A pioneering college for Jewish students with special needs is primed to open its doors for the first time next week to coincide with the start of the new term.

Education charity Langdon obtained funding to transform its Maccabi House social centre, on Gideon Close, last year.

Langdon College will take on pupils aged 16 to 25 with mild to moderate learning needs, and help them study towards established qualifications with a view to helping them find meaningful employment.

Chris Mayho, head teacher at Langdon’s existing college in Manchester, said: “We are excited that Langdon is bringing its highly successful education and training programme in Manchester to our new college in Edgware.

“Our approach is to offer highly personalised individual support for our students to help them achieve their aspirations.

“We also provide work experience opportunities to develop important life skills in a community setting, as this is the best way to acquire and practice new skills.”

As well as places for post 16 education, the college will also provide day release programmes for 14 to 16 year olds and 16 to 19 year olds still at school, which can be introduced earlier depending on demand.

Some students have been attending since April but the college will officially open on Monday for the new term.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis addressed a meeting at Maccabi House in its former guise as a community building in April. He expressed pride at the work undertaken by Langdon, saying it deserved a much greater profile in the community.

He was welcomed by Langdon chairman Jonathan Joseph, who said: “We are very touched that the Chief Rabbi has taken time out of his busy schedule to honour us with this visit.

“We look forward to working with his office on ways in which Langdon members can play a greater role in the Jewish community.”

Langdon was founded in 1992 by four parents of children with learning difficulties, who found there were no organisations that enabled young adults with similar needs to lead independent lives.

Maccabi House was opened in 2012 as a dedicated community building for Langdon and its members living in the Edgware and Borehamwood areas.

The charity is now opening the Edgware college to complement its existing sister facility in Manchester.