Pathways – Local Offer
The Pathways department at Aquinas College offers a two year programme providing specialist educational opportunities for students working towards Entry level and Level 1 qualifications.
Transition from school
We have an application process for prospective students which runs alongside the mainstream timetable. Students are then invited for interview and assessment and places offered on appropriate courses. We work closely with Local Authorities and schools to ensure that the transition from school is successful. We attend year 10 annual reviews, carry out observations in schools and invite students to attend college.
The college allows for additional visits to the site to be arranged prior to students joining if appropriate. These visits give learners an opportunity to explore the college, meet tutors and potential new peers and have a go at a range of activities.
The Curriculum
We have four groups of students, each working towards Functional Skills qualifications in the core skills of maths, English and ICT at Entry Level 1 up to Level 1. The rest of the curriculum is made up of lessons promoting independence skills in the home, in the community and at work. Students complete a portfolio of units that will be submitted to achieve an Edexcel BTEC Diploma/Certificate/Award from the Foundation Learning qualifications:
- Entry Level 1 – Diploma in Personal Progress
- Entry Level 2 – Diploma in Skills for Independence & Work
- Entry Level 3 – Extended Certificate in Vocational Studies
- Level 1 – Certificate in Personal & Social Development / Home Cooking Skills / Preparation for Work
Pathways students also attend weekly assemblies and tutorials. They access the tutorial programme either in our department or, with support, in a mainstream tutor group. They also receive a weekly RE lesson covering topics such as citizenship, equality and world religions. In addition, students take part in a weekly PE session using the college gym and sports facilities, according to preference.
The Course
The programme is delivered over 5 days, Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm during college term time. We have a maximum of 10 students in each group taught by a specialist teacher with Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) providing support according to student needs. The ratio of LSA support is 1:3 in class.
Students typically enter the programme in Year 12 (aged 16) and complete the course, with the aim of progressing one level across the 2 years. A further year is available to those students who would benefit from studying at the next level, only if this is in the best interests of that student and meets their progression needs.
Older students have occasionally joined us if our provision is appropriate and can meet their needs.
The Learning Environment
We are based in a quiet area of the college on the ground floor with the classrooms grouped near to each other and we have full access to the teaching kitchen. The college is fully accessible and DDA compliant. Once a week the students cook their own lunch and eat together. The ingredients are bought at the beginning of the week when one group goes out to a supermarket.
Entry Level groups go out on a weekly trip into the community working on skills such as using public transport, road safety and awareness and ordering / buying their own lunch. They travel in small groups with a ratio of staff to students of 1:3.
Our students bring a weekly amount of money to cover the cost of these sessions.
We aim to provide a work experience placement for each student during their time on the course. Our students are currently placed in a variety of work environments including charity shops, cafes, offices and nurseries. We place students according to support needs, locality and interests. They attend once a week for half a day. Students are provided with placement support as required.
Support
Each student is assigned a key worker who stays with them over the two year programme and can give support with their academic and pastoral studies. In addition, LSAs also provide support during breaks and lunchtime both in the canteen and in classrooms. Pathways students eat in the college canteen along with all other students and staff, and support is provided as needed. This may include helping with appropriate food choice, handling money and communal eating. Lunchtime activities are also organised which can include art and crafts, football in the sports hall and yoga sessions.
Personal care can also be provided, our LSAs are trained in manual handling, using hoists and specialist lifting equipment. We have a college minibus fitted with a tail lift and staff trained in using this and securing a wheelchair for transit. Within the department we have a medical room and can supervise administration of some medicines. We also have a rest bed that is electronically controlled and manual/ mechanical hoists. This room is also used as a quiet space for those students that sometimes need to come out of lessons.
We have trained First Aiders who to support students with medical conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes and we are committed to ensuring that staff receive any training that may be required to meet the needs of our students. We also work closely with other agencies that can provide specialist support such as Stockport Sensory Services, social services and the Careers Support staff.
Some of our staff are systematic instruction trained for high quality support of students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in the workplace. Three members of our current staff are BSL trained at Levels 1 and 2.
As part of our pastoral care we have staff trained up as Designated Safeguarding Leads and in initial counselling skills. We can access the college counselling service with fully qualified therapists if needed and support to attend these sessions is given if required.
Student Progress
We provide termly targets and subject reviews in line with the College. We arrange and conduct annual Education, Health and Care Plan reviews; where we liaise with and invite all the support team around the student to contribute and plan forward for their progression and future development. This process includes setting the students targets to ensure they make progress both at home and in college. Students are also set further personalised targets within their lessons which are monitored by teaching staff and key workers.
Safeguarding
There is a drop off area at Reception where students can be met by staff and taken to their lessons. At the end of the day a member of staff can escort students to their taxi, parent, or carer.
Risk assessment of all external activities, LSA support if necessary, outside of lessons. All
staff have been trained in safeguarding through Stockport Council. They are aware of the issues relating to the safeguarding of students and the procedures to follow.
Destinations
On completing their programme, our student’s next steps tend to include:
- Other education providers such as Trafford College, in Stockport and Cheadle campuses, Pure College and Manchester College
- Employment programmes such as Supported Internships, Supported Apprenticeships, Pure Supported Employment
- Adult Social Care Packages such as Pure Innovations run – Pure Radio, Animation workshops and their cafes and bakery.
Contact
Pathways Head of Department
Susan Marks susan.marks@aquinas.ac.uk
Pathways Head of Subject
Thom Greensill thom.greensill@aquinas.ac.uk
Useful Links
Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) code of practice
SEND code of practice
Stockport Local Offer
SEND Local Offer (Find information and guidance about the support available in Stockport for children and young people with SEND)
Stockport – Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) local offer
Stockport SEND local offer directory