Post 16 at Victoria School has a wide ability range. We have worked hard to ensure students have a choice in the subjects that they would like to learn, matching courses to ability. Past choices have included: Travel and Tourism, iMedia, Enterprise, Food Technology, Business, Health and Social Care, Law, Sociology, Science and Film Studies.
Our core curriculum areas remain as English, Maths and Information and Communication Technology, which are based upon ‘Functional Skills’ programmes. Functional Skills are seen as crucial in enabling individuals to make the most of learning and employment opportunities, as well as being transferable to real-life situations.
Students are given ‘Options’ so that they can choose the areas that they want to learn about as we feel that they are more motivated when given a choice.
We have developed close links with mainstream schools and colleges to further support our students, giving them opportunities to work alongside mainstream students in their studies.
The Post-16 curriculum offers a flexible (1, 2 or 3 year) age appropriate framework for students that will encourage further steps towards maturity and independence, continuing to develop the personal qualities, abilities, interest and confidence that will enable students to continue with their education, training and adult life.
‘Teaching is engaging and based on very effective relationships and knowing students well.’ Ofsted 2019
What we offer
We have endeavoured to choose courses that best fit each student’s individual needs. We therefore run courses from Pre-Entry, through Entry Level to Level 1 and Level 2. Entry level qualifications focus on a particular subject or an area of learning. They develop basic knowledge, skills and understanding and help build confidence and prepare students for further learning and work.
Entry Level qualifications are below Level 1 qualifications. Level 1 courses are equivalent to GCSE ‘D – F’ grades and a Level 2 course is equivalent to GCSE ‘A – C’. In Post-16 we use a variety of examination boards: ASDAN, AQA, Sports Leader, NCFE, Arts Award and OCN.
‘Students make good progress towards achieving their own learning goals. These are regularly tracked by leaders to ensure that no student is underachieving.’ Ofsted 2019
Learning is growing
Most of the students are working on ‘Personal and Social Development’ (PSD), which is linked into their Life Skills work. The ‘PSD’ course is made up of units, each concerned with different areas of life skills. The students earn credits for completing units, which in turn add up towards their awards. The students will study Citizenship, Home Management, Managing Social Relationships, Health Issues and Sex Education. Also linked to the PSD course, the students gain experience in life skills and travel training. The ‘PSD’ programmes cover learning levels from Entry 1-3 to Levels 1 and 2.
‘Being at Victoria is enjoyable because the lessons are interesting and the staff are caring and fun.’ Post 16 Student
Access to opportunity
In addition to the main courses, further enrichment activities include:
- Careers and Work Related Activity
- Off site Travel Training
- Practical Communication, including VOCA (Vocal Output Communication Aid) work
- Music (percussion and general appreciation)
- Enterprise activities
- Holiday Essentials
- Experiences of work
- Sports and Leisure, including swimming and Therapies (depending on need)
- Sensory experiences and learning through a multi-sensory approach is now firmly established for selected students