SEND Courses

DIFFERENT MINDS. ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES.

Discover creative, hands-on courses designed for neurodivergent young people to learn new skills, build confidence and explore their potential. From filmmaking and digital technology to creative arts and life skills, our supportive, neuroinclusive environment makes learning engaging, practical and accessible.

Discover Your Creativity. Build Your Future.

At Underdog Crew Studios, our courses are designed to help you discover new interests, develop practical skills and build confidence in a supportive, neuroinclusive environment. From filmmaking and digital technology to creative arts and life skills, our hands-on programmes offer opportunities to learn, create and connect with others. Whether you’re exploring a new hobby or developing skills for your future, there’s something for everyone.

PROJECT: FEAR – PREPPER

Step onto a real film set and help create Prepper, an original feature-length survival thriller directed by award-winning filmmaker DB Morgan. This exciting eight-month programme gives young people aged 13–18 the opportunity to work alongside industry professionals, gaining hands-on experience in acting, camera operation, lighting, sound, special effects, editing and production.

  • Camera operation & composition

  • Video editing with professional software

  • Directing & storytelling techniques

  • Post-production & sound design

Life Skills Through Creativity

Our Life Skills courses help neurodivergent young people develop everyday skills through fun, practical and creative activities. From communication and teamwork to problem-solving, planning and independent living, each session encourages participants to learn at their own pace.

Explore Life Skills Courses

Costume Making & Sewing

Learn practical sewing, clothing repairs and costume design while creating outfits for film productions. Develop everyday life skills through hands-on projects inspired by the creative industries.

Life Skills Outcomes:

  • Practical Sewing & Clothing Repairs
  • Independence & Self-Sufficiency
  • Problem-Solving
  • Planning & Organisation
  • Creativity & Confidence

Props, Crafting & Papier-Mâché

Explore crafting, painting and construction by designing props for film and creative productions. Build practical skills, confidence and problem-solving abilities while bringing imaginative ideas to life.

Life Skills Outcomes:

    • Hand-Eye Coordination
    • Creative Problem-Solving
    • Safe Tool Handling
    • Patience & Concentration
    • Teamwork & Collaboration

Set Design & DIY

Develop practical DIY skills through building, painting and decorating sets for film productions. Learn safe tool handling, measuring and construction while creating realistic environments for storytelling.

Life Skills Outcomes:

  • Practical DIY & Maintenance
  • Independent Living Skills
  • Health & Safety Awareness
  • Measuring & Planning
  • Teamwork & Communication

Cooking, Catering & Food Styling

Learn essential cooking, food preparation and kitchen safety skills while preparing meals for film crews and creating food displays for scenes, photography and creative productions.

Life Skills Outcomes:

  • Independent Cooking
  • Food Hygiene & Safety
  • Budgeting & Money Management
  • Time Management
  • Healthy Eating & Nutrition

Upcycling & Sustainable Design

Discover how to repair, reuse and transform everyday materials into costumes, props and film sets. Develop practical skills, resourcefulness and environmental awareness through sustainable creative projects.

Life Skills Outcomes:

  • Resourcefulness & Adaptability
  • Money Management
  • Practical Repairs & Maintenance
  • Environmental Awareness
  • Creative Problem-Solving

Production Skills for Everyday Life

Develop essential life skills through planning and organising real film productions. Practise budgeting, scheduling, teamwork and communication while taking responsibility for creative projects and activities.

Life Skills Outcomes:

  • Time Management
  • Budgeting & Financial Planning
  • Communication & Teamwork
  • Organisation & Prioritisation
  • Responsibility & Independence

Soft Skills & Personal Development

Our Soft Skills courses help neurodivergent young people develop essential skills for everyday life, education and employment. Through interactive workshops and creative activities, participants strengthen their communication, teamwork, problem-solving and critical thinking skills in a supportive, neuroinclusive environment.

Explore Soft Skills Courses

Film Crew Challenge

Work together as a film crew to plan, shoot and produce a short scene. Develop teamwork, cooperation and confidence through shared responsibilities and creative challenges.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Teamwork & Collaboration
  • Sharing Responsibilities
  • Communication & Active Listening
  • Respecting Different Perspectives
  • Building Trust & Confidence

Behind the Mic

Build confidence through presenting, interviewing and directing creative productions. Practise speaking clearly, listening actively and expressing ideas while working both behind and in front of the camera.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Verbal Communication
  • Active Listening
  • Public Speaking & Presentation
  • Confidence & Self-Expression
  • Asking Questions & Giving Feedback

The Creative Brief

Turn imaginative ideas into stories, scripts and storyboards for film productions. Develop creative thinking, decision-making and confidence by exploring different approaches to storytelling and visual communication.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Creative Thinking & Imagination
  • Idea Generation & Development
  • Decision-Making
  • Adaptability & Flexibility
  • Confidence in Sharing Ideas

Documentary Detective

Become a documentary filmmaker by researching real stories, interviewing people and checking information. Learn to identify reliable sources, question information and communicate factual stories through film.

Learning Outcomes:

    • Research & Information Gathering
    • Critical Thinking
    • Fact-Checking & Source Evaluation
    • Digital & Media Literacy
    • Independent Learning

Produce It!

Take responsibility for planning a creative film production, from scheduling and budgeting to organising equipment and people. Develop essential planning skills while working towards real deadlines.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Planning & Organisation
  • Time Management
  • Budgeting & Resource Management
  • Prioritisation & Decision-Making
  • Responsibility & Accountability

Production Crisis!

Experience real filmmaking challenges where plans change, equipment fails or deadlines approach. Work together to find creative solutions, make decisions and adapt under pressure.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Practical Problem-Solving
  • Critical Thinking & Decision-Making
  • Adaptability & Resilience
  • Managing Unexpected Challenges
  • Teamwork Under Pressure

Creative STEM Skills

Our Creative STEM courses introduce neurodivergent young people to the exciting world of science, technology, engineering and digital creativity. Through hands-on workshops in AI, filmmaking, animation, robotics and digital media, participants develop practical technical skills in a fun, supportive environment.

Explore Creative STEM Courses

AI Filmmaker

Discover how artificial intelligence is transforming filmmaking. Learn to generate ideas, develop storyboards and create AI-assisted videos while exploring responsible and creative uses of emerging technology.

Learning Outcomes:

  • AI Tools & Digital Literacy
  • Prompt Writing & Creative Thinking
  • Storyboarding & Visual Storytelling
  • Responsible AI Use
  • Digital Content Creation

Film Editing & Digital Production

Learn how films come together through video editing, sound design and visual effects. Transform raw footage into finished productions while developing practical digital and creative skills.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Video Editing & Sequencing
  • Sound Editing & Audio Production
  • Colour Correction & Visual Effects
  • Digital Organisation & File Management
  • Creative Storytelling

Digital Creator Studio

Explore how creators and businesses build their online presence. Learn website design, social media, branding and video production while creating engaging digital content and campaigns.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Website Design & Development
  • Social Media & Digital Marketing
  • Content Creation & Video Production
  • Branding & Visual Communication
  • Digital Entrepreneurship

Animation & VFX Lab

Bring imagination to life through animation and visual effects. Explore green screens, motion graphics and digital compositing while creating exciting scenes for film and creative productions.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Animation & Motion Graphics
  • Green Screen & Compositing
  • Visual Effects & Digital Design
  • Creative Problem-Solving
  • Digital Storytelling

Animatronics & Movie Technology

Discover how engineering and technology bring movie characters to life. Explore electronics, motors, sensors and basic coding while building interactive props and moving creations for film productions.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Basic Electronics & Circuits
  • Coding & Programming Fundamentals
  • Engineering & Mechanical Design
  • Problem-Solving & Troubleshooting
  • Practical Construction & Prototyping

Gaming & Roblox Development

Explore the exciting world of game development using Roblox Studio. Learn to design interactive environments, create characters and develop gameplay while building coding and creative technology skills.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Game Design & Development
  • Basic Coding & Programming
  • 3D Modelling & Virtual Environments
  • Creative Problem-Solving
  • Digital Collaboration & Testing

Ready to Discover Your Potential?

Our neuroinclusive courses offer hands-on learning in a supportive environment, with opportunities to develop practical skills, make friends and work towards recognised achievements.

CASE STUDIES

Stories and outcomes showing how UCS supports young people’s confidence, skills and personal development.

OUR APPROACH

Purposeful projects, practical learning and individual support put creativity at the heart of young people’s development.

SAFEGUARDING

UCS safeguarding policies, support contacts and procedures for protecting young people and raising concerns.

OUR TEAM

Meet the people behind UCS and discover the experience and dedication they bring to supporting young people.

VISIT UDCS

Parents, schools and funders are welcome to explore the studio, meet the team and discover how UCS supports young people through creative learning, practical skills and personal development.

  • Inclusive Environment

  • Creative Facilities

  • Supportive Team

  • Practical Learning