Education Department
Curriculum Policy and Course Offer
Curriculum Policy and Course Offer
Booklet contents Overview of Provision …………………………………………………………………………….…………... 3 Band 1 ………………………………………………………………………..……………………………….……... 5 Band 2 ……………………………………………………………………………………………..………….….….. 6 Transition Programme……………………………………………………………………..………………….. 9 Learning for Life / Vocation ……..……………………………………………………..………………... 10 Health and Wellbeing ……..……………………………………………………..………………….….….. 12 Qualifications and Progress Tracking / Reporting ………………………….………….……….. 13
@beechwoodcoll Page 2
“Learning for Life through Inspirational Education”
Curriculum Policy and Course Offer
Overview of Provision Education at Beechwood College strives to be a balance between providing challenge through increasing exposure to new activities and extending knowledge, alongside supporting students to maintain routines and activities that create a sense of reassurance. At Beechwood College, we offer a range of programme lengths, however ideally students will stay for 3 - 4 years. This enables students to have thorough, wellpaced transition time into College routines and to then develop their learning skills and preferences within their curriculum. There is continuous liaison with families and outside professionals to ensure students are gaining the knowledge needed for their next placement and that all involved are fully aware of student interests and choices. The college curriculum is individually developmental and recognises that not all learn the same thing at the same time and rate. The curriculum does not presume that one form of learning style is superior to another and our students access learning through a range of structured activities, though not always in a classroom. We work with students to develop a unique timetable and programme based on how they communicate, interact with others and gather knowledge. At Beechwood College access to the curriculum is determined by each student’s needs and planned outcomes. Each student will have an Individual Learning Plan based on long term outcomes from their statutory plans (EHCP, LSP or Statement of SEN). Activities are planned to develop skills in the core areas outlined on their Individual Learning plan: Vocation, Essential Skills, Independence, Health and Wellbeing and Social Skills. Activities take into account student individual needs and interests to ensure that they are developing an active voice in their study and future decision making. Students are supported in their education and progress by an onsite team of clinicians, who work closely with staff to reduce barriers to learning and increase readiness to learn. This can include working on communication and sensory strategies as well as reviewing the appropriateness of resources and environments. Sessions take place every day and students are expected to attend every session unless unwell. Attendance is key to student progress as it provides consistency and regular skill reinforcement.
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“Learning for Life through Inspirational Education�
Curriculum Policy and Course Offer
Learning for Life At Beechwood College we encourage students and their families to take their next step in education and start the journey from school or home into developing knowledge for onward life. Our curriculum and learning activities are tailored to each individual, with direction taken from their initial assessment, information from previous placements, baseline assessments and their preferred areas of learning, to ensure they are working towards very specific individual aspects. Delivery of activities is differentiated for all students; however the underpinning aim is always to introduce learning which will build towards a more independent future. Tasks relating to looking after themselves and their home environment, money skills, travel training, communicating with people in the community, leisure etc are all carefully built through graded exposure/ support plans, reducing staff input over time. Students at Beechwood College are an active part of the local community, using local shops and facilities as well as using those further afield such as in Cardiff.
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“Learning for Life through Inspirational Education�
Curriculum Policy and Course Offer
Band 1 Students in Band 1 enjoy the security and consistency of mainly accessing one teaching space and having a consistent lecturer throughout their week. Many students in Band 1 require this high consistency of routine and approach to keep anxieties minimized, meaning that the majority of their activities are planned and coordinated by one lecturer with one room as a teaching base. Students still access other parts of the College and community where appropriate to embed learning tasks they have rehearsed in the classroom, however this is on an individual basis depending on their confidence to do so. The curriculum is theme based for each term, but still plans for the key areas of study outlined in each students’ Individual Learning Plan, and tailored to their own individual needs and areas of interest.
Band 1 Qualifications Offered Awarding Body ASDAN
Course Title Personal Progress Entry level courses to the value of 8 credits
Start Date 1st Year
ASDAN
Personal Progress Entry level courses to the value of 14 credits
2nd Year
ASDAN
Further Entry level Personal Progress courses
3rd Year
Non Accredited
Independent living skills • Vocation • Health and wellbeing (Emotional resilience) • Social skills (Effective communication and social interaction) • Essential Skills (Developing Skills) • Independence (Preparing for the future) • Student Voice
Non Accredited Leisure • Swimming • Rock climbing • Trampolining • Bowling • Cultural visits • Pedal Power
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Year 1- 3
Year 1-3
“Learning for Life through Inspirational Education”
Curriculum Policy and Course Offer
Band 2 Students in Band 2 extend their learning and environment to include studying subjects in a more varied way. Students have a lead tutor who they meet with every morning to follow their core curriculum areas: Essential Skills, Leisure, Food Preparation, Independent Living skills – including budgeting, travel training etc. At the start of the academic year students choose which optional subject areas they would like to study. These subjects are delivered by specialist lecturers who present this subject every afternoon. Students will often be placed with different peers in afternoon groups which gives them a great opportunity to interact and build wider friendships. Subjects offered are: Art, Creative Media, Drama, Duke of Edinburgh/ Sports club, Enterprise/ Vocation, Horticulture and Music. Awarding Body
Course Title
Start Date
ASDAN
Personal and Social Development
Year 1- 3
Entry level 1 to Level 1 Non accredited
Life and vocation skills
Year 1- 3
Non accredited
Health and wellbeing – including leisure
Year 1- 3
Progression through the programmes of study Art & Design Award: ASDAN
Year
Level
Curriculum Area Course Title
Credits
Year 1
E1 & 2
Art
3
ASDAN – Toward Independence: Printing TISM21
Year 2
E1 & 2
Art
ASDAN – Toward Independence:
3
Pottery and Ceramics TISM19 BTEC First
Year
Level
Curriculum Area Course Title
Credits
Year 1
E1 & 2
Art
6
BTEC Art and Design Qualification Number – 500/6353/4 Unit 2 – Discovering 3D dimensions H/502/3886 Unit 3 – A project in 2 or 3 dimensions K/502/3887
Year 2
E1 & 2
Art
BTEC Art and Design
7
Qualification Number – 500/6529/4 Unit 2 – Discovering 3D dimensions H/502/3886 Unit 3 – A project in 2 or 3 dimensions K/502/3898
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“Learning for Life through Inspirational Education”
Curriculum Policy and Course Offer
Creativity & Media Award: AGORED
Year
Level
Curriculum Area
Course Title
Units
Year 1
E1
Creativity & Media
Exploring working within a creative 1 credit – HC1E1CY006 industry
Year 2
E1
Creativity & Media
Working within a creative industry 1 credit – JA2E1CY007
Award: AGORED
Year
Level
Curriculum Area
Course Title
Units
Year 1
E2
Creativity & Media
Exploring working within a creative 1 credit – HC1E1CY003 industry
Year 2
E2
Creativity & Media
Working within a creative industry 1 credit – JA2E2CY007
Award: AGORED
Year
Level
Curriculum Area
Course Title
Units
Year 1
E3-L1
Creativity & Media
Exploring working within a creative 1 credit – KA2ECY003 industry
Year 2
E3-L1
Creativity & Media
Creating articles for the media
1 credit – KB21CY001
Music Award: AGORED
Year
Level
Curriculum Area Course Title
Units
Year 1
E1 - E3
Music
Music Appreciation (E1)
LF7E1CY002
or Music Making (E1)
LHE1CY002
Performing Arts – An introduction
LF1E2CY003
to sound (E2) or DJ Skills (E3)
LK4ECY002
Year 2
E1 - E3
Music
Award: BTEC MUSIC NQF
Year
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Level
Curriculum Area Course Title
Year 1
L1
Music
BTEC Music
Year 2
L1
Music
BTEC Music
Units
“Learning for Life through Inspirational Education”
Curriculum Policy and Course Offer
Sports Award: Duke of Edinburgh Award
Year
Level
Curriculum Area
Course Title
Year 1
Pre-Entry
Outdoor Learning
Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award
Year 2
Pre-Entry
Outdoor Learning
Voluntary, Physical, Skills, Expedition sections Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award Voluntary, Physical, Skills, Expedition sections Year 3
Pre-Entry
Outdoor Learning
ASDAN: Personal Progress Caring for the environment
Award: AGORED
Year
Level
Curriculum Area
Course Title
Year 1
E1, 2, 3
Outdoor Learning
Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award Voluntary, Physical, Skills, Expedition sections
Year 2
E1, 2, 3
Outdoor Learning
Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award Voluntary, Physical, Skills, Expedition sections
Year 3
E1, 2, 3
Outdoor Learning
ASDAN: Short Course Sports and Fitness
Year
Level
Curriculum Area
Course Title
Year 1
L1
Outdoor Learning
Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award Voluntary, Physical, Skills, Expedition sections
Year 2
L1
Outdoor Learning
Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award Voluntary, Physical, Skills, Expedition sections
Year 3
L1
Outdoor Learning
ASDAN: Short Course Sports and Fitness
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“Learning for Life through Inspirational Education”
Curriculum Policy and Course Offer
Transition Programmes At Beechwood College we offer a range of programme lengths, to ensure that all students gain maximum benefit from their placement, accounting for different needs and areas of interest. Some students are not ready to move on following their completion of the Band 1 or 2 curriculum and for these students we can offer a further transition programme. This is designed to build on skills already developed and promote even greater independence in skill building and personal interests. The curriculum is based on areas of learning as outlined below. Students attend class to access their learning tasks for the day and then complete these individually or as part of a small group, working increasingly independently supported by staff. This curriculum is aimed to be classroom based as little as possible, building a bridge between College routines and future placements.
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“Learning for Life through Inspirational Education�
Curriculum Policy and Course Offer
Vocation Beechwood College is passionate about students of all abilities being able to access equal aspects of the curriculum in order to build on their skills. One aspect of the curriculum that encourages students to become enthusiastic, competent learners is vocation. The Vocation centre program at Beechwood College consists of a variety of interest areas including: • Carpentry • Textiles • Enterprise • Work Skills • Horticulture • Coffee Shop The Vocation Centre enables students to develop many skill areas and there are tangible outcomes that provide a sense of achievement for students, which can also be linked to qualifications. There are many skills, procedures and safety aspects that students develop through study within the Vocation Centre. Vocational education is valuable in enabling students the opportunity to become active citizens, employees, employers, and even entrepreneurs of the future. The Vocation Centre curriculum is available to most students at Beechwood College regardless of their academic ability. The teaching methods employed vary according to the ability and experience of the students and according to the specific skill being taught. As part of the curriculum, students use their learnt skills from each area to support the whole college ‘Business As Usual’ brand. The Vocation team follow an annual Enterprise plan where they make seasonal products.
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“Learning for Life through Inspirational Education”
Curriculum Policy and Course Offer
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“Learning for Life through Inspirational Education”
Curriculum Policy and Course Offer
Health & Wellbeing Study programmes promote healthy approaches to diet and exercise wherever possible, developing student skills to make positive choices and interests they can take to onward placements. We understand that all of us are liable to making unwise decisions from time to time and educational programmes as well as individual support sessions (linked with clinicians where necessary) are developed as needed to address areas such as food choices, activity choices, sleep patterns, relationships and areas such as consumption of alcohol if appropriate. Some aspects are addressed in group sessions, such as a tutor group voting for a leisure activity they will all participate in. However we also support individual student choices and have had students who access local community football clubs, youth clubs etc. All students take part in a minimum of weekly food preparation sessions, choosing recipes, shopping for ingredients and then making the item as a whole process. All students take part in weekly off site leisure activities, with some students accessing additional activities which have been assessed as suitable to meet their needs from a sensory or OT perspective. Students access local activity providers such as: • Pedal Power • Local Swimming Pools • Hebron Hall • Twisters (rebound therapy) • Boulders Indoor Climbing Centre
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“Learning for Life through Inspirational Education”
Curriculum Policy and Course Offer
Qualifications and Progress Tracking/ Reporting At Beechwood College we do not create learning programmes which lead towards a set of qualifications instead we focus on student skills and areas for development in preparation for future living using an individual development model. Where appropriate students’ complete work which can also be used to submit for gaining qualifications. Progress is tracked in various ways at the college. We use an app on students’ tablet devices that allows them to capture the progress they are making through the use of photo and video. Students are very much involved in the tracking of their achievements and upload evidence to their seesaw-learning journal daily. This is then shared with approved family members. Seesaw has given us the tools to be able to track the small steps students are making as well as helping us to engage parents and carers in the academic achievements students are making. We have had feedback from parents where they have said that Seesaw has changed the way in which they can communicate with their child as they now are able to talk to them about what they have done in college that day as they have received notifications of what they have been doing. ILPS are tracked by students and lecturers weekly using their own individual trackers. Evidence to support progress towards targets is then uploaded. Lecturers are able to look back through tagged evidence to see what areas of the ILP have been worked towards. Often parents will comment on their child’s performance, which really helps with student engagement. The central tracking document records progress over the academic year in several areas. It tracks baseline assessments, ILP data, small steps data, clinical reductions and progress towards accredited learning. Data collected throughout the academic year is used to inform the college selfassessment and the college improvement plan.
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“Learning for Life through Inspirational Education”
Curriculum Policy and Course Offer
External accreditation Where appropriate Learners will be given the opportunity to achieve accredited certificates and qualifications from external awarding bodies such as Agored Cymru, ASDAN and BTEC. Units and qualifications will be selected on learner ability and embedded in each theme offered within the curriculum.
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“Learning for Life through Inspirational Education�