FOUNDATION
LEARNING
WAYS TO STUDY
SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND DISABILITIES (SEND)
For those with learning difficulties or special learning needs, it’s incredibly important to find the right college with a strong support framework to support the young person’s next step. That’s why for students aged 16 to 24, we offer a unique package of Foundation Learning with four different ‘Pathways to Adulthood’ courses, ranging from pre-entry level to level 1. With a mixture of classroom, practical and enriching activities, our aim is to equip students with skills, confidence, an opportunity to meet new friends and explore new opportunities at a pace that feels right for them.
Student benefits:
- Excellent teaching and support through small class sizes
- Planned and supported transition from school to college and beyond
- Individual learning plans and targets that are regularly reviewed to embed learning and ensure students are making continued progress towards their goals
- Vocational tasters within mainstream courses that the student is interested in pursuing in the future
- Learners will undertake at least 3 hours Work experience
- Opportunities to engage with extra-curricular activities ran through our exciting Enrichment offer
- Key English and Maths sessions
- Personal Development sessions
- Work Ready Skills Sessions
- Skills Builder passport to evidence the students’ achievements relating to the 8 key areas of development (Speaking, Listening, Team Work, Staying Positive, Aiming High, Leadership, Creativity, Problem Solving)
Simply put, we make sure they have the best experience possible, so they can be the best they can be in the future.
Skills Builder
Through the Skills Builder Framework, we can support our students to understand their existing skills and identify gaps they might have, as well as see what progress looks like by getting to know what next steps are to improve their essential skills further. We offer a variety of different ‘Pathways to Adulthood’ courses, ranging from pre-entry level to level 1; with a mixture of classroom, practical and enrichment activities. Our aim is to equip students with skills, confidence, an opportunity to meet new friends and explore new opportunities at a pace that feels right for them.
Our courses all contain the golden thread of the 8 essential skills. These are adapted from beginner through to mastery, including: Listening, Speaking, Problem Solving, Creativity, Staying Positive, Aiming High, Leadership and Teamwork.
OUR ‘PATHWAYS TO ADULTHOOD’ COURSES
PREPARING FOR LIFE
Pre-Entry level: Learners will focus on gaining basic life skills, working towards independence. This pathway is most appropriate for those learners with profound needs (PMLD, SpLD), transferring to us from specialist provision. We will cover the following topics in depth: Personal care, hygiene, awareness of personal space, eating and drinking skills, sensory experiences, communication, play, cues. Intended Progression routes: Preparation for Social and Community Engagement, Adult Social Care, voluntary work or community participation.
PREP FOR SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Pre Entry / Entry Level 1: Learners will focus on developing life skills and attempting these independently. These skills will equip learners for engaging with social situations and the community. Understanding social skills, cues and rules, identifying social settings, awareness of group dynamics, greeting familiar faces, body language, observing behaviours in social environments, experiencing different community/social settings. Intended Progression routes: Preparation for Independence, Adult Social Care, voluntary work or community participation.
PREPARING FOR INDEPENDENCE
Entry Level 1 / Entry Level 2: Learners will focus on developing skills to become an independent citizen. All skills must be completed and assessed independently with competency, including the following: Meal preparation, grocery shopping, money skills, public transport, time management, household chores, self-advocacy. Intended Progression routes: Preparation for Education, Preparation for Vocational, Preparation for World of Work, Adult Social Care, Paid/Voluntary Employment or community participation.
PREPARING FOR EDUCATION
Entry Level 2 / Entry 3: Learners will benefit from opportunities to transition into a mainstream environment prior to studying a mainstream programme. This is a stepping stone for learners needing smaller class sizes and more intense levels of support before engaging in mainstream provision. Perhaps you have attended specialist or alternative provision in the past and you need an additional year to support your transition. This pathway will include taster sessions in mainstream curriculum areas to aid progression. Intended Progression routes: Mainstream Provision, Preparation for Vocational, Preparation for World of Work.
PREPARING FOR VOCATION (IT)
Entry Level 3 / Level 1: Accredited/non-accredited IT programme delivered in the same group. Close progressions into Level 2 IT at either site. Intended Progression routes: Mainstream Provision, Preparation for World of Work, Supported Internship, Paid/Voluntary Employment.
PREPARATION FOR THE WORLD OF WORK
Entry Level 3 / Level 1: Focus is employability and preparing learners for either SI, voluntary or paid work. Learners do not have to be independently travel trained. Internal work placement. Work towards independent travel training. Intended Progression routes: Mainstream provision, Supported Internship, Paid/Voluntary Employment
PREPARATION HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Entry Level 2 / Entry Level 3: Accredited Pearson qualification delivered at Entry 3. Ideally suited to learners looking to develop confidence in a nurturing environment before progressing to mainstream or vocational pathways. Will support learners with SEMH needs accessing a mainstream through supporting a transition year into FE. 1. Understanding Physical Health/Wellbeing 2. Understanding Emotional Wellbeing 3. Social Health & Wellbeing 4. Awareness of Sexual Health/Wellbeing 5. Becoming Self-Aware 6. Your Rights and Responsibilities 7. Exploring Resilience 8. Becoming More Environmentally Aware 9. Importance of Money 10. Participating in External Learning Experiences 11. Outdoor Learning Activity 12. Planning Your Personal Progression
SUPPORTED INTERNSHIP
Entry Level 3 / Level 1: Employability focus with more emphasis on work placement. Learners need to be independently travel trained and have an EHCP. 3 days external work placement, 2 days in college. Intended Progression route: Paid/Voluntary Employment, Apprenticeship/Traineeship.
A LIFE
& EDUCATIONAL
EXPERIENCE
DEDICATED,
CARING AND
SUPPORTIVE STAFF
STRONG FOCUS
ON HEALTH
& WELL-BEING
STATE-OF-THE-ART
FACILITIES
ONSITE
CLOSE LINKS
WITH LOCAL
EMPLOYERS
Don't just take our word for it
Ofsted, 2024
“In specialist provision for learners with high needs, staff
accurately assess their learners and create individual learning plans with strategies
to help learners overcome barriers. This helps learners with high needs make secure
progress.”
Jason Clark, Level 5 Computing
Jason began his journey with us back in 2015 studying our Interface course. In 2018, he took part in our Supported Internship programme then excelled by receiving a D*D*D in his Level 3 computing qualification in 2022, before receiving a Distinction in his Level 5 Computing Qualification.
“Throughout my history at the college, everyone around me has helped me develop my independence to prepare myself for the world of work. Everyone is incredibly friendly, and because of that, I have easily adjusted to college life, and I am now confident when working with others. Going through all the courses I’ve done allowed me to realise how big the world is for the opportunity. I really enjoyed the courses from South Tyneside College because they helped me become the individual I wished to be since I started. Computing gave me many opportunities to participate in many forms of technology, including flying with drones, building computer networks, programming moveable robots, and learning how to organise my work for project management independently. Thank you, South Tyneside College. I will always love you and remember you!”
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Complete your details below to apply for our Foundation Learning courses.
We want to make sure you have all the information you need to make the right decision about where the person you care for studies after leaving school. To make sure we provide the right support and guidance for the person you care for, we recommend you come along to one of our events.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, some of our delivery is through vocational options, or if they want to spend time in a specific area that can be arranged. Examples of some vocational options include: hairdressing, beauty, construction plus others.
The course is 17.5 hours per week, usually over 3.5 days.
Depending on individual needs, we can arrange for a reduced timetable, with a view to increasing this in time.
We have a number of different options; a young person may remain with us for more than a year, depending on their need. Or they can progress to mainstream, either a skills based course such as catering or hairdressing, or a more vocational route such as health and social care, media, or any other suitable course.
They may progress onto our supported internship and move on to paid employment.
A small number of our students will progress to Adult Social Care.
If the young person is an independent traveller, there is a bus pass option. For those young people who are not independent travellers, and have an EHCP, transport can be arranged through your local authority.
Both parents/carers and young people can visit to explore the facilities and get a feel for the place.
An appointment can be made via tutors, see below.
WHAT TO EXPECT BEFORE STARTING COLLEGE
- Regular contact with useful information about the College and Foundation Learning department.
- An opportunity for students to attend an exclusive taster session.
- Guidance on how to enrol.
- An invite to meet Additional Learning Support staff if required.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
If the person you care for needs a little support, they could be entitled to extra help with costs.
A SAFE SPACE FOR ALL
At STC, we’re committed to offering a space for students to feel safe, secure, valued and respected. Everyone has the right to protection from all forms of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
It’s our staff members’ responsibility to protect young people and vulnerable adults, and we aim to make sure all adults who may have unsupervised access to the above student groups are deemed fit to work with them.
In light of recent legislation, we also know we have a responsibility to safeguard staff and will provide clear guidelines and systems regarding staff responsibilities towards the protection of young people and vulnerable adults.
Additional Links
Looking for something else?
Here are some links you may find useful.
And don’t forget, we’re always happy to help, so feel free to get in touch.