How we meet the 16-19 study programme requirements

Southborough’s 16-19 study offer

The Southborough 16-19 study offer is designed to provide students with a structured and challenging learning programme that supports their development and progression in line with their career plans. Study programmes are individually tailored but will typically combine the elements below:

• substantial qualifications that stretch students and prepare them for education at the next level or for employment
• English and Maths where students have not yet achieved a GCSE grade 4
• work experience to give students the opportunity to develop their career choices and to apply their skills in real working condition
• other non-qualification activity to develop students’ character, broader skills, attitudes and confidence, and to support progression.

At Key Stage 5, Level 3 students complete Academic or Vocational programmes, as well as a mixture of Academic and Vocational courses; Level 2 Vocational programmes are designed to be completed in a year, alongside Maths and English re-sits.

Each study programme consists of a number of planned hours that are realistic and deliverable. Study programmes are designed to be full-time with a minimum of 540 planned hours per academic year but likely to be on average 600 hours.

Higher ability students complete the EPQ independently. A comprehensive Enrichment/PSHE programme is delivered through weekly assemblies and through the tutorial programme. All students receive careers and future planning support.

Essential Skills

Throughout our programmes of study, every attempt is made to make explicit links to careers and the world of work. In addition to subject specific links, we aim to explicitly reinforce the skills and aptitudes which employers say are important in the workplace:

This, undoubtedly, prepares pupils for external examinations at the end of the course and beyond into the world of post 18 education, training, and employment.