Life and Living

Life and LivingGreat Oaks College

Who is the Life and Living Pathway for?
The Life and Living Pathway offers a three year course for young people with an emphasis on developing functional and practical skills enabling them to be as independent as possible. These individuals may also aspire to access community groups, assisted living or volunteering with support in the future.
What makes us unique?
Our small group model provides a meaningful learning environment in which students can develop their skills, for example within practical areas such as cooking and using public transport. All students, including those with physical disabilities and/or sensory impairments, can learn to use adaptive counters and hobs, specialist aids and assistive technology, enabling them to learn new skills with equipment which is comfortable, safe and which supports them to be as independent as possible.

What does a typical week look like?
• At least one day per week out in the local community
• At least one day per week taking part in practical household tasks
• At least one day per week of small group tutorials in Functional English, Mathematics and PSHEC, including specialist interventions such as SOSAFE, Keyboarding and Lego Therapy.
• Students will prepare their own meal at least once per week.
• Enrichment activities built into the curriculum throughout the week

Curriculum

Year 1: Developing Life and Living Skills In the first year of the course, students learn the basic skills involved in preparing drinks, snacks and simple meals and carrying out home maintenance tasks. Students also develop functional and practical skills within the community local to the college, using amenities and accessing activities such as:
• Parks
• Libraries and museums
• Shops and Supermarkets
• Coffee shops, restaurants and cafés
• Sports and leisure facilities
• Journeys on foot or public transport
Year 2: Generalising Life volunteering Living Skills Students in the second year of the course will continue to develop their skills in preparing a simple meal, shopping, and home maintenance tasks such as cleaning, laundry and recycling. Students also begin to generalise their practical and functional skills within group volunteering projects such as:
• Leafletting and litter picking in the area local to college
• Cleaning at a church local to college
• Setting tables/wrapping cutlery/ sweeping at a restaurant local to college
• Gardening at a church local to college
• Where appropriate, students may also begin to generalise their functional and practical skills by using amenities and accessing activities within the areas local to their own homes

Year 3: Applying Life and Living Skills Third year students continue to develop their functional and practical skills and utilise these
through group volunteering projects and activities within the communities local to the college and to their own homes. Students also begin to apply these skills within leisure activities, clubs, and volunteering groups within the community local to their homes, enabling them to experience attending groups with peers outside of their college classmates, and preparing them to make informed choices about their transition from Great Oaks College.

In line with aspirations for the future, some third-year students may be supported by an Employability Coach to obtain an individual volunteering placement within their local area.