Engaging, elevating and empowering learners with diverse needs

That all young people are empowered through experiential education and personal development to discover and achieve their potential.

Our mission is to engage learners with diverse needs, enabling them to achieve meaningful outcomes that elevate them into further education, training, and work – and empowering them to create their own future.

• Learning: ASDAN’s approach to learning goes beyond acquiring information. This skill promotes curiosity, goal-setting and constructive self-reflection, helping learners take ownership of their progress. It builds confidence and encourages a proactive, open-minded approach to learning - now and in the future.
• Communicating: communication is more than spoken or written language. This skill includes numeracy, visual and digital communication, as well as computing, social, cultural and AI literacies. Learners develop the ability to communicate clearly, thoughtfully and appropriately in a wide variety of contexts.
• Decision making: reflecting the real-world complexity of choice, this skill focuses on evaluating options, assessing risks and learning from outcomes. Decision making is about the process as much as the result - supporting learners to act with confidence and make informed decisions that align with their goals.
• Thinking: critical and creative thinking are central to lifelong learning. This skill supports learners to evaluate information, explore different perspectives and respond to challenges with flexibility and imagination. Strengthening both critical and compassionate thinking helps learners understand and navigate new situations effectively.
• Team working: collaboration is essential in education, work and life. This skill develops learners’ ability to contribute to group tasks, listen to others and value different viewpoints. Through shared experiences, learners understand the impact they have on others and recognise the power of collective effort.
• Self-awareness: effective learners understand themselves—their strengths, motivations and pressures. This skill helps learners develop strategies to manage their emotional and physical wellbeing so they can stay healthy while working toward their goals. It encourages positive self-reflection and resilience in the face of challenges and opportunities.

Ethical

• We aim to do the right things in the right ways for the right reasons.
• We have ambitious plans, but will only grow at a pace that guarantees our quality.
• We strive to make effective use of technology in socially responsible ways.

Diverse

• We are committed to building a just world.
• We seek to achieve diversity in our outlook, our people and our courses.
• We are committed to ensuring equality of access and opportunity for learners, educators, our staff and trustees.

Collaborative

• We work with those who share our vision to engage, elevate and empower learners with diverse needs.
• We work closely with educators, learners, parents, carers, employers and community organisations to keep our courses relevant and grounded in real-life contexts.
• We understand the challenges of teaching and the courage it requires, and aim to support educators in practical ways.
• We aim to be supportive and productive partners – locally, nationally and internationally.

Innovative

• We are future focused – committed to helping children and young people prepare for their adult lives.
• We have a restless curiosity about effective pedagogy and assessment.