New Directions Route 1

This course is for students who are undecided about which direction to take and who do not have the qualifications to study a full Level 1 course. It offers you the opportunity to learn in a supported environment at a pace that suits you. You will build your skills in English, maths and ICT, developing personal and social skills that employers look for, and do hands-on learning in a vocational area of your choice

You learn:

- functional skills maths, functional skills English, and functional skills ICT.
- skills towards enabling progression Entry Level 3.
- vocational qualification in one of the following:
Construction Skills, Motor Vehicle Maintenance, Health Social and Child Care, Art Design and Media, Catering, and Hair and Beauty.

Please note that students wishing to take Motor Vehicle Maintenance or Construction Skills will have that element of their course delivered at our Blackbird Leys campus.

Your tutor will work with you to set individual learning targets each term and you will get feedback on your progress. You will be assessed through creating a folder of evidence for each subject. You will be assessed at a level that suits you. Functional skills will be assessed through external examinations.

This is a one year full-time course which you attend 3 days a week. Learning will take place through a range of traditional classroom based activities, practical hands-on learning, research activities, educational visits and team work. You will learn in small classes so you will get the support you need.

You gain:

Functional Skills in Maths, English and ICT
a vocational qualification at Entry 3
Certificate in Skills Towards Enabling Progression Entry Level 3

You need to undertake an initial assessment in English and maths and have a successful interview with a member of the course team.

You also need to attend a taster day so you can meet the team and make sure that the course is right for you. It is likely that you will have taken some GCSEs at school and achieved grades E-G, or can demonstrate English and Maths levels at E2/3 in your initial assessment in order to be considered for a place.

The aim of this course is to help you to increas your confidence and progress to further courses or employment. On successful completion of the course you can move on to New Directions Route 2, or a full-time vocational diploma at Level 1 apprenticeship or employment.

You learn in groups of no more than 12. Support is available in each class to ensure that you make the progress you need.