Access to Education

This course is aimed at 16 – 18 year olds and provides an opportunity for those who wish to develop maths, English and skills for employment over a range of industries.

The course offers study pathways in the service industry (Business Administration, Customer Service and Hospitality, Health and Social Care and more) and STEM study areas (Plumbing, Electrical, Motor Vehicle, Engineering and more), leading to an apprenticeship, further education study or employment.

Classroom based studies are held two and a half days a week focusing on:

• Communication, working as part of a team and personal development
• Understanding employment legislation and employee rights
• Skills, attitudes and attributes needed for the workplace
• Industry working structures
• Support with job applications, course applications and apprenticeship interviews
• Maths and English qualifications – through the completion of Functional Skills or GCSE’s

In addition to the core curriculum, students will also be supported to find employment in their chosen sector (if relevant), provided careers guidance on their next steps in education and be exposed to specialist tutors who will support with live work briefs and/ or work experience to prepare them for industry.

The Level 2 Access to Education programme includes:

• Level 1 Certificate in Employability Skills: with the above content included to prepare students for employment or further study in any curriculum area.
• Level 2 Certificate in Customer Service: for those are looking to progress down the service industry route for further study.
• Level 2 Certificate in Employability Skills: available for students who have already completed 1 Maths/English GCSE (4 or above) or equivalent, before the start of the course or are looking to progress onto a level 3 FE or apprenticeship programme.
• Maths and English: Maths and English can be a barrier for some students successfully gaining access onto an apprenticeship, and this programme will place students in a supportive learning environment to achieve either/both maths and English Functional Skills up to a Level 2 standard (GCSE 4 equivalent).

Students who already hold a 3 in either English or Maths will undertake a GCSE resit.

Classroom based studies are held two and a half days a week.

All applicants will take part in an interview process on campus, lasting 1 day including:

• An initial and diagnostic assessment in Maths and English to establish current working level
• A 1-1 interview
• Team activities and a group discussion

Please note, as course eligibility is not based on previous GCSE grades; Attendance, punctuality, effort and engagement, and preparation for learning will be monitored closely as part of the interview process.

To be eligible for this course, applicants must need to gain a maths or English qualification. Applicants with a grade 4 (C) or above in both subjects will not be eligible.

An apprenticeship, further education study or employment.