“In the sixth form, the curriculum is excellent. Students develop a deep understanding of subject content. They are exceedingly well prepared for adulthood” Ofsted, 2023
Careers & Employability
Life and Living Skills
English
Maths
Forest School
Duke of Edinburgh
Extended Offer
Options
Ofsted quotes – “This school continues to be outstanding.” Welcome to Alt Bridge School Sixth Form!
Our bespoke and welcoming Post 16 provision is offered to learners who wish to access further education at the end of Key Stage 4. Admission to the Sixth Form is at the school’s discretion. When places are offered, consideration will be given to those learners who meet our entry criteria.
School and Sixth Form places are oversubscribed; therefore, we expect high motivation to learn, exemplary attendance, evidence of excellent attitudes of work, behaviour and drive to succeed. This ensures that the learners who do join us can take full advantage of the curriculum on offer.
Welcome to Alt Bridge’s Post 16 – ‘a bridge to the best version of you!’ Why choose us?
Ofsted 2019: “The college ethos, atmosphere and curriculum are supporting students very effectively to develop into confident, self-assured adults.”
We are a specialist ASC provision, offering small class sizes and high staff to student ratios. We offer highly differentiated support and are passionate about personalised learning. Our provision is aimed at young people between the ages of 16-19. Our focus is to offer a supportive transition from school to college-based further education. Whether this be the supported living, supported employment and/or independent living.
We ensure seamless links between Key Stage 4 and 5, building on accreditations achieved in Year 11. We work closely with our learners to devise timetables which support them with their future careers and life aspirations. Our curriculum is highly personalised and learners will engage in a range of accredited qualifications and enrichment activities, shaped by their individual needs and desires.
‘State of the art centre’
We believe that our learners deserve the best. Testament to this, we have worked tirelessly to improve our Post 16 facility and are extremely proud of the results. Our provision was fully refurbished in 2018 and is now housed separately from the school. Although it is in familiar surroundings for our learners transitioning, the new building is distinctly a college, rather than a school.
Our state of the art centre has a wealth of facilities, including: a commercial kitchen, a commercial salon, a construction room, an ICT suite, exceptional teaching spaces for English and Maths, and a spacious dining area where learners can socialise and learn vital life skills.
We are passionate about ensuring that our learners are supported to achieve a range of recognised and accredited qualifications in a safe and stimulating environment. Our programme of study aims to enable learners to successfully embrace their next steps and to improve not only their academic ability, but employability skills and life-long social mobility.
Pastoral support
Ofsted 2019: “The high staff-to-pupil ratio works to keep pupils safe. Staff are highly vigilant and are quick to notice any changes in a pupil’s behaviour or appearance and take appropriate action.”
We are proud of the outstanding pastoral support we offer at Alt Bridge. We have an amazing welfare team who we work closely with to build self-confidence and to foster the self-esteem of our learners. Together, we ensure individualised support is provided to help our learners to succeed and grow into confident and successful young adults. Our Post 16 team are always ‘on hand’ to guide and support our learners socially and emotionally, as well as to meet the demands of ‘Post 16 life’.
Our 2021 – 2022 Post 16 curriculum offer:
| Qualification | Level of achievement | Awarding body |
| Employability and professional development | Entry Level 1 to Level 1 | Open Awards |
| Life and Living Skills | Entry Level | OCR |
| Functional Skill English | Entry Level 1 to Level 2 | Open Awards |
| GCSE English Language | GCSE | AQA |
| GCSE English Literature (progressive from GCSE English Language) | GCSE | AQA |
| Functional Skills Maths | Entry Level 1 to Level 2 | Open Awards |
| GCSE Maths | GCSE | AQA |
| Duke of Edinburgh Award | Silver and Gold Duke | |
| Extended offer | ||
|
In house work experience (catering, horticulture, site management, teaching assistant, receptionist, librarian, sport assistant) |
||
| External Work placements | ||
| Supported Internships | ||
| Community based learning | ||
| Travel Training | ||
| Options | ||
| Arts Award | Explore, Bronze and Silver | Open Award |
| Forest School | ||
Ofsted 2019: The broad and balanced curriculum inspires and engages pupils and students. The pastoral support provided throughout all key stages promotes independence, confidence, life skills and resilience.”
All learners work towards Functional Skills English and Maths. These qualifications are available at Entry Levels 1-3 and Levels 1 and 2.
The aim is to develop vital everyday skills in these areas. There are many opportunities across the courses to practise these skills in real life situations – both in our centre and during the many off site pursuits. Where appropriate, learners will work towards GCSE English Language and/or GCSE Mathematics.
Learners will progress from their awards already achieved in Year 11 onto individual awards from Entry Level 1-3 and Level 1 and 2 awards.
English
The course is designed to develop literacy skills and help learners to respond to a range of texts. It aims to build on the Entry Level /GCSE accreditation and skills learners gained in KS4.
Functional skills are accessible qualifications that allow learners to develop the key literacy skills needed in real life. It is recognised by providers of further education, employers and providers of apprenticeships.
Maths
This course is designed to develop key numeracy skills and to help learners to respond to a range of real life situations requiring skills in mathematics. It aims to improve learners’ Functional Skills and/or GCSE accreditation from KS4.
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
We are passionate about the benefits of achieving the prestigious DofE Award, so give all our learners the opportunity to embark upon the programme at Silver or Gold levels.
DofE is about helping young people along the path to a productive and prosperous future. Achieving the Award will help develop learners’ skills, confidence and give an edge over others when applying for Further Education or employment.
Participation in the programme aids personal and social development through positive activities and residential experiences. In addition learners will also make a difference to other people’s lives and their community through volunteering, be fitter and healthier through the physical section, develop lasting friendships and make memories to last a lifetime.
Careers and employability skills
Ofsted 2019: ‘The independent careers information, education, Advice and guidance provided supports students to Make informed choices about their next steps. Students Move on from Alt Bridge to continue their education, Gain employment or undertake internships. The vast Majority of students are successful in their move and Remain in employment, education or training.’
In addition to an Award in Employability and professional development and Life and Living Skills, we also look to provide opportunities for work experience. All learners participate in ‘in house’ work experience. Learners are exposed to a range of activities in order to give them a broader insight into different vocations. Where appropriate, wider work based experiences are explored.
Our learners benefit from a timetabled weekly ‘careers’ lesson. These lessons explore the range of options available to our learners and seek to ensure they are able to make informed and realistic decisions about their futures. They also support our learners with employability skills, including: CV writing, effectively completing applications, interview techniques, and researching ‘next steps’.
In addition to this, our learners are provided with one to one support and advice from our Careers Lead, Paula Beasley.
To assist both learners and parents/carers further there is an annual “Your Future” event held at school where local providers (e.g. colleges, trainee/apprenticeships) are available to answer questions and offer ‘first hand’ advice and support.
Learners also benefit from one to one guidance interviews, lunchtime ‘Next Steps Club’, support with College applications, next steps careers fair, access to START profile https://www.startprofile.com/, (designed to connect 11-18 year olds with their future career potential) and transition support including College Visits.
How to apply?
Ofsted 2019: “Students are making exceptional progress.”
If you would like to apply for a place for your child, please email our Post 16 lead: carla.rodgers@altbridgeschool.com.
As spaces are limited, it is recommended that applications are made as early as possible.
Prospective learners will be invited for an interview. If it is decided that Post 16 is the best option for your child, they will then be offered a conditional place.
