Pathways to Independence

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

Pathways Entry requirements

Learners are required to fulfil the following criteria to join the Pathways to Independence course:

• To be working at pre-Entry Level up to Entry Level 3
• To have an aspiration to become independent
• To be committed to improve travel training skills
• To have an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP)

Course Details

You will have the opportunity to study for accredited qualifications in:

• Employability – Entry Level 1/Entry Level 2/Entry Level 3/Level 1
• Functional Skills in English, Maths and ICT – Entry Level 1/Entry Level 2/Entry Level 3/Level 1/Level 2
• The course is 5 days a week, Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am – 4pm and Wednesdays and Fridays 9am – 2pm.
• We teach in small groups to ensure that our teachers can address the individual needs of our learners. All lessons have Educational Support Assistants (ESAs) present to support learners. Our teachers and ESAs possess a wealth of expertise and experience.
• The department has been refurbished with smart boards in every classroom and iPads are available for learners to use.
• Individual targets are set for each learner following a 6-week extensive initial assessment period. These are recorded on their Individual Learning Plan and worked towards across all areas of the curriculum. Learner targets are reviewed on a termly basis, enabling us to continuously personalise and improve each learner’s experience.
• Learners build on existing skills and knowledge, and progress (laterally or vertically) from their assessed starting point. Learners are stretched, challenged and supported to progress towards their agreed outcomes.
• We support all our learners to improve their numeracy and literacy, both through discrete sessions and by embedding numeracy and literacy in all lessons throughout the curriculum. We encourage learners to do Functional Skills in Numeracy and Literacy whenever possible.
• Accredited aspects of the course help learners progress in further education or employment.
• We encourage learners to access work placements with local employers whenever possible to support the development of employability skills and create potential employment options.
• We embed travel training skills across the curriculum, where appropriate, to help learners build their confidence and independence in the community and on public transport. We also offer a travel training programme with 1:1 support for learners who are capable of becoming independent travellers.
• Preparing learners for life after College is a high priority. We give learners the best chance to progress on to higher level programmes, paid, supported or voluntary employment, and supported or independent living arrangements.

Our Programme of study

The Pathways Department has a strong tradition of learner success. Learners move onto higher level courses, supported employment, voluntary work, independent travelling, supported and independent living. Our programme of study is full-time and blends accredited and non-accredited courses to provide a flexible curriculum. It follows the 4 outcomes for Preparing for Adulthood as set out by the Department of Education:

• Employment – Learners develop skills to prepare for working life and have the opportunity to participate in college-based enterprises and external work placements.
• Independent Living – Learners develop skills to become as independent as possible in relation to food preparation, travel and managing finances.
• Community Inclusion – Learners plan and visit many places in and around Manchester to understand what is available in their local community, how to travel there and how to keep safe in the community.
• Health – Learners are inducted to a gym and follow an individual fitness programme, take part in a variety of sports, and participate in a programme of PSHE lessons that cover issues relating to health and wellbeing.