Foundation Studies

Foundation Studies courses are designed specifically for young adults aged 16-24, to develop their skills to live independently, access their community or progress to volunteering and employment.

Our courses are tailor made to help students build their confidence, improve social and personal skills, and/or learn independent living skills. Depending on the curriculum pathway, students can be supported by a Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant or Employment Mentor.

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Student Stories

The volunteering course really helped me to build my confidence; working on the Supported Internship with the support of the Employment Mentors helped me to prepare a CV. I was thoroughly supported in the work place which helped me secure a job there. It’s nice to earn and have my own money, I am very proud of myself.

Kieron

Foundation Studies

Believe in yourself and never give up, even if it gets you down, get back up and keep trying to matter what it takes. Think positive, and you will get there.

Grace

Foundation Studies

Core Curriculum

It is important for all our students to access the wider world, having developed their skillset holistically, becoming as independent as possible within their local communities.

Foundation Studies incorporates the four Preparing for Adulthood strands to support wider skills development pertinent to life beyond education.

Employment
Independent living
Community inclusion
Health

The core curriculum is created through assessing the student’s starting point and bespoke planning for progression. Overarching topics include the following units, which are graduated from skills within an educational setting, whilst in the local community, and within employment:

Managing and maintaining nutrition
Maintaining personal hygiene
Being appropriately clothed
Maintaining a habitable home environment
Developing & maintaining relationships
Making use of necessary facilities or services in the community, including public transport
Employability skills development

A student’s maths and English development is advantageous to increasing independence and supporting employment. All students have access to develop their skills through Functional Skills English/maths or where appropriate GCSE English/maths.

Preparation for work is embedding throughout the curriculum, as well as students participating in meaningful work experiences for 2 x 1-week block placements throughout the academic year. Students have access to Job Clubs via our Employment Mentors to aid career conversations, job searching and applications, preparation for interviews, and CPD short courses.

All our specialist provisions have trained pastoral support workers who can meet with a student on a regular or ad hoc basis for additional wellbeing support.