YOUTH COLLEGE:
SUPPORTING LOCAL SCHOOLS TO DEVELOP A
STRONG INCLUSION OFFER
OVERVIEW
Youth College works in partnership with local schools to support inclusive education pathways for learners who may benefit from an alternative approach to traditional classroom-based study.
With increasing focus on meeting the needs of all learners through the Education Inspection Framework, our Youth College provision offers schools a high-quality alternative education programme designed to re-engage learners, improve attendance, and support positive progression outcomes.
WAYS TO STUDY
APPLICATIONS OPEN
We are currently accepting school referrals for the 2026/27 academic year.
Youth College has capacity for 65 learners, who will be placed into one of the following vocational pathways:
- Hair & Beauty
- Engineering (Welding)
- Motor Vehicle (Body and Paint)
- Childcare / Early Years
Who will the programme benefit?
Youth College is predominantly a Year 11 provision.
In bespoke cases, applications for Year 10 learners may be considered where it is deemed the learner and provision are compatible.
Youth College is designed for Key Stage 4 learners who:
- Have continued to struggle with education post-pandemic
- Have significantly low attendance and become disengaged with learning
- Do not engage well with the wider national curriculum
Youth College is not a Day 6 provision and should not be viewed as an alternative pathway for learners at risk of permanent exclusion.
Why schools choose us?
- Learn relevant skills
- Smaller class sizes
- Outstanding facilities
- Dedicated Youth College area
- Tutors with industry experience
- Tutors who listen and understand
- Educational visits and guest speakers
- Meet new people
- More grown-up environment
- Strong progression opportunities to higher-level college courses
The Youth College Experience
DAILY TIMINGS
Youth College learners study on site Monday to Friday, with college closing at 12.30pm on Fridays.
Each cohort follows a bespoke timetable, meaning start and finish times may vary.
CORE GCSES
All learners receive:
- A minimum of 8 hours vocational tutoring
- 3 lessons of GCSE English Language and Literature
- 2 lessons of GCSE Maths
- 2 lessons of GCSE Combined Science
VOCATIONAL COURSES
Vocational pathways currently available include:
- Hair & Beauty
- Engineering (Welding)
- Motor Vehicle (Body and Paint)
- Childcare / Early Years
Students should think carefully when selecting their vocational pathway and choose an area they feel matches their interests and future aspirations.
APPLYING AND ENROLLING
It is important to note that learners remain on the roll of their home school and must be enrolled at a school prior to referral.
Learners are educated at South Tyneside College as part of a Service Level Agreement with their home school.
HOW TO APPLY
Students can express an interest through www.stc.ac.uk or by calling 0191 427 3900.
All appointments must be made through the learner’s home school. Please speak with your child’s Headteacher or Pastoral Lead to enquire about referral opportunities.
WHEN IS ENROLMENT?
For the 2026/27 academic year, South Tyneside College is working closely with South Tyneside Local Authority and schools in the local community to secure 65 learner places.
The identification and application process takes place during the Spring term of the previous academic year.
Students identified through this process will engage in a trial period during the final half term, normally mid-June.
Successful students will then officially enrol onto a Service Level Agreement and begin education at the provision from September.
OFSTED RATED GOOD
After being rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted in February 2024, they had some great things to say about South Tyneside College, with inspectors praising the college for:
- Skilled lecturers who develop learners’ critical thinking
- High-quality training facilities
- Inclusive and supportive learning environments
- Industry-standard teaching and expectations
- Helping learners build resilience and confidence
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GOT A QUESTION?
Youth College is for 14-16-year-olds who are interested in a more vocational programme of study as an alternative to a traditional school curriculum.
Learners will stay on the school roll and join STC Youth College on an SLA model. The full year cost is £7000 based on 32 weeks. Payment is upfront for the year (students interchangeable if there is a failed placement).
Students need to make arrangements for their own travel.
If a student wants to join our Youth College, there are two ways to do this. If a student currently attends school, they must speak to the school first to seek their support with the application process. The school will then contact our Youth College Manager to progress the application process. If a student is electively home educated, the parent or carer can contact the Youth College Manager directly to progress the application process.
Schools will give the Youth College Manager information about the student. The student will then be invited into college for a taster session, followed by a meeting with the Youth College Manager, Programme Leader and a member of the SEND Team, if appropriate. After this initial meeting, students will be invited back to college to complete assessments in English and maths. If successful, students will be offered a transition place on one of our programmes. If the student successfully completes the six-week transition period, they will then formally become one of our Youth College students.
If students join us in year 11 and are successful, they’ll have many opportunities to progress into their chosen career pathway, like joining one of our further education programmes or becoming an apprentice.
No – for safeguarding purposes. Youth College learners are kept in bespoke groups and are only ever taught with other Youth College learners.
Youth College students have their own common room, so they can meet other Youth College students of the same age, where they can socialise, relax and seek support from staff. Youth College students also have full access to all communal areas of the College that are used by Further Education students.
This all depends on the programme of study the students have chosen. For example, some Youth College students will have their skills assessed in the Salon or workshop, whereas other assessments could include assignment writing or presentations. For maths, English and science, we assess in line with national assessment guidelines and could include teacher assessments or exams.
There are internal work placement opportunities, for example, in the Salon that are open to the public.
We have a range of sporting activities available across the College that our Youth College students are welcome to participate in.
Yes, students will get the chance to attend a variety of trips and visits over the year that are designed to build character and teamwork skills.
The FSM value will be accredited to a card for the student to spend in the refectories at either site.
Students will report to the Youth College Attendance Officer who will then relay the information to the student’s school. If a student does not arrive by 10am, a first day response call will be made by the Attendance Officer, after which contact will then be made with the school.
We have robust safeguarding procedures in place to keep our Youth College students safe and to protect their well-being. Attendance text alerts are sent to parents and carers if a student is not present when a register is marked. Email alerts are sent to key staff, who will contact the parent or carer to confirm why the student is absent.
Our Youth College students are supervised during all timetabled lessons and are only allowed off site during lunchtimes if their parent or carer has given consent. Youth College students won’t be allowed to leave college for any reason until consent has been given by the parent or carer.
Our Youth College common room is only available to year 11 students, and is supervised by a member of staff.
If you want to know more, check out our policies and procedures here.
Want to know more?
Speak to us for full information on the vocational courses we offer.
Get in touch
Our team is always ready to help. So if you have questions on courses, your career, or anything else, complete this contact form and we’ll be in touch.