This is a fun, interesting and practical course for young people with severe and moderate learning difficulties and/or disabilities (SLD/MLD). The course provides a great way to prepare for adult life, community participation and work related skills. Practising and developing communication, social and personal independence skills that will support your future. We will support you and make sure you have the communication skills you need to demonstrate your talents, and be assertive in demonstrating your life preferences and choices.
What makes this Learning for Living course unique?
- You will work towards employment.
All students will access work experience either ‘on site’ or in the community. College students are supported to volunteer in areas where they feel comfortable and happy whilst they mix with members of the local community. Examples are The Listening Place, The Grange, charity shops, and on-site placements within other Departments or within our own completing projects such as #LitterHeroes and the Flower Enterprise project. You will gain confidence in the community and explore your interests. - You will work towards good health.
In Health and Wellbeing you will explore different ways to keep fit and healthy. You will take part in differentiated exercise or enrichment and be able to choose you like and suits you. Some of these will be in the community and some will be on-site. We will make links with your local providers to help you attend exercise classes in your local area where possible. We also focus on personal hygiene and healthy eating. - You will work towards independence.
Communication is everything. We focus on supporting you to extend your communication, however you choose to communicate. We support Makaton, Proloquo2go, eye gaze, other augmentative communication and speech with a view to increase vocabulary. We use strategies to help you maximise your independence in practical tasks, as well as handling money and using number where appropriate. We will read Sensory Stories and Story Massage where appropriate to enable active participation for all abilities. - You will work towards community inclusion.
Community Inclusion is also high on our agenda. Many sessions will take place in the community. We use public transport where appropriate to ensure you develop confidence in using different modes of transport. We uses shops and local facilities to ensure all you experiences are set in ‘real life’ and support you to be not full included but also contribute to our local community where possible. Inclusion and Diversity are high on our agenda and all groups will visit some key places that represent different cultures to provide a wider understanding our diverse community and enjoy the sensory experiences that they provide. - You will work towards making positive friendships and relationships.
A college day is a busy day. You will be working closely with your peers and support staff and tutors in your class. You tutor and supports will enable you to practise your friendship choices and, for example, accompany you to buy lunch in town with a friend. We also have a closely monitored safe Facebook group where you can learn to use Facebook safely with support and stay in touch with your friends during term time. Your Personal Tutor is in close contact with your parents/carers at all times and will arrange meeting with you and your social worker to you have activities to go after college ends to ensure you will maintain your active lifestyle and the friendships you made whilst you were at college. - Class groups are small to aid learning.
- Timetables and activities are differentiated to meet your needs and interests, wherever possible.
Student parent: “I am delighted with all the work you’re doing with H and the communication progress is amazing” (March 2018)
Our Retention, Attendance and Achievement are always high as courses are designed to teach Pathways for Adulthood and Personal Tutors are in close contact with parents/carers to support each individual to be successful.