Queen Alexandra College (QAC) is a national, residential college and charity that supports students aged 16-25 with a diverse range of abilities and needs.
The college was established in Birmingham in 1903. It offers support and guidance for young people with visual impairments, autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), moderate to severe learning disabilities, and physical disabilities.
Class sizes are small and support levels are high. The curriculum is designed to maximise the students’ life chances, and to develop their independence and work skills.
The college offers programmes such as Preparation for Life (PFL), which is delivered at pre-entry to entry level. Students who have completed PFL can move on to the Learning, Employment, and Progression (LEAP) programme, which acts as a stepping stone into more work-focused environments. The college also offers a range of vocational qualifications up to level 3.
QAC offers a supported internship study programme (based at their Pinewood Campus). This involves students spending the majority of their time with an employer in a real job role.
The college has a team of specialists who are able to support students. These include:
- A braille tutor
- A dyslexia tutor
- A relationships and sex education (RSE) coordinator
- A visual impairments (VI) training officer
- An occupational therapist
- Counsellors
- Educational and clinical psychologists
- Healthcare professionals (including a physiotherapist)
- Mentors
- Rehabilitation and travel trainers
- Sensory support workers
- Speech and language therapists
Queen Alexandra College has a residential provision, which helps students develop essential independent living and social skills. It also offers a specialist respite service and supported living options.
As part of its 5-year strategy (2019-2024), QAC is developing a new range of services for people in the community.
Queen Alexandra College is a registered charity (no. 1065794).