Welcome to Riverside 6^th Form. For students moving into the department in yr 12, there is likely to be a change in emphasis and priority in the 6^th Form. The 6^th Form curriculum tends to be more integrated and flexible in its approach, with opportunities to learn and practice skills across curriculum areas. A substantial amount of teaching and learning goes on outside of the physical 'classroom' and uses a varied range of resources which might include college courses, community facilities, work based learning opportunities, work experience placements or visits, food technology facilities, etc.

 

The students’ Individual Education Plans in the 6^th Form are similar in attention to detail to the rest of the school, but reflect the cross-curricular nature of 6^th Form provision and include targets for independence. For example, several learning intentions may be combined within one or two learning tasks. So the preparation and eating of lunch might reasonably include daily living skills (cooking, self management), community based learning (shopping, travelling), PSHE (social skills), science (food prep) and in particular communication/literacy and numeracy skills.

 

A feature of our work is the use of community and off-site facilities. Most students get the opportunity to take courses at Sidcup Arts and AEC or Poverest (Bromley AEC) and those in yr 13 and 14 attend link courses to Bromley and Nash colleges. All classes have a full programme of in-school and off-site physical education and we have recently enhanced this with activities like sailing, climbing and skating or bowling for wheelchair users. Students often follow a programme of travel training and the use of Wood Lodge (a purpose built independent living and training flat), combined with educational visits, provides alternative sensory and communication settings as part of furthering independence and interdependence in the community.

 

There are strong elements of work based learning, citizenship and PSHE whilst students are also encouraged to extend their communication and creative skills in a range of art, drama and music activities and events, including the opportunity to combine these in performances both in and outside of school. We recognise the importance of the fact that all students are moving into young adulthood and try to provide age-appropriate activities and resources. Lastly, the importance of guiding students through transition cannot be understated and the 6^th Form allows students to engage in many more opportunities to question, advocate for themselves, make choices or decisions, state opinions and consider future options at the appropriate levels.

 

(Please refer to the ‘Riverside Further Education Curriculum Framework’ for further detail)

 

Carl Edwards (Assistant Headteacher)