Access Study Programme

∗ This course is for school leavers with learning difficulties, physical and neurological impairments who need a secure, accessible introduction to college life.

∗ The students work towards accessing courses and /or making links with other services and facilities on campus, in the community including vocational and leisure opportunities.

∗ Each student has unique and sometimes complex needs. In addition to a physical or neurological impairment, students may have sensory loss, a medical condition or associated difficulty in learning.

∗ College staff and students work closely with and are supported by other professionals, including: two Nurse Practitioners, a nursing assistant, a holistic therapist specialising in Osteopathy and a Speech and Language Therapist. In addition, we have very close links with the wider community and access the services of: social workers, specialist advisory services, and youth connexions. (H & S, ECM, E&D)

Course Aims

Course Aims

* The main purpose of the course is to encourage young people to be as independent as possible and then to transfer these skills to other areas of their lives. They are encouraged to make choices about activities and do as much for themselves as possible, we aim to maximise potential and go further than foreseen. We then ask that parents and carers encourage the students to continue to practice these skills in their home environment.

* For students to have fun, enjoy their college experience and build solid

relationships with peers and staff.

∗ Students need to be able to interact/communicate with their peers and staff expressing their own choices and decisions using speech, signing pictures or communication devices as appropriate.

∗ Students need to communicate with staff about how well they think they have done each week and recall learning.

∗ Students need to have the capability to work on developing their independence skills.

∗ Students need to be able to access IT resources in order to help make a presentation about themselves. (with staff support).

Entry Criteria

∗ Holistic therapy sessions. ∗ Keep fit/gym sessions. ∗ Budgeting, choosing and shopping for own lunches. ∗ Cookery including making own lunch on certain days. ∗ Music ∗ Drama ∗ ICT English and Maths ∗ Swimming and horse riding (where appropriate) ∗ Art and craft ∗ Opportunities for animal care. ∗ All of these will be tailored to individuals and personalised to

suit needs and mobility.

Weekly Activities

Days Mornings Afternoon

Monday Target setting /News ICT/English/Maths

Physio/Relaxation Session

Tuesday Target setting /News Cookery

Drama/music

Wednesday Target setting /News Keep fit

Personal projects

Thursday Target setting /News Menu Planning/Online Shopping /Craft work

Ict/ Class Blog

Timetable

Su M T W Th F S

Su M T W Th F S

Su M T W Th F S

Su M T W Th F S

∗ Springfield has 2 nurses ∗ A Holistic therapist ∗ A speech and language therapist ∗ Students are assessed prior to entry to the college and if

needed will be assigned 1:1 staffing. ∗ All staff are trained in Safeguarding adults, first aid, manual

handling and epilepsy awareness and administration of medication, minibus fire evacuation and wheelchair clamping

∗ Staff work right through the day supporting students as required in all sessions including personal care and eating if appropriate.

Student Support

∗ Students arrive from 9.00am. ∗ They are expected to put away their own belongings and get

their diaries and communication aids out to show staff. ∗ They can make themselves a drink if they wish. Activities

throughout the morning may or may not include a tea break depending on where and at what the group is working.

∗ Lunch is around 12.00 pm again depending on where the students are. Students are expected to make their own lunches (where applicable) each day having shopped for their food the previous week online.

∗ The afternoon session starts about 1.15 pm and finishes at 3.00 pm Mon-Thurs.

∗ Students will go through their targets with staff at the end of the day and recap on their progress.

The College Day

∗ Students may have to pay course costs plus a registration fee. ∗ There is an extra charge for swimming and horse riding if

applicable. ∗ In addition students will be expected to bring in £18 a week for

their meals, shopping and expenses for the week.

Course costs

∗ Generally the Access to Living Programme is 2 years long. ∗ A full time programme is 4 days a week. ∗ Each student will work towards an individualised programme

following their own learning targets. ∗ They will gain a college certificate and there may also be

opportunities to work towards nationally recognised awards. ∗ Each student will produce a PowerPoint presentation about

themselves which can then share with future service providers. ∗ They will access a range of activities that will help them and

their families make more informed choices about their future needs.

Course Details

∗ We have recently moved into our brand new purpose built facilities within the Discovery Centre at Oaklands College, St Albans Campus.

∗ If you would like to arrange a visit, please contact: ∗ St Albans Campus

Hatfield Road St Albans Herts AL4 0JA

01727 737000 info@oaklands.ac.uk or Kerry.Lowe@oaklands.ac.uk

Discovery centre