Learn with us in Wales

A day in the life of a National Star Wales student

National Star in Wales is a specialist day college that provides further education for disabled students aged 16 to 25. Students have a range of complex physical and learning disabilities.

We are able to provide education for up to 22 disabled students and therapeutic programmes for students with additional learning needs (ALN) are available. Promoting independence, autonomy and participation is at the heart of all that we do.

What is our catchment area?

Students travel from areas including Cardiff, Newport, Torfaen, Merthyr Tydfil, Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire and Cwmbran.

The curriculum

We personalise the curriculum to each student. At our unique further education college for disabled students, our aim is to develop skills for an independent and active life after college. We support each student with ALN to develop life skills and communication skills, as well as literacy and numeracy.

Programmes include:

• creative arts (art, music, IT, photography and multimedia)
• Learner Voice
• cooking
• sensory learning
• Welsh language and culture
• accredited qualifications

Students can access a range of therapies. These include speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy. Therapy can result in students becoming more independent and less reliant on others.

Students also take part in work-related activities within college and at external work placements.

Recent placements have included National Museum Cardiff, Cafe on the Park, Mamhilad and a local foodbank.

National Star recognises that everyone has different abilities and needs. That’s why each student receives individualised support to meet their health and care needs. Students with profound and multiple learning difficulties follow a sensory-based curriculum.

Find out more about our application process

Our team

We take time to get to know our prospective students and their families before they join us. This means that from day one we are working towards the student’s long-term goals and aspirations for when they leave National Star Wales.

Our multidisciplinary team approach

Our team includes tutors, teaching assistants, support workers, a behaviour practitioner and therapists.

We work as part of multi-disciplinary teams to help students progress and achieve outcomes. For example, we supported a learner who wanted to work within the media industry. He gained work experience and a long-term voluntary role with a local community radio station.

Another student had a goal of communicating with others more effectively. He left college with increased communication and less reliance on his communication device.

Learning in the community

At our further education college for disabled students, we have strong community links. This means students learn outside the classroom. For example, students use a local gym for fitness and run food service Cafe Seren in-house. Our partnerships with other general FE colleges increase learning opportunities.

Praise from Estyn for National Star in Wales

According to Estyn inspectors, staff at National Star provide a calm, happy and nurturing environment.

Estyn inspect education and training in Wales. They have a vision of improving the quality of education and training for all learners in Wales. This was the first ever full inspection for National Star in Wales since it was set up in 2016.

Read the full Estyn inspection report

Find us

Caerleon House, Mamhilad Park Estate, Pontypool, NP4 0HZ.

Telephone: 01495 367023

Book your tour today

Find out more, get in touch with Jon Haile by emailing admissions@nationalstar.org or telephoning 01495 361040 or 07866 118001.