Post-16 Progression for Students with Additional Needs

Post-16 Progression for Students with Additional Needs

Sometimes for a student who has additional needs, it can be even more daunting for them and their family to explore the range of post-16 pathways available.

It could be advisable for them to progress on to a specific Inclusive Learning course at one of our local Further Education Colleges.  Below we guide you through some of the relevant courses available at both City College and Easton College.

If you would like further information about any of the courses, please contact the Careers Team in school and remember that you can also talk to the colleges directly at any time to explore in detail.

For many students, going to college will be a huge step. It is a step from childhood to adulthood which will involve many changes, new freedoms and new responsibilities. It will mean students making more decisions for themselves and gaining greater independence in their learning.

Inclusive Learning courses help students with special educational needs progress to their next step. Bespoke small group programmes are delivered by a team of dedicated staff. They recognise the challenges Inclusive Learning students face. The college ensures they put in the right levels of encouragement and support to meet their individual needs.

On these courses, students will find high quality resources and facilities to support them. This includes workshop areas where students can practice art, craft, dance, drama and sport.

The college also has an industry scale greenhouse, a shop that serves the needs of the College community and a professional kitchen. Alongside these, there are well equipped classrooms for developing English, Maths and personal and social skills.

Whatever a student is aiming for, the college has a variety of study options to help them achieve their goal.

Not all of the courses available are listed below.  We have listed those that Sprowston students typically are most likely to consider.  Please refer to the college website for the full listing.

The courses include: 

Phoenix Purple

Specifically designed to support students with Autistic Spectrum Disorders in to College.

This course has been specifically designed to meet the needs of students with Autistic Spectrum Disorders who require support to move onto a chosen career pathway and a curriculum designed around their unique needs. Each student's timetable is based upon choices made from the basic Phoenix Purple timetable. This covers a broad range of subjects such as:

Communication and social skills, including access to speech and language therapists, radio, confidence and independence building, individual and group tutorial. Life skills, including catering, practical budgeting and number skills and travel training.

Creative subjects including animation, filmmaking, art and crafts, music, photography and creative writing.

Optional qualifications including Functional Skills English and Maths or BTEC/GCSE qualifications if needed as part of transition to further mainstream courses.

Preparation for life and work, including citizenship, study skills, fundraising, enterprise, and project teams.

In addition to this there is also opportunity for 1:1 teaching or support where required. Students are encouraged to be flexible and swap sessions throughout the year. Monday, Tuesday and Friday are mandatory days and the student then has the choice of attending on either a Wednesday or Thursday. The course is designed to last one year, however there is the opportunity to continue for a second year if this is required.

Multi-skills Pathways

Designed to help students develop their knowledge in a hands-on way. Great for progression to higher level college study.

This challenging and exciting course aims to support you in developing your social skills, self-esteem and confidence via the challenges you will face within the Duke of Edinburgh Award . The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) is so much more than a 'pat on the back' for completing a programme of activities. It is recognition of a young person’s successful journey of self-discovery and development, renowned by employers and universities alike for the qualities young people have who have achieved a DofE Award.

Its balanced programme develops the whole person - mind, body and soul, in an environment of social interaction and team working. You'll find yourself helping people or the community through volunteering section, getting fitter in the physical section, developing skills and going on an expedition. Personal and Social Development will help you to learn to manage social relationships effectively, manage money and build self-esteem and confidence. A range of vocational tasters, such as carpentry, brickwork, sports and cooking will improve your employability and help you to make better decisions about your next step. You will also have opportunities to improve your maths and English If you are ready to learn and are looking for a challenge, this may be the course for you.

Enterprise

A range of courses designed to develop employability skills. This includes a choice of retail/ hospitality/horticulture training and is ideal to help students in the transition from College to employment.

The programmes ask students to be involved in identifying real life skills they will need, skills they already have and opportunities and experiences they need to equip them for coping with the wider world, whether that includes work or not. Skills that we focus on include:

Employability skills

Vocational skills

Independence

Self-awareness

Self-assessment

Functional skills in English and Maths

There is a focus on employability skills but these will be general, for example, working with others, working to meet an agreed outcome and deadline, problem solving, decision making and above all communicating with others which should be transferable to situations within the world of work or elsewhere.

There are a range of courses available under the Enterprise title, so please spend some time exploring them on the college website.

Project Search

Project Search is a work focused course based on a host employers' premises. It is a partnership between City College Norwich, Remploy and a host employer. Currently we run two projects one at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital and the other at Norse Commercial Services. Each student undertakes three different work placements throughout the year. Each placement lasts for 10 - 12 weeks and the student is fully supported by a mentor in the workplace.

There is a one hour classroom session each day which covers;

Health and safety in the workplace,

Healthy lifestyle and being fit for work,

Interview skills,

CV writing,

'Dress to impress',

Budgeting skills,

Independent travel and job search skills.

The aim of Project Search is that the students will gain paid employment. The students will be supported at every stage of this process, from application to interview and starting the job. There is ongoing support for each student after the course has finished. This support is provided by Mint and Remploy who will continue to work with the student for as long as needed.

The course runs from Monday to Friday 9am - 3:30pm and the group will contain a maximum of twelve students.

Easton College is passionate about supporting students with learning disabilities and/or difficulties.

The aim is to ensure young people have information and support to enable participation and to assist in achieving the best possible education outcomes.

Preparing for adulthood and starting College might be a bit of a worry, so you can request a guided tour to go to look around to gain an insight into college. It will also give you a chance to ask any questions you may have about the college.

Before you start your course the college will ensure they have all the information they need to ensure you have the best college experience from day one. This may include visits to your current education setting, meeting your parents/carers, liaising with external agencies.

You will have an opportunity to look round the College at Course Advice Days, Open Days and interviews, but you can also arrange for to look round the campus at a quieter time if you’d prefer.

The courses include:

Future Choices

There are four different courses available under this course banner.  Which course is the best fit for a learner, will be discussed and assessed carefully.  They will have a chance to develop some of the following areas, depending on which course they do.

Specialised provision to enable students to be more independent and understand their options for the future.

A course designed to help students progress to Level 1 provision after a year with a heavy focus on academic development.

Students on this course need a focused year to develop academic skills to be able to confidentially succeed on Level 1 provision the following year. Students will have the opportunity of a varied vocational curriculum and will work towards a City & Guilds Diploma in Skills for Work Life however will have a heavier focus on Maths and English development.

Students on this course have the opportunity of a fun and varied curriculum that is bespoke and tailored to meet their individual needs. Individualised work systems are put in place to make the learning environment inclusive, engaging and to promote independence in all aspects of work.

Course Content includes :

• Health and independence skills

• Maths and English, either as qualifications or promoted within lessons

• Access to vocational areas pitched at a suitable level and linked to progression

• Personal and social development

• Full year tutorial/enrichment package

• Specialised provision : SALT, music, enterprise and employability

In addition to the above course, the following courses are available:

Connect, Personal and Social Pathway, Skills for life, Future Aspirations, Pathway to Independence, Rural enterprise, Vocational pathway.

Each of the courses are aimed at students who would not yet cope with a Level 1 course, but want to work towards this for the following academic year.  The range of courses may seem confusing and they all sound similar on paper.  It is important that you work with the school and college in partnership to help understand the range of options available.