The Broader Curriculum

Our programme of study is designed to meet the needs, interests and long-term goals of every student and includes:

Functional Skills

Literacy and numeracy courses are tailored to the individual student’s needs after diagnostic assessment. Learners are able to develop their skills in reading, writing and speaking and listening in everyday life.  Formal qualifications in functional Maths, English and ICT are offered.  They can be taught in College and in the community and is often embedded throughout the curriculum.

Creative & Expressive Arts

In this area, all learners are encouraged to develop and fine tune skills across a range of creative genres, including: painting, drawing, 3D art and sculpture, jewellery making, film and editing, photography and music technology. Learners build confidence and self-belief through participation, performance, exhibiting and coordinating a wide range of creative projects.

Independence

We focus on developing realistic and important daily living skills.   This includes cooking, shopping, budgeting, social skills and community awareness, alongside independent travel skills for journeys relevant to the learner such as travelling from home to college or a work placement.

Employability Skills

All learners have the opportunity to develop their range of skills through courses where they can be taught about interview techniques, personal presentation or completing job applications.  Learners can put these skills into practice during their work experiences.  Current placements include conservation work, retail, stage hand, hospital laboratories and radio stations, alongside local restaurants and cafes.

Enrichment, Leisure and Social Skills

All our learners are encouraged  to take part in different sport, leisure and fitness activities. Most Friday afternoons can be spent developing core skills with group enrichment activities, often chosen and organised by students.

Duke of Edinburgh

The College offers its students the opportunity to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award at 3 levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold. The Award allows students to gain valuable experience and develop many essential life skills through participation in a wide range of practical, physical and work-based activities. The 4 main components of each Award require students to:

• Develop a new SKILL (i.e. photography, art, independence)
• Improve PHYSICAL health and fitness through involvement in sport and exercise
• Develop work based skills and make a personal contribution to the local community through a range of VOLUNTEERING opportunities and
• Gain a wide range of social and personal skills through the planning and participation in an EXPEDITION.