Curriculum Goldwyn Sixth Form

Goldwyn Sixth Form

2020-21 was Goldwyn’s first year with a sixth form, an incredibly difficult year for our students, with a lengthy national “lockdown” and a great deal of virtual learning replacing face-to-face sessions. We are so proud of the way they coped with this and are extremely pleased with the success they all achieved.

An incredible 93% of students on a Vocational Pathway achieved passes in their chosen subject, with 71% of them achieving the highest Diploma grade.

Goldwyn 6^th Form is a Key Stage 5 provision for young people aged 16 to 18 who are of average cognitive ability but have an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP) identifying primary needs in the areas of Social, Emotional and Mental Health and / or ASD.

The majority of students have diagnoses such as ASD, ADHD, ODD, OCD or Anxiety and experience social and emotional barriers to learning, many having missed some of their secondary education. They may not have decided on a career pathway and are not yet ready to access larger group learning or mainstream, post-16 education.

Students from year 11 at Goldwyn School do not transition to the Sixth Form automatically. It is the expectation that students who have accessed Goldwyn in the years prior to year 12 will be able to transition to mainstream college, schools and work placements or apprenticeships.

Admission to Goldwyn Sixth Form is via the EHCP review process led by KCC SEN.

Our aim is to support students on their way to becoming:

successful learners, who have achieved relevant qualifications and who can make positive and informed choices about their next steps in education, training or employment.

confident individuals, who have the skills needed to be independent across most aspects of daily living, as well as understanding that it is ok to need and ask for support.

responsible citizens, who are able to self-regulate and participate positively and safely in their own communities, as well as the wider community, whilst knowing where and when to access support services.

effective contributors, who go on to secure further education, training or employment and are involved in their local community.

We believe that relationships are key to creating a safe and trusting environment where students are able to improve their attendance and engagement; be positive about their learning and experience success; learn how to regulate their behaviour and deal with situations they find difficult; and improve their communication and social skills.

We provide a high level of pastoral support to foster a strong partnership between home and school and to ensure that students, and their families, are heard and involved in making decisions about their education, health and wellbeing. There is an emphasis on preparing for adulthood and developing independence, based on the individual’s needs and level of development.

Mentoring and counselling are available to students, as well as guidance for families in navigating the health and social care systems if they need additional support or as they transfer from child to adult services.

There are two main pathways at Goldwyn 6^th Form, both of which are designed to provide learning opportunities that inspire and engage students, helping them to develop the knowledge and skills they need for further education, apprenticeships or employment.

Vocational:

Based in Ashford, students can access vocational courses in Motor Vehicle Maintenance at Norfolk Drive and Construction at our Goldwyn Ashford site in Great Chart, whilst developing their core skills in English, Maths and Personal Development. The qualifications on offer are:

IMI Motor Vehicle Maintenance - Entry Level 3 or Level 1.
City & Guilds Construction Skills - Level 1.
City & Guilds Diploma in Bricklaying - Level 1 or Level 2.
City & Guilds Diploma in Carpentry - Level 1 or Level 2.
City & Guilds Award in Health & Safety - Level 1 (required to gain the CSCS Card).
English & Maths Functional Skills - Entry Level 3 to Level 2.
ASDAN Personal and Social Effectiveness - Level 1 or Level 2.
Suitable Work Experience when appropriate.

This Pathway is suitable for students who have an interest in pursuing careers in mechanics or construction but may need a further year to improve their attainment and build their social skills and emotional well-being.

Combined Studies:

Based at Goldwyn Folkestone, the Combined Studies course focuses on personal development and improving Independent Living Skills, centred on the ASDAN qualification in Personal and Social Effectiveness. GCSE or Functional Skills English and Maths form an integral part of the timetable and students are then able to choose from a range of vocational options, including Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Construction. The additional qualifications on offer are:

Functional Skills IT - Level 1 or Level 2.
GCSE Art.
BTEC Health & Social Care - Level 1 or Level 2.
BTEC Home Cooking Skills Level 1 or Level 2
Sports Studies Award - Level 1 or Level 2.
RSL Music Practitioner Certificate in Technology - Level 2.
RSL Music Practitioner Certificate in Performing - Level 2.
NCFE Creative Hair Design Award - Level 1 to Level 3.
Suitable Work Experience when appropriate.

This pathway is suitable for students who may have missed significant periods in education resulting in poorer attainment than they are cognitively capable of and who need additional time to mature emotionally and make informed decisions about their career path. The curriculum is designed to broaden experience and knowledge and deepen their understanding about themselves and other

Wherever students are based, they also access a comprehensive Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) programme to develop their employability skills, learn how to write a CV and apply for jobs and help them explore opportunities for further education, training and employment. We work closely with agencies such as CXK, The National Careers Service and Kent Supported Employment, as well as having established links with mainstream colleges and other specialist providers, to support transition at the end of their time at Goldwyn 6^th Form.