Foundation Learning
SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND DISABILITIES (SEND)
South Tyneside College is a general further education college with specialist provision for young people, aged 16-24, with special learning needs or learning difficulties.
WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY
We offer you a Foundation Learning package of support which is unique.
Our aim is to work with you to give you skills and confidence and the opportunity to meet new friends and explore new opportunities, at a pace that suits you. Simply put, we make sure you have the best experience you can so that you can be the best you can be in the future.
WAYS TO STUDY:
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
For those with learning difficulties or special learning needs, it’s 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 16-24, we offer a unique package of Foundation Learning with four different ‘Pathways to Adulthood’ courses, from pre-entry level to level 1.
With a mixture of classroom, practical and enriching activities, our aim is to equip students with skills and confidence and to explore NEW opportunities at a pace that feels right for them.
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.
1. 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
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. PREPARATION 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
- Understanding Physical Health/Wellbeing
- Understanding Emotional Wellbeing
- Social Health & Wellbeing
- Awareness of Sexual Health/Wellbeing
- Becoming Self-Aware
- Your Rights and Responsibilities
- Exploring Resilience
- Becoming More Environmentally Aware
- Importance of Money
- Participating in External Learning Experiences
- Outdoor Learning Activity
- Planning Your Personal Progression
8. 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.
- 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
- Work experience (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
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.
You can also get in touch with our tutors Heidi and Faye who can help support:
Assisted Learning Support (ALS)
View our events here.
Can a young person access vocational options?
How many hours a week will the course run?
My young person suffers from anxiety, can they follow a reduced timetable?
What are the progression opportunities?
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.
Can young people get transport to college?
Apply Now
Additional Links
Looking for something else?
Here are some links you might find useful.
And don’t forget, we’re always happy to help, so feel free to get in touch.