VocationalVocational
Key Skills
Pupils recognize and improve their skills in obtaining and interpreting information. They develop and communicate information for specific purposes in their studies. They present the results as a portfolio.
There are 3 basic skills covered:
- Communication
- Application of Number
- Information Technology
A Wider key skill of Improving your learning through a first aid course has been added this year.
Portfolio projects include:
- Setting up home on your own home
- Planning the cost of a party
- Safety and Survival
- Digital Star
The pupils also have to pass a short multiple choice exam in each basic skill in order to gain a nationally accredited qualification.
The Youth Award Scheme
The awards are offered at Bronze, Silver, and Gold level. The focus is on flexible learning particularly designed to develop and assess the wider key skills of problem solving, working with others, and improving your learning. Students gain credits by completing "challenges", the more credits collected, the higher the level of the award. Opportunities to complete challenges will be provided at school, both on and off site. Students can also be accredited for experiences and activities they are involved in outside of school and in other Curriculum areas.
A separate short course in Expressive Arts is being offered as part of the Awards, resulting in an art portfolio and an additional Certificate.
The Certificate of Personal Effectiveness is now included in the Awards. The work at the higher levels is being accredited with points towards College applications.