TUCKED away in Cheshire woodland, Petty Pool College is an oasis for young people with learning disabilities, offering them education, personal development - and a whole lot of fun.
Located in Sandiway, Northwich, Petty Pool accepts students from across Cheshire who may not benefit from a large, mainstream college setting.
The rural location is divided between Petty Pool Vocational College and Petty Pool Outdoor Centre and offers entry level and level one vocational courses in many subjects.
Last year, Petty Pool worked with 90 students with learning disabilities and 1,000 other young people via the Outdoor Centre.
But now, staff are keen to spread the word and invite Cheshire residents to the grounds and share Petty Pool’s success with the community.
“We’re building a coffee shop,” said Martin Bagnall, MORE maintenance coordinator.
“The aim is for anyone to be welcome to come and use it, to come and enjoy the outdoors, bringing their kids, families and friends and having a coffee. It will be run by the students as well.
“We’re also hoping to have a community shop, selling stuff the students have made – these are our big projects.”
Petty Pool is described as a ‘family’ and already welcomes business, educational and community groups for day or residential activities.
Outdoor activities include forest adventure, canoeing, climbing, abseiling, river walk, archery, zipwire, problem solving and high ropes – all in its safe home in the heart of Cheshire.
Its college courses also give pupils the chance to be adventurous, with a whole variety of choice on offer, including employability, supported internships, hospitality and catering, animal care, horticulture and conservation, office and IT, retail and customer service, hotel and tourism and preparation for work.
Unlike other colleges, Petty Pool has animals on-site, from small rabbits and chickens to larger goats and Shetland ponies for its animal care course.
There is even a replica of a Premier Inn hotel room on-site to give people a real-life experience of the hotel industry.
Pupils also get work placements with many nearby businesses.
And everything is geared up towards one common goal – giving pupils the skills they need for later life.
Martin explained: “The students’ third year is all about preparing them for work.
“We have links with people and businesses in the local area.
“That’s our main goal, that they’ll come here, and they’ll then go on to some sort of employment.
“It’s just creating that work ethic. It’s being able to give them that confidence which they can take out into the community.”
For more information, visit pettypool.org.uk.
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