Preparing for Adulthood
Preparing for Adulthood and developing key life skills are a key part of the curriculum for all Highfield pupils. These skills are embedded within each of our pathways and taught at the most appropriate level for the learner. This is the basis for our work related learning strategy and as our strap line states it prepares learners for the next step in education, life or work - whatever is appropriate for them.
Careful and highly individualised curriculum planning across the school is related to students EHCP Outcomes as well as the respective Preparing for Adulthood frameworks. It aims to give all pupils the opportunity to experience and learn to prepare for real life situations, such as shopping, crossing the road, meal planning, writing a letter and posting it, or even growing and eating their own food. Take a look at our strategy and how we incorporate this into our curriculum here.
Our yellow and the majority of our green pathway learners move on at age 16 to an appropriate additional needs college course. These courses are classed as full time courses but are spaced over 3 days per week. We do not currently have a 6th form provision at Highfield Littleport as we do not have large enough numbers to make a viable cohort. Only learners within our complex green and blue pathway's will be eligible to study at our sixth form provision.
Yellow Pathway End Points and Transition from Highfield
Outcomes for learners on the yellow pathway varies according to the individual progress they make in their time at Highfield through the curriculum frameworks and against their EHCP outcomes. All students are entitled to leave with qualifications at an appropriate level. In the yellow pathway, we offer Functional Skills English and Maths at Level 1 and 2 (equivalent to lower GCSE levels), as well as Entry Level 1, 2 and 3. Students also study ASDAN Personal and Social Development as a qualifications base to develop their personal self involving all of our learning values. There is also an option to accredit learning according to the AQA Unit Award scheme. Please see our policies page for the appropriate documents in this area.
We aspire for students on Yellow Pathway to leave Key Stage 4 with a qualification in ASDAN Personal and Social Development (PSD), and most will gain Functional Skills qualifications in Maths and English. In addition, they will have at least 5 AQA Unit Award certificates. These unit award certificates are linked to their talents and interests as well as preparing students for everyday life and living.
Learners in the yellow pathway are likely to stay on roll until the end of Year 11. Discussions on moving on begin at the same time as learners on our other pathways, from at least the year 9 annual review. This is coupled with careers education, careers guidance interviews and moving on events. Our careers page has more information.
Nearly all yellow pathway learners will transition to a local mainstream college to study within specialist college courses at an appropriate level, taking into account the level of study they accessed at HIghfield. The programmes of study at college include Maths and English alongside a range of vocational options that they can in turn take into employment. Courses are classed as full time but the hours are compressed into three days per week. A minority leave HIghfield and gain employment without accessing college first.