learners develop independence and confidence, participating in community work placements and family life with improved behaviour regulation.
• Leaders and governors provide "good oversight" of education quality, using data to drive improvement and challenge effectively.

Areas to improve

• Develop the use and choice of "age-appropriate resources" for learners, as some materials currently used are not suitable for adults.
• Provide a curriculum that includes "sex education and information about healthy relationships" to better prepare learners for adulthood.
• Develop learners’ awareness of "appropriate conduct, including observing personal space and boundaries."

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."