Post 16 Summer Term

English

Maths

PE

PSHE

Social & Emotional Skills

Community Engagement

Work Experience

College Links

Home Management

Employability

Volunteering

Post 16 Summer Term English

Post-16 Year 1 

The first half of the Summer term focuses on “News, Fake News, and the Difference.” Students will develop critical literacy skills, learning how to evaluate information sources, identify bias, and distinguish between reliable news and misinformation. This is essential preparation for adult life in the digital age.

The final half term covers “Making Your Voice Heard.” Students will learn how to express their opinions effectively through different forms of communication, including formal and informal writing, presentations, and discussions. This unit emphasises the importance of democratic participation and self-advocacy.

Post-16 Year 2 

The first half of Summer focuses on practical workplace skills with “Job Applications.” Students will research community activities, practice completing college and job application forms, and develop skills for applying for jobs online. This prepares them for the transition to employment or further education.

The final half term combines creativity with media literacy through “Film Reviews and Making Your Own Trailer.” Students will learn how to review films critically, analysing what makes them effective or ineffective. They’ll then develop a concept for their own film and learn how to create a trailer, bringing together all the communication and media skills they’ve developed throughout their Functional Skills course.

Post 16 Summer Term Maths

As pupils approach the end of Post-16, their individual plans will be reviewed to ensure they achieve their goals before leaving Alfriston. This will look different for each student, and qualifications may be completed in either the first or second year of Post-16, depending on what is most appropriate.

This term, the focus will be on:

  • Developing fluency and using this to solve mixed problems, including those with multiple steps
  • Choosing the most appropriate operation for each question
  • Applying skills to a wide range of topics, including:
    • Fractions, decimals and percentages
    • Shape and measures
    • Handling data
    • Money and time

These activities will help pupils consolidate their learning and prepare for life beyond school, ensuring they leave with confidence and practical Maths skills.

Post 16 Summer Term PE

In the summer term, pupils will take part in a wide range of activities designed to promote independence, ownership, and personal achievement. They will be encouraged to set and work towards their own physical challenges, helping them build confidence and resilience.

Opportunities will include:

  • Swimming
  • Paralympic Sports
  • Net and Wall games
  • Striking and Fielding activities
  • Leadership roles, where pupils can develop both physical skills and organisational abilities

The programme also connects pupils with sports opportunities in the local community, fostering lifelong participation, resilience, and a sense of accomplishment through both personal and team-based challenges.

We’re excited to support pupils in developing skills that will benefit them well beyond school and into adult life!

Post 16 Summer Term PSHE

This summer, Post-16 students will follow the Jigsaw PSHE and RSHE curriculum designed for 13-14 year-olds (Key Stage 3). We have chosen this approach to ensure that all content is accessible, age-appropriate, and tailored to the cognitive needs of our learners, while still meeting statutory requirements in a safe and respectful way.

Summer 1 – Relationships
Students will explore healthy friendships and respectful relationships, focusing on consent, personal boundaries, and communication skills. Lessons are taught in a non-graphic, age-appropriate way, emphasising mutual respect, online safety, and recognising unhealthy behaviours. The aim is to build confidence and understanding for positive choices.

Summer 2 – Changing Me (RSHE)
Students will learn about physical and emotional changes during adolescence, alongside sexual health and contraception, presented factually and sensitively. The emphasis is on knowledge and safeguarding, not on encouraging early sexual activity. Students will also consider future responsibilities and respecting personal choices.

The Jigsaw Programme is nationally recognised and aligns with Department for Education guidance, giving parents confidence that content is trusted, evidence-based, and delivered with care.

Post 16 Summer Term Social & Emotional Skills

The focus of each social skills lesson across all three therapy teams will be to prepare the girls for their transition from a school to college. The aim will be to support the pupils’ development of the skills needed for their next steps towards integration into the wider community in line their abilities pathway. They will develop their confidence to socialise with new people, develop new friendships and interact successfully with their peers and to gain the skills for an independent life. The pupils will be empowered to recover quickly from difficulties, both in school and outside in the community – overall building their resilience in preparation for transition. This will occur through three schemes of work: independence & community, communication & interaction and self-efficacy & self-esteem. Each pathway group will experience 1 term with each therapy team.

In the Speech and Language sessions, the girls will focus on their Communication and Interaction skills following the Social Use of Language Programme (SULP). They will work on their social communication skills, their awareness of themselves and others, and the development of friendships and relationships in new settings.

In the Occupational Therapy Lessons there will be a focus on building independence skills that will benefit them when they leave Alfriston. These will include budgeting, creating a shopping list, choosing an appropriate outfit for a specific event and planning a trip. The pupils will then spend time working as a large team to plan an event or a trip out.

In the lessons delivered by the Wellbeing team, there will be a focus on building self-confidence and self-efficacy in preparation for adulthood. This will include planning a team building trip, self-reflection, creating and implementing a CBT-centred confidence and using these skills in an event to put themselves out of their comfort zone (i.e. performing, off-site activity or hosting others).

Post 16 Summer Term Community Engagement

We provide opportunities for students to take part in activities outside the classroom to help them grow in confidence, learn new skills, and experience real-world situations. These activities support social, physical, and creative development while encouraging teamwork and independence.

This term, students will enjoy a variety of experiences, including:

  • Martial Arts – building strength, coordination, and self-discipline.
  • Dance – promoting fitness, creativity, and self-expression.
  • Gardening – learning responsibility and caring for the environment.
  • Art and Design Projects – using Cricut technology to create items for our Christmas Fayre.

These experiences help students feel part of the community, celebrate their talents, and develop resilience and life skills.

Post 16 Summer Term Work Experience

 

Work Experience – Preparing Students for Life Beyond School

At Alfriston, we carefully plan work experience to help students build confidence and develop skills for life after school. Every placement is discussed with pastoral tutors and through the EHCP process to make sure it’s the right fit for each student.

Independent Placements

When a student is ready for an independent placement, parents help find a suitable opportunity. This is then checked and approved by Alfriston. Once agreed, students attend their placement one day a week (usually Monday or Friday) for the whole academic year.
This builds on the Year 11 group work experience, where students worked together in local businesses.

Supported Work Experience

For students who are not yet ready for independence, we provide group placements so everyone can continue learning employability skills in a supportive environment. Our supported pathway offers two exciting options:

Chiltern Rangers – Habitat Rangers

This course focuses on practical habitat and woodland management with a strong conservation purpose. Students learn skills such as scrub cutting, tree popping, and safe use of tools like loppers and saws. Activities include:

  • Fire starting and management
  • Tree planting and laurel cutting
  • Using a chipper to process material and maintain paths
  • Coppicing and hedgerow maintenance
  • Orchard and pond care

These hands-on tasks help students understand the importance of conservation and support rare species like the Duke of Burgundy butterfly. The course works towards ASDAN Lifeskills accreditation.

World of Work

This course introduces students to the workplace through practical activities and theory. They learn essential skills such as:

  • Communication, teamwork, and leadership
  • Customer service and hospitality practices
  • Health and safety and personal hygiene
  • Volunteering and community engagement

Students also gain real-world experience through local projects and complete two AQA qualifications:

  • Customer Service in the Hospitality Industry (Unit 4)
  • Volunteering on an Intergenerational Community Project

These qualifications provide valuable credentials alongside practical experience.

 

 

Post 16 Summer Term College Links

College Experience – BCA

Across the first two terms, students will take part in a variety of outdoor and horticultural activities that help them learn practical skills, work as a team, and understand the environment.

Term 1 includes:

  • Exploring the college grounds with an estate walk and learning to identify trees.
  • Practical tasks like pruning and planting sweet pea seeds and snowdrop bulbs.
  • A visit to the zoo.
  • Woodland management activities such as thinning trees and protecting young saplings.
  • Finishing the term with festive crafts using willow.

Term 2 includes:

  • Building bird boxes and planting trees.
  • More zoo visits.
  • Learning about plant biology through flower dissection and pollination studies.
  • Visiting farms during lambing and calving season.
  • Planting seeds such as marigolds, cosmos, petunias, and potatoes.

Students will also get used to the BCA college environment and routines, including having lunch there. These experiences help prepare them for future opportunities and build confidence in new settings.

 

Post 16 Summer Term Home Management

Home Management – Building Independent Living Skills

This term, Post-16 students will focus on practical skills to help them prepare for living independently. Weekly lessons include:

  • Planning and Organisation – Creating personal schedules and routines.
  • Budgeting – Learning how to manage money for groceries and bills.
  • Meal Planning and Shopping – Preparing menus and completing a real or simulated shopping trip.
  • Cooking and Kitchen Safety – Using appliances safely and making simple meals.
  • Laundry and Household Tasks – Practising routines for washing and caring for clothes.
  • Understanding Bills – Learning how to pay bills and manage household expenses.

The term ends with a project called “My Independent Life”, where students reflect on what they’ve learned and showcase their progress. These activities help build confidence and prepare students for real-world independence.

Post 16 Summer Term Employability

Our Post-16 Employability programme is designed to give students the practical skills and confidence they need for life after school. They’ll learn what makes a successful job interview, practice key techniques, and develop strong communication skills to help them feel prepared and professional.
Students will also think about what it means to be a good team player and how to build those qualities. They’ll identify their own strengths and skills and learn how these can match different career paths.
The programme covers what a typical working week might look like, including different shift patterns and the balance between paid work and volunteering.
A big focus is financial literacy. Students will explore the cost of everyday living—from groceries to bigger expenses like housing and transport—and learn how salaries link to lifestyle choices. They’ll also practice budgeting and saving strategies to manage money effectively.
Through all these activities, students are encouraged to reflect on their goals and plan for a future that is both fulfilling and sustainable.

Post 16 Summer Term Volunteering

Building Skills through Volunteering

As part of our Post-16 curriculum, volunteering plays an important role in preparing students for adulthood. It gives them real-world experiences outside the classroom while helping them develop independence, confidence, and life skills.

Through volunteering, students learn responsibility, teamwork, and communication while making a positive contribution to the community. These experiences help build self-esteem, create social connections, and develop practical skills that support future employment and independent living. Volunteering also encourages empathy and an understanding of different roles in society.

This term, students will:

  • Visit Dove Café and Beaconsfield Heights to help with community activities.
  • Support One Can Trust, a local food bank.
  • Take part in projects around school.
  • Work with Chiltern Rangers on environmental tasks.

These opportunities are invaluable for personal growth and preparing for life beyond school.