The Skills for Life and Employment department at Eccles Sixth Form College provide a range of Pre-Entry, Entry and Level 1 courses for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Our courses cater for students who have highly specialised support needs including peg feeding, tracheotomy maintenance, sensory impairment, profound mental health issues and degenerative life limiting conditions. Support is in built throughout these courses with a team of specially trained teaching staff and Support Assistants.

Outline

Courses for Independent Living & Working:

Our courses focus on skills for independent living and skills for working life. English and Maths are embedded in all courses with additional weekly sessions that develop English and Maths skills through real life projects. Through our tutorial programme students work on specific skillsto plan and facilitate their development and progression. Work includes self-advocacy, personal action planning, problem solving and study skills. This helps students plan and prepare for their annual reviews and future lives.

Social Skills:

Social skills development is a key area for many of our students and is facilitated through class work and projects, which enable students to develop skills through role play and simulations. Social events, day trips and residential visits provide students with opportunities to practise their skills in real life situations. Trips and visits also provide relevant opportunities for students to develop particular skills such as money management, planning, time management and problem solving.

Health & Well Being:

The College works with Social Services, Salford PCT and the Shine Advisory Service to deliver a Sexual Health and Relationship course. This allows us to provide accurate and effective sex and relationship education that is accessible and meets the needs of our students.

All students within the department have a series of Person Centred Reviews/Educational, Health and Care Plans each year, which enable parents/carers and all relevant professionals to identify and provide any necessary support. This ensures that students have access to high quality multi-agency guidance and support and have the best possible chance of success.

What enrichment will there be?

Our enrichment programme gives students the opportunity to choose from a range of subjects of particular interest to them. Subjects include: IT/Photoshop, PE/football team, Hair and Beauty, Developing Performance Skills, Dance and Music.

Entry Requirements

Progression

We have well established progression routes beyond our courses that move students on towards their aspirations. A key aspect of this has been the development of our supported work related activities, which include job visits, work placements, employability skills development and career planning relevant to students’ interests and progression plans.