6th Form and Careers
6th Form and Careers
About Us:
The Clare School Sixth Form is a growing dynamic department catering for pupils from 16-19 years old. We currently have 25 pupils on roll across three classes. We offer the same pathways as the main body of the school, Pre-Formal, Semi-formal and Formal, where pupils are best grouped according to their individual needs. As we offer a bespoke provision, there are opportunities for pupils to move across class groups to meet their needs, interests and learning goals.
Our focus in Sixth Form is supporting and preparing our young people to develop the skills and awareness needed for adulthood and life beyond school, so each young person can reach their full potential and lead meaningful and fulfilling lives as adults.
Our Offer:
Our sixth form curriculum is engaging and aspirational with multiple opportunities to learn in the community to widen our pupils’ understanding of the world. Based on the Preparing for Adulthood agenda, it has four main areas:
- Independent Living
- Community Inclusion & Friendships
- Health & Wellbeing
- Work-Related Learning
1. Independent Living:
Within Sixth Form we maximise the opportunities for our young people to further develop their independence skills so they can grow in confidence and self-advocacy. It is embedded in all aspects of pupils’ daily lives, including mobility, communication, preparing food, money & time skills and controlling their environments. In Sixth Form the emphasis is on learning and transferring skills into different contexts and environments. As part of this learning, in Sixth Form we introduce TITAN travel training so pupils can learn how to access the community as safely and independently as possible. For some of our learners, this includes learning how to use public transport.
2. Community Inclusion & Friendships:
Providing opportunities for pupils to socialise and communicate safely with a wider range of people in the community is a key element of our Sixth Form provision. Pupils learn about the facilities available to them both in our local area and the wider Norwich area. Some of our Sports and Fitness lessons are based in the local community at the UEA.
3. Health & Wellbeing:
At The Clare School we prioritise physical and mental health and wellbeing, and this is equally true in the Sixth Form. Daily postural management opportunities (physio exercises, standers, walkers) are built into pupil timetables with an increasing emphasis on encouraging pupils to take ownership of their own health & wellbeing so they can continue to maintain and utilise strategies beyond school and into adulthood. PSHE and RSE lessons cover age-appropriate topics and are delivered through supportive and nurturing methods. Pupils also have the opportunity to take part in Rebound Therapy and Swimming on a weekly basis. Creativity and music sessions provide opportunities for pupils to express themselves accordingly.
4. Work-Related Learning
A key element of our Sixth Form curriculum is to prepare our pupils to be active citizens who can contribute as much as they are able to in their local community. All pupils in Sixth Form engage in work-related learning at a level that is appropriate to their needs and interests. This includes enterprise projects and work experience within school, opportunities to meet and engage with employers and employees from different local businesses, workplace visits, work experience at our school shop ‘Clare Futures’ as well as other short term work experience placements at community locations, such as Jarrolds Department Store, Earlham Library and The Theatre Royal.
Qualifications/Accreditation
All the pupils in the Sixth Form work towards a core qualification suitable to their needs. Currently these are the ASDAN Personal Progress (PP) qualification for our pupils following the Pre-Formal pathway and the ASDAN Personal Social Development (PSD) qualification for pupils following our Formal pathway. Due to the nature of our Semi-formal pupils, they will be assigned the course most suitable to their needs – either PP or PSD.
As well as ASDAN PP/PSD, pupils work towards a range of other accreditations according to the different areas of the curriculum, their needs and interests.
Transition:
In the Sixth Form, our aim is to support a smooth transition from children’s to adult services, ensuring continuity of provision and empowering students to make informed decisions about their future. We play an active role in identifying suitable next steps, funding and determining the level of support our students need as they prepare for adulthood and their next steps beyond The Clare School.
Most of our Sixth Form pupils are those that have moved up from the secondary department, but we also welcome pupils from other local schools and further afield.
Pupils are given the opportunity to familiarise themselves with our Sixth Form department by taking part in a few transition taster sessions with their new class at the end of their last term in Year 11. Most pupils remain with us until the end of Year 14, however they all have the option of a 1, 2 or 3 year provision, depending upon what is right for them.
As well as providing guidance within class and in school through our annual review process, we offer 1:1 next step interviews with our careers adviser, Jamie Robson from Beacon East. We arrange for pupils and their parents/carers to meet with him at intervals of their choice during KS4 & KS5 in order to support with that next step, which we recognise is an important transition.
Future Destinations:
Many of the pupils leaving The Clare School Sixth Form go on to continue their education at local colleges, including placements at City College Norwich, Easton College and East Coast College. A small number of pupils have also left us to attend placements at Specialist Residential Colleges further afield.
However, college and further education is not the preferred choice for all our pupils, and for these young adults, we work with them and their families to explore and access the best alternative provision from other local service providers to meet their needs. Other options include services such as The Hamlet Centre, Independence Matters and About with Friends.
If you would like to learn more about our Sixth Form provision or to arrange a visit, then please contact the school office. We look forward to hearing from you.
Anna Gok – Head of Sixth Form/Careers Lead
anna.gok@clareschool.co.uk / 01603 454199
