College Curriculum
The curriculum intent comes directly from the College’s vision and mission:
Our vision is ‘Transforming Lives’, for young adults with Special Educational Needs and Disability.
Our Mission is to empower young adults to live fulfilling lives using person centred approaches built on respect, innovation and sustainability; to respond to the changing needs of disabled learners, preparing them for adulthood; and becoming judged in all areas as outstanding.
All learners attend College three days each week and each learner follows the curriculum model best suited to their needs and aspirations, as stated in their Education and Health Care Plans (EHCPs):
Communication and Choice
Learners on this pathway are likely to transition into supported living, enrichment services, or PA supported activities, either individually or in combination. Therefore, the pathway’s intent is to develop communication skills, life skills and the ability to make choices.
Progression Focus: Those on this pathway are likely to transition into supported living, supported employment, volunteering, enrichment services, or PA supported activities. This pathway aims to enhance communication, foster independence, and develop employability skills for voluntary work
Progression Focus: Those on this pathway are likely to transition into full and part time employment, supported living, supported employment, volunteering, enrichment services or PA supported activities. This pathway aims to enhance communication, foster independence, and develop employability skills for voluntary work.
• Health
Throughout the curriculum learners will be supported to meet their sensory and self-regulation needs, develop communication and social interaction skills, develop levels of independence in the skills of daily living and personal care, develop decision and choice making skills and develop functional skills in English and maths and Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE).
Employment
All learners are able to access a range of internal work experience opportunities to have a real-life experience of a workplace and to gain a realistic view of what employment involves. Opportunities include
• Gym
The College is currently working towards the Work Experience Quality Assurance Standard accreditation in order to assess current provision, and identify where and how it could be improved.
Information, Advice and Guidance
Birtenshaw College has achieved Stage 2 of the Quality in Careers Standard. This is the national quality award for careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) in schools, colleges and work-based learning. It is fully aligned with the eight Gatsby Benchmarks for “Good Career Guidance” and fully complies with the Department for Education’s ‘statutory guidance’.
Malcolm Leahair, Deputy Head of College, leads the Careers Programme at Birtenshaw College. You can contact Malcolm by email to malcolm.leahair@birtenshaw.org.uk or by telephone 01204 602330.
Staff at College provide impartial advice to help learners and their families make informed decisions. This can be done formally at review meetings or through informal chats and Preparing for Adulthood meetings. Birtenshaw College works closely with Connexions to deliver impartial advice and guidance to learners and their families.
The purpose of the Careers Programme is to enable learners to develop their self-awareness and to raise their aspirations and motivation which will enable them to make a smooth and successful transition from college to adulthood. Our Careers Policy is available to view here, by clicking this link.
Qualifications
We are able to offer, alongside non accredited RARPA, the following qualifications at Birtenshaw College, as appropriate to learners’ aspirations and desired outcomes:
Birtenshaw College, Bolton
ACCREDITATIONS
