Just a couple of miles from Malvern is a college with only seven students.

Bankside College, in The Rhydd, is a specialist facility for young people aged 16-25 with autism.

But while the college is small, it is also a hive of activity.

Students are helping to design their own horticulture area and will soon be able to study for a BTEC qualification there.

Malvern Gazette: The canteen is a relaxing environment for studentsThe canteen is a relaxing environment for students (Image: NQ)

They have also been hands-on in decorating the college canteen which boasts sofas, games and table tennis.

Principal Jon Bell, who joined Bankside from a mainstream secondary school, admits it’s been a big change but is relishing the flexibility it offers.

“We had a sports room but found our students aren’t very sporty,” he said.

“But quite a few of them have got into music so we changed the room into a music room - you can’t do that in a mainstream school.

Malvern Gazette: Students are helping to create the horticulture areaStudents are helping to create the horticulture area (Image: NQ)

The college also has a room kitted out like a studio flat, where students can develop skills for independent living, as well as a sensory room, catering kitchen and classrooms.

“Independence, confidence and self-esteem are the three things we want every student to leave here with,” said Mr Bell.

“We cater for a range of students with different requirements and levels of need. We provide a calm, predictable environment for them and we help them to grow.”

READ MORE: New principal appointed as Bankside College plans to open school

Bankside College sits on the same site as Options Malvern View care home, part of which is being transformed into a school for 11 to 16-year-olds.

Part of the building, which was once a country house called Rhydd Court, will continue to house 14 residents, while the rest will become Bankside School, catering for up to 60 pupils.

Malvern Gazette: This former chapel will be part of the new schoolThis former chapel will be part of the new school (Image: NQ)

The old care home is a construction site right now but Mr Bell is confident the first phase of work, which will see the creation of five classrooms, sensory rooms and a canteen, will be completed by mid-July.

The rest of the school will be finished and ready to take its first pupils by September.

This work includes the restoration of a chapel, which will be used as a school hall.