A new partnership is offering more education choices for young adults with special educational needs in Worcestershire.

Funding from Worcestershire County Council has allowed the Heart of Worcestershire College and National Star College to transform the St Wulstan’s Building in Worcester into a space for learners over the age of 16.

The initiative will help reduce the need for students to travel long distances to access the specialist education and therapy that their Education, Health, and Care plan (EHCP) states they need.

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Councillor David Chambers, cabinet member for education at the county council, said: "Through our funding, we are proud to offer young adults with SEND in Worcestershire increased choices for their post-16 education.

"We understand the challenges students face in travelling long distances to access specialised education and therapy and this exciting initiative will provide essential support to enable these young learners to access local provision and linked to the college campus to develop skills for an independent life."

The building will feature three classrooms, an accessible kitchen, a therapy space, an outdoor courtyard, and access to two independent flats for learners to prepare for life after college.

Michelle Dowse, principal and chief executive officer at the college, said: "We are thrilled to announce that Heart of Worcestershire College has established a strong partnership with National Star, enabling us to enhance the support we are able to provide for young people with special educational needs and disabilities in Worcester."

The facility will open this month.

Plans are also underway to showcase the new facility at the Heart of Worcestershire Open Day on Wednesday, October 9, from 5pm to 8pm, when students and their families can visit the new facility and meet the teaching team.

Lynette Barrett, chief executive at National Star, said: "Our vision is for a world where people with disabilities can achieve their potential and lead equal and active lives like others in their local communities.

"We are delighted to be involved in this groundbreaking way of delivering specialist education in Worcestershire, this gives young people with complex needs the choice of attending their local college in their community, at the same time as receiving the specialised provision they need to achieve their outcomes."