Foundation Learning

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Department
Foundation Learning (Inclusive Learning)
Qualification
Level 1
Course Type
Full Time
Length
1 Year
Location(s)
Middlesbrough
York

Course at a glance

We have access to a range of learning areas including equine, animal care, agriculture and conservation across our York and Middlesbrough campuses. A General Further Education course is also available if your interests are not in land based subjects. We offer courses at a variety of levels: Entry One: Entry Level Level 1: Stepping Stone and Level 2:

Entry Requirements

Various

depends on your individual circumstances, but we’ll match you with the right course for your needs

Cost for students aged Under 19

Free

for students over the age of 19 please contact us

Entry Level
Level 1 Pathways
Stepping Stone and Level 2

Entry Level

The Entry Level Programmes are for anyone with no formal qualifications who wants to progress in life and work in a vocational area. We welcome applications from students who need more support or have learning difficulties or disabilities and/or an Educational Health Care Plan.

NEW 24/25 – Entry 1 Skills for Independence and Employability

This Entry 1 course is a fun and bespoke programme, tailored to meet individual student needs who may not be ready for a full time vocational pathways and require a little extra support. Students accessing this course will focus on developing essential transferable skills and knowledge for living independently and social development

Key Skills Development in:

Team work
Positive relationships
Personal goals
Time management

You will develop these skills exploring the facilities on the campus inclusive of working with the animals in the wildlife park and farm as well as trips, guest speakers and group work experience.

Specialist areas of study:

Accessing Community Facilities in the local area
Developing Household Skills
Participating in a group work experience placement
Developing confidence working with animals in our wildlife park and farm.

You will also study Maths and English as a part of your study programme, this will continue to develop basic skills in these key areas.

Assessment:

Through portfolio building over the year, there are no formal exams.

Entry requirements:

There are no formal entry requirements, we will conduct an initial assessment to determine your current skill level. If you have an EHCP we will thoroughly review this to ensure we can meet your individual needs.

Entry 2 – Skills for Working Life

The Entry 2 course aims to provide you with the opportunity to develop the skills and qualities required to transition into college life, and to gain relevant experience to then progress on to the Entry 3 programme.

Key Skills Development in:

Team Work
Making positive relationships
Learning to make decisions and choices   
Preparation for independence

You will develop these skills exploring the facilities on campus; working with the animals in the college’s wildlife park and farm, as well as trips, guest speakers and group offsite work-experience.

The course is designed to provide you with the opportunity to sample the different subject areas offered within department.

Specialist Areas of Study:

Animal Care
Agriculture
Horticulture

You will also study Maths and English as part of your study programme.

Assessment:

Through portfolio building over the course of the year.

There will be formal exams in English and Maths dependant on the level of study.

Progression:

The course will develop the skills you need to progress onto the Entry 3 level course.

Entry 3 – Skills for Working Life

The Entry 3 course is designed to support you in identifying your subject specialist area of interest. The course provides you with the opportunity to develop the skills and qualities required to progress on to the next level within department.

Key Skills Development in:

Team Work

Building and maintaining working relationships

Learning how to become more independent

Gaining and developing self confidence

Specialist Areas of Study:

Animal Care

Agriculture

Horticulture

Equine

If you have not yet achieved a Level 4 in English and Maths you will continue to work towards these as part of your study programme.

Assessment:

Through portfolio building over the course of the year.

There will be formal exams in English and Maths dependant on the level of study.

Progression:

The course will develop the skills you need to progress onto the step into course, L1 course or Supported Internship.

Level 1 Pathways

Take your first steps on the career ladder and study a Level 1 Land-Based Programme with us. We focus on practical skills, but we will also develop your academic skills over the year.

You will attend College for a minimum of 3 days per week and upon completion of your programme you will achieve a Level 1 Diploma in Land-Based Studies from City and Guilds. There will be no formal exams! You will collect a portfolio of evidence during the course. Each unit will be continually assessed throughout the study programme. Assessments will be spread out during the year and will be either written, oral, practical, individual or group work.

We offer courses in Agriculture, Animal Care, Horse Care and Conservation.

LEVEL 1 AGRICULTURE

Get first-hand experience at our dedicated college farm on this course, ideal for anyone interested in farming and animal and crop production. Develop skills like milking, organising cattle and assisting in lambing, as well as learning through visits to agricultural shows and machinery producers.

LEVEL 1 ANIMAL CARE

This course provides students with hands-on experience caring for a vast range of species, from armadillos and snakes to meerkats and turtles, at our on-site animal unit and wildlife park. Meanwhile, classroom sessions underpin practical learning with theory.

LEVEL 1 HORSE CARE

For those who love working with horses, this course provides experience across many different areas of the equine industry. Alongside weekly riding sessions and hands-on care for college horses – including grooming and general welfare – you’ll also learn more about the animals’ needs and characteristics in classroom learning.

Please note: for rider safety and welfare reasons, the College has a maximum weight limit for riders of 13 ½ stone

LEVEL 1 CONSERVATION (new for 25/26)

Develop a vast range of wildlife and conservation skills, such as landscaping, wild flower planting, habitat identification and industry-related construction and maintenance. This course is ideal for anyone passionate about British wildlife and conservation, and you’ll get to work across various environments such as woodlands, nature reserves and community projects.

Employability and Personal Development

We will help you develop skills that employers are looking for and also improve your personal performance. 24 hours of work experience in a setting that’s relevant to your qualification will add to your transferable skills.
English and maths

Entry Requirements

Entry Level 3 or above or level 1 Stepping Stone or equivalent qualifications or GCSEs at grades 1-2 (F-G )

If you have not already achieved a level 4 English and maths GCSE, you will continue to work towards these qualifications at a level that is appropriate for you. You will either be studying Functional Skills from Entry 1 – Level 1 or be in a GCSE class.

Progression

Upon completion of a full level 1 you can more onto the the level 2 stepping stone of full level 2

Stepping Stone and Level 2

We offer Level 2 Stepping Stone or full level 2 in Animal Care or Land-based Studies. After a year of study at Level 1, many of our students progress onto Level 2. This can be either in the mainstream section of the college or within the Foundation section. However, for those students who are not quite ready, we are able to offer a unique opportunity to study on our Stepping Stone Programme.

You will study for a minimum of 3 days per week. Students are able to broaden their existing vocational skills from Level 1, develop their ability to study independently, explore career routes within the industry, boost their confidence and much more before they move onto a higher, more demanding level of study.

On completion of a Level 2 Stepping Stone in Animal Care or Land-based Studies you will be awarded a L2 Certificate in Land-based Studies from either City and Guilds or the Open College Network.

On completion of a full Level 2, you will be awarded either a Level 2 Diploma in Land-based Studies.

Employability and Development

You will undertake 75 – 150 hours of work experience in a setting that’s relevant to your qualification.

Entry Requirements

Achieved a Merit in a subject relevant Level 1 qualification or four GCSEs at grade 3. We will assess you to direct you to most appropriate level of study.

If you have not yet achieved a level 4 in English and maths you will continue to study towards these qualifications.

Progression

A full Level 2 or Level 3 course within the college.