Redwood ParkLife Skills
What is the subject objective?
Life Skills at Redwood Park is seen as a vital part of our pupils’ curriculum.
It is based on the four areas of their EHCPs: Education, Employment, Training and Work Experience, Participation in Society, Independent Living, and Being Healthy. It also encompasses units on financial literacy, which has been put together using advice from a number of sources including those from Barclays Bank, Young Enterprise and a nationally recognised scheme of work from Swiss Cottage School in London. Our aim, as a school, is for pupils to function independently and have the essential life skills to be responsible, engaged and active citizens.
Units taught within the subject are various but include dressing, cooking, road safety, looking after money, interacting with others and nutrition. The curriculum for Life Skills will continue to develop and adapt as the needs of the pupils change. For example, as the pupils’ needs become more complex, more focus may be required on skills such as personal hygiene and basic safety.
Life Skills is an exciting, experiential and functional lesson which pupils enjoy. The parents also state at annual reviews that they are very happy with the content of the curriculum and see improvements in their child’s ability to apply the skills at home and in the wider community.
How is the subject delivered?
Life Skills is delivered in Key Stage 4 as a double lesson and is integrated into PSHE lessons in Key Stage 3. The lessons are varied in style from hands-on, experiential learning to offsite trips and visits. Engagement is generally very high from pupils.
Progress is mapped through the long-term plan and a Life Skills Passport was created which provides teachers with a progress scale for each area covered by the curriculum. This ensures that progress is always at the forefront of planning.
There are a number of rooms which are used for Life Skills lessons which include teh Design Technology room and the Food Technology room. Resources such as irons, washing machines, clothing, hairdressing equipment, money, and cooking equipment are available and are constantly being added to. There is some overlap with other subjects (e.g. PSHE, Maths, Food Technology) so over-learning can be achieved.
The sequence of learning is carefully planned to ensure coverage in Key Stage 4. Although kept broad to allow for the differences in abilities of pupils, there is always progression from one year to the next.
Impact and accreditation
Progress is measured against pupils’ EHCP targets and evidenced on Earwig Academic in photographic form. Incidental progress is also measured in participation and engagement with the topics, how pupils apply the skills in other subjects and through discussions with families. The subject is not currently accredited but this something that may change in the future.
Reading across the curriculum
As part of their Life Skills lessons, pupils are encouraged to actively engage with books, newspapers, websites and other material. Communication is developed through discussion, symbol use and group working.
Linking with our vision
Life Skills supports progress of pupils against their EHCP targets. It links to our drive to prepare pupils for the next stages of their lives including adulthood.
