If your GCSEs haven't gone as well as you hoped, or if you're not currently in education, employment or training, Foundation Focus will help you to take your next step and give you the key skills and qualifications you need to achieve.
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What will I study?
The course covers key personal, study and employability skills to build your core and confidence to progress onto a Level 1 or Level 2 course in a vocational area of your choice. Everyone does Mathematics and English at a level that is right for them and there will also be opportunities to improve your digital skills.
You will have the opportunity to participate in experiences of work and vocationally-focused sessions are also a key part of the programme - this is a a fantastic opportunity to explore different vocational areas of the college in preparation for your next step and we offer this on pathways right across the college.
The units you will study are likely to include:
- Effective communication
- Working as part of a team
- Interview skills
- Awareness of and valuing equality and diversity
- Introduction to customer service
- The customer service experience
- Keeping Safe
- Introduction to drug Awareness
- Introduction to alcohol Awareness
- Understanding crime and its effects
- Managing personal finance
- Understanding personal finance for employment
- Enterprise
- Career planning and making applications
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Who is this course for?
Our Foundation Focus Programme is perfect for you if you are not sure where to start. It is for students who have no GCSE results, or do not have four E grades, or who have not attended some of their school education and need to achieve an Entry Level or Level 1 qualification in order to progress onto their chosen vocational area or into employment or apprenticeships.
Please call us on 0300 123 2344 and we can discuss what is best for you.
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How is the course assessed?
There are varying methods of assessment within the programme, e.g. observations, role play, professional discussions, written tasks and presentations, workbooks, written assessments and computer based activities.
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Your Study Programme
If you are aged 16-18, you will join a Study Programme.
We will make sure you are working at the right level on your core qualification and are challenged to achieve the highest level of qualification you can. All students will continue to improve their maths and English and if you don't have a grade 4 (C) at GCSE, we will work with you towards achieving that goal (subject to specific entry requirements for particular courses). Work experience will be part of your study programme and complement your college study and prepare you for employment.
You will also get involved in activities to help you develop life skills and to build your confidence so you can make progress in your career. Weekly timetables will include tutorial support which may comprise of full group activities or one to one sessions to discuss individual progress or support needs.
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Progression and Career Opportunities
Opportunities include:
- Level 1 study
- Level 2 study
- Level 3 study
- Apprenticeship
- University
- Employment
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Entry Requirements for new students
To start a Foundation Programme you do not need any qualifications. Just the motivation to attend and take part! Candidates will mainly have GCSE grades 1-2. We do expect any student coming from Year 11 at school to have fully completed the year at school and to have attended and taken any examinations that they have been entered for.
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Admissions Process
We recommend that you attend one of our exciting open events so that you can look around the department, the college and meet the tutors. You are welcome to do this before or after you apply
These events have proved very successful in ensuring students and their families see the best of what the college has to offer such as our inspirational teaching areas, teachers, library facilities and places to eat.
Once you have applied our experienced Enrolment Team will consider your application carefully and will let you know, by email, if the College would like to make you a conditional offer based on you meeting the specified entry requirements. If your predicted grades or career aims suggest that an alternative subject area or course level would be more appropriate for you at this stage, we will contact you either by telephone, email or text. If you have told us that you have some additional support needs we will contact you to find out more so that we can help you.
