We provide high-quality person-centred support through our trans-disciplinary team. Learn more about the support we provide for learners.

Learner Voice

Learner voice at St. John’s College is extremely important. Weekly learner voice sessions and key worker sessions give learners the chance to discuss college and residential-related issues.

We have a Learner Council comprised of learner ambassadors who help to promote college events and awareness campaigns, produce a newsletter, and represent the college at nationwide events.

Learner ambassadors also share the views and suggestions of their peers with the senior leadership team so we are continually listening and responding to learners and helping to make improvements.

Transition into college

Transition is a personalised process and requires careful planning and support. When a place has been agreed upon, we will send out a welcome pack and work with the learner and their family to ensure a successful move from their current school or college to St. John's College.

Before young people come to the college for the first time, we recommend they take a virtual tour of our campus.  We are also happy to supply a social story for those who might find this a useful way to explain a visit to a new place.

As part of the transition process, we may arrange meetings with the young person, families, and professionals to ensure we have all the information we require to best support them. We may also arrange an observation of the young person within a familiar setting.  Transitioning learners are allocated to a tutor group and, for residential students, a care home of similar peers, and their transition plan is overseen by one of our experienced managers. To ensure a successful transition we offer visits to the college site and care homes, rapport-building sessions, and staggered starts for some students. steadily increasing the amount of time spent in the college before the confirmed start date.

The first day of a new academic year is our induction day, just for new students and their families.

Transition from college

Just as important as a successful transition into college is a successful transition from college. We ask young people and their parents to start thinking about life after college as soon as they start college. This might seem a bit strange, but the earlier we can plan for transition, the more successful it will be.

Funding

Our learners are funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and the local authority, usually from education budgets, residential students' care placements are generally funded by social care or health budgets, as best meets the learner’s needs.  Personal budgets can also be used to contribute to a placement at St. John's College. The final decision about funding a place is made by a learner’s local authority.  It should consider the family’s expressed preference and our assessment. Under the Children and Families Act 2014, a parent or learner can name a preferred college in an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan.

Free college meals

The government provides funding for the provision of free meals for learners who qualify for assistance. The amount per meal is set by the government and a meal is provided where a learner attends college over the lunchtime period. The meal is provided by accessing food retailers within the local area to purchase a meal up to the value stated above as the college is not able to provide a catering provision.

Applications for free meals for the academic year must be submitted to the college by 30 June. An application would need to be submitted for each academic year. 

If you require assistance with the policy contact the college and we will arrange for support to be provided.

Bursary funding

St. John's College has bursaries which are available for young people who meet the criteria and require financial help to overcome the individual barriers to participation they face such as essential books, equipment, specialist clothing and transport.

• Vulnerable bursary (for learners aged 16-19 only)
• Discretionary bursary

If you require assistance with the policy, contact the college and we will arrange for support to be provided.