ASDAN Website | News

ASDAN champions

ASDAN champion Jonas wins medal for judo at World Down Syndrome Games

10/08/2026

Creating connected pathways into education, training and employment: responding to the NEET crisis

05/08/2026

A practical approach to future-ready education: ASDAN’s new project qualifications

10/07/2026

Supporting care leavers to develop independent living skills

07/07/2026

ASDAN champions

ASDAN champion Daisy gains independence and confidence for the future

06/07/2026

ASDAN launches youth council initiative

01/07/2026

ASDAN introduces new packages of volume pricing for Equitas Short Courses

22/06/2026

Recognising progress: ASDAN responds to proposal for new Level 1 English and maths qualifications

18/06/2026

ASDAN champions

Pauline becomes first international ASDAN Champion

09/06/2026

ASDAN expands opportunities for schools in Qatar

04/06/2026

Empowering international learners through flexible, skills-based education

02/06/2026

Climate anxiety and the green skills gap: an interview with Liz Newbon on ASDAN’s Environmental Short Course

20/05/2026

ASDAN champions

ASDAN champion Erin builds confidence and skills through personal effectiveness qualifications

11/05/2026

Building confidence through community with CrossFit Llanelli

07/05/2026

Summer training webinars open for booking

30/04/2026

ASDAN partners with Skills Builder Partnership UK to strengthen essential skills development

21/04/2026

ASDAN champions

Jamie the ASDAN champion: exploring future work pathways and discovering strengths

20/04/2026

Why flexible learning matters: Ava McAuley on neurodiversity, agency and learner-centred education

01/04/2026

How gaming builds employability skills: an interview with James Fraser-Murison on Esports Short Course

16/03/2026

ASDAN champions

ASDAN’s first champion, Lebron, nominated for his contribution to the local community

09/03/2026

Self-awareness: knowing yourself, planning your future

09/03/2026

Empowering educators: ASDAN advances access, inclusion and equity through integrated membership

04/03/2026

The ASDAN journey: creating equitable pathways from education to employment

02/03/2026

What the Schools White Paper means for every learner and for ASDAN

25/02/2026

What apprenticeships reveal about skills, agency and young people’s futures: an interview with Rylie Sweeney

11/02/2026

ASDAN launches new Esports Short Course on Equitas

09/02/2026

Empowering decision making: how ASDAN supports independence at ACE Wigan

04/02/2026

Rethinking communication in inclusive education: ASDAN’s updated Preparing for Adulthood programmes

29/01/2026

Gareth Reynolds joins ASDAN as Director of Education and Impact

27/01/2026

Spring 2026 programmes moderation and support meetings

26/01/2026

Celebrating International Day of Education: why learning matters more than ever

22/01/2026

Dame Alison Peacock joins ASDAN as Patron alongside Lord Jim Knight

15/01/2026

Connect and develop with ASDAN this term

08/01/2026

Why equity matters: reaffirming ASDAN’s purpose for 2026

06/01/2026

Celebrating a year of bold steps and meaningful impact

08/12/2025

Transition Challenge: ASDAN enhances its flexible, accessible and learner-led SEND programme

02/12/2025

Seasonal skills development: free festive activities for learners

01/12/2025

ASDAN goes digital: introducing Equitas, our new digital learning platform

28/11/2025

ASDAN and globalbridge collaborate to empower learners and enhance employability

21/11/2025

Celebrating excellence: our proud partnership with ASDAN-accredited award winners

12/11/2025

Join ASDAN’s growing special interest groups community

11/11/2025

ASDAN expands its project-based qualifications portfolio

10/11/2025

ASDAN responds to today’s Curriculum and Assessment Review: Re-centering education around skills, enrichment, and equity

05/11/2025

Equitas: ASDAN’s new digital learning platform launches with updated Short Courses

04/11/2025

ASDAN launches our new digital learning platform: Equitas

20/10/2025

ASDAN’s flexible curriculum builds personal reflection skills and community connection

13/10/2025

Briarwood School – flexibility and inclusion at the heart of learning

09/10/2025

Moving On – supporting care leavers every step of the way

06/10/2025

New Horizons: ASDAN’s refreshed activity-based programme for learners with SEND

22/09/2025

Unlocking potential through personalised learning: the ASDAN journey

15/09/2025

How ASDAN supports inclusive education under Ofsted’s new inclusion framework

09/09/2025

Personal Effectiveness Qualifications launch: updates, training and free resources

08/09/2025

ASDAN membership prices update

22/07/2025

Celebrating progress: how your feedback is shaping the future of ASDAN

16/07/2025

Interest to impact: engaging learners through Short Courses and skills-based learning

14/07/2025

How to develop employability skills to prepare for the world of work

02/07/2025

Innovating SEND education: ASDAN and technology in action

20/06/2025

Learning without limits: supporting adults with additional needs through ASDAN’s courses

17/06/2025

From prison cells to self-expression: how ASDAN and Odd Arts are changing lives through creative learning

11/06/2025

ASDAN welcomes stakeholders to inspiring evening with patron Lord Jim Knight

04/06/2025

Boosting young people’s employability through volunteering

03/06/2025

Meeting the Gatsby Benchmarks: how ASDAN’s career-focused curriculum empowers learners

22/05/2025

Key trends in special education – an Interview with CEO of the NASS

12/05/2025

Lifeskills Challenge: ASDAN's customisable bank of activities for personalised learning

06/05/2025

Transforming and enriching learner’s futures through CoPE

01/05/2025

Exploring the role of ASDAN’s refreshed Personal Effectiveness Qualification in further education

28/04/2025

Breaking the NEET to prison pipeline: rehabilitation through education

23/04/2025

The future of special education in the UK: An interview with the CEO of NASS

22/04/2025

Championing educational equity: Reaching young people at the edge of the system

03/04/2025

ASDAN’s perspective on poverty and educational equity – Melissa Farnham, ASDAN CEO

31/03/2025

ASDAN to launch renewed Personal Effectiveness Qualification (PEQ) suite

27/03/2025

What is personal effectiveness and how can we teach it?

25/03/2025

From experience to accreditation: the impact of Lifeskills Challenge

20/03/2025

How our digital learning platform can help educators teach ‘by stealth’

19/03/2025

ASDAN’s CEO, Melissa Farnham’s, response to the interim Curriculum and Assessment Review findings

18/03/2025

Skills for success: how ASDAN is tackling the NEET crisis

06/03/2025

Meet the team – Melanie Baggaley, lead for the independent living thematic pathway

18/02/2025

ASDAN introduces direct debit for membership payments

06/02/2025

Call for alumni stories: Did ASDAN help shape your future?

05/02/2025

Driving innovation – introducing ASDAN's new digital platform

04/02/2025

Meet the team – Kerrie King, lead for the personal effectiveness thematic pathway

30/01/2025

Personal effectiveness qualifications to foster self-awareness for future success

27/01/2025

New Esports programme development partnership

13/01/2025

ASDAN calls for inclusive, skills-based reform in response to UK government curriculum review

06/01/2025

Reflecting on six months of progress and ASDAN's path forward

18/12/2024

10 festive resource gifts from ASDAN

02/12/2024

ASDAN introduces thematic support for member guidance

27/11/2024

ASDAN’s six core skills for a changing world

26/11/2024

Bridging the gap between education and real-world skills with ASDAN's CoPE

18/11/2024

Celebrating the success of our sold-out standardisation events

05/11/2024

Meet the ASDAN trustee – Victoria FitzGerald

22/10/2024

7 types of poverty: ASDAN staff unite to address education gaps

15/10/2024

Founding Director passes

14/10/2024

Top five courses for boosting employability skills

10/10/2024

"You can do anything with Lifeskills Challenge"

01/10/2024

Free activity packs to support learners and educators

30/09/2024

Changes to UCAS application process is a boost for ASDAN learners

24/09/2024

ASDAN’s qualifications give young people the best of both – interest-led topics and tangible outcomes

18/09/2024

New Towards Independence resources

17/09/2024

New digital toolkit for members

13/09/2024

Welcome to a new term: A letter from ASDAN's CEO

10/09/2024

Autumn term moderation

06/09/2024

What ASDAN membership is right for me and my learners?

27/08/2024

What are ASDAN qualifications equivalent to?

05/08/2024

“ASDAN reaches people that society has ignored” – Prisoners in Northern Ireland create Macbeth adaptation

29/07/2024

Moving On programme prepares care leavers for their future

15/07/2024

EPQ: A unique opportunity to gain UCAS points through work experience

10/07/2024

Digital downloads of ASDAN resource packs

01/07/2024

Top five courses for young people with SEND

17/06/2024

ASDAN welcomes Melissa Farnham as new Chief Executive Officer

10/06/2024

New guide on the complete admin process for delivering ASDAN courses with external moderation

06/06/2024

Empowering learners with crucial skills for post-prison life

04/06/2024

ASDAN collaborates in pilot program to boost access to apprenticeships

28/05/2024

Broadening aspirations through ASDAN Short Courses

13/05/2024

Towards Independence: ASDAN launches review of popular SEND programme

08/05/2024

ASDAN: fostering a culture of learning and innovation

29/04/2024

Summer training events released: ASDAN launches first flexible pre-recorded training for latest course

23/04/2024

Summer 2024 programmes moderation dates

16/04/2024

New Moving On programme: “an integral part of a care leaver’s journey”

15/04/2024

Meet the ASDAN team – Zoë Reid, Associate Head of Professional Learning

26/03/2024

ASDAN launches Moving On: a ground-breaking course to prepare young people for independent living

18/03/2024

Making learning accessible and meaningful with ASDAN’s PSD qualifications

11/03/2024

ASDAN’s new course empowers care leavers with the skills and knowledge to live independently

04/03/2024

ASDAN Short Courses opening doors for residential learners

21/02/2024

ASDAN interviews new trustee, Dean Smart

13/02/2024

Personal effectiveness: tools for learning, work and life

07/02/2024

Chief Executive, Jenny Williams, steps down after eight years of transformative leadership

30/01/2024

Certificate and Award of Personal Effectiveness review

25/01/2024

Celebrating achievements and embracing change on International Day of Education

24/01/2024

Moving On: pilot centre claims first certificate and readies student for college and independent life

10/01/2024

A focus on accessibility

02/01/2024

ASDAN Advent – 25 days of free festive activities to engage young people

30/11/2023

ASDAN courses boosting learners’ self-confidence and more

28/11/2023

Notice of Expiry of Personal and Social Effectiveness qualifications

27/11/2023

Support meetings for ASDAN programmes and qualifications

01/11/2023

ASDAN courses improve confidence and communication, say members

30/10/2023

Updates to ASDAN website

20/10/2023

What does ASDAN stand for? – Our mission, our vision, our values

17/10/2023

ASDAN learners celebrate Short Course achievements at awards evening

10/10/2023

Changes to supporting materials for ASDAN qualifications

21/09/2023

Free resources in support of Youth Mental Health Day 2023

15/09/2023

Free resources to support young people’s financial wellbeing

15/09/2023

Free sexual health resource for Sexual Health Week

10/09/2023

Engaging education: unlocking potential through project-based learning

04/09/2023

A big congratulations from ASDAN

24/08/2023

Learners from SEED International complete UK, US and Europe mini-MBA study tour

17/08/2023

Free football resources for Women's World Cup

03/08/2023

Attitude and aspiration – how ASDAN’s SEND programmes helped a learner achieve life goals

18/07/2023

Adding value with ASDAN’s Customised Accreditation: Camps International

11/07/2023

Moving On: First pilot feedback for ASDAN's new course for care leavers

04/07/2023

ASDAN qualifications help SEND college students realise their value

20/06/2023

My Independence CPD meetings

07/06/2023

My Independence: ASDAN’s person-centred programmes mapped to preparing for adulthood pathways

22/05/2023

Free resources to boost learners’ emotional wellbeing

10/05/2023

Programmes moderation for summer 2023

03/05/2023

Helping young people to live independently – ASDAN launches pilot for new course

30/03/2023

ASDAN featured in Schools Week

28/03/2023

Adding value with ASDAN’s Customised Accreditation: Investing in Children

07/03/2023

5 reasons to try our Personal and Social effectiveness qualifications

28/02/2023

“My Independence gives SEND students the confidence to take control of their own lives.”

08/02/2023

ASDAN Themed Support Meetings inspire best practice and certificate CPD

25/01/2023

Free wellbeing resource for young people

13/01/2023

5 free festive resources to help boost self-esteem and improve relationships

06/12/2022

New Scheme of Learning will “equip young people to think for themselves and scaffolds reflection on their learning”

30/11/2022

ASDAN learning and social day

24/11/2022

Key Steps course helps students develop empathy and cultural awareness

04/10/2022

In-person workshops are back! We can’t wait to see you

26/09/2022

New and improved EPQ course materials for 2022

23/09/2022

Her Majesty the Queen

09/09/2022

My Independence programme boosts PMLD learner’s confidence and community engagement

15/06/2022

Free resources to help young people prepare for volunteering

06/06/2022

“ASDAN’s Extended Project Qualification made me realise that university is an attainable goal”

19/05/2022

Animal therapy builds learners’ resilience and preparation for adulthood

26/04/2022

Free calendar of seasonal gardening activities to boost learners' wellbeing

29/03/2022

Free resources to develop learners' confidence and skills in the kitchen

09/03/2022

PMLD learners’ success celebrated through Lifeskills Challenge

09/02/2022

“ASDAN’s PSHE Short Course is varied, relevant and engaging. We love it!”

09/12/2021

Watch film on how ASDAN course engages and motivates learners

08/12/2021

Develop learners’ research skills through free festive activities

07/12/2021

Free environmental activities resource pack and certificates

09/11/2021

ASDAN pleased to launch new website

17/08/2021

Congratulations to learners who have completed ASDAN courses

12/08/2021

New film showcases benefits of My Independence programme

26/07/2021

Top tips on ensuring SEND learners thrive in secondary mainstream

26/07/2021

Students realise their potential through Gardening Short Course

01/07/2021

Develop young people's competencies for learning, work and life

21/06/2021

‘You can help all students achieve through Personal Development Programmes’

10/06/2021

ASDAN boosts student resilience and engagement with wider world

27/04/2021

Boost personal and social skills with redeveloped course

26/04/2021

ASDAN loses treasured member of staff

16/04/2021

Ensuring a positive return to school through ASDAN's PSHE Short Course

03/03/2021

Students become more effective leaders through ASDAN Short Course

11/02/2021

Home learning: free worksheets to help students strengthen relationships

04/02/2021

Home learning: boost self-esteem with free person-centred planning tools

19/01/2021

Learners believe in a ‘brighter future’ after ASDAN accreditation

18/01/2021

Student’s confidence ‘skyrocketed’ following pro footballer interview

14/12/2020

“ASDAN's PSHE Short Course is a ‘no-brainer’ – it benefits every student”

23/10/2020

Expressive Arts Short Course builds self-belief through distance learning

20/10/2020

New preparing for adulthood programme will transform outcomes

25/09/2020

New qualifications will boost confidence of SEND learners

25/09/2020

Congratulations to ASDAN learners

24/09/2020

Download booklet to help learners stay safe during pandemic

30/07/2020

Lifeskills Challenge prepares SEND students for transition to adulthood

07/07/2020

Learners with PMLD thrive thanks to personalised curriculum

15/06/2020

KS4 students develop a deeper understanding of the world around them

28/04/2020

Making a successful transition to secondary school with Lift Off

06/03/2020

Why helping learners explore beliefs and values is more important than ever

06/02/2020

Fulfil SMSC requirements through Beliefs and Values Short Course

06/02/2020

English and mathematics resources designed to improve progress

08/01/2020

ASDAN provides high quality customer service, say centres

06/01/2020

ASDAN celebrates 10 years with the Lord Mayor’s Show

12/11/2019

SEND activity booklets created in partnership with special school

09/10/2019

Making your secondary school SEND provision outstanding

04/10/2019

Free SEND resources to help centres meet Gatsby benchmarks

27/09/2019

How PSHE moved an entire class and made one learner feel free

10/09/2019

Comprehensive resources will support high quality PSHE provision

10/09/2019

Three reasons why work experience matters at Key Stage 5

09/09/2019

Five top challenges to help prepare SEND learners for adulthood

25/06/2019

New PSHE guidance is welcome step towards broad provision

19/06/2019

Two free resources to support transition to secondary school

06/06/2019

My five top challenges from the updated Expressive Arts Short Course

06/05/2019

Learners are ‘absolutely buzzing’ following innovative equine course

01/05/2019

Preparing learners for life after school

30/04/2019

Achievements of adult learners captured in flexible programme

30/04/2019

Developing the characteristics to thrive at secondary school

30/04/2019

Students enthused and inspired following employability course

30/04/2019

PSD provides ‘refreshing GCSE alternative’ and improves learners’ focus

30/04/2019

Personalised learning builds self-belief and confidence

30/04/2019

Students develop teamwork skills through school garden project

29/04/2019

Developing essential life skills through Personal Development Programmes

23/04/2019

Lifeskills Challenge supports school’s outstanding curriculum

18/04/2019

Four ways to boost engagement and motivation in Key Stage 4 learners

16/04/2019

Free gardening calendar resource to support mental health and wellbeing

08/03/2019

ASDAN SEND resources support planning and delivery for busy practitioners

20/02/2019

Five top tips to boost learners' progress in GCSE mathematics

07/02/2019

'The key change in the SEND landscape and my advice to educators'

17/10/2018

Findings published following review of ASDAN SEND provision

17/10/2018

ASDAN courses help learner with autism find paid work

11/07/2018

Innovative bike project boosts confidence of care leavers

05/07/2018

Innovative ASDAN course can breathe new life into GCSE mathematics

09/04/2018

New course will boost performance in GCSE English

12/02/2018

CoPE is core part of the curriculum at outstanding school

13/11/2017

Learners at Dorset school improve literacy skills through CoPE

06/11/2017

CoPE complements academic learning at Gloucestershire school

06/10/2017

CoPE helps learners boost confidence and academic performance

26/07/2017

Students' work experience learning is accredited through Short Course

19/07/2017

PDP engages and motivates learners in North Yorkshire school

16/06/2017

CoPE learners raise career aspirations through jobs fair

16/06/2017

Making science fun and rewarding

15/06/2017

Accrediting students' achievements through Transition Challenge

15/06/2017

Validating life skills learning through Personal Progress

15/06/2017

Lifeskills Challenge provides tailored learning for SEND pupils

15/06/2017

Learners make positive start at secondary school thanks to Lift Off programme

01/03/2017

CoPE enhances personal and social development at Welsh school

27/02/2017

Learners develop business enterprise skills and enhance self-confidence

09/02/2017

School radio station develops SEN learners' communication and interaction skills

10/01/2017