Alderstead College provides further education and applied learning within the State education system.

What the college provides

College provision can include skills education, apprenticeships education-side learning, adult learning, role pathways, public-service preparation, applied qualifications and progression towards higher education or employment.

Local-authority support

Alderstead Council supports learner access, local communication, accessibility and education-place relationships. National education and qualification policy remains with the Department for Education and the other competent national bodies.

Progression and support

Learners may use the college as a route into further study, skills development, public-service preparation or employment. The college works within the national education framework and should make clear which programme, qualification or progression route a learner is using. Where a learner needs accessibility help or local-authority support, Alderstead Council can help identify the correct education route.

Relationship with skills services

Further education and skills often connect, but the responsibilities are not identical. The college provides education-side learning and progression, while the responsible work and skills services retain their own labour-market, employment and skills functions. Local information should make that division clear so a learner can move between education and skills support without the council presenting the two systems as one organisation.

Progression from college

College learning can support progression into higher education, employment, apprenticeships and other skills routes. Education-side learning remains part of the education system, while employment and wider skills services retain their own responsibilities. The college and council signpost between those systems where a learner needs support that sits outside the education function.

Questions about accessibility or local learner access can be raised through Alderstead Council's local education-authority route.