Post-16

Curriculum Overview

Our Sixth Form is highly personalised to the long-term outcomes of the individual, as identified in the Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) and through transition/adulthood planning.  The sixth form pathway offers a range of experiences by applying classroom learning to ‘real life’ situations.  Applied learning opportunities are fundamental to the sixth form, allowing pupils to gain first-hand life skills and experience whilst developing confidence and independence.  Community links, enterprise and work experience opportunities underpin the drive for pupils to succeed in adulthood.

We have high expectations and want all our young people to achieve and progress during this final stage of their journey at Heron.  There will be continued focus on Maths and English skills, as well as all pupils working towards a blend of accreditations, including:

• Arts Awards
• Rebound therapy Awards
• ASDAN Personal Progress Entry Level Diploma
• Duke of Edinburgh
• Swimming awards 

Some pupils may also undertake qualifications specific to their career choice, such as food hygiene. The curriculum's annual review ensures that we can best meet the pupils’ needs.

A few pupils outside of Post-16 classes will remain within a mixed key stage group. Key Stage 4 learning pathway, with additional bespoke opportunities included in their learning to prepare them for adulthood.  We aim to provide as many options and choices as possible, ensuring our pupils a range of destinations and opportunities.  

Transitions and Destinations

2023/24 Leavers

2022/23 Leavers

Careers

Career-related learning

 Work related learning at Heron Academy is a journey for all pupils from Year 7 to Year 14. It is about broadening pupils’ horizons, challenging stereotypes and discrimination and helping pupils to develop the skills and sense of self that will enable them to reach their full potential.

The Gatsby Benchmarks were developed on behalf of the Gatsby Foundation by Sir John Holman. They define what world class careers provision in education looks like and provide a clear framework for organising the careers provision at schools and colleges.

 The 8 Gatsby benchmarks of Good Career Guidance are:

• A stable careers programme

• Learning from career and labour market information

• Addressing the needs of each pupil

• Linking curriculum learning to careers

• Encounters with employers and employees

• Experiences of workplaces

• Encounters with further and higher education

• Personal guidance

Curriculum

Our careers programme begins in Year 7, and aims to help our pupils understand and make informed choices about what they would like to do when they leave school and access further education or the community.

Work experience

Over time our dedicated team have formed strong links with local employers, and consistently source external work placements for our pupils. The current list of external placements include:

• Volunteering at a bookshop

• Delivering goods to our local food bank

• Volunteering at Get Rid of and Donate

• Oasis Nature Garden

• West Norwood  Swimming

• Shopping for supplies for school

• Grove adventure playground

• Lunch in a restaurant

Due to the complex needs of some of our pupils we are able to support a range of school-based work experience placements. Our current list of internal placements include:

• Working at the Heron Café & Heron Hotel

• Sewing

• Office assistant

• Caretaker assistant

• Food preparation

• Car wash

• Beauty Salon