A trio of colleges in Hampshire have been awarded a share of £1.36 million in funding grants.
Awarded by the Education Funding Agency, the money will be used to enable facilities of support to be extended to pupils aged between 16 and 24 who are classed as having learning difficulties or disability and/or special educational needs.
The three sites to benefit are Brockenhurst College – which will receive £210,000, Eastleigh College – which has been granted £654,000 – and Queen Mary’s College of Basingstoke, which will be boosted by £496,000.
Hampshire County Council’s executive member for education Peter Edgar said: “As the local authority we have a responsibility for ensuring there is sufficient provision for students moving into post-16 education.”
He added that he is “pleased” that the council has been able to help by playing an “instrumental role” in securing the funding.
The local colleges will now be able to create more opportunities for high-needs students to get involved in activities that are not generally included in their formal study programme – for example, by setting up a social club.