POST 16
RAVENSCLIFFEPost-16 learning is spread across both our sites at Ravenscliffe, with Emergent and Sensory students based at Skircoat Green and Formal and Semi-Formal students based at Spring Hall. We are deeply committed to supporting our learners into adulthood, by focussing on the key preparing for adulthood outcomes. These include developing work related learning skills through our Springboard programme, and nurturing wellbeing and relationships in areas such as Independent Thinking, RSHE and Thrive.
We also support independence though a whole range of different curriculum areas. Many of our learners will continue to benefit from the great physical provision of the hydro pool and rebound facilities at Skircoat Green. For those with particular support needs that require intensive physical activity, a learning base will continue at the main school site.
We believe passionately in recognising the achievements and progress our learners have made in their school journey so far, and extending these further as they move into adulthood. We offer a broad balance of learning opportunities, including traditional academic areas such as Literacy, Numeracy and Computing. All three of these include Entry Level qualifications through Pearson Edexcel.
We also offer nationally recognised Entry Level qualifications through Laser Learning Awards in a very wide range of subject areas. The majority of our learners will leave with a portfolio of accreditation and certificates that will act as currency when they move into Post-19 provision.
Employability
Our Employability Programme, known as Springboard, allows our students to get a taste of the world of work. We have relationships with over 30 employers across Calderdale who offer weekly work experience tailored to the abilities and interests of our students.
Springboard is often the most eagerly anticipated part of the week with students knowing that they are doing a valued job as a member of staff in a real place of work. All work placements are agreed with the student and are carefully chosen to reflect their interests and aspirations, with just the right balance of independence and support. Students have the opportunity to demonstrate to themselves, their families and their employers that they can be an invaluable part of the workforce.
Employers are, impressed and often astounded by the attitude, work ethic and diligence of our students in the workplace. We have a dedicated and professional team of Job Coaches who support students and liaise with employers in the workplace. They work closely with the Job Coach Manager and Springboard teaching staff to deliver specific schemes of work which identify appropriate and exciting learning outcomes.
As well as external placements we offer a number of internal Springboard placements on either site. Students have placements with our site and administration teams at Skircoat Green. We also have a number of placements at Spring Hall working both in the café and alongside our catering team support making lunches.
The hard work and commitment shown by our students, over a lengthy period of time, has sometimes led to paid employment being offered, either at a weekend or on a full time basis upon leaving Ravenscliffe.
We see the Springboard Employability Programme as an excellent educational tool that enables our students to work hard and contribute to their local community. It also holds a vital role in supporting our students emotional wellbeing as well as raising self-esteem and promoting measurable achievement.
Accreditation
We are a QCF registered centre which means that we are able to be flexible in the qualifications we engage with and try to tailor our offer according to the needs of all our young people. We are a recognised centre for the delivery of Pearson/ Edexcel qualifications. Functional Skills Controlled assessments are carried out in English, Maths and ICT at Entry Levels 1-3. In addition to this, we are looking to run Food Hygiene and Safety courses at Level 1 and 2. This year, we have also become a registered centre for Laser Learning Awards. This provides us with a suite of nationally recognised Entry Level qualifications at Entry Level across the curriculum. By the time they leave us, the majority of our learners will have a portfolio of accreditation that will serve as recognised currency for future employers or in FE settings. This is a particularly exciting development for our school and our learners have embraced the challenge of taking on these tailor made qualifications, designed specifically for people with additional needs. We are also continuing to run the highly regarded Duke of Edinburgh course for many of our students, again a well recognised accredited course that really pushes the boundaries and challenges our young to be the best that they can.
Curriculum
The Post 16 curriculum is a continuation from Key Stage 3 and 4 in preparing our students for their future. It meets the individual needs of the students, whilst at the same time being interesting, stimulating and motivating. For our formal and semi formal students there is a balance of more formal academic lessons that are accredited with more vocational lessons that include employability and life skills as well as subjects that meet individual interests e.g. Art, photography, leisure and media. For Emergent and Sensory students, they continue to follow a much more multi-sensory and communication based curriculum.
For more information about the curriculum at Post 16 please click here.
Project Search
Project Search is an initiative operated by Calderdale Council with the support of a number of strategic partners, which include Ravenscliffe, Calderdale College, Lead the Way, Family Voice and C&K Careers.
Project Search’s primary objective is to secure full time paid employment for young people with learning difficulties between the ages of 18 to 24, who are potentially able to access employment and progress in a competitive workplace. It involves working in partnership with a host business and educational providers.
Candidates will need to apply for an internship place for September of each year and interviews follow in due course, usually by March of that year.
Each Intern then joins the staff at the host business supported by trained Job Coaches and a Work Place Tutor. They spend their entire day/week on site in order to support teaching and learning and to improve their chances of gaining paid employment. Each intern receives an in-depth induction period followed by three ten-week internship rotations to explore a variety of job and career pathways
Project Search has an excellent track record of supporting young people with learning difficulties into paid employment. Since its inception at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, there are now 400 programmes across 45 states and 5 countries. There are currently 72 sites in England, Scotland and Ireland, with the hope of expanding to 120 by next year. Partners include many hospitals and local authorities.
This is an exciting initiative by Calderdale and we as a school fully support the project. It builds on our existing Springboard into Employment and Springboard Plus (Post 19) programmes, and these will continue to co-exist to act as a pre-internship and/or an alternative employability option for our students.
Transition
Transition from Ravenscliffe to Post-19 placements is something we start to explore from Year 12. Looking back through individual students EHCPs provides a platform that indicates student and family views, opinions and aspirations for the future. This of course informs the individual student’s curriculum content in terms of timetable and relevant accredited courses to be followed.
There are a large number of Post-19 providers offering a wide range of services. Placements are explored throughout Post-16, and relevant transition visits are undertaken which include local placements, both educational and non- educational, as well as possible residential colleges.
Taster visits take place throughout Years 12, 13 and 14 through timetabled slots. Students visit colleges further afield depending upon individual choice. Post-19 agencies are encouraged to come into school to work with individual students and students visit placements individually or in very small groups, with support, over a prescribed period of time to support their emotional wellbeing.
All Post-16 providers are invited to our annual Transition Coffee morning. Students and parents from Y10 upwards are invited. It has proven to be very successful as everyone is able ask relevant questions, take away brochures/leaflets, make individual appointments and attend open days. On the Post 19 section of the website there is a list and more information from the providers.
More information can be found here.
Personal Profiles
Each student leaves school with a portfolio of personal information (Personal Profile) that will support their placements in the future. This includes:
- Education Health and Care Plan
- Communication Passport for those students who may struggle to communicate their likes/dislikes and choices conventionally
- A folder of work focused on student voice, which further outlines aspirations
- A progress file acting as a summative record of achievement.
- Information around how each individual student prefers to learn.
- A Transition Action Plan
- Any Accredited Course Certificates they have achieved in their time with us.
The Personal Profiles are designed to help and assist Post-19 Providers to assess where the students are in their learning. This ensures that progress can be maintained and developed rather than students taking a backwards step whilst their individual learning needs are assessed by college and other providers. Providers will be able to see at a glance the achievements and abilities of the individual.