Why is this Important?
Preparing for Adulthood and developing key life skills are a key part of the curriculum for all Highfield pupils. We achieve this through developing our student personally throughout everything we do. These skills are embedded within each of our pathways and taught at the most appropriate level for the learner. This is the basis for our work related learning strategy and as our strap line states it prepares learners for the next step in education, life or work - whatever is appropriate for them.
Careful and highly individualised curriculum planning across the school is related to students EHCP Outcomes. It aims to give all pupils the opportunity to experience and learn to prepare for real life situations, such as shopping, crossing the road, meal planning, writing a letter and posting it, or even growing and eating their own food. Our residential trips give our learners an opportunity to apply these taught skills first hand out of the home environment. Independent living skills are an essential part of personal development; ensuring pupils feel confident in their communities and enhance self-esteem. Pupils’ progress in this essential area is monitored closely through our Evidence for Learning software.
We teach these skills both explicitly through our careful curriculum planning as well; as implicitly through the promotion of our Learning Values and personal development of our learners. Click the picture below for information on the Local Authority Preparing for Adulthood guide:
How do we teach and prepare our learners for the next step?
The development of life skills and preparing for adulthood is embedded into the curriculum up until the beginning of Key Stage Four. Within Key Stage Four students work towards accredited qualifications. The timetable includes dedicated time to develop life skills and prepare learners for their next step in work, education or daily life.
Highfield Littleport has its own dedicated life skills area with resources available for students to learn skills in a supportive environment. Links with the local community enable students to apply these skills in the real world environment.
Skills for life cover these key areas which are taught discretely as well as embedded into our curriculum:
Employment |
Exploring career options, work experience, vocational options, transition to new settings, (college visits). Apprenticeships, supported internships, traineeships, CV Writing, Interview techniques, experience of workplaces and community. This is part of our careers and work related learning strategy. |
Independent Living |
Travel training, making own food, independent living skills, managing money, managing time, shopping, safety. This is embedded right from when learners begin with us and we see this as an essential key skill. Independence is one of our learning values which we promote continually. |
Community |
Friendships and relationships, volunteering, community resources, community projects. This is developed through the personal development of our learners. We want them to be valued and active members of the community. |
Health |
Statutory health checks, managing self care, awareness of body changes
This is taught through our PSHE & RSE curriculum. It is also part of the personal development of our learners.
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Learning is accredited through the ASDAN and AQA frameworks and students are able to work towards accredited qualifications in KS4 in all pathways.
Why is this so important?
Developing independence and confidence are key areas in many of our child’s needs. Highfield have a highly individualised approach to ensure that personal requirements are addressed.
Life skills taught both within the safe school environment, and most importantly on offsite visits present the opportunity for students to experience first-hand accessing community facilities and interacting with the general public.
The Local Authority have an extensive guide to support the move into adulthood. Take a look at the SEND Information Hub in the link below to find out about options moving into adulthood.
Cambridgeshire County Council Preparing for Adult Life
There is a PFA helpline is available every Monday of each week from 9am-12pm . Please contact contact Martine Simpson-Thomas on 07484520039 or email martine.simpson-thomas@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
You can also download an extensive parent and carer guide to preparing for adult life here.
Take a look at the brochure below which details more about what we do (best viewed full screen):