Post-16

At Post 16, we empower  our students to thrive as confident, independent individuals. Our provision is tailored to each learner’s unique strengths, interests, and needs, with a focus on developing real-world skills, personal growth, and preparation for adulthood. Through a nurturing, structured, and inclusive environment, we support our students in achieving meaningful outcomes—whether that’s further education, supported employment, or a fulfilling role in their community

Our Post-16 provision supports students aged 16–19 as they prepare for life beyond Holbrook. We offer personalised learning pathways tailored to each young person’s strengths, interests, and aspirations.

All students progressing into Post-16 will:

• Have a personalised Futures plan guided by a Careers Adviser
• Identify a provisional post-Holbrook destination through shared feedback
• Work towards relevant, accredited qualifications

Our curriculum is centred around the four Preparation for Adulthood areas:

• Friends & Community
• Employment
• Independent Living
• Good Health

With a strong emphasis on independence and community access, we deliver a rich and supportive environment that helps students build confidence, develop practical life skills, and work towards meaningful adult outcomes. Our curriculum is reviewed annually to reflect the unique needs of each cohort and to ensure every student is equipped for a successful transition into adulthood.

Curriculum

Post-16 Overview: Subjects, Pathways and Accreditation

 At KS5 Stream, students follow a three-year curriculum cycle with Preparation for Adulthood (PfA) at its core, supported by Communication and Language (C&L), Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED), Physical Development (PD) and Expressive Arts and Design. PfA is delivered through four key strands: employment, independent living, community inclusion and health. Learning is rooted in practical, meaningful experiences such as community access, life skills activities and sensory-based learning, with functional English and mathematics embedded throughout to support real-life communication and numeracy. The wider curriculum areas underpin and enable this learning, supporting students’ communication, regulation, engagement and physical development.

Students follow a three-year cycle of ASDAN Life Skills Challenges mapped to the four PfA areas, completing 12 challenges each year to develop and apply practical skills. As part of ongoing curriculum development, these challenges are increasingly combined to support progression towards a formal qualification, specifically ASDAN Personal Progress at Entry Level 1. For example, challenges such as Participating in a Mental Health and Wellbeing Activity and Participating in Forest School: Creativity (both WTE1) can be used together to evidence units such as Engaging in New Creative Activities (3 credits). The curriculum prioritises communication, engagement and independence, using a structured, sensory-informed approach that incorporates therapeutic activities, daily routines and outdoor learning. This supports students to regulate, generalise skills across contexts and develop increasing independence in preparation for adulthood.

At KS5 River, students follow a 3-year curriculum cycle, that includes Functional English, Functional Maths, PSHE/RSE, Functional ICT, Futures (including Employability Skills, Hospitality and Catering), Preparation for Adulthood (ASDAN Towards Independence), Work Experience, Community, Art, and Music.

Accreditation at KS5 River:

Open Award Functional Skills English – Entry Level 1                                          (if appropriate)

Open Award Functional Skills Maths – Entry Level 1                                            (if appropriate)

Open Awards Diploma in Employability Skills – Entry Level 1 Open Awards Certificate in ICT User Skills – Entry Level 1

Open Awards Certificate in Hospitality and Catering – Entry Level 1

Students work towards ASDAN Towards Independence, a flexible, person-centred accreditation programme focused on Preparation for Adulthood outcomes, supporting the development of independence, communication and life skills through meaningful, real-life learning experiences, while providing clear evidence of progress towards individual EHCP outcomes. Students 3 units each year in the PFA areas Independent Living, Good Health, and Friends, Relationships and Community.

At KS5 Ocean, students follow a 3-year curriculum cycle that includes Functional English, Functional Maths, PSHE/RSE, Essential Digital Skills, Futures, Preparation for Adulthood, Work Experience, Independent Travel Training, and Community.

Accreditation at KS5 Ocean:

 Open Award Functional Skills English – Entry Level 2-3 Open Award Functional Skills Maths – Entry Level 2-3

Open Awards Certificate in Hospitality and Catering – Entry Level 2-3 Open Awards Certificate in Independent Travel Training – Entry Level 2-3 Open Awards Certificate in ICT User Skills – Entry Level 2

Open Awards Essential Digital Skills – Entry Level 3

Students work towards ASDAN Realising Aspirations, a flexible, person-centred accreditation programme focused on Preparation for Adulthood outcomes. The course supports the development of independence, communication and employability skills through meaningful, real-life learning experiences, while providing clear evidence of progress towards individual EHCP outcomes. Students complete four units each year across all PFA areas: Employment, Independent Living, Good Health, and Friends, Relationships and Community.