Ofsted 2022: ‘In the sixth form, students’ behaviour is exemplary.’
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.
Careers & Employability
Life and Living Skills
English
Maths
Welcome to Alt Bridge’s Post 16 – ‘a bridge to the best version of you!’ Why choose us?
Ofsted 2022: ‘The curriculum in the sixth form is incredibly well designed.’
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.
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.
‘State of the art centre’
Our state of the art centre has a wealth of facilities, including: a commercial kitchen, 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 2022: ‘Sixth-form students flourish.’
We are proud of the outstanding pastoral support we offer at Alt Bridge. We have an amazing welfare team and our own mentor, 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’.
Curriculum Offer for post 16
As part of the annual review of post 16 provision, given the nature of the change in cohort, a decision was made to develop pathways in order to meet the varying needs of all learners.
The pathways are:
Pathway 1
*Short courses contribute towards personal development programmes. These may then be used towards CoPE Level 1 qualifications.
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Reading sessions |
Daily reading sessions according to reading ability. |
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*Maths |
Short course ASDAN |
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*English |
Short course ASDAN |
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*Personal Development Programmes in bronze, silver and gold. |
Students work on the following skills: Ability to learn Units selected from the following: Communication |
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Enterprise and Employability |
Students will take part in practical enterprise activities. They will also receive career enrichment opportunities as part of their offer. |
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Work experience |
Personalised In house work experience offered. |
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D of E |
Students will work towards achieving a Silver/Gold award. |
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Travel Training |
Individual and personalised travel training support. |
Pathway 2
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Reading sessions |
Daily reading sessions according to reading ability. |
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Maths |
Open Award Functional skills Entry Level 1-Entry Level 3. GCSE |
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English |
Open Award Functional skills Entry Level 1-Entry Level 3. AQA Step up To English GCSE Language GCSE Literature |
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Employability and professional development |
Open Award Entry Level 3 |
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Careers and enterprise |
Sessions will be delivered on a half termly carousel to include careers sessions and enterprise. |
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Life and living skills/personalised learning |
Year 12 will work towards achieving OCR Life and Living skills at Entry Level. Year 13 receive personalised learning sessions. |
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Enrichment |
Post 16 students complete three enrichment sessions per week. These sessions are designed to allow our students to learn new skills; follow their passions and focus on their personal development. These sessions are unique in their offer as they are often student led, with post 16 students choosing their own activities and helping to design the curriculum. In previous years, students have taken part in activities that include arts and crafts, history, forest school, cookery, film and media, yoga, fitness, meditation and mindfulness. |
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Work experience |
Personalised In house work experience offered. |
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Supported internships |
This offer is available for students who are ready to take the next step into external work placements. These students are supported by a job coach. |
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D of E |
Students will work towards achieving a Silver/Gold award. |
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Travel Training |
Students receive personalised 1:1 sessions |
All learners work towards Functional Skills English and Maths. These qualifications are available at Entry Levels 1-3.
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 2022: ‘Teachers have in-depth knowledge of the subjects that they teach. This is especially true in the sixth form’
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, Orla McDaid.
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, 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?
If you would like to apply for a place for your child, please email our Post 16 lead: carla.murphy@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.
