Commissioning
Information Pack.

Placement, Programme and Fee Information 2026/27 · Albrighton College and SEND Rail & Infrastructure Academy

• Typical learner profile: Post-16 learners aged 16–19 (up to 25 where agreed) with SEND, including Autism (ASC), SEMH and SLCN, who need a small, structured setting and support with education, independence, employability and Preparation for Adulthood. Particularly suited to practical, vocational and destination-led learning.
• Site & location: Walnut House, Kingswood Business Park, Albrighton (WV7)
• Age range: Normally 16–19; up to 25 where an EHCP pathway supports continued specialist education
• Capacity: 25 learner places
• Maximum group: 10 learners; standard staffing ratio 1:5
• Programme duration: Normally one academic year (36 teaching weeks / 180 days); reviewed annually
• Start / availability: October 2026; 2026/27 placements subject to consultation and capacity
• Progress reporting: Baseline assessment, progress reviews and annual-review evidence
• Referral contact: office@newseedseducation.co.uk · 01902 283 705

This pack should be read alongside the Statement of Purpose — New Seeds College Albrighton 2026/27, which sets out the operating, safeguarding, leadership and quality-assurance framework.

Fees are indicative commissioning rates and are confirmed following consultation, assessment of need and written placement agreement. Transport is not included unless separately agreed.

The full-time offer is a personalised Post-16 SEND study programme combining education, Preparing for Adulthood, vocational learning, employability, therapeutic and emotional wellbeing support, community learning and work experience.

Equivalent rates are based on 36 teaching weeks and 180 learner days.

What the annual fee includes

• Initial assessment, transition planning, baseline assessment and small-group specialist teaching.
• Delivery of agreed EHCP outcomes through a personalised study programme.
• English, mathematics, NOCN SETPD, digital skills and Preparing for Adulthood.
• Railway and vocational learning, specialist practical delivery, track access, equipment and ordinary qualification costs.
• Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) & Outdoor Learning, including forest school, animal encounters, nature-based activities and community-based learning; employability, careers guidance, work experience and ordinary curriculum-day transport.
• Therapeutically informed practice, targeted wellbeing support, progress reviews and annual-review evidence.

Indicative allocation of the standard £60,000 fee

Learner profile and entry requirements

• Normally aged 16–19 at admission, or up to 25 where an EHCP and agreed pathway support continued specialist education.
• An EHCP or identified SEND, including Autism (ASC), SEMH and SLCN, requiring a small, structured and personalised Post-16 environment.
• A need for support with education, employability, independence, community participation or Preparation for Adulthood.
• A programme and intended destination that New Seeds can reasonably support.
• Safe access to the provision following consultation, visit, baseline assessment and individual risk assessment.

Academic entry

There is no minimum academic entry requirement for the full-time specialist placement. Suitability is based on need, intended destination and New Seeds' ability to meet the young person's outcomes safely.

Accredited curriculum routes

Qualification selection follows the learner's starting point and destination. Learners are not enrolled on qualifications simply to increase certificate numbers. Final enrolment is subject to the relevant awarding-body centre and qualification approval being in place.

Duration of the full-time programme

Placements are normally commissioned for one academic year and reviewed annually. A learner may remain for one to three years where continued education is appropriate and agreed through the EHCP and commissioning process.

The Albrighton rail pathway is a structured progression route from initial industry exploration to technical learning, employment preparation and paid or supported employment. Practical learning is supported by a competent railway specialist, an established industry partnership and on-site railway track.

Railway progression pathway

Rail programme commissioning fees

Step in Rail — six weeks

A supported introduction for young people who need to explore the rail and infrastructure sector before committing to a longer technical or employment route.

• Normally for learners aged 16+; no minimum academic entry requirement.
• Individual advice and guidance linked to EHCP outcomes and intended destination.
• Rail-industry sectors, workplace expectations, tools, equipment and practical track activities.
• Health and safety, teamwork, communication and reliability.
• Level 1 Construction qualification and CSCS pathway where appropriate, subject to testing and eligibility.
• Employer question-and-answer activity and a clear progression recommendation.
• Typical outcome: Step in Rail completion evidence, NOCN SETPD evidence and progression to Level 2 rail engineering, construction/civils, work experience, employment preparation or another suitable pathway.

City & Guilds Level 2 Rail Engineering

A technical programme for learners ready to develop underpinning knowledge and apply it through supported practical learning on the on-site track.

• Up to one academic year, normally delivered two days per week as a standalone programme.
• Rail engineering fundamentals, track knowledge, safe systems of work and tool use.
• Applied English and mathematics, portfolio development and employer preparation.
• No fixed academic threshold; entry is based on interest, aptitude, safe engagement and the capacity to attend consistently.
• Progression to the six-week Rail Employment Intensive, work experience, apprenticeship, supported employment or employment.

Important distinction

The six-week intensive does not replace or compress the City & Guilds Level 2 qualification. It is a separate employment-transition offer for learners who have completed suitable rail training, or can demonstrate equivalent readiness.

Activity-specific risk assessment, individual needs or industry rules may require additional staffing or a different operational arrangement.

This is a distinct employment-transition offer for learners who are ready to move from rail training into industry certification, employer engagement and recruitment activity.

Entry requirements

• Normally aged 18 or over at the point of industry certification and employment transition.
• Completion of suitable rail training, the City & Guilds Level 2 route, or evidence of equivalent readiness.
• A genuine intention to progress into rail, infrastructure, civils or related employment.
• Attendance, punctuality and workplace behaviour compatible with an intensive programme.
• Capacity to meet medical, drug-and-alcohol, safety and industry eligibility requirements, following individual assessment.

Six-week delivery sequence

Included in the intensive

• Medical and drug-and-alcohol screening, PPE and practical refresher activity.
• Fully funded PTS and Track Induction Course training, required safety e-learning and assessment. Competences are awarded following successful assessment.
• Individual IAG, application and interview support, employer engagement, railway employer and contractor introductions, travel-to-work planning, structured progression and follow-up support.

Referral and consultation process

• Local authority shares the EHCP, current assessments, risk information, attendance history and intended outcomes.
• New Seeds reviews the consultation with the young person, family and relevant professionals.
• A visit, transition activity and baseline assessment are arranged where appropriate.
• New Seeds confirms whether needs can be met, identifies the suitable programme and issues a written costed response.
• The placement or cohort place is confirmed through a written commissioning agreement and planned start date.

Intended rail destinations

• Sponsored rail employment or a contractor recruitment pathway.
• Track, infrastructure or civils operative employment.
• Apprenticeship, supported employment or structured work placement.
• Employer-led occupational competence development and later Level 3 progression.

IAG and progression support

At the end of the intensive, every learner receives individual information, advice and guidance, employer engagement, tailored application and interview support, introductions to railway employers and contractors, and a structured progression plan with proportionate follow-up support.

Commissioning notes

• All offers are subject to consultation and confirmation that New Seeds can meet needs safely.
• Home-to-college transport is separately commissioned; ordinary transport during the college day for curriculum, LOtC & Outdoor Learning activities is included.
• Enhanced individual support and exceptional external therapy are separately costed unless agreed in writing.
• Cohort pricing and start dates may be agreed for several suitable learners.
• Programmes may be personalised without changing their duration, core purpose or progression route.

New Seeds Education — Albrighton College · newseedseducation.co.uk
Rail programme: SEND Rail & Infrastructure Academy
Email: office@newseedseducation.co.uk · Telephone: 01902 283 705

Accreditation sources

• NOCN Functional Skills
• NOCN Digital Functional Skills
• NOCN SETPD
• City & Guilds Railway Engineering (7597)

Prepared for commissioner circulation · August 2026