Special Educational Needs (SEND)

Our Nido Volans centres have been rated as Outstanding by Ofsted and named College of the Year 2019 in Pearson’s Prestigious Shine a Light Awards. More recently (2021), we have won the National SEND Award for Most Inclusive Practice in FE/HE.

Nido Volans Centres

The SEND team provides discrete study programmes at Bromley and Bexley Nido Volans Centres. Nido Volans means ‘fly the nest’, and we aim to give our learners the skills, personal development and qualifications they need to work and live with greater independence.

Our employability programmes and extensive employer network help us identify employment opportunities for learners with Special Education Needs and Disabilities, allowing them to work and develop their skills. We also support the development of the skills of young people with more severe to complex needs need to life within the local community through our Independent Living programmes.

Nido Volans - Bromley

The learners develop both employability and independent living skills, supported by our specialist team, to prepare them for their adult life and the world of work. Our facilities at Bromley include our ‘Chefs Table’ training kitchen and restaurant, a manufacturing workshop, horticultural facilities (including a large polytunnel) and a performance space which is home to Greengoose Performing Arts - creating the perfect learning environment to develop learners’ skills.

Nido Volans - Bexley

The facilities at Bexley include an accessible independent living kitchen, a manufacturing workshop, a performance space, art and enterprise, personal presentation and ICT rooms. At the Bromley Campus, learners develop both employability and independent living skills. Students on the Personal Progression Pathways course benefit from the Walnut Tree Theatre Group, where learners participate in musical theatre workshops and a curriculum designed to develop their communication and social interaction skills. The group also put on three shows a year.

Nido Volans  - Lambeth

The new facilities at Lambeth include an accessible independent living kitchen, a manufacturing workshop, an art and enterprise studio, a bespoke classroom for our learners with complex needs, and general ICT rooms. At Lambeth, learners develop both employability and independent living skills. Students on the Personal Progression Pathways course benefit from a personalised curriculum.  All learners actively use the local community to increase confidence and independence.  The facilities are fully accessible and offer dedicated spaces for SaLT, physio and occupational therapy.

Coffee Mornings

Our coffee morning events provide a fantastic opportunity for parents/carers and potential learners to understand what studying at the Outstanding Nido Volans Centre is like. You will be shown around the facilities while your host discusses the available course pathways. Our staff will outline specific admissions requirements, detail the learner support systems in place and answer any questions you might have regarding transitions and learner-specific needs.

All coffee mornings run for approximately one hour. For more information, contact:

• Clifford Galea
  Email Clifford at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  Phone 020 3954 4189

• Simone Brown
  Email Simone at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  Phone 020 3954 4398