School Leavers > SEND: Futures and Cross College Supported Learning

Routes to College

Print this page

Courses Code

QFESLRTC

Study method

Full Time

Location(s)

Lichfield Rodbaston Tamworth

View courses

Print this page

Is this course for you?

This course is aimed at school leavers who have just finished their Year 11 or are in sixth form (Year 12-14) and looking to move onto college. Specifically, those learners who are coming from a small SEND specialist school and are not used to the big grounds of a larger establishment, who would struggle to manage their own time outside of lessons or who aren’t yet comfortable/confident enough to partake in a mainstream course, learners with a diagnosed disability or learning difficulty within a mainstream setting who require smaller groups or additional support, or who have been out of education/home schooled for the past year(s).
Required qualifications

Learners will ideally be working at entry level 1 or above in maths and English to complete this qualification or will have previously completed supported to learn at South Staffordshire College.
What skills will I develop?

Learners study an entry level 2 BTEC in personal social development (PSD) in which they develop confidence, self-esteem, communication skills and independence.

The course also provides learners with the opportunity to enjoy a taste of vocational subjects including art and design, animal care, gardening, plumbing, construction, equine and hospitality (campus dependant).

Learners also develop their money management skills including weekly budgeting for food through trips to the supermarket and help them learn about healthy lifestyles and eating with visits to the gym. Assessments centre on the planning of charity and enterprise activities. Learners can sell their crafts in pop-up shops as part of the various enterprise activities we provide. In addition to this, learners will also take part in a group volunteering / work experience placement
Careers

Within the routes to college provision, employment is not currently highlighted as a progression option due to the need(s)/level of the learners. However, within this provision we subscribe to the value of the Gatsby Benchmarks and ensure that these are embedded within the curriculum planning of this provision.

The 8 key areas are as follows:
1. A stable career’s programme
2. Learning from career and labour market information
3. Addressing the needs of each pupil
4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
5. Encounters with employers and employees
6. Experiences of workplaces
7. Encounters with further and higher education
8. Personal guidance
Upon the completion of their first year, learners progress to the next level of ‘routes to’ courses; Routes to vocational education.
Work experience

Learners partake in work experience (WEX) on either a group or individual basis and are encouraged to seek out and complete volunteering opportunities if this is meaningful and suitable to their long-term aspirations. We also have several employer and volunteering fairs throughout the year, as well as companies and organisations visiting to give talks on opportunities within the local area.
English and maths

Learner dependant. Any learner with an EHCP must strive to achieve progression in their maths and English up to the age of 25.

If a learner is currently working at a functional skill level of entry level 1 to level 1, they will complete their maths and English lessons within their ‘routes to’ group. If they have previously achieved a GCSE grade (or that is their next step) learners will be placed in an appropriate GCSE or functional skills level 2 group to assist and support their continued development in maths and English.
Other important information

As we make as much of the programme as possible practical and engaging this means there will be a need for learners to purchase ‘kit’ to help them complete their studies. For example, overalls and steel toe-capped boots for animal care and horticulture practical. We would also expect every learner to come prepared for learning. This means having their own stationary provisions. We also ask for a financial contribution from parents/learners towards trips and visits. All this information will be given to you upon successful application to the course.

Is this course for you?

This course is aimed at school leavers who have just finished their Year 11 or are in sixth form (Year 12-14) and looking to move onto college. Specifically, those learners who are coming from a small SEND specialist school and are not used to the big grounds of a larger establishment, who would struggle to manage their own time outside of lessons or who aren’t yet comfortable/confident enough to partake in a mainstream course, learners with a diagnosed disability or learning difficulty within a mainstream setting who require smaller groups or additional support, or who have been out of education/home schooled for the past year(s).
Required qualifications

Learners will ideally be working at entry level 1 or above in maths and English to complete this qualification or will have previously completed supported to learn at South Staffordshire College.
What skills will I develop?

Learners study an entry level 2 BTEC in personal social development (PSD) in which they develop confidence, self-esteem, communication skills and independence.

The course also provides learners with the opportunity to enjoy a taste of vocational subjects including art and design, animal care, gardening, plumbing, construction, equine and hospitality (campus dependant).

Learners also develop their money management skills including weekly budgeting for food through trips to the supermarket and help them learn about healthy lifestyles and eating with visits to the gym. Assessments centre on the planning of charity and enterprise activities. Learners can sell their crafts in pop-up shops as part of the various enterprise activities we provide. In addition to this, learners will also take part in a group volunteering / work experience placement
Careers
Within the routes to college provision, employment is not currently highlighted as a progression option due to the need(s)/level of the learners. However, within this provision we subscribe to the value of the Gatsby Benchmarks and ensure that these are embedded within the curriculum planning of this provision.

The 8 key areas are as follows:
1. A stable career’s programme
2. Learning from career and labour market information
3. Addressing the needs of each pupil
4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
5. Encounters with employers and employees
6. Experiences of workplaces
7. Encounters with further and higher education
8. Personal guidance
Upon the completion of their first year, learners progress to the next level of ‘routes to’ courses; Routes to vocational education.
Work experience

Learners partake in work experience (WEX) on either a group or individual basis and are encouraged to seek out and complete volunteering opportunities if this is meaningful and suitable to their long-term aspirations. We also have several employer and volunteering fairs throughout the year, as well as companies and organisations visiting to give talks on opportunities within the local area.
English and maths

Learner dependant. Any learner with an EHCP must strive to achieve progression in their maths and English up to the age of 25.

If a learner is currently working at a functional skill level of entry level 1 to level 1, they will complete their maths and English lessons within their ‘routes to’ group. If they have previously achieved a GCSE grade (or that is their next step) learners will be placed in an appropriate GCSE or functional skills level 2 group to assist and support their continued development in maths and English.
Other important information

As we make as much of the programme as possible practical and engaging this means there will be a need for learners to purchase ‘kit’ to help them complete their studies. For example, overalls and steel toe-capped boots for animal care and horticulture practical. We would also expect every learner to come prepared for learning. This means having their own stationary provisions. We also ask for a financial contribution from parents/learners towards trips and visits. All this information will be given to you upon successful application to the course.

Testimonials

I have enjoyed working as a team in the animal care zone and practical sessions. I have improved my communication skills and I am more confident of pushing myself out of my comfort zone.

Charley

Routes to college student

"Teachers have been very supportive and helpful, and I enjoyed singing to the group in tutorial."

Liam Carnell

Routes to college student

The course helped me settle into college. My tutor was very good. On my course I learned about teamwork, British values and rights, English and maths.

Thomas Harnett

Routes to college student

Apply for a course

Routes to College

Lichfield College

Start Date: September

Code: QLFESLRTC

Full Time: 35 Weeks

Day(s): Usually 3-4 days per week

Apply
Routes to College

Rodbaston College

Start Date: September

Code: QRFESLRTC

Full Time: 35 Weeks

Day(s): Usually 3-4 days per week

Apply
Routes to College

Tamworth College

Start Date: September

Code: QTFESLRTC

Full Time: 35 Weeks

Day(s): Usually 3-4 days per week

Apply

Routes to College

Is this course for you?

Required qualifications

What skills will I develop?

Careers

Work experience

English and maths

Other important information

Testimonials

Apply for a course

Routes to College

Routes to College

Routes to College