3C:How is success in meeting the needs and interests of learners recognised?

There is a very effective practical and relevant curriculum to develop literacy, numeracy and communication. The extended curriculum is also used well to further students' skills. All staff are involved in the promotion of increased literacy, numeracy and communication skills, which are fully embedded in the whole college experience.

There are good links between different aspects of the curriculum. Individual learning plans are designed in collaboration with the students' key workers, pastoral tutors and individual speech and language therapists. This provides coherence across several aspects of the students' programmes and ensures effective integration of care and speech and language objectives. For example, assignments and discussions about stereotyping and prejudice covered in communication key skills are linked successfully with topics from personal, social and health education and preparation for work experience

Good use is made of the locality to develop communication and numeracy skills and to use local amenities. For example, all students are supported in managing their own finances and using the post office to withdraw their money.

Questions are framed in a simple, direct language, which students find relatively easy to understand. This helps them to respond confidently. When students are struggling, or need time to answer, tutors and support staff wait patiently, prompting and encouraging when it is needed.

The college is involved in many productive working partnerships. The Skills for Life senior tutor is working with a local general FE college to develop materials for students at Pre-entry Level. She also has working links with two universities, trialling IT-based resources and improving initial assessment for Entry and Pre-entry Level students. The college is a member of a national partnership which has produced materials to enable students to improve their skills through the use of IT, for example, in the development and production of an assistive technology device which develops students’ understanding of cause and effect and reinforces the concept of reading from left to right.

The integration of basic skills into the vocational curriculum provides excellent opportunities. The programmes and courses are designed to meet the interests of students whilst improving their basic skills.

There is a good variety of Entry and Level 1 programmes. Lessons include basic skills and practical learning based on realistic situations. Students have good opportunities to develop personal and social skills in the practical sessions. These include media skills, cooking and gardening.

Courses meet the needs of students. All full-time students can study vocational subjects while developing their personal, social and basic skills. There is an emphasis on students acquiring knowledge and skills for use in everyday life. Students visit supermarkets to understand the products and services, buy resources from high street stores for use in the classroom and practise the skills of independent travel in preparation for job interviews.