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Group of Routes to College learners from Lichfield receiving awards
Courses Code
QFESLRTC
Study method
Full Time
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  • Is this course for you?

    This course is aimed at school leavers who have just finished their year 11 or are in 6th 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 an SEND who have been out of education/home schooled for the past year(s) or who may not have the mathematics and English grades required for entry onto other college courses.

  • 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 6th 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 an SEND who have been out of education/home schooled for the past year(s) or who may not have the mathematics and English grades required for entry onto other college courses.

  • 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.

Apply for a course

  • Routes to College

    Cannock College

    Start Date: September

    Code: QCFESLRTC

    Full Time: 35 Weeks

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

  • Routes to College

    Lichfield College

    Start Date: September

    Code: QLFESLRTC

    Full Time: 35 Weeks

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

  • Routes to College

    Rodbaston College

    Start Date: September

    Code: QRFESLRTC

    Full Time: 35 Weeks

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

  • Routes to College

    Tamworth College

    Start Date: September

    Code: QTFESLRTC

    Full Time: 35 Weeks

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