How we started

Petty Pool College was established on 18th May, 1981 and known originally as Mid Cheshire Sheltered Workshop.

We’ve come a long way since our modest beginning based in a Winsford car park Portacabin, however our founding principle remains the same today as it was at the start of our journey: to support young people with learning disabilities into employment.

In 1999 we moved to our spectacular 40 acre site in Sandiway, Cheshire, and formed a partnership with South Cheshire College as subcontractor to provide vocational education.

Last year we worked with 90 students with learning disabilities and 1000 other young people via the Outdoor Centre. Our secluded rural setting allows students, who may not benefit from a larger mainstream college setting, to learn in a small and supportive environment with an emphasis on kinaesthetic learning, practical delivery and competence based qualifications.

The wider facilities of the charity and its outdoor pursuits and education centre is utilised by all learners for enrichment and personal and social skill development.

Today we’re proud to offer entry level and level 1 vocational courses in many subjects, which can be found here.