Horizons College

Overview

Horizons College is a specialist provider for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities, judged as ‘Good’ overall following significant improvement from its previous ‘Requires improvement’ rating. The report highlights an ‘Outstanding’ personal development, driven by a new curriculum and environment that effectively prepare learners for independence and community engagement.

Strengths

• Learners demonstrate ‘high levels of respect’ and ‘positive attitudes’, engaging actively in a curriculum tailored to their individual needs and interests.
• The new premises provide realistic vocational training, such as a café and reception area, helping learners develop skills for ‘employment and greater independence’.
• Staff possess high levels of specialist expertise, including advanced qualifications in special educational needs, ensuring ‘holistic individualised’ support.
• Personal development is ‘Outstanding’, with learners gaining resilience, self-advocacy skills, and a strong understanding of British values and safety.
• Leaders have established effective monitoring systems and a collaborative multi-disciplinary team that adjusts programmes to ensure ambitious outcomes.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should embed the multi-disciplinary team approach to reduce duplication and improve coherence across curriculum areas.
• Staff need strategies to maintain learners’ focus during the withdrawal of support to foster greater independence.
• Leaders must further develop meaningful work experiences to help more learners secure ‘sustainable paid employment’.

Safeguarding

The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.