Skills for Independence Curriculum
Developing skills for independence is at the heart of
The Mount Curriculum as many students have aspirations towards living as independent a life as possible.
All students are timetabled to attend sessions in Life Skills, Work Skills, Work Experience, Functional Skills, PSHE and, for students leaving The Mount, Transition.
Students at The Mount are given the opportunity to develop their independence skills through the waking day curriculum by learning self-care, participating in food preparation and household tasks. This creates a holistic approach to developing independence.
Students' personal EHCP and session aims are embedded within the Skills for Independence Curriculum.
Life Skills
If appropriate, students can achieve an accredited LASER Entry Level qualification in Independent Living as well as make progress against their EHCP and session aims.
Work Skills
By running the weekly Tuck Shop and tea breaks, students can develop their customer service, money, time-keeping, communication and teamwork skills. The Mount’s pop-up café, runs periodically throughout the year, enabling students to further develop skills in planning, organising, and taking initiative.
Students will develop interview skills needed to help them access voluntary or paid employment. They will, if appropriate, gain an accredited Pearson Edexcel Entry Level or Level 1 qualification in BTEC Work Skills. Students will make progress against their EHCP and session aims and will make progress with their embedded functional skills.
Work Experience
Functional Skills
Personal Development
In small groups, students will develop their self-awareness and understanding of their own identity through an understanding of their own physical features, likes/dislikes, personal skills and characteristics. They will develop respect and tolerance towards others, recognising differences in religion, culture, disability, gender and sexuality.
Students will develop an understanding of how to keep safe online through eSafety training as well as an understanding of how to keep safe in the wider community through learning to deal with emergency situations, asking for help, stranger-danger.
An awareness and understanding of their own emotions and feelings will be explored through discussions, activities and games. Students will develop an understanding of different types of relationships and an awareness of a healthy lifestyle, and mental and physical well-being. Sessions will include learning about ways to protect the environment.
Transition
Students are preparing for their lives beyond college through all aspects of The Mount's curriculum. They will visit and learn about numerous and different types of living provision in order to explore potential destinations for their future.
They will engage with former students and residents to learn more about living independently and/or away from college in order to become aware of work and leisure opportunities available to them upon leaving college.
As part of our Skills for Independence curriculum, students are given support to produce their own CV and practice interview skills in order to secure voluntary or paid employment.