PETTY Pool is taking part in The Power of Specialist FE awareness week, a national initiative highlighting the vital role specialist further education (FE) plays in supporting young people with complex needs.
Led by Natspec, the membership body for specialist FE colleges, the awareness week runs from 1–5 December 2025 and brings together specialist providers from across the country to celebrate the transformational work they deliver for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Across England, more than 1.7 million children and young people are currently identified as having SEND—the highest number ever recorded. While public attention often focuses on school-age provision, the crucial role that FE colleges play in supporting 16–25-year-olds with complex needs is frequently overlooked. Specialist FE ensures that, regardless of a young person’s level of need, there is a college equipped to support them, offer meaningful opportunities, and help them prepare for a brighter future.
At Petty Pool, 125 learners with mild to moderate learning disabilities are enrolled on vocational programmes aimed at helping them secure meaningful, paid employment when they leave education. Demand for places remains high, with students travelling from six different local authorities. To meet this growing need, the charity is planning and fundraising for a new SEND centre of excellence in Cheshire.
Petty Pool’s programmes focus on building independence, confidence and work-ready skills. The college works closely with local employers to shape job opportunities and create inclusive workplaces that reflect the needs of the region’s employment landscape. With many businesses experiencing recruitment challenges, Petty Pool emphasises that its learners bring enthusiasm, commitment and talent to the workforce.
During The Power of Specialist FE awareness week, Petty Pool will host visits from local MPs and councillors, showcase student work, and share learner stories across its digital platforms. The college will join specialist FE providers nationwide in celebrating achievements and highlighting the life-changing impact of specialist provision.
One such example is Megan, a recent student whose journey reflects the transformative power of tailored support. When Megan joined Petty Pool, she had a strong passion for catering and hospitality but lacked the confidence to pursue it as a career. Through the college’s internal work experience programme, she became part of the canteen team from her first year—preparing meals, serving staff and learners, handling cash, and maintaining high standards of cleanliness.
By her final year, Megan secured a supported internship at the bistro at Leighton Hospital. Here, she served a wide range of customers, restocked shelves, worked independently during busy shifts, and grew significantly in confidence. Her warm rapport with colleagues and supervisors made it clear she was ready to transition into employment. Upon leaving Petty Pool, she moved into a permanent part-time job at Leighton Hospital, working at least 16 hours per week.
Megan’s success reflects Petty Pool’s impressive outcomes: as of July 2025, 41% of college leavers progressed into paid or supported employment—far above the national average of just 5% for adults with learning disabilities.
Gareth Edwards, Principal at Petty Pool, said:
“We see learners leave our college full of confidence, ready to embark on the next stage of their adult lives. Many undergo extraordinary transformations during their time with us, thanks to the dedication of our specialist staff and their commitment to ensuring every learner has access to the opportunities they deserve.
“Specialist FE colleges equip young people with the skills to develop independence, contribute to their communities and succeed in employment. The Power of Specialist FE Awareness Week is a welcome opportunity to show policymakers, employers and the public why this provision matters so deeply—not only to learners and their families, but to society as a whole.”
Clare Howard, Chief Executive of Natspec, added:
“Specialist FE is about unlocking potential and creating positive futures. Our colleges give young people, many with very complex needs, the skills, confidence and independence they need to succeed in adult life. They are critical to the ambition of building an inclusive education system where no learner is left behind. Yet too often, the sector is overlooked by policymakers. Through The Power of Specialist FE awareness week, we aim to shine a light on this crucial provision and ensure it is recognised, valued and fully included in future policy decisions.”
As the awareness week unfolds, Petty Pool remains committed to championing specialist FE and ensuring young people with SEND receive the opportunities, support and recognition they deserve.
