choices

What can I do at mainstream college?

Going to college

You may decide that you wish to leave school and go to a local College. You can make this decision at the end of year 11 or at the end of your time in the sixth form.

Courses at College

You may be ready to leave school for a ‘mainstream’ course at college. These courses are available to everyone with extra support for you if you need it. Examples of mainstream courses are: NVQ, ‘A’ Level and Vocational courses. You can find details of all these courses in the 'Choices' booklet.

Will you need extra help at College?

Once you leave school your Statement of Special Educational Needs ends but you can still receive extra support while at college. You may get extra help with:

• Getting around college and/or computer equipment
• Extra Tuition with your Maths or English
• Note taking, signing or toileting or one-to-one support at all times

What should you do?

• Speak to your Personal Adviser at your transitional review and your careers interview. Tell them about your plans. They will help you apply to college.
• Contact the college in September of your final year at school and complete an application form. The college usually invites you to attend an interview. You should also put on the application form that you have special educational needs. This is so people who can help you will be at your interview.

What happens next?

Between January and Easter you may have an assessment at the college to find out what extra help you need. The college will tell you on your assessment outcome what support they will give you. If you are currently at a special school during your final year you will have a leaver’s programme. On this programme you will get the chance to visit some of the local colleges on Link courses.

What is a Link course?

Link courses tell you more about life and courses at college. On a Link course you, other students and your teachers go to college for either:

• one day a week for a few weeks or
• for 2 or 3 days in one week.

The college can give you lots of help but there are some things they may not offer. You can find out more by talking to your Personal Adviser.

Where can you find these courses?

You will find a list of local colleges and what they offer in your 'Choices' booklet if you received one or contact the college direct. Local links and contacts also gives you details.

If you feel you are not ready for a ‘mainstream’ course at college

This could be for a number of reasons. You may need extra support with your independence and life skills or you may not know which course you wish to do. There are special courses that may be able to help.

Independence Skills Courses

If you need support with life and independence skills there are different courses available at most local colleges. They last for two or three years - all include help with:

• Maths and English
• making decisions and solving problems
• letting people know what you want
• behaviour and relationships
• healthy living and personal care
• community and work experience
• leisure time (sports and crafts)
• getting around, using public transport
• basic cookery, shopping, using money

Other things to know

Attendance can range from 2 to 5 days per week and courses usually start at 9:30am and finish at 3:15pm. You can take qualifications such as:

• City and Guilds Wordpower and Numberpower
• Courses where you learn about different types of work

You could also complete a Progress File. After you finish these courses you can move on to:

• pre-vocational courses at college
• Social Services day-care provision
• part-time Adult Education provision T

here are different levels of courses. It is possible to start on one course and then progress to the next level.

Prevocational courses

These courses last for 2 years and are for students who are more independent. You can:

• take taster courses - this gives you a chance to try out different courses to help you decide what your interests are
• get used to college life and build up confidence before deciding on your long term plans
• take qualifications such as City & Guilds Wordpower and Numberpower
• study Key Skills such as use of IT
• try work experience placements to find out what work is like
• link to mainstream courses to help you prepare to move onto a mainstream course at college

Some of the courses you can try out are:
Art, Business Studies, Care, Construction, Engineering/Motor vehicle, Hairdressing, Hotel, Catering, Horticulture and Leisure.

You can move on from these courses to:

• mainstream courses in college
• work and learn, employment or Supported Employment

Where are prevocational courses offered? These courses are available at all local colleges.