Academy of Foundation Learning and Life Skills

Develop vital personal, learning and employability skills to help you prepare for adulthood and the world of work in our Academy of Foundation Learning and Life Skills.

You’ll learn about subjects that interest you and our very experienced staff, who have worked extensively with young people, will be on-hand to support you in achieving your goals.

Work experience placements, volunteering opportunities and fundraising activities will help boost your confidence. As your confidence grows, you’ll develop key employability skills such as time keeping, understanding body language and learning how to work as part of a team. You’ll also continuing to improve your English and maths.

You’ll be based in Chaffinch, our £1.5 million purpose-built centre, solely for use by our foundation students. You’ll also have access to industry standard facilities across campus and, depending on which course you choose, you could find yourself learning and gaining work experience in our industry standard Food Centre, equestrian centre, commercial farm, sports centre or in our specialist teaching zoo and purpose-built farm barn.

Our supportive team of staff really want you to succeed and will help you fulfil your aspirations.

Courses

Entry Level Programme

Foundation Learning Level 1 Programmes

Career Development Pathway (CDP)

Supported Internships for Students

Supported Internships for Employers

Find out more

Why study?

Why study Foundation at Reaseheath?

Boost your confidence and learning skills in a supportive environment and gain ‘on-the- job’ experience with our foundation courses.

If you’d like to improve your academic, personal and employability skills after leaving school, there’s nowhere better than Reaseheath. We provide opportunities for all members of the community to learn and develop so they can reach their full potential.

Last year 98% of our students progressed into employment or further learning and we will guide you through a range of options to help you get paid (or voluntary) work so you can enjoy greater independence.

You’ll be learning in our classrooms and industrial units where you’ll develop your practical skills and knowledge to industry standards.
Our friendly and highly qualified staff will support you throughout your learning journey.
Learn about things you are passionate about while you improve your English and maths – you can choose from subjects such as Agriculture, Animal Care, Engineering, Horticulture, Conservation, Countryside Management and Equine.
Gain new skills while being part of an inclusive college community where your views, opinions and contributions matter by becoming a Student Rep, Ambassador or peer mentor.
You will be supported in your preparation for work by completing a work placement, by developing your personal learning, improving your thinking skills and working as part of a team.
You can join fundraising activities and help to organise events to raise money for local charities.

Next steps

Where could your course take you?

Many of our students progress to paid or voluntary work or go on to further study programmes including Level 2 qualifications once they have gained the necessary entry requirements.

We run an annual inclusive careers event and you’ll receive plenty of sound advice to help you decide what your next steps should be. We also offer supported and unsupported employment opportunities to give you employability skills and on- the-job experience in the workplace.

Facilities

Where you’ll be studying

We’ve made a continuing investment of £80 million across our campus so you’ll have access to some of the best facilities and learning resources in the country.

Our range of specialist facilities have been influenced by industry to make sure you develop the skills employers are looking for. You’ll learn to work to industry standards inside our advanced engineering (Agri-Tech) centre, equestrian centre, specialist teaching zoo and purpose-built farm barn, depending on which course you choose.

As a student in the Foundation Studies department many of your classes will take place in our dedicated Chaffinch building, with purpose-built classrooms, an IT suite and group study area. You’ll also be able to access Centrepoint, a dedicated study area above our library, which includes a reading zone and a new IT room with 18 fixed computers and laptops.

Experience

Your Reaseheath Experience

Our highly trained and dedicated staff will be on hand for you throughout your journey. Our team has much experience of helping young people with diverse needs, including those with disabilities. You’ll be learning inside a caring, nurturing environment with support available both inside and outside of the classroom.

You will gain all-important industry experience with trips to local businesses and benefit from presentations, talks and workshops with industry mentors.

Our foundation students develop their employability skills each year in a range of community placements with employers and businesses and by working with agencies such as Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Erlas Victorian Walled Garden, National Trust’s Erddig, local food banks and The Wishing Well charity.

Students also learn the value of ‘giving something back’ and regularly organise, run and participate in a range of community fundraising events across the college, gaining useful enterprise skills to add to their CV. In addition to this, over the last three years our students have raised over £1,000 towards college nominated RAG charities.

Click here to watch our foundation students at Marbury Park.

Click here to see our Glad Rags and Glitz event in action.

Employability

Become career ready

As a student with us you will undertake between 70–250 hours of relevant work placement, depending on your course of study with an employer in your local area.

This is a great way to develop your career prospects and build confidence in the workplace – it will look fantastic on your CV too! Some of our students have even been offered paid or voluntary work as a result of their placement.

You can also boost your employability with our employability skills certificate which is specially designed to build the foundations you’ll need to undertake a supported internship, traineeship or an apprenticeship. You will benefit from extensive work experience in many areas and continue to improve your English and maths.

Student Profile

Giorgio Oxby

Level 1 Vocational Studies (Sport) 2023

Level 2 Extended Certificate in Sport 2024

“My goal is to be an elite para swimmer and to compete at the Los Angeles Paralympics in 2028. I’m a member of the National Youth Performance Squad and compete at the highest level for my age group, which means I have to follow a demanding training regime alongside my studies. So I had to choose a college which would support my sporting career as well as give me a good educational qualification.

“Reaseheath has delivered on both – and much more! I’ve had such a good experience at Level 1 that I’m planning to stay a further three years and complete my Level 3. During my Level 1 studies we’ve learned about anatomy and nutrition, which have really helped with my swimming fitness, and I’ve improved my GCSE grades in maths and English. I’ve also rediscovered football, which is my second sporting passion.

“Being home schooled, I was apprehensive about going into mainstream education, but I’ve been really happy here. Everyone is pleasant and supportive and I’ve made some really good friends.”

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