Aspire is a Level 1 programme of study which is run in partnership with Northampton Saints Foundation. The programme consists of vocational study, GCSE English and maths, tutorials, Digital Skills, Enrichment and work experience. You will be offered lots of exciting opportunities to develop your knowledge and skills for further learning and employment through a range of practical activities such as sports and digital skills. You will take part in a community project and lots of other interactive activities for example working with the local fire and rescue service. By the end of the programme you will have developed your confidence, understand your skill set and be able to apply these to a range of hobbies and interests and make informed choices about further learning and your future career.
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What will I study?
The units you will study are likely to include: Core units:
- Being organised
- Developing a Personal Progression Plan
- Working with Others
- Researching a Topic Specialist units:
- Developing Digital Information Using IT
- Keeping Active and Healthy
- Exploring Local Visitor Attractions
- Communicating with Customers
- Responding to an Incident
- Contributing to your Community *All units are subject to change and may be withdrawn.
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Who is this course for?
This course is ideal if you have an interest in being supported to develop your confidence and improve your skills for further learning and work. It will support you to create a vision for your future. This will be achieved by identifying your existing skills and your teachers will support you gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours you will need to be successful. You will gain a Level 1 Diploma in Vocational Studies which can be used to progress onto the next level.
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How is the course assessed?
- By the end of their programme, you will have completed a portfolio of evidence through unit assignments based on your main qualification.
- The completion of GCSE English/maths examinations.
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Your Study Programme
If you are aged 16-18, you will join a Study Programme this could be a vocational or technical qualification. We will make sure you are working at the right level on your core qualification and are challenged to achieve the highest level of qualification you can.
Work experience will be part of your study programme and complement your college study and prepare you for employment. You will also get involved in activities to help you develop life skills and to build your confidence so you can make progress in your career.
If you have chosen to study for a T Level qualification, this will involve college-based theory and practice lessons along with relevant work placement to enable you to gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours that employers are looking for. Weekly timetables will include tutorial support which may comprise of full group activities or one to one sessions to discuss individual progress or support needs.
All students will continue to improve their maths and English and if you don't have a grade 4 (C) at GCSE, we will work with you towards achieving that goal (subject to specific entry requirements for particular courses).
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Knowledge
You will develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of:
You will develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of:
- How to communicate effectively.
- Understand the world around you.
- What independence is and why it is important to your future choices?
- Understand support services to learn about rights and responsibilities and who can support you.
- Keeping safe online, within your community and free from exploitation.
- How to work with others (community projects)
- Understanding healthy relationships.
- How to understand a healthy lifestyle. This includes healthy food, physical activity and mental health.
- How to make positive choices and friendships (social inclusion).
- Explore and take part in hobbies and activities of interest (enrichment programme).
- Understand how to live independently including understanding and developing life skills including problem solving.
- Making future choices such as further learning and work.
- English GCSE
- Maths GCSE
- Improved digital skills and make effective use of technology.
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Skills
You will have the ability to:
You will have the ability to:
- Make healthy lifestyle choices including how to live independently to include shopping, cooking meals, travel training and budgeting.
- Maximising community engagement through your community and knowing how to navigate the services available to you.
- Identifying work skills and how to improve them through voluntary work, projects, enterprise and enrichment.
- Create a CV, covering letter, applying for jobs/courses and attending an interview).
- Identifying and developing a wider range of skills to support independence and choice making. For example, time management, effective communication skills including personal boundaries and conflict resolution. Then applying these skills in a variety of ways such as using their communication skills in a variety of contexts for example self-advocacy, working with others and taking responsibility etc.
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Behaviours
What is required?
What is required?
- Act as a role model, contributing to team cohesion and productivity
- Representing the positive aspects of team culture and respectfully challenging inappropriate prevailing cultures; taking responsibility for your own work, accepting feedback in a positive way, using initiative and showing resilience
- Demonstrate taking responsibility for team performance and quality of projects delivered.
- A commitment to undertaking a work placement
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General info
You may be required to go on trips or purchase a kit and uniform to undertake this course. Information about individual items and their associated costs will be sent to you in June/July before you enrol.
Some students may be eligible for support from the Student Bursary Scheme with the costs of coming to college. Applications are available on the college website under Student Support. If you require further assistance or would like to speak with a member of Student Services, please email financial.support@northamptoncollege.ac.uk or call 01604 734333.
If you are applying for financial assistance, please do not purchase any kit items. If your application is successful, the necessary items will be provided to you.
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Progression and Career Opportunities
The course will equip you with the confidence to make choices about your next steps in further learning, work or an apprenticeship programme. During your course you will identify your hobbies, interests and aspirations and your teachers will support you to make informed decisions and research what you need to do to achieve your ambitions.
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Entry Requirements for new students
Willingness to develop GCSE skills in English and maths and improve grades. Must engage in a work experience opportunity. Must adhere to the values of the college and the Northampton Saints Foundation.
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Admissions Process
We recommend that you attend one of our exciting open events so that you can look around the department, the college and meet the tutors. You are welcome to do this before or after you apply.
These events have proved very successful in ensuring students and their families see the best of what the college has to offer such as our inspirational teaching areas, teachers, library facilities and places to eat.
Once you have applied our experienced Enrolment Team will consider your application carefully and will let you know, by email, if the College would like to make you a conditional offer based on you meeting the specified entry requirements.
If your predicted grades or career aims suggest that an alternative subject area or course level would be more appropriate for you at this stage, we will contact you either by telephone, email or text. If you have told us that you have some additional support needs, we will contact you to find out more so that we can help you.
