6th Form Prospectus

St. Nicholas Post 16 Department

Prospectus Contact us on: 01227 811121

Basic Information  The students are taken directly to the St. Nicholas at Canterbury College site by their current transport provision at 8.45am.  The Post 16 Department runs from 8.45am – 2.45pm.  At the end of day they leave for home from the college site on their usual transport (via the main school if picking up more students).  The students are grouped in a variety of ways throughout their time at SN@CC, to suit their individual learning and social needs: 1. Community Learning Groups – The students complete social lessons (e.g. PE, Link Courses and other optional subjects) in mixed ability inclusive groups.

2. Teaching Groups – The students complete their lifelong learning lessons (e.g. English, Mathematics, Personal Social Development, Work & Life Skills etc.) in one of five ability-based groups, and following appropriate programmes.

3. Individual Work – the students complete some activities on an individual, need basis (e.g. Therapies, Accreditation, Learning Resource, ICT, Independence, Decision-Making and Personal Responsibility).

4. Free Choice – Some activities have a Learner-Centred approach (e.g. Dance, Drama, Swimming, Horse riding, Music, D.T. Ceramics, Gym, Textiles, Art, Home Management, Photography).  Even though the students are not at the main school, free school meal provision will continue. College lunches at £3.00

are available, or the students can bring in a packed lunch.

The only difference is, that the cooked meals are prepared by the Canterbury College Refectory kitchens. The meals and packed lunches are generally eaten in the Refectory.  The students have a morning break each day with refreshments provided from the student weekly leisure money - currently £4 per week.  There is a lunch break each day, after the students have eaten they can participate in their chosen leisure activity – e.g. listening to music, using the computers / internet, socialising in our leisure room or sitting in our decked courtyard area (weather permitting), or bring in board games, electronic games and puzzles.  We understand that students are growing up and learning to deal with their own feelings, emotions, changes (- hormones!) & relationships with others. We expect the students to be well behaved, care for others and act responsibly at all times. We promote the development of maturity, anger management/coping strategies, respect for others, positive relationships and personal autonomy.  INCLUSION – our programme is flexible and a 3 year placement is not always appropriate for all young people.

Cases are looked at individually and, if in the best interests of the student, early entry into either a supported learning provision in a main college, or adult day services can be organised.

It is important that the students maintain their right to choose what they do in their free-time and we help to promote positive and age-appropriate activities and relationships,

during unstructured times. They need to learn to take responsibility for their own actions and choices, as adults.

Who’s who?  There are 5 teachers based at the SN@CC Unit: Sally Long - Manager, Jeanette Manning, Rob Thyer, Lee Newman, Kate Davies and Carrie Palmer.  There are specialist tutors who may work in the Unit on a sessional basis e.g. Mig Rowen (Art), Andy Bennett (PE & Duke of Edinburgh Award), Anita Meyer (Performing Arts).  There is a team of 13 experienced and committed Teaching Assistants working in the Department.  We have regular visits / access to the main school therapists e.g. Teacher for Visual & Multi-Sensory Impairment, Speech and Language Therapy, Physio, Occupational Therapy and School Nurse.  We have interested volunteers also working with us from time to time.  We offer places to groups of students with profound, severe and complex learning difficulties. Some students may have challenging behaviour, emotional and social problems or sensory impairments.

We endeavour to meet the individual needs of all students and draw up study programmes and management plans to help address these key areas.  The classes (Teaching / Community Learning groups) are given support by 1 Teacher and TAs as required.

 Support is flexible and allocated on an individual or group needs basis.

What is on the Curriculum?  The curriculum follows the Foundation Learning Pathways which encompasses Functional Skills in English, ICT and Mathematics, Personal Social Development and Vocational Modules.  The students’ Functional Skills and Life Skills capability are developed through accredited OCR courses. The areas of our Life Skills curriculum includes: -

Functional Mathematics Functional English Functional ICT Life and Living Skills modules including PSD and World of work

 There are weekly sessions of Gym, PE at the Chaucer School and Swimming at Faversham. Currently we are accessing Ceramics at Canterbury College and Construction run by the Far Academy at Canterbury Academy. Additional activities may include: horse riding, bowling, use of climbing wall, trampolining and various community visits.  The students may take place in short, taster, link courses created and delivered by Canterbury College and Canterbury Academy. They will also have the opportunity to access community based facilities e.g. Muddy Wellies and Food with Friends Café at the Gateway in Ashford, for work experience and work based learning.

Will my young person’s special provision still continue?

The students have access to the following main school, collegebased & therapy provisions:

 Physiotherapy  MOVE       

Hydrotherapy Occupational Therapy Speech and Language Therapy School Nurse referral Visual Impairment advice Hearing Impairment advice Multi-sensory Impairment advice

What other agencies may work with my young person?  Challenging Behaviour team.  Social Services – Children Disabilities Team, Children and Families Team, Transitional Worker, Integrated Adult Disabilities Team.  Learning Disabilities Transition Nurse.  CAMHS / Adult Mental Health Service

What Accreditation / Assessment takes place?

We offer accreditation for individual students in the following areas, if appropriate:

 Entry Level 1 - 3 for students of the highest ability levels in: OCR Functional Skills English, Mathematics and ICT, in addition to a range of modules from the Life and Living Skills Qualification at these entry levels. We also reward the performance of students working at pre-entry levels using this award.

The above accredited courses are in line with the Foundation Learning Pathways curriculum.

How is the Social life?

The students bring in a weekly allowance in order to access areas of social and community life. The students are asked to provide a voluntary contribution of £4 each week, for:  Weekly shopping & cookery, local community/activity day.  Teas, coffees, juice and biscuits for breaks  Refreshments in the Supported Learning Coffee Shop, or local cafes.  Refreshments when in the community i.e. when travel training.  The students may access any of the college’s Student Union trips or holidays, if supported by carers.

How does the group learn about their society / the local community?

The students are taken out on community visits these may be to:    

Cinemas Parks Museums Historical Centres

     

Nature Reserves Bowling Centres Sports Centres The Seaside Animal Parks Westbere Lakes

We also try to develop the students’ community awareness and independence by: Using local shops, cafes and facilities Using public transport Joining the Canterbury District Disability Partnership Group Work Experience Placements i.e. Muddy Wellies, Food with Friends cafe  Active role in their Learner-Centred Curriculum, Transition Planning & Annual Review.    

What if I have a concern?  If you have a general concern, please do not hesitate to contact your young person’s teacher by letter (or e-mail), home-contact book or telephone. You are also welcome to arrange an informal meeting.  If you have a more specific or serious concern, you are welcome to contact or arrange a meeting with Sally, Post 16 Manager, on 01227 811121.

What happens when my young person is 19?

During the students’ time in the department, they will have taken a role in designing their time tables and sharing their hopes and aspirations.

This information will be used to help plan their future career, pathways and options.

The staff will work in partnership with parents, students, social services care managers, transitional workers and College staff to explore possible options, when moving on to:  Work or jobs with training  Entry onto FE college courses  Entry onto supported learning courses  Day Care Centre placements  Residential Provision  Voluntary work or work experience  Combination of provisions There now follow some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), but if you have any other queries, you can also contact us on

01227 811121 or you can also E-mail Sal at: slong.stnicholas@cant-col.ac.uk

FAQs – This section grows and changes every year…

1. As my young person is not based at the main St. Nicholas School are they still entitled to KCC Transport?

Yes, they are still part of St. Nicholas School and are entitled to the same school provisions as they are currently e.g. transport, Education Health Care Plan (formerly the statement of special needs) annual EHCP Review, therapy and external agency advice. In their leaving year, we promote students to use and develop their independent travel skills, if appropriate.

2. Can my young person still go to the St. Nicholas School discos, social events?

Yes, they are still students of St. Nicholas School and can take part in all social activities at the main school and Canterbury College events.

3. Is the Post 16 Department open 5 days a week?

Yes, the calendar is the same as that at the main school: Monday to Friday with running times 15 minutes earlier, from 8.45am-2.45pm.

4. Do they still get their other benefits or are they affected?

Their benefits do not change by coming here, but they may be entitled to claim a new benefit or bursary, contact your social worker!

5. Can you help us with Social Services?

Yes, we work together from year 12 onwards to involve the appropriate Transitional Social worker or Care Manager in each case. With Social Services support your young person can access all services (respite, clubs, play scheme, day care provision) and aid the transition from children’s services to the adult integrated learning disabilities team.