Welcome to Heart of Birmingham Vocational College
We’re an independent specialist college for learners aged between 16 and 25 with special educational needs and/or autism.
At Heart of Birmingham Vocational College (HBVC) you will gain experience and new skills to help you become more independent and to prepare you for employment. You will learn through realistic, practical, hands-on activities that will increase your confidence and equip you for the future you want.
Latest News
Star of the Week!
🌟 Employability Star of the Week: ED 🌟
We’re proud to recognise ED as this week’s Employability Star of the Week for her fantastic work experience at Café on the Green.
As a kitchen assistant, ED has shown great confidence and adaptability, especially when working on the till. She uses her initiative, supports the team with a variety of tasks, and consistently proves herself to be a reliable all‑rounder.
ED represents the college brilliantly, and it’s been a pleasure to see her skills and confidence grow throughout her placement.
Well done, ED - keep up the great work! 🌟
FREE Taster Sessions at Redditch!
Give Students a Taste of Their Future
Do you have individual students or small groups who would thrive in a specialist setting?
Do you have students aged 14–24 who are exploring their next steps and considering a post‑16 specialist provision?
Join us from Monday 16th – Thursday 19th March for FREE Taster Sessions at HBVC, REDI Centre, Redditch.
💡 What’s included?
✔ Engaging, practical sessions tailored to students’ needs and aspirations
✔ A supportive specialist environment where students can explore meaningful, real‑world learning activities
✔ A confidence‑boosting transition experience to help students feel prepared for their next steps
✔ An insight into HBVC’s Core Programme, designed to build independence and prepare students for future employment
✔ Opportunities to explore HBVC’s wider curriculum, including the Sports & Education Programme
✔ An introduction to our pioneering 14–16 Link Programme, where students attend HBVC on a part‑time basis while remaining on roll at school
✔ Up to 4 days of high‑quality provision — completely FREE
📍 Venue: HBVC, REDI Centre, South Street, Redditch, B98 7DQ
📍 Drop off: 10am | Pick up: 2pm
🧑🤝🧑 Students must attend with a responsible adult or member of staff
📄 EHCP & medical needs information required before attending
🍴 Bring a packed lunch
👟 Wear comfortable clothing
📅 Booking deadline: Monday 9th March
📩 Contact: s.healey@hbvc.ac.uk
✨It’s quick and easy to get students involved — book now!
❓ If you need support or have questions about student needs or arrangements, please contact us — we’re always happy to help.
🌐 Find out more about HBVC: https://www.hbvc.ac.uk/home
We highly recommend booking early, as places are limited.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Celebrating Success: IB's Incredible Growth at Thinktank
During her work placement at Thinktank, IB has demonstrated remarkable growth, confidence, and perseverance. From the very beginning, she approached each week with determination and a strong desire to succeed.
One of the most impressive parts of her journey has been the way she continually challenged herself. Each week, IB stepped further outside her comfort zone by independently taking her place at the object‑handling desk — a role that required her to share artefacts and information with visitors. Although interacting with members of the public felt daunting at first, she approached the challenge with courage and commitment.
As the weeks progressed, her confidence flourished. By the end of her placement, IB was not only comfortable speaking with visitors but was also confidently engaging with large groups of school children. She even demonstrated how to use an old‑fashioned telephone — a task she carried out with enthusiasm and ease.
IB’s journey at Thinktank is a wonderful example of what can be achieved through resilience, initiative, and consistent effort. We are incredibly proud of everything she has accomplished.
Well done, IB — your success is truly inspiring!
Star of the Week!
🌟 Employability Star of the Week: AM 🌟
This week we are thrilled to recognise AM as our Employability Star of the Week!
AM has been doing an exceptional job during his work experience placement at FareShare, where he has been thriving in his role as a Warehouse Assistant. He speaks confidently about the responsibilities of his position and shows a clear understanding of what is expected of him — and he meets those expectations every single day.
Throughout his placement, AM has remained focused, independent, and consistently proactive. His strong sense of teamwork shines through as he supports his colleagues whenever help is needed, showing maturity and reliability in a busy working environment.
AM is an absolute pleasure to accompany on placement and continues to represent HBVC with pride and professionalism.
Well done, AM! 🌟
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