Shortenills Post 16

Grow Your Future: Learning Rooted in Real-World Skills

 At Shortenills, our Post-16 provision provides a warm, welcoming and nurturing environment where every young person is known and understood.  Our aim is to support our learners to rediscover a love of learning, develop confidence and prepare for the next stage of their lives.

We work closely with our young people to help them embrace challenge, build resilience and achieve success both academically and personally. Our focus is not only on qualifications, but also on helping young people develop the skills and independence needed for adulthood.

Our Post-16 provision is designed for young people aged 16-17 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) where Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) is the primary need.

Many learners joining Shortenills may have experienced challenges in mainstream education, including:

• Anxiety or low mood
• Difficulties with emotional regulation
• ADHD or attachment-related needs
• Previous exclusion or disrupted education
• Periods of school refusal or reduced confidence

At Shortenills we provide a structured and supportive environment where young people can rebuild confidence, re-engage with learning and develop positive relationships with staff and peers.

 To be considered for a place at Shortenills Post-16:

• The young person must have an EHCP identifying SEMH as the primary need
• The Local Authority must formally consult with Shortenills
• Learners should have an interest in at least one vocational pathway: Horticulture and Outdoor Learning, Childcare or Business Studies
• Learners must be willing to work towards English and Maths qualifications where required.

Transition planning is an important part of the process. We offer visits to the site and opportunities to meet staff to ensure the placement is right for the young person and that they feel confident about joining the provision. 

Shortenills provides a specialist Post-16 environment designed for young people with SEMH needs.

Key features of our provision include:

• Small group sizes and a high staff-to-learner ratio
• A calm, low-arousal learning environment
• Strong relationship-based support from consistent staff
• Outdoor and nature-based learning opportunities

We are also an RHS Approved Centre, allowing students to work towards recognised vocational qualifications while developing practical skills and confidence.

Our curriculum is designed to help young people achieve meaningful qualifications while building the skills needed for adulthood.

We understand that emotional wellbeing is as important as learning. Our provision is rooted in a trauma-informed, relationship-based approach, where behaviour is recognised as communication and every young person is supported with empathy, consistency and care.

 Targeted interventions such as mentoring, counselling and mental health support are available where appropriate. Positive Behaviour Support Plans focus on skill-building, emotional regulation and restorative approaches, ensuring that challenges are addressed constructively and relationships are strengthened.

All learners will study English and Maths they are core parts of the Post-16 programme.

Our teaching focuses on helping students:

• Rebuild confidence in learning
• Develop essential literacy and numeracy skills
• Achieve recognised qualifications.

Lessons are carefully structured and supportive, helping leaners overcome previous barriers and experience success.

Our learners work towards Functional Skills (Entry Level – Level 2) or GCSE resits, depending on their prior attainment and future goals.

All learners choose one pathway:

• Sustainable Futures – Level 2 Qualification in Horticulture
• Future Leaders – Level 2 Qualification in Business Studies
• Caring Futures – Level 2 Qualification in Childcare

These pathways combine academic learning with practical experience, helping our young people prepare for employment, apprenticeships or further education.

Alongside academic learning, all young people take part in our Confident Adulthood programme, which prepares them for life beyond school.

This programme includes:

• Independent living skills – cooking, budgeting and home management
• Employability skills – CV writing, interview preparation and workplace expectations
• Social and emotional development – confidence, resilience and self-regulation
• Community engagement – volunteering and real-world experiences

Our goal is to help every learner leave Shortenills as a confident, capable and resilient young adult, ready to take their next steps in education, employment or independent living.

 If you would like to find out more about the Shortenills Post-16 provision, we encourage you to take a look at our Post-16 Prospectus, which provides further information about the provision, curriculum and placement process.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss a potential placement after reading the prospectus, please get in touch with the school. Our team will be happy to support Local Authorities, parents, carers through the consultation and transition process.

 This page was last updated on 12 March  2026