OARSOME PATHWAYS
POST 16 SPECIAL PROVISION
Providing personalised learning programmes for students aged 16-19 years, focused on preparation for adulthood alongside individual support.
Oarsome Pathways is a Post 16 provision for young people who are not ready at the end of Year 11 to manage a large-scale college environment. A one to two year programme to empower young people with the skills, knowledge and confidence to access further education, training and/or employment opportunities.
The focus of the Oarsome Pathways provision is to achieve employment, independence, and appropriate safe, social networks for young people with SEN and neurodiversity needs.
Scroll down to read more about the Oarsome Pathways curriculum aims, or download the Oarsome Pathways prospectus here:
Oarsome Pathways mission:
Oarsome Pathways is dedicated to empowering young people by building confidence, self-awareness, and the motivation to make meaningful contributions to their communities. Oarsome Pathways’ learning opportunities build personal and social development, vocational skills, workplace readiness, and the tools necessary to succeed independently.
CURRICULUM INTENT
The Oarsome Pathways provision seeks to ensure that young people feel safe, belong and are therefore able to maximise their potential and achieve their aspirations, whilst developing a more independent quality of life, through:
- A focus on Preparation for Adulthood, supporting the development of the skills students will need to manage life effectively and build resilience.
- Providing the information and skills needed to confidently access and contribute to their local communities.
- Personalising the programme to each young person’s needs and interests.
The curriculum’s purpose is to provide choice and develop skills in a highly supportive and nurturing environment and so enable them to experience all there is to offer in life and work safely.
IMPLEMENTATION
Each student will have a personalised progress plan identifying their hopes and aspirations and enabling them to access learning, appropriate to their needs, through:
- Study programmes combining personal and social development, independent living skills and vocational training.
- NCFE accredited outcomes which cover the breadth of the Oarsome Pathways curriculum offer.
- Personalised accredited and non-accredited outcomes are created with the input of the young person, family, and staff, and informed by baseline assessments.
- 1:1 staff support from a team of Pathways leaders and Student Mentors with a wide range of experience and skills relevant to both the support of young people with SEMH and SEND needs, as well as the delivery of vocational skills.
IMPACT
Young people studying at Oarsome Pathways will develop the skills and knowledge to confidently progress into adulthood with transferable skills to support and sustain engagement with future education, training and employment opportunities.
Young people will develop enhanced life skills allowing greater independence in daily activities with the tools to make informed decisions and problem solve the everyday issues that they may be faced with.
Young people will feel a sense of achievement and that they have had a logical and effective outcome to their programme, with renewed self-worth and confidence I their skills to effectively manage their next steps.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Preparation for Adulthood, developing skills for employment, independent living, community inclusion and health & wellbeing to enter into adult life with appropriate knowledge and confidence.
- Embedded and targeted
- 1:1 and group work
- Wellbeing support
- NCFE Level 1 Award in Personal and Social Development
The Oarsome Pathways curriculum
The Oarsome Pathways programme is strongly focused on Preparation for Adulthood outcomes, whilst also offering real-life independence opportunities using industry visits and volunteering in the local community. Classroom learning therefore is balanced with practical work experiences.
OARSOME PATHWAYS: A CURRICULUM CENTRED AROUND FOUR KEY THREADS
VOCATIONAL TRAINING & FUNCTIONAL SKILLS
A programme of Occupational Studies for the Workplace providing the opportunity to experience areas such as carpentry, plumbing, motor vehicle and cycle maintenance, sport, cooking and music. Accredited qualifications include:
- NCFE Level 1 & 2 Award in Occupational Studies for the Workplace
- NCFE Functional Skills Qualification in Mathematics (EL1 – L2)
- NCFE Functional Skills Qualification in English (EL1 – L2)
CAREER PATHWAYS
OC works with students to shape the support and develop the skill needed to access further education, employment or training.
- Bespoke, supportive and individualised
- Industry visits
- Career events
ENRICHMENT
Enrichment activities to build confidence, transferable teamwork skills and engage with the local community. Outdoor activities include sailing, rowing, rock climbing, paddle sports, mountain biking, orienteering, fishing and residentials.
Further information
Oarsome Pathways venue location:
The Apex Centre, Bishopstoke Rd, Leigh Park, Hampshire, PO9 5BN.
Tel: 02394 351090
Key staff at Oarsome Pathways:
Project Manager and DSL: Caroline Burnett, [email protected]
Senior Student Mentor: Gabby Broadhurst, [email protected]
Head of Alternative Education, Alex Thakore, [email protected]
CEO, Paul Napthine, [email protected]
For further information about Oarsome Chance's Safeguarding and Policies, please visit our Safeguarding page:
Referrals information
Please note, referrals can only be accepted through the commissioning body (i.e. school or Local Authority). Please send referral enquiries for Oarsome Pathways via email, to: