Welcome to the FE Department

The Teacher in this class is Alison Innes.

The Teacher Assistants are

Tina BLUNSDON

 

Kiran SIMM (1/2)

 

Amanda MEAD (1/2)

Laura Boalch (Modern Apprentice)

 The Lunch Time Assistant is Mandy Mead.

                                                                              

FE PROSPECTUS

 

                                                     

Introduction 

 

Dress Code

 

Curriculum

 

Assessment, Recording and Reporting

 

Parental Support

 

Educational Maintenance Allowance

 

Transition Planning

        

The aim of this document is to inform parents of changes that take place in their young person’s education now that they have completed their compulsory education.  Students now have the right to leave school, go onto college, get a job or continue their education at Baytree School . 

 

Baytree have reviewed and developed the curriculum they offer to their Post 16 students in order to build on the progress they have made to date, develop their independence skills and personal autonomy as young adults.  This document outlines the curriculum on offer at Baytree and how Post 16 education differs from previous years at Baytree.

                

Now that students have reached the end of their compulsory education a school uniform is no longer a requirement of the school.  However, in consultation with the School Council, a FE dress code has been drawn up.  The dress code for the FE department is as follows:

 

·        Trousers

 

·        Sensible t-shirt (no strappy tops)

 

·        No high heels or flip flops

 

·        Jumpers or cardigans in cold weather

 

·        No Jewellery or make up

        

The FE department curriculum aims to deliver a personalised package which supports students to develop their independence, life and vocational skills.  Preparing each student for life long learning and transition to adult life by fostering an enjoyment in developing and consolidating skills. 

 

The core subjects of English, Maths, PE, RE, ICT and Personal and social education remain part of the curriculum but they will be taught in such ways that enhance students’ life skills and independent functioning.  In addition to the core subjects there will be 4 different strands which relate to the venue in which they are taught and are as follows:

 

v School

 

v College

 

v Community

 

v Work Placement

  

 

(Up to 50% of the FE curriculum will be delivered outside of the classroom environment.)

 

 

The emphasis placed on each of these areas will depend on the needs, interests, motivation and ability of individual students.

 

English

  

English remains an important area of the curriculum and it will be delivered, in the main, through cross curricular lessons.  Students who have followed a reading scheme will continue to do so and those with speech and language programmes will continue to follow these.  In English, at Post 16 we concentrate on the functional literacy skills needed for everyday life, demonstrated through real life application.

  

Maths

 

 

Maths remains an important area of the curriculum and it will be delivered through discreet as well as cross curricular lessons.  Students who have followed the RM Maths programme will continue to do so.  Other than this

 

students concentrate on the functional numerical skills needed for everyday life, demonstrated through real life application. During their time in Key Stage four students mathematical studies focus on the following areas:

 

•         Number through leisure based maths including the learning of new games and building on the functional use of leisure time, which includes a variety of numerical skills namely counting, understanding number, calculating, knowing and understanding number facts and using and applying maths.

 

•         Money through community based maths including shopping and budgeting, which includes a variety of numerical skills namely counting, understanding number, calculating, knowing and understanding number facts and using and applying maths.

 

•         Shape, Space and Measure through practical maths including cooking, time management and craft activities, which includes a variety of numerical skills namely understanding shape, measuring and data handling, as well as using and applying maths.

   

Baytree strives to be a healthy school gaining health schools award in 2004, which was renewed in 2007 and PE plays an important role in this.  PE generates good health, fitness and feelings of contentment, as well as providing opportunities for the development of physical, personal, social and intellectual skills and encouraging positive thinking, positive actions, co-operation, tolerance and respect for others, which clearly continues to be of great importance at Post 16.   PE in the FE department promotes the undertaking of exercises that can be continued into adulthood as part of a healthy lifestyle.

 

In the FE department we strive to build on students interests as well as increase their learning opportunity which is why during PE sessions students will be given the opportunity to use local leisure amenities including the swimming pool and gym.

 

ICT

  

ICT remain an important area of the curriculum and it will be taught as a discreet subject as part of the ASDAN accredited courses students follow, as well as cross curricular.  For our most able students ICT will focus on developing vocational ICT skills.  For those with the greatest disabilities ICT will focus on students learning to control their environment, develop preferences and make choices. 

 

Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship education remains an important aspect of education for our FE students and their education in this area will be cross curricular as well as in discreet lessons.  The PSHCE programme will very much focus on preparing students for the transition into adult life, with the risks and challenges this can present.  It will ensure students are aware of their personal autonomy and ensure they are able to make choices and state their needs and wishes in an appropriate way.

 

 

 

 

RE 

                                

 

                               

 

RE is an important part of many people’s lives and it remains an entitlement for our FE students.  RE in our FE department is taught through a collapsed timetable once a term enabling students to learn from visits and real experiences. Through Religious Education pupils are taught about the world around them and are given a sense of identity and of relationships with other individuals and groups. Individual's viewpoints must be respected however, as in previous years, what is taught does not seek to commend a particular faith or viewpoint.

  

College Links

  

FE students will take part in a rolling programme of 10 week taster courses at Weston College , to give them an idea of what educational opportunities are available to them once they leave school.  These sessions will inform students transition plans and support them in developing an understanding of what they want when they leave school.  They will also give students the opportunity to experience working in a different environment and with different staff, although Baytree staff will always be present to support if a problem arises.  During link courses students will have the opportunity to use college facilities and experience college life in preparation for post school life.

  

 

ASDAN Courses

 

 

 

 

FE students will all follow ASDAN accredited courses.  Students functioning at P levels or National Curriculum level 1C will follow Transition Challenge courses and those functioning above this level will work towards ASDAN Entry Level Life Skills.  The aim of these courses is to build on students interests and to ensure their hard work is externally recognised.

 

Enterprise Activities

 

 

 For students for whom it is seen to be appropriate mini enterprise activities will be on offer.  These activities will include entry into enterprise competitions and running a small market stall.  This aspect of the curriculum will support the development of students literacy, numeracy and ICT skills, in a practical way, through formal and informal presentation as well as money management.

 

Work Experience

  

Students for whom it is seen to be appropriate work experience opportunities will be on offer.  The work experience programme on offer to students at Baytree includes preparation lessons, in house, on site and external work placements, where a student starts on this programme depends on their needs, interest and previous experience.  In offering work experience placement we work very closely with Connexions, parents and the student themselves to ensure the experiences offered add value to their learning, correlate with their future interests and develop their skills.

 

      

Assessment, Recording and Reporting is carried out in line with the school’s Policy. Nationally recognised accreditation is achieved via the ASDAN Towards Independence Programme and Life Skills.   Work Experience is also accredited via ASDAN and Connexions certification. The individual special needs of each student continue to be addressed via the setting and implementation of IEPs.  Parents will be informed of their young person’s progress via their IEPs, annual review and review meetings. 

 

 

Despite the fact that students have reached the end of their compulsory education parental / carer support is still very much a major influence and key to their success.  In the FE department we still very much welcome parental / carer input and invite parents to contribute to developmental strategies to help their young person to progress, especially in the areas of emotional, social and behavioural development.  Another important area of co-working is parental / carer input into a young person’s Transition Plan to ensure the best and smoothest move when a young person eventually leaves Baytree.

 

Educational Maintenance Allowance        

 

  

Generally referred to as EMA this is a payment made to students as a reward for attendance at and participation in post 16 education.  This is a means tested benefit paid to students whose families have an income under a specific figure set by central government.  The school is required to administer the organisation and payment of EMA to eligible students within strict statutory guidelines.  Providing a student qualifies they may receive up to £30 per week for attending and participating in school timetabled activities.   This money belongs to the student.  It does not relate to or affect any other benefits that that student may qualify for.  The same rules operate for all young people remaining in education after the age of sixteen regardless of the type of school or college they attend. 

 

        

 

From the end of Key Stage 3 onwards students are entitled to input into their transition planning as part of their annual review.  This input comes from a Connexions adviser who works with the students and their parents / carer to formulate a transition action plan.  This transition plan continues to be updated at each subsequent annual review to ensure that the best possible destination after Baytree is identified for each student, and that they have been prepared for the challenges of adulthood.  Specific transition targets for individual students may be incorporated into their IEPs. The FE curriculum supports students in ensuring they know the opportunities available to them when they leave school and they are equipped with the skills to make these decisions.  We also aim to ensure students have developed the skills, in line with their ability, to gain the most independent life or the most from supported dependence.

 

 

An Open Evening and Transitions Evening is organised annually to which all parents, carers, pupils and students, as well as other interested parties are invited to attend.  Not only is there the opportunity to meet school staff and discuss your young person’s future but there are representatives from various agencies such as the Connexions Service, the Primary Care Trust, the Benefits Agency and Childrens and Adult Services who are able to give advice and information to better enable pupils and students leaving Baytree to make the most of their future.

 

 

 

 

In Class 8 we have had an amazing term. We worked hard completing our course work for ASDAN and work experience which we all passed with flying colours. Our term ended with our fabulous, first ever PROM at which everyone looked amazing and we would like to thank everyone for their help.

 

 

 

 

 

                         

                                                                                                         

 

 

 

                                         

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

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