2026/27
Transforminglivessince2004
WHOARETCHC?
TCHCisanOfstedGoodproviderwhohavesupportedlocalcommunitiesacrossBedfordshire, Cambridgeshire,Essex,Hertfordshire,GreaterLondon,PeterboroughandSuffolkfor21years.We havehelpedover500,000learnersprogressintobetteropportunities.
WHATISGAPS?
AtDunstableGAPS,weusearangeofteachingandlearningtechniquestosupportour learnerswithSEND.Ourteamconsidersindividualneedswhenplanningtheircurriculumand providetailoredresourcesandinstructionsineachlesson.Weuseregularassessmentson progressandcollaboratewithotherprofessionalstoensureindividualsuccess.
Setwithinthelocalcommunity,weprideourselvesonthenurturing,calmandpositive environmentourcentreprovideswhichhelpsustogetthebestoutofourlearners.
HOWWESUPPORTYOU HOWWESUPPORTYOU
AtTCHCweprovideopportunitiestodevelopindependenceskillsandprepare foradulthood.
TCHCGAPSprovidesapersonalisedandflexibleprogrammeofsupport,which isupdatedregularly,togiveourlearnersapositivelearningexperience.
Yoursupportrequirementswillbedetermineduponenrolment
Tutorsupport
Learningsupportassistants
Careers,Information,AdviceandGuidance
Wellbeing
TCHCstrivestoeffectivelyaccommodatealllearners’learningdifferences. Wehavethefacilitiesandexpertisetosupportlearnerswithspecialeducational needsincluding:
Sensoryneeds
Cognitionandlearning
Communicationandinteraction
Socialandemotionaldifficulties
Mentalhealth
WORKINGINSMALLGROUPS
AtTCHCweunderstandthateveryyoungperson’seducationaljourneyisunique,whichis whyweprioritisesupportiveandinclusivelearningenvironments.
Oursmallgroupsettingsencouragecollaborativelearningandalloweachindividualto expressthemselveswhilefeelingvaluedandunderstood.
FINANCIALSUPPORT&BURSARIES
Youcanapplyforabursarytohelptowardsattendingthecourse.Ifeligiblethiscanhelpin payingfortravelbypublictransport,orsupportwithpetrolexpenses,andlunch.Thefull amountisbasedonindividualneedandcircumstance,whichwillbeassessedatthestart ofthecourse.Speaktoamemberofstafftofindouthowabursarycouldworkforyou.
OFSTEDSAID
LearnersatTCHCenjoyandvaluethe educationthattheyreceive.Theyappreciate beingtaughtinsmallgroupsandlearningata pacethathelpsthemtosucceed.
Learnerscommentpositivelyabouttheflexible approachtolearningandhowtutorsteach subjectsinbitesizetopicssothatlearnerscan understandthemthoroughlybeforemoving ontothenexttopic.Learnerslikethefriendly andhelpfulapproachoftutorsatTCHC.They feelwelcomeandwellsupported.
WHATISASTUDYPROGRAMME?
AtTCHC,yourstudyprogrammewillbeindividualandtailormadetofit yourspecificneeds.
Yourprogrammewillbeupto38weeksdependingonyourstartdateand thedaysyouattendthecentrewillbeconfirmeduponenrolment.
WHOISGAPSFOR?
Youmustbeagedbetween16–18yearsoragedbetween16–24years andhaveacurrentEducational,health&careplan(EHCP) Youmustbeabletoprovidevalididentificationpriortoenrolment (passport/birthcertificate)
Noformalqualificationsarerequiredaswewillassessleveloflearning priortoenrolmenttakingintoconsiderationpreviousqualification achievements
Takingpartinastudyprogrammecanmakearealdifferencetoyourfuture byhelpingyoudevelopvaluableskillsandgainmeaningfulexperience.
DuringyourtimeatGAPS,we’llsupportyouinexploringdifferentcareer pathwaysthroughworkplacementsandguideyouonthestepsneededto achieveyourgoals.
VOCATIONALAIM
FUNCTIONALSKILLSMATHS&ENGLISH
MathsandEnglishareessentialskillsvaluedbyemployers acrossallindustries,helpingyoucommunicateclearlyand solveproblems.
Whatisavocationalcourse?
Avocationalcourseisatrainingprogrammethatfocusesmore onpracticalwork,ratherthantraditionalacademicexams.
AtDunstableGAPS,weofferthefollowingvocationalcourses:
Ourdedicatedstaffarecommittedtoequippingyouwiththe essentialskillsneededtoachieveyourqualificationsandexcel inyourcareerandfuture.
BUSINESS&RETAIL
Thisstudyprogrammeisdesignedtodeveloptheskills,knowledge,and confidenceneededtoprogressintobusinessandretailcareers.Learners willgainastrongfoundationforemployment,furthertraining,or progressionwithintheindustry.
Theprogrammeisdeliveredthroughablendofpracticalactivitiesand classroom-basedlearning,givinglearnershands-onexperienceofreal workplacetasksandindustryopportunities.
WHATWILLILEARN?
Communicationskillsforwork
Workinginretail
Handlingstockinaretailenvironment
Handlingtelephonecalls
Healthandsafetyintheworkplace
Understandinghowtoworkaspartofateaminretail
Customerserviceskills
Learningandunderstandingbusinessprocessesandsystems
Exploringentrepreneurship
Applyingforajob
Coursetripsandevents
Guestspeakers
English&mathsFunctionalSkillsisincludedalongsidethisstudyprogramme.
WHATJOBSCANYOUDO
BusinessAdministrator,MarketingAssistant,Salesperson,CustomerService AssistantandFinanceAssistant.
CONSTRUCTION
Thisprogrammeisdesignedtogivelearnersthepracticalskillsandknowledge neededtostartacareerinconstruction,buildingtrades,ormaintenance. Learnerswilldevelophands-onskillswhilelearninghowtheconstruction industryworks,includinghealthandsafetypractices,tools,andmaterialsused ineverydayjobs.
Throughacombinationofpracticaltasksandclassroomlearning,learnerswill gainconfidence,learnindustrytechniques,andbuildthefoundationforfurther trainingoremploymentinconstruction.
WHATWILLILEARN?
Halvingjoints(woodwork)
Drain,remove&replaceradiators
Installingguttering
Paintinganddecorating
Paintingapaneldoor
Wiringringmainplugs
Connectingappliances
Introductiontohealthandsafetyinconstruction
Introductiontoconstructionindustry
English&mathsFunctionalSkillsisincludedalongsidethisstudyprogramme.
WHATJOBSCANYOUDO
Painter&Decorator,Carpenter,Tiler,Plasterer,Bricklayer,Plumber,Electrician, Surveyor,Labourer,Roofer,Scaffolder,ArchitectandCivilEngineer.
FUTURESKILLS
TheFutureSkills(Progression)qualificationisidealforlearnerswhowishtodevelop theirconfidenceandknowledgeinessentialandextensivelifeskills,becomemore familiarwithhowtonavigatesociety,experienceabalanceofclassroomlearning withpracticalhands-onlearningorhavetheopportunitytobecomebetter preparedforfutureeducation,employmentandtrainingopportunities.
WHATWILLILEARN?
Personalbudgeting
Communicationandlanguagetechniques
Studyskills
Improvepersonalmannerandconduct
Healthyliving
Personalskills
Traveltrainingandstreetsafety
Personalpresentation
Takepartincommunityprojects
Personalsafety
Managingproblems
Developingpersonalconfidence
Understandingassertiveness
Managingandcopingwithchange
Developingandmaintainingfriendshipsandrelationships
Decisionmaking
Developingresilienceskills
Exploringequalityanddiversity
English&mathsFunctionalSkillsisincludedalongsidethisstudyprogramme.
HEALTH&CARE
ThisHealthandCareprogrammeisdesignedtohelplearnersdevelopthe essentialskillsandknowledgeneededtoprogressintoemployment,further training,orapprenticeshipswithinthecaresector.Learnerswillbuildconfidence, enhancetheiremployabilityskills,andgainanunderstandingofthewiderange ofhealthandsocialcareopportunitiesavailableintheirlocalarea.
Throughacombinationofpracticalactivities,workshops,andtailoredguidance, learnerswilldeveloptheknowledge,behaviours,andhands-onexperience requiredtosucceedinhealthandcaresettingsorcontinueintofurtherstudy.
WHATWILLILEARN?
Learnaboutdifferentcareenvironments
Meetindustryprofessionals
Coursetripsandevents
Guestspeakers
Learncommunicationandteamworkskillsspecifictothecaresector
Identifypotentialcareersinthecaresector
Safeguardingwithincare
Typesofserviceswithinthecaresector
Howtosupportpatients/clientseffectively
Recognisetheimportanceofhealthyeatingforpatients/clients
Supportinginhealth,socialcare,children’sandyoungpeople’ssettings
Infectionpreventionandcontrol
Introductiontomentalhealth
English&mathsFunctionalSkillsisincludedalongsidethisstudyprogramme
WHATJOBSCANYOUDO
RegisteredNurse,SocialWorker,ChildProtectiveServices Worker,FamilySupportWorker,ResidentialCareWorker,Youth Worker,ChildcareWorkerandEarlyChildhoodEducator.
PAINTING&DECORATING
Thisprogrammeisdesignedtogivelearnersthepracticalskillsandknowledge neededforacareerinpainting,decorating,orbuildingtrades.Learnerswill develophands-onskillswhilelearningaboutmaterials,tools,andhealthand safetypracticesusedintheindustry.
Throughpracticalactivitiesandclassroomlearning,learnerswillgain confidenceandbuildthefoundationforfurthertrainingorworkinpaintingand decorating.
WHATWILLILEARN?
Paintinganddecorating
Paintingapaneldoor
Introductiontohealthandsafetyinconstruction
Introductiontoconstructionindustry
English&mathsFunctionalSkillsisincludedalongsidethisstudyprogramme.
WHATJOBSCANYOUDO
InteriorPainter,ExteriorPainter,CommercialPainter, ResidentialDecorator,IndustrialCoatingsApplicator, SprayPainterandWallpaperInstaller.
SincestartingatGAPS,my confidencehasgrownalot andIfeelmorepositive aboutmyfuturenow.
ENGLISH&MATHS
FUNCTIONAL SKILLS
FunctionalSkillshelpyoubuildtheknowledge,confidence,and practicalabilityyouneedtosucceedineverydaylifeandthe workplace.
AsaGAPslearner,you’llhavethechancetoworktowardsmaths andEnglishqualificationswithsupportfromasuitablyqualified tutor.Yourlearningwillfollowapersonalisedplandesigned aroundyourgoalsandstartingpoint.
WeteachmathsandEnglishinapractical,hands-onway.Our tutorshelpyouusewhatyoulearninrealsituations,from everydaytaskstoproblem-solvingatwork.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT &WORKSKILLS
AtTCHCGAPSwewillsupportyouindevelopingthepersonal,social,andlifeskills neededforeverydayliving,furtherlearning,andfutureemployment.
Youwillbuildconfidence,independence,andwellbeingwhilereceivingguidanceand supporttailoredtotheirindividualneeds.
WHATWILLILEARN?
Youwilldevelopimportantskillsandknowledge,including:
Personalandsocialdevelopmentsessions
Employabilityskills,includingCVbuildingandinterviewtechniques
Independentlivingskills
UnderstandingFundamentalBritishValues
Keepingsafeandhealthy
Opportunitiestotakepartinworkexperience
Developingpositivementalwellbeing
Engagingingroupactivitiesandteamwork
Accessto1-to-1IAGsupportandguidance
WORK EXPERIENCE
WHYDOWORKEXPERIENCE?
Workexperiencewillallowyoutopreparefortheworldofworkanddevelopskills thatemployersvalue.Itwillallowyoutobuildconfidence,understandworkplace expectations,andgainexperiencethatcansupportfutureemployment,training, orapprenticeships.
Itwillallowyoutotakepartinworkexperienceindifferentformats,including:
Blockworkexperience
Extendedworkexperience
Tasterdays
WHATWILLILEARN?
Customerserviceandcommunicatio
Commercialawarenessforyourplace
Workingontasksandmanagingyour Teamwork
Timemanagement
Howtouseinitiative
Useoffunctionalskills
Acceptingresponsibility
WHATWILLIGETOUTOFIT?
Havingapositiveworkexperiencewillallow youto:
AddvaluableexperiencetoyourCV
Gainareferencefromanemployer
Buildexamplestotalkaboutin interviewsforjobsorapprenticeships
Ifasuitablevacancybecomesavailable duringyourplacement,youmaybeableto applyfortherole.Yourexperiencewould berelatedtowhatyourcareeraspirations are,inrelationstoyourstudies.
MEANSBEINGINTHECENTREATLEAST 95%OFTHETIME...ORHAVINGNOMORE THAN10DAYSOFF!
DAYS ABSENCE
Moretimeinthe centremeans moretimetolearn, develop&grow!
10
DAYS ABSENCE
19 29
DAYS ABSENCE
Lesstimeinthe centremeansless timetobecome theverybestyou!
DAYS ABSENCE
38 47
DAYS ABSENCE
Poor attendance meansless chances inlife!
DAYS ABSENCE
“Sincethefirstday,Ihavefelt comfortableinthiscentreandwell supportedinnotonlymyworkbut myfuturecareerchoicesaswell.”
MYLES
“Ihaveenjoyed learninginawaythat helpsmeunderstand.”
“Thestaffalwayspush youtobethebestthat youcanbe.”
S T A N L E Y
“Mytutorsmakethework tailoredtomeandiambuilding myconfidencewithinevery lesson.”
“GAPShaschangedourdaughterslife.Shehad aterribleexperienceatapreviouscollegedue tobullying.Herconfidence,self-esteemand mentalhealthwasatrockbottom.Thestaffat GAPShavebeenamazinglysupportive, encouragingandempoweringourdaughter tosucceed!Theyhavebeenamazing! Wehaveourdaughterback!”
“Thecollegehasbeen excellentsincemy daughterstartedallstaff arehelpfulhertutoris excellenttoo.Thecollege haveareallyrelaxed atmosphere.Shehas settledinreallywellso gladIchangedher collegecanseeabig differenceinmy daughter.”
“GAPShastrulybeena positiveturningpointin mydaughter’slife.Her confidencehasgrown,her socialskillshaveimproved andshenowknowswith hardworkshecanhavea futureregardlessofher disabilities.”
“Thestaffatthe centrehave beenincredibly supportiveto mydaughter (andmyself).”
“Staffarefriendly,helpfulandkind. Thesmallgroup,adultsupervision, supportandencouragementhas beenofsomuchbenefittoourchild. Wewishmoreyoungpeoplehadthe opportunitytolearninthistypeof environmentwhichisobviouslyfar moreconducivetolearning andwellbeing thanmainstream educationprovision ormanychildren.”
WORDSFROM PARENTS/CARERS. WORDSFROM PARENTS/CARERS.
HowdoIapplyforacourse?
YoucanapplybyscanningthisQRcodeoralternativelyhead overtowww.tchc.netandclickthe‘QuickApply’buttoninthe cornerofthescreen.
HowmanydaysaweekwillIattend?
Dependingonyourcourse,youwillusuallyattend3or4daysperweek. Yourtimetablewillincludeclassroomlearning,practicalsessions,and, whereapplicable,workexperience.
Whathappensattheendofmycourse?
YourtutorswillbesupportingyouthroughtheyearwiththeIAGadviser. Theywillworkwithyoutodevelopaprogressionplanthroughtheyearso youcanseeyouroptionsforwhenyourcoursefinishes.
WherecanIgoforlunch?
Youhavetheoptiontoeatyourownlunchwithinthecommunalareasor youcanhaveaseparateroom.Insomecases,lunchcanbeprovided.If youwanttobuylunchtherearelocalamenitiescloseby.
CanIhaveapart-timejobandstillattendGAPS?
Yes,youcanworkpart-timealongsideyourprogramme,aslongasit fitsaroundyourscheduledcoursedays.
Youmaybeeligibleforabursarywhileineducation.Thiscanprovide supportwithtravelcosts,freemeals,andclothingforinterviews. Arethereanybursariesavailabletome?
FAQs FORPARENTS
Howwillmyyoungpersonbesupported?
Learnersreceivesupportfromtutors,subjectspecialists,andtheIAG adviser.Theyalsohaveaccessto1-to-1guidancetohelpwithlearning, progression,andpersonaldevelopment.
HowwillIbekeptinformedaboutmyyoungperson'sprogress?
Weprovideregularupdatesthroughprogressreports,parent/carer meetings,andcommunicationwithtutorstokeepyouinformedabout youryoungperson’slearningandachievements.
Whatqualificationswillmyyoungpersongain?
Learnerswillgaincourse-specificqualifications,alongwithEnglishand MathsFunctionalSkillswhereapplicable,helpingthemprogressto employment,apprenticeships,orfurtherstudy.
Howdoyouhelpwithcareerplanning?
LearnersworkwithourIAGadvisertocreateaprogressionplan, exploringcourses,apprenticeships,andlocalemploymentopportunities thatmatchtheirgoals.
Whatsafetymeasuresareinplace?
Alloursitesfollowstricthealthandsafetypolicies,safeguarding procedures,andriskassessments.Learnersareguidedonsafepractice inclassrooms,workshops,andanyworkexperienceplacements.
Whatifmyyoungpersoncannotattendthecentre?
Thecentrewillnottoleratebullyingorharassment.Learnersshouldinform theirpersonaltutor,safeguardingchampionorthecentremanager. Youcanemaildunstable.gaps@tchc.netorsafeguarding@tchc.net
