Supporting young minds and building bright futures for 16-25 year olds.

Welcome from the Head of Further Education

I am pleased to introduce the William Henry Smith Specialist College and share our unique way of working, which enables young people to achieve their goals and live fulfilling lives of their own choosing.

Our multidisciplinary, bespoke approach, places our young people at the centre of everything we do. Our highly skilled and specialist teaching, support and therapeutic team, work with each young person to ensure their needs are fully met and that every achievement takes them closer to reaching their individual goals.

We prepare our young people for adult life, through person-centred academic and vocational study programmes, leading to them becoming more independent and improving their quality of life. By working together, we increase resilience, confidence, self-esteem, emotional intelligence and well-being: the cornerstones on which strong and successful long-term futures are built.

We welcome visitors throughout the year and look forward to hearing from you.

Leanne Clarke

Head of Further Education

Specialist College

What we offer

At the William Henry Smith Specialist College, we support young adults aged 16–25 with a wide range of social, emotional and mental health needs. Everything we do is designed to help our learners become the best they can be through a bespoke, multidisciplinary approach.

Education & development

We create individual study programmes that combine academic and vocational learning, guided by the ‘Preparation for Adulthood’ framework. Our focus is on building independence, resilience, confidence, emotional intelligence and well-being so that every learner is ready for a fulfilling future.

Support & therapeutic care

Our learners benefit from the support of a highly skilled team of teachers, support staff and therapeutic professionals, working together in a trauma-informed way. We also take safeguarding seriously, with dedicated professionals, including a Social Worker and Family Intervention Support Worker, to ensure both learners and families feel safe and supported.

Preparing for adulthood

We provide a comprehensive careers programme that includes one-to-one guidance, workshops, careers fairs and real-world work experiences. Our approach is aligned with the Gatsby Benchmarks, ensuring every learner can make informed choices and explore opportunities for further education, training, employment or independent living.

Latest information

News

24 October 2025

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Newsletter

17 August 2025

School & Sixth Form Newsletter - Summer 2025

Case study

22 June 2025

Joe’s story

See everything See everything

"I used to struggle with school, but here I actually feel like I belong. Everyone understands me and helps me at my pace. The staff don’t give up on you and they listen and help you figure things out, even on tough days."

Ben Dawson, college student
"I used to struggle with school, but here I actually feel like I belong. Everyone understands me and helps me at my pace. The staff don’t give up on you and they listen and help you figure things out, even on tough days."

Ben Dawson, college student

We unlock potential.

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Specialist college

Career pathways

We offer a range of personalised career pathways designed to help each young person explore their interests, develop practical skills, and prepare for the world of work.

Whether through vocational training, work experience, or supported internships, our aim is to build confidence, independence, and ambition—opening doors to further education, employment, or meaningful next steps beyond college.

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Recognising achievement: Our awards and honours

Unlocking potential. Changing lives.

The Specialist College at William Henry Smith supports young people aged 16–19 with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs, offering tailored education, vocational training, and life skills development to help students achieve greater independence and prepare for adulthood.. Contact us today to find out how we can support your child or make a referral.