Schools and colleges must do their best to find out if you have special educational needs or a disability (SEND), and give you the support you need to learn.

They will look at: 

• what support you need
• what they can do to give you that support 

You can have your say about what support you get.

Until the age of 18, you have the right to a good quality education and you should be encouraged to go to school to the highest level you can.

Education is there to help you:

• learn the skills in becoming an adult
• be ready for work
• have the chance to join in social events

For information about post 16 options head over to adult education and  check out community learning adult education brochure for upcoming courses.

School

School is where children and young people go to learn skills that they might need when they are older:

• children aged two to five years old have the option of going to a pre-school, childminder or nursery school
• between five and 16 years old, children and young people must receive an education - this is usually at school

The schools directory has more information about schools in Milton Keynes.

Further education 

Sixth forms and colleges are known as further education and offer a variety of vocational and academic courses. Courses are provided at every level of learning to help young people achieve their aspirations and can give you skills and qualifications you might need when you are older.  It is important that you attend open days and events with your parents or carers to make sure the school or college is the right option for you.

• sixth forms are usually part of a school and are for young people aged 16 to 18 years old
• college is for young people aged between 16 and 25 years old

To find out what subjects or courses are available at sixth forms or colleges, have a look at HelpYouChoose.

Functional Skills and GCSE's

If you are over the age of 19 and looking to gain your qualification in maths or English at either function skills level or GCSE level then community learning offer free courses. Classes are available at different times of the day, to find out more information see the community learning website here.

Study Programmes

All 16 to 25 year old learners with SEND are funded for an individual study programme to help you achieve a substantial academic or vocational qualification or work experience.

Study programmes are tailored to meet your needs and reflect your previous achievements, aspirations and abilities and include:

• substantial qualifications or work experience
• Maths and English for students who have not passed their GCSE in these subjects by age 16
• high-quality work experience
• added value non-qualification activity

Higher education

Taking a qualification at a higher level than A Level, BTEC National Qualification or Advanced Apprenticeships is known as higher education and is for young people over the age of 18. There are a wide range of courses offering vocational and academic qualifications and courses can be supported to meet the needs of a young person with SEND. 

You will need to have got a level three qualification in a relevant subject(s) to enter high education - advice and guidance regarding applications will be available from the provider.

Higher education courses can be taken all over the country but are available locally at:

• Milton Keynes College
• University of Bedfordshire
• University of Buckingham  - private
• Cranfield University
• Open University - distance learning, based in Milton Keynes

Care Farms

Care Farms use working farms to help you learn new skills as you prepare for adult life. The types of work that may be taught include:

• caring for livestock, small animals and poultry - animal husbandry
• growing crops and vegetables
• looking after woodlands - woodland management

You will be supported when doing all of these activities. To find out more information about care farms and where they are, visit Care Farming UK.

Learning for jobs

Apprenticeships, traineeships and supported internships are types of training for young people who are 16-years-old or over. They help you to learn skills to get a job. You will do some learning in a classroom and some learning at work.

To find out what traineeships and apprenticeships are available, visit HelpYouChoose

MK SNAP

MK SNAP has a dedicated team of 24 qualified and specialist staff and a team of volunteers here to support your loved ones develop their further educational needs and life skills. A tailor made curriculum containing over 20 courses and subjects is designed to suit the needs of our learners.