Skills For Life

2022 -2023

“Working together to do our best”

Department Aims:

• To gain qualifications in Functional Skills and/or a diploma in Independent Living or Personal Progress.
• To access learning opportunities in the local community.
• For students to experience and learn a variety of strategies to support their health and wellbeing. 
• For students to explore possible careers options and begin formulating a career plan.
• To develop their independent living skills, in the home, community and online.

Curriculum

Learning Breadth:

• Maths
• English
• ICT
• PSHE / RSHE
• Protective Behaviours
• Open Awards Independent Living or NOCN Personal Progress
• Careers and Employability

Skills for Life Curriculum Overview

Accreditation achieved by the end of Key stage:

• Maths Functional Skills Entry Level or Level 1
• English Functional Skills Entry Level or Level 1
• ICT Functional Skills Entry Level or Level 1
• Diploma in Independent Living
• Diploma in Personal Progress

Independence Skills:

• All students will spend curriculum time each week working on independence skills through their diploma units. These comprise of cooking skills, household domestic skills, getting about safely, making choices, eating out, health and fitness, amongst others.

Employee Encounters and Volunteering

• During their time in Skills for Life phase, students will link personal interests and qualities to potential career paths. During year 11 they will have the opportunity to meet with a Careers Advisor and write an action plan.
• Students are encouraged to apply for work experience roles in school such as, Forest School Assistant, Health and Safety Monitor. As part of this they need to complete an application form and interview.
•  We also complete a diploma unit linked to volunteering.

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development

• Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is at the heart of what we do at Welcombe Hills School. In our phase we discuss current affairs on a daily basis in order to support our students’ understanding of what is happening in the world.
• We hold weekly assemblies that are linked with SMSC development and give students the time and space to be able to reflect on things.
• As a phase we choose a charity we would like to support for fundraising and awareness day; last year our charity of choice was the mental health charity ‘Young Minds.’

Create for Life Department

• Creative Arts enable our unique pupils to shine, where they are not being judged for their academic skills but where everyone has the ability to make a valuable contribution.
• It provides a practical approach to learning and many pupils learn best when they are active participants and developing our students’ confidence and self-esteem.
• We will provide a broad and enriching curriculum that is appropriate to pupils’ age, level of understanding and needs. 
• We offer exciting opportunities and experiences for our students to work with a variety of Artists during their time at school.  
• We aim to create an understanding and appreciation of the Arts that will last a life time.

Create for Life Curriculum Overview

Interventions and Therapies

At Welcombe Hills we believe in a holistic and pupil centred approach to learning and offer a range of therapies and interventions. Interventions and therapies are allocated through a referral process. When a referral is made these are analysed and then an intervention is decided. Unfortunately, not all students will necessarily access a therapy or intervention.

Therapies we currently offer are;

• Play Therapy

• Music Therapy

• Sensory Occupational Therapy

• Drumming Therapy

• Art Therapy

• Lifespace

• Singing Lessons

• Targeted Youth Support

Careers Curriculum

At Welcombe Hills a key focus of our curriculum offer

is to prepare students for their next steps in life.

The Day to Day

Timings:

The school day starts: 8.55 am

Lunch time: 12.00-1.00pm

The school day ends: 3.20pm

Lunch arrangements:

School dinners cost:  £2.85 per day

Other option: Packed lunch

What to Wear

School Uniform:

• Navy Green sweater or cardigan with (or without) school logo
• Grey or black trousers or skirt (grey/navy blue/ black joggers for children who struggle with fasteners)
• White or navy blue shirt/blouse/polo shirt
• Blue and white checked summer dress
• Sensible black shoes

 PE Kit:

• Black or navy blue shorts or tracksuit bottoms 
• White or navy blue t shirt 
• Plimsoles (for indoor use) or trainers 
• Spare pair of socks 

Swimming / hydrotherapy 

• Swimming costume or trunks 
• Towel 

Bush Craft or Forest school

• Waterproofs (waterproof overalls can be provided) 
• Wellies or walking boots 
• Warm clothes including thick socks, hat, gloves etc. for the colder months
• Sun hat for warmer months. 

At Welcombe Hills, we recognise that all of our pupils are individuals and should be treated as such. We realise that our pupils may not always have the same opportunity to experiment with make-up, nail varnish etc. with their peers outside of school. Therefore if your secondary age child wishes to experiment with hair colour, nail colour or make up we ask that you discuss this with us so we can work together on what is acceptable and appropriate.