Orpheus Centre

At the Orpheus Centre, providing meaningful work opportunities for students with SEND is at the heart of what they do.

There remain significant societal obstacles for young disabled adults to achieve their aspirations in adulthood and independence. In recognition of this, Orpheus refreshed its strategy for 2023-28, focusing on the core priorities of outstanding education and support, excellent and accessible facilities, and equity in employment for disabled adults.

In 2023, Orpheus implemented a three-year pathway to employment programme. All year groups participate in creating small businesses to develop essential work skills by offering products or services. The OrpheAccess group offers disability audits of workplaces using the students’ own feedback, and other groups include Orphetots (arts-based activities for children), the Performance Singing group and the Extraordinary Studios use students’ tech abilities to compose and record music.

In 2022, it became the first specialist college to implement a project-based curriculum, and the project “Where’s Our Jobs?” saw students investigate the barriers to work, including inaccessibility, lack of awareness, welfare systems, and non-inclusive education. Through classroom sessions, filmmaking, drama, animation, community activities, music, and marketing, learners explored social themes and interviewed staff from SGN, Graeae Theatre Company, Cirque Bijou and the local MP Claire Coutinho.

In spring 2023, Orpheus was chosen as the location for new BBC comedy, Kirkmoore, and 20 Orpheus students gained valuable work experience as paid actors in the film and it gave everyone the opportunity to see a production company and film crew in action. Arts are a key focus for the centre, and outreach programmes and partner collaborations include work with Leatherhead Theatre, Surrey Hills Radio, and Folkington Manor. Orpheus students were the only all-disabled dance group to perform at the All-England Dance Centenary at the London Coliseum with their own piece Connections, which they created and composed themselves. To build stronger community links with local businesses, future employers and dignitaries, the Orpheus Arts Centre model has also been developed, and involves all student enterprise groups, as well as our wider organisation, outreach, and fundraising team.