Post 16 Transition Programme

Forest College

The Forest College Transition programme is a 30-week bespoke education programme for 1-3 days each week throughout the academic year.

Students are able to attend transition days up until October half term, after which, the programme of learning begins.

The programme is designed to re-engage young people with learning. It supports young people to feel positive about themselves and their abilities through a bespoke alternative provision. Graduates of the course have increased confidence and self-esteem as well as reduced anxiety and improved resilience.

Our alternative provision based at the Reseheath College campus in Nantwich is built on research evidencing the benefits of engaging with the natural environment. Spending time outdoors reduces cortisol levels, lowers blood pressure and stimulates the immune system. All of these benefits make our outdoor education programmes a superb option for re-engaging young people with learning.

The educational programmes are personalised to develop confidence, independence and employability skills. Our students work in small groups of 7-10. There are no formal qualifications in the programme and very little time will be spent on paperwork or traditional classroom-based learning.

Success for Forest College students is measured in terms of attendance, engagement, resilience and the desire to carry on with a journey of learning. We value building friendships, having a positive work ethic and developing aspirations.

We provide ongoing support for students who have graduated from Forest College and transitioned into mainstream college programmes at Reaseheath. Our past students have gained the confidence to build a future for themselves through education.

Additional Information:

As an alternative provision, our Forest College students are unable to access the standard college transport. Parents or carers of pupils must arrange and fund their own transport. Most students arrive at college by taxi or parents / carers transport them.

We offer flexible, bespoke learning programmes at Reaseheath College, Nantwich. Our alternative education provision commences after October half term and runs 3 days a week, from 10am – 3pm. Attendance is expected for 1 – 3 days per week as agreed in advance.

Enquire today:

rebecca.carey@reaseheath.ac.uk | 01270 613160

Implementation

Our College skills tracker identifies the qualities students need in terms of the behaviours, values and engagement required in order to succeed in gaining qualifications in a further education setting and then tracks their progress throughout the programme.

The Forest College curriculum is designed to facilitate the development of the skills that our students need in order to succeed.

What we want for our students

To start mainstream college well prepared to achieve the qualifications they need to follow their chosen career pathway
To have the confidence and self-management skills to manage the academic and social elements of the curriculum

The students are supported to gradually build resilience and learn important life skills. They are encouraged to integrate at their own pace and to become involved in activities when they are ready, and there is no pressure on them to participate, they are allowed to just observe for as long as they need. After just one term, all our students reported a reduction in anxiety and an increase in engagement and aspiration to join the wider college.

Impact

The impact of Forest College is measured in the following ways:

These provide the building blocks for students to engage with learning. Assessments are completed termly to check on progress and all students have individual targets to work towards. Each student has an informal review each half term to talk about progress and aspirations. We work closely with the network of parents, carers and professionals supporting our pupils.

Outcomes for pupils

All outcomes are based on “compassionate classroom” principles; this means that we work with our young people to achieve the following:

Create a physical and emotional safe space
Establish stability in terms of routine and behaviour expectations
Build a sense of trust
Offer choices and empowerment
Stay regulated – help young people to be the best that they can

We aim where possible and appropriate to build a successful transition into mainstream college for the following year for many Forest College KS4 graduates and we will support our students to achieve relevant outcomes on their Education, Health and Care Plan.

The Key Stage 4 programme is designed to be flexible, to engage young people with learning, and to promote resilience and self-belief. It is a 30-week programme, but because there is no formal qualification, it is possible for students to enrol later in the academic year (if there are spaces) or to have a long transition onto the programme if required.

Forest College staff are experienced in working with young people with barriers to learning and SEND.

Funding

Forest College is a full cost programme; this means that all places must be funded. Our fees are £2,500 for a 30-week programme (one day per week) plus £200 for tools, equipment and educational visits, that may take place during the programme.

We can offer additional days at the same rate if this is appropriate.

Students must come equipped with Personal Protective Clothing (boots and weather appropriate outdoor clothing). A full kit list will be provided during transition.

Activities will include

Activities are adaptable to suit the individual needs of the students’ enrolled at that current time.

Activities include but are not exclusive to:

Nature based activities – such as creating wildlife gardens and building bug hotels, shelter making, foraging, campfire cooking and nature based mindfulness activities
Woodland walks – exploring the natural environment, learning how to recognise various animals, plants and trees and their purpose
Seasonal based activities – exploring nature through the seasons
Embedding core subject specific skills, such as English, maths and science, through engagement with the natural environment
Educational visits both across facilities at Reaseheath College and externally

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Forest College

Post 16 Transition Programme

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