Post-16 Provision

Our Post-16 provision supports young people aged 16–19 who are unable to access their usual educational setting due to medical needs, mental health needs or other barriers to learning. 

Post-16 education is delivered at Willows, Ardenleigh and within aspects of our hospital education provision. We provide flexible, personalised programmes that support young people to continue learning, overcome barriers, develop confidence and successfully progress to further education, training, employment or other appropriate destinations. 

Who is our Post-16 Provision for? 

Our Post-16 provision supports young people aged 16–19 who are unable to access their usual educational setting due to medical needs, mental health needs, SEND, anxiety-related barriers to learning or disrupted educational experiences. Programmes are tailored to each learner’s individual circumstances, aspirations and future plans. 

Intent 

At James Brindley Academy, our Post-16 curriculum is designed to support, inspire and empower young people during periods when they are unable to access mainstream education. 

We recognise that learners join us with a wide range of experiences, educational backgrounds and personal circumstances. Some learners continue to follow study programmes provided by their home school or college, whilst others require a bespoke pathway designed around their individual needs.  Programmes are designed around each learner’s stage of learning, readiness to engage, aspirations and intended next steps rather than a one-size-fits-all model. 

Our priority is to provide a safe, supportive and aspirational environment where young people can continue to achieve academically, develop confidence and prepare for their next stage in education, employment or training. 

We aim to: 

• Maintain continuity of learning through close partnership working with home schools, colleges and other providers. 

• Provide an ambitious curriculum that supports learners to achieve relevant qualifications and accreditation. 

• Develop confidence, resilience, independence and self-advocacy skills. 

• Promote positive wellbeing and personal development alongside academic achievement. 

• Provide personalised careers education, information, advice and guidance. 

• Support successful transitions into further education, training, employment or other appropriate destinations. 

• Ensure all learners are prepared for adulthood through opportunities that reflect their individual aspirations and circumstances. 

For learners who have become disengaged from education or who are not currently in education, employment or training (NEET), we provide an individualised curriculum based on a detailed baseline assessment to identify strengths, barriers and next steps. Through personalised support, therapeutic approaches and carefully structured programmes, we help young people rebuild confidence, re-engage with learning and develop the stability and readiness required for successful progression. 

Implementation 

Programmes of study are tailored to the needs of individual learners and may incorporate learning from home schools alongside provision delivered directly by James Brindley Academy. 

Where learners remain on roll with a home school or college, staff work closely with that provider to ensure continuity of learning and minimise disruption to education. This enables young people to remain connected to their intended qualifications and longer-term aspirations. 

Where learners require a bespoke curriculum, staff undertake an initial baseline assessment to identify current attainment, aspirations, interests and support needs. Information gathered through educational assessment, careers guidance and multi-disciplinary team meetings is used to create an individual programme of study. 

Qualifications and accreditation may include: 

• Entry Level Qualifications 

• GCSEs 

• Functional Skills English and Mathematics 

• BTEC qualifications 

• Skills for Employment 

• Personal Development qualifications 

• Other bespoke accredited programmes based on individual need 

Learners who have not yet achieved English and Mathematics qualifications will be supported to work towards GCSE or Functional Skills qualifications where appropriate. 

For those young people who are too unwell to access a formal curriculum learners complete a Thrive assessment and suitable Thrive based activities are provided to aid them to re-engage in learning. 

All learners access a Post-16 PSHE curriculum designed to support wellbeing, relationships, citizenship, independence and preparation for adulthood. 

Examinations and accreditation may be facilitated either through James Brindley Academy or through a learner’s home school or college, depending upon individual circumstances and existing arrangements. 

Effective partnership working with families, NHS professionals, local authorities, colleges, training providers and careers services helps ensure a coordinated approach to planning and progression. 

Careers Education and Preparation for Adulthood 

Preparing young people for their future is a central feature of our Post-16 provision. 

Careers education is delivered through a programme aligned to the Gatsby Benchmarks and is closely linked to preparation for adulthood, transition planning and individual aspirations. The academy tracks learner destinations and works with partners to support positive and sustained outcomes. 

All learners receive a personalised careers guidance interview with a qualified Level 6 Careers Adviser. Careers education and guidance are adapted to meet individual needs and aspirations and are integrated into wider educational, therapeutic and transition planning. 

Preparation for adulthood is embedded throughout all aspects of the curriculum. Learners are supported to develop independence, self-advocacy, decision-making, communication and wider life skills that will help them to navigate adult life successfully. 

Where appropriate, learners may also access enrichment, employer encounters, volunteering opportunities or other experiences that support their personal goals and progression plans. 

Personal Development and Enrichment 

Personal development is a key aspect of Post-16 education at James Brindley Academy. 

Alongside academic learning, learners access a structured programme of PSHE and wellbeing education designed to develop confidence, resilience, healthy relationships and preparation for adult life. 

Enrichment opportunities are provided through Wellbeing Wednesday/Feelgood Friday activities and are shaped by learner interests and needs. Activities may include: 

• Physical and sporting opportunities. 

• Creative projects. 

• Community-based activities. 

• Enterprise and entrepreneurship projects. 

• Team-building and social engagement activities. 

These opportunities support learners to build confidence, develop interests and strengthen wider life skills. 

Transition and Next Steps 

Planning for successful transitions is embedded throughout our provision.   

Transition planning forms part of regular multi-disciplinary team meetings and is closely linked to discharge planning for learners leaving hospital education. 

The academy works collaboratively with families, NHS, home schools, colleges, training providers, careers services and local authority teams to ensure young people receive appropriate support when moving to their next stage of education or training. 

Support may include: 

• Transition planning meetings. 

• College and training provider liaison. 

• Application support. 

• Careers referrals. 

• Interview preparation. 

• SEN and EHCP review support where appropriate. 

For some learners, particularly those whose education has been significantly interrupted through illness or hospital admission, a bespoke reintegration pathway may be developed. This may include bridging units, confidence-building activities and targeted learning programmes designed to support a successful return to education. 

Impact 

The success of our Post-16 provision is measured through the progress young people make from their individual starting points. 

We evaluate the impact of our provision through: 

• Progress towards individual academic and personal targets. 

• Qualification and accreditation outcomes. 

• Engagement in learning. 

• Attendance and participation. 

• Learner voice and wellbeing measures. 

• Successful transitions into appropriate next stages of education, training or employment. 

The success of our Post-16 provision is measured through the progress learners make from their individual starting points. We evaluate impact through academic achievement, qualifications and accreditation, engagement in learning, attendance, wellbeing, learner voice and successful progression to further education, training or employment. 

Our aim is that learners leave James Brindley Academy with: 

• greater confidence and independence; 

• improved readiness for adulthood; 

• clear aspirations and future goals; 

• recognised qualifications or accreditation where appropriate; and 

• a positive and sustained next destination. 

Our aim is that every young person leaves James Brindley Academy with greater confidence, increased aspirations and a clear understanding of their next steps. 

Our Post-16 Offer at a Glance 

Area	Offer
Age Range	16–19
Locations	Willows, Ardenleigh and selected Hospital School provisions
Qualifications	Entry Level, Functional Skills, GCSEs, BTEC, Skills for Employment, Personal Development and bespoke accreditation
English & Maths	Provided for all learners who have not yet achieved these qualifications to a Level 2 standard
Careers Guidance	1:1 guidance from a qualified Level 6 Careers Adviser
Preparation for Adulthood	Embedded across PSHE, careers and personalised programmes
Transition Support	Integrated within MDT meetings and discharge planning
Curriculum Approach	Home school curriculum continuity or bespoke personalised pathways