ESPA College is part of Education & Services for People with Autism in

Ashbrooke Ashbrooke is a residential area of Sunderland, North East England directly south and south-west of the city centre. Ashbrooke developed through the Victorian era as Sunderland's first suburb. Originally occupied by large middle-class families ...

, Sunderland,

Tyne and Wear Tyne and Wear () is a metropolitan county in North East England, situated around the mouths of the rivers Tyne and Wear. It was created in 1974, by the Local Government Act 1972, along with five metropolitan boroughs of Gateshead, Newc ...

, England. The college provides various services for people on the autistic spectrum. The college management team is located in the same buildings as the students. It educates young people aged 16–25. It was recognised in a 2010 OFSTED report as having good overall effectiveness.http://www.gnn.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=47023&NewsAreaID=2 GNN – Government News Network]

The College

Opened in 1992, the college has provided a unique educational experience for learners. All learners follow a tailor-made curriculum, which is a programme of study and support specifically designed to meet the social, educational and emotional needs of the young adults that study there. Every learner has an Individual Learning Plan specific to their needs, which includes targets drawn from Education, Health & Care Plans. ESPA aims to provide people with

autism spectrum The autism spectrum, often referred to as just autism or in the context of a professional diagnosis autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autism spectrum condition (ASC), is a neurodevelopmental condition (or conditions) characterized by difficulti ...

disorders (ASD) and other related disorders with an inclusive education. One aspect of this is protecting students with ASD from

neurotypical Neurotypical (NT, an abbreviation of neurologically typical) is a neologism widely used in the neurodiversity movement as a label for non-neurodivergent people. That is, anyone who has a typical neurotype, so excluding autism, autistic people, t ...

students who may engage in bullying and other forms of abuse, in mainstream environments. The College is currently managed by a team of four people: Lesley Lane is the Chief Executive, Patrick Cahill is the Principal and Mike Smith is the Admissions, Placements & Transitions Manager. Each site has its own management structure which includes college co-ordinators.

One College, Multiple Sites

ESPA College is split into five sites, named Ashleigh (a Hall of Residence), North Rye, South Hill, Tithebarn and Tasker. South Hill is located in the Cedars, Sunderland and Tasker is located at the Elms, Sunderland. North Rye is located in Kenton, Newcastle upon Tyne. Ashleigh is located in Gosforth, Newcastle. Tithebarn is located in Stockton on Tees, next to North Tees Hospital.

Education and Services for People with Autism

As of 1 October 2008, ESPA College has slightly changed its name to reflect the practices of the colleges. It is now known as ''Education and'' Services for People with Autism rather than ''European'' Services for People with Autism.

References

External links

* {{Authority control Autism-related organisations in the United Kingdom Schools for people on the autistic spectrum Education in the City of Sunderland Educational institutions established in 1992 1992 establishments in England Organisations based in Tyne and Wear