RENFREWSHIRE is set to host Scotland’s first dedicated college for school leavers with complex needs, it has been revealed.
Corseford College, operated by Capability Scotland, will open in September to offer further education day placements for those whose needs can’t be met in mainstream colleges.
It will be based within a wing of the existing Corseford School campus, near Johnstone, following a £250,000 refurbishment of both the internal and external environment.
Capability Scotland has already allocated 12 of the 15 places available in year one and an open day for parents and guardians is taking place on Saturday.
Brian Logan, the charity’s chief executive, believes the new college will transform the lives of a number of students with complex support needs, as well as their families.
He told The Gazette: “We’re delighted with the engagement that we have been receiving from the Scottish Government, empowering us to make Corseford College happen.
“There is a clear and urgent need to address the lack of further education opportunities for so many of our young people in society.
“The default option for those with complex needs is day care. While this is the right route for some, there needs to be greater depth of opportunity.
“We’ve already had a great deal of interest from families all around the country and we’re looking forward to welcoming some of those families to our open day on Saturday.”
The charity’s vision is to increase to 25 students in year two’s intake, before delivering a strategy for a phased rolling out of similar colleges across Scotland.
To register for Saturday’s open day, visit www.capability.scot/events/538-corseford-college-open-day.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here