About Ambitious College
Ambitious College was founded over 10 years ago, as London's first and only specialist college dedicated to educating autistic young people.
Its pioneering model, established in partnership with mainstream further education (FE) colleges, enables autistic young people to access learning and social opportunities alongside their peers, whilst receiving the specialist support that they need.
Having started with just eight learners on one site, Ambitious College now serves around 120 young people and their families across two campuses, The Pears Campus at Capital City College (Tottenham) and The Pears Campus at West Thames College (Isleworth), in addition to supported internships based at host employers across London and the South East.
Supported by a multidisciplinary team of lecturers, therapists, employment specialists and support staff, Ambitious College delivers a highly personalised, destination focused curriculum. This approach helps learners develop new skills and progress to positive destinations of their choice, including further education, paid employment, supported internships, independent living or community programmes.
By combining a destination-focused approach with personalised education and specialist support, Ambitious College delivers outcomes for young people of which we are extremely proud.
The lease for the Pears Campus in Tottenham ends in September 2027 and we have been working hard to identify a new site that will provide a supportive and inclusive environment for our learners. Our commitment to specialist education for autistic young people has not wavered. In fact, our determination to reach more young people is greater than ever.
We are delighted to be continuing our strategic partnership with Capital City College and moving to a new campus in Capital City College Enfield, just a few miles north of our current site.
The new campus
The move presents an exciting opportunity to consolidate and build on Ambitious College’s progress to date by creating a purpose-built learning environment shaped around our unique curriculum and informed by the latest understanding of what works in autism education.
Together, the building and its environment will support a thriving, inclusive community where autistic young people can develop the skills they need to live independently, engage in meaningful employment, participate in their communities and feel confident about their transition into adult life.
The Enfield campus will also enable Ambitious College to extend its impact across the further education sector by sharing best practice, delivering training and shaping understanding of inclusive specialist FE provision for autistic young people.
Plans for the renovation work are already underway, with construction expected to complete in summer 2027. During this period, we will prepare staff and learners for the transition, ahead of opening at the new campus in September 2027.
The difference it will make
Co-located
The new site will sit at the heart of a mainstream college campus, creating an inspiring environment that opens the door to powerful opportunities for reverse inclusion.
Through the co-located model, autistic young people will be able to learn, belong and thrive alongside their peers as a full part of the wider college community, not apart from it.
It will also create important opportunities to strengthen autism understanding and inclusion through staff collaboration, training, knowledge sharing, and engagement within the local community.
Room to grow
Set across two floors and spanning 20,000sq ft, the new site is over 7,500 sq ft bigger than our current site.
This additional space means we will be able to include rooms and areas which we are currently unable to accommodate, such as dedicated staff areas for training, collaboration, and well-being.
Importantly, it will also enable us to grow the number of autistic young people we support, from 40 learners to 64 in 2032.
Tailored and adaptable space
We are working closely with architects and our expert teams to create flexible, adaptable environments shaped by our unique curriculum.
Dedicated common rooms and communal spaces will encourage social interaction, connection, community and a sense of belonging.
Throughout the building, careful attention to lighting, colour, acoustics and materials will support learners’ regulation, wellbeing, and readiness for independent living and employment.
Maximise impact
The new campus will allow Ambitious College to improve how further education works for autistic young people, not just within our own setting but across the sector.
Working with strategic partners, Capital City College, and other Further Education (FE) providers, we will support others to better meet autistic learners’ needs.
By sharing evidence based practice, delivering training, and demonstrating what inclusive specialist provision can achieve across the FE sector we hope to improve access and outcomes for autistic young people across the country.
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Our impact
Mohamed’s story
Mohamed joined Ambitious College’s Jubilee class on the maximum ‘Independence Pathway’ after a prolonged period out of education and difficult experiences in previous settings. He arrived feeling anxious, with social communication presenting a significant barrier to both his learning and everyday life. The transition into college was challenging.
As Mohamed began to build trusting relationships with staff and peers, his anxiety gradually reduced. It soon became clear that his needs were better aligned with the ‘Preparing for Employment’ pathway, and he successfully transitioned into the Northern class.
Initially, group activities remained difficult. Mohamed found it hard to project his voice and would often freeze when asked to speak. With targeted support, he began working alongside a peer to build confidence, starting with single-word greetings such as “hi” and “hello”. Over time, he progressed to asking questions and increased his tolerance for social interaction, laying strong foundations for communication.
One year on, Mohamed’s sarcastic, sassy and vibrant personality began to shine through. He formed friendships, made jokes, laughed openly and took pride in celebrating his achievements. The confidence he developed was a joy to witness.
Community access was also a challenge when Mohamed first started. He would attempt to run away and struggled to manage anxiety in public, affecting his safety and independence. With consistent support, he learned to identify emotions, recognise triggers, and use sensory strategies to manage his anxiety. As his confidence grew, so did his independence. He now regularly accesses the community, walks to local shops using traffic lights with staff shadowing, and travels on buses and trains to attend activities.
At his most recent annual review, his advocate described him as “unrecognisable” and highlighted his progress. Mohamed’s mother has also shared how happy and chatty he has become at home, how much he enjoys college, and how amazed she is by the changes in him as his confidence and quality of life have grown.
Ambitious College
Ambitious College provides specialist further education for autistic young people.
St. John’s College
St. John’s College is a specialist college based in Brighton supporting young people.
Supported Internships
Our internships help young autistic people combine work and education.