As well as continuing and developing the areas introduced in KS3 a further element of the Curriculum Area in Years 9, 10 and 11 is preparation for Work Experience in the Summer term of Year 10. In Year 11 students are given assistance and guidance in researching and choosing post 16 options suitable for them from all possible choices.
In 2007-8 we are also re-introducing a Tollbar BEC record of Achievement. We feel that since this practice was phased out the students were lacking a formal way to present themselves at interview for work or post 16 education. We have now produced a special Tollbar BEC Record of Achievement that all students will gain as they leave. Not only does this give the students a valuable tool but it also serves to enhance the status of the College in the local employment market.
In the current Year 10 and 11 this work is in addition to working towards the Preparation for Working Life Level 2 qualification (AQA). This qualification gives the student accreditation for the work they do within Citizenship whilst helping to prepare them for life post 16. In Year 9 from September 2007 all students will be also be working towards a Short Course BTEC Certificate in Employability. To accommodate this valuable qualification the time allocated to the Citizenship Curriculum Area has been doubled, now with two lessons a week the students will receive a greater understanding of the working world they will be entering after education.
Work experience is a valuable experience for students, this is completed in the Summer term of Year 10. Students have the option of arranging their own placement or in choosing one from the ‘job bank’ provided by the college in conjunction with Connexions Humber. Students find this a very enjoyable and rewarding experience and have the opportunity to put their education into practice in a real life situation.
Year 11 students are guided through the procedure for applications Post 16 and are given information on all options at all institutions to allow them to make informed choices about their future. We endeavour to give all students a one to one interview to aid them in these important decisions and a private interview room is available to accommodate this.
Currently running in Year 10 and 11 is the Applied GCSE Double Award Leisure and Tourism (AQA). Students carry out 2 pieces of coursework in this subject that account for 2/3 of the final mark, we currently also run field-trips to collect the required information for these. In Year 10 the students visit Xscape at Castleford and the National Railway Museum in York so that they can compare two different leisure organisations.
Also running in Year 10 and 11 is the Applied GCSE Double Award Health and Social Care (AQA). Students carry out 2 pieces of coursework in this subject that account for 2/3 of the final mark. This course gives the students an insight into the role of care workers in many different agencies and organisations dealing with people of all ages and circumstances.
Key Stage 4 also sees the Curriculum Area delivering Wider Key Skills at Level 2 (Problem Solving, Working with Others and Improving Own Learning and Performance). Each Wider Key Skill gives valuable experience to the students learning skills that are easily transferable to choices post16. We are currently undertaking these with some students in Year 11 who are aiming to complete 2 of these by the end of the academic year. In Year 9 this is now being taught to a select number of students who will be completing 1 Wider Key Skill each year of the Key Stage 4 programme of study.