Prime Highlights
- Southport Education Group is launching The Bridge, a new Post-16 centre for young people with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, providing a safe and supportive environment.
- The centre offers a two-year programme focused on personal growth, wellbeing, and preparing students for adult life, with small groups and supportive adults.
Key Facts
- The Bridge will start its first cohort in September 2026 and will serve learners across Sefton and the surrounding region.
- The initiative is part of Southport Education Group’s wider commitment to inclusive education, alongside Southport College, KGV Sixth Form College, and Compete Apprenticeships and Training.
Background
Southport Education Group is launching ‘The Bridge’, a new Post-16 centre for young people with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). The centre will support learners across Sefton and nearby areas, providing a caring and personalised environment to help them succeed in further education.
The Bridge will start with its first group of students in September 2026. It has been created to meet the growing need for high-quality local education for young people with complex SEMH needs, many of whom find mainstream schools challenging.
The centre will run a two-year programme to help students grow personally, feel well, and get ready for adult life. Students will learn in small groups, have supportive adults around them, and follow routines that help build confidence and emotional stability. The curriculum will also include therapeutic support, vocational tasters, skills development, and community engagement opportunities.
Michelle Brabner, CEO of Southport Education Group, said that The Bridge is designed to give young people extra support and a safe place to succeed. The centre will provide stability, care, and opportunities for students to return to education, connect with their community, and prepare for future jobs.
Vickie Hayes, Director of Learning Support and Inclusion at Southport Education Group, who is leading the centre, said that The Bridge is built to give young people a safe and welcoming place with supportive adults. The centre will help students feel included, develop positive relationships, and gain confidence as they learn and grow.
The Bridge launch strengthens Southport Education Group’s role in inclusive education and shows its commitment to helping all students succeed.
