Course - Social Independence

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Bromley College of Further & Higher Education

Comments about Course - Social Independence - At the institution - Bromley - Greater London

• Entry requirements
  Entry requirements There are no formal requirements but there must be a real commitment by the student to try hard, attend regularly and take full part in all aspects of the course. Selection is based upon information gathered at interview, from school reports, internal college reports (for those who have attended college courses or taster days) and on recommendations by the Careers service. When students join the progression programme they need to be able to become independent travellers.
• Course description
  General information
  
  The course is designed for students with learning difficulties who still need a lot of learning support. The overall aim is to provide a course which will help each student to become an independent adult. Most students will initially undertake the Foundation Programme for one year but some will join a programme at a level according to their needs. Although many students will follow the programmes outlined in the course content, some may have an individual timetable reflecting their own specific needs. There is usually a maximum of 8 students per group. All students receive regular, individual tutorial support.
  
  Course content
  
  The Course spans three years - a Foundation year, a Development year and a Progression year. The following core subjects are integral parts of all students' learning programmes: Communication, Numeracy, Personal Skills and Information Technology.  All students follow programmes of:
  
      * Cooking and Home Management
      * Do-it-Yourself
      * Gardening
      * Art
      * A residential at Wood Lodge Living Skills Centre
      * Tutorials
  
  The Foundation Programme also includes basic skills of;
  
      * Travel Training
      * Social Communication skills
  
  This will enable students to fully benefit from future course work.   In addition, Sport and Leisure sessions focus on getting out and about in the community and using local leisure facilities.
  
  At the end of the Foundation Programme, students may audition for a place in the Greengoose Expressive Arts Company. If selected they spend two days of their week with the company in their second year on the course. The Development Programme aims to further extend the student's abilities. We would expect students to be beginning to take greater responsibility for their own independence and this may include independent travel. The Progression Programme aims to prepare students for joining the Vocational Access Course, Work Preparation Course, Job Match, employment or whatever individual plans they may have. We anticipate that students joining this programme would have become independent travellers, with the exception of those students with medical or physical disabilities. However, even these students will be required to fully participate in field trips using public transport with other students.
  
  Teaching and assessment
  
  The course staff review students' progress formally three times a year in relation to subject, course and individual aims. Students have the opportunity to review their individual progress with their personal tutor on a regular basis. External assessments are based on course work and are accredited by ASDAN (Youth Award Scheme) and by OCR (National Skills Profile).
  
  Students are taught in small groups, with a maximum of eight in each group. Teaching and learning takes place through mainly practical activities that enable the students to develop their skills in realistic environments wherever possible.
  
  Progression
  
  The course can lead to a place on the Work Preparation course or Vocational Access course. We have links with Job match who provide the support to find work. Independent advice for future progression is provided by Connexions Prospects Careers Service.

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