Gateway to FE - Entry Level 3 Summary Where can this subject lead? Key information What will I learn? How will I learn? How will I be assessed? Summary Gateway courses are designed to help young people who have limited prior qualifications, Entry level certificates, or GCSE grades 3 or below. If you did not do so well in your GCSEs, or are 16-18 years old and 19-24 years old with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), then this course might be for you. Our courses are designed to give you a second chance and get you back on track. The main aim of the course is to build your maths and English qualifications, which will support you to progress on to a higher-level (usually Level 2) course and your chosen career pathway. At Gateway, we not only want you to be able to achieve academically, but we also want you to develop professionally. We embed both employability and social skills development in to our courses to prepare you for employment by offering Work Experience, Personal Social Development and your Vocational Pathway taster day. Your Vocational Pathway taster day will give you the opportunity to learn both practical and and theoretical skills for your chosen career path. The vocational career pathways we offer are: • Hair and Beauty • IT • Catering • Art • Childcare • Construction • Motor Mechanics • Sports • Public Services There are plenty of routes available after Gateway, some of which are: • Full-time vocational course • Traineeship • Apprenticeship • Employment • Project Search Additional enrichment opportunities are also available at Gateway in addition to FREE WiFi, FREE breakfast and FREE use of Microsoft Office 365 including Teams. If you have any further questions, you can contact us and speak to one of our members of staff who will be happy to help and answer any of your questions. Next course dates Start date Location Duration 08 Sep 2025 Gateway Campus 1 Year Apply now Where can this subject lead? Career progressionThere are many options available to students at Gateway Campus, such as apprenticeships, traineeships, full-time vocational courses, and employment.Vocational tasters offer students the opportunity to experience first hand what it's like to work in an industry which may encourage you to study further, or access apprenticeships enabling you to work and learn at the same time.Whatever your chosen pathway, Gateway Campus courses offer you opportunities to grow and develop and staff are there to inspire, support and advise you as you progress on your journey. If you are willing to work hard to achieve your goals, anything is possible.Your future, is in your hands. Key information Entry RequirementsGateway courses are designed to give young people a second chance to achieve and offer the opportunities to progress in work and life.Gateway Campus is specialised in supporting students with EHCPs or additional needs from 16 - 24 years old.To do this course you should be between 16 and 18 years old with no previous qualifications other than English and Maths at grades lower than a 3/D (GCSE) or level 2 (Functional Skills).If you have an Education, Health and Care Plan and you are aged between 19 to 24 you may also apply for this course. However, as above you must have no previous qualifications other than English and maths at grades lower than a 3/D (GCSE) or level 2 (Functional Skills).You can also apply for this course if you are an ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) student.All 16-18 year old applicants will be invited to attend an interview to meet a tutor and ask any questions they may have about the course. Other Costs and Equipment NeededMost equipment required is provided to you on the course with some exceptions based on your chosen vocational pathway:Hair and Beauty - you will be provided with a uniform to be worn in salon sessions.Catering - you will be provided with apron, hat, gloves and all ingredients.Automotive (Motor Mechanics) and Construction - you will need to buy your own safety shoes (steel toe capped boots) and overalls to protect your clothing. College will provide hard hats and hi-viz jackets for workshop sessions.Sports and Public Services, Child Care, IT, and Art - resources are available at B&FC and are not required to be purchased by the student. Financial SupportFinancial support is available for eligible students, most financial support is means tested. Visit the financial support page, or speak to a member of staff to check if you are eligible.Costs and Equipment - Means tested financial support is available to students who are struggling to buy equipment, such as safety boots or overalls. Contact the Gateway Campus and speak to a member of staff to see how we can help you.FREE School meals - you may be entitled to free school meals (means tested)FREE Bus Pass - You may be eligible for a free bus pass (terms and conditions apply)FREE healthy breakfast - available to all students at Gateway CampusLearning SupportThe teaching staff at Gateway Campus are experienced in dealing with students with a selection of learning needs and can best advise you on what support may be needed based on your chosen pathway. Talk to a member of staff at Gateway Campus, or visit the learning support pages for more general learning support information. Application ProcessOnce you have completed an application, you will be sent a letter confirming you have applied with some information about the course.You will receive a telephone call inviting you to attend an informal interview at Gateway Campus, you will be required to bring ID in at this time.In August you will be invited in again to complete maths and English assessments, complete an enrolment form and collect your timetable.Terms and ConditionsRead our full terms and conditions for more information. What will I learn? Essential skills: English and MathsIf you achieve a grade 3 in GCSE Maths or English you will have to work towards re-sitting these subjects as part of your main study programme.At B&FC, this won’t delay your career journey because you’re working towards these subjects at the same time as your chosen subject. Industry placement, field trips and guest speakersIndustry placements and field trips offer a more engaging and realistic way to learn the practical skills and knowledge needed for a job in your chosen industry. Your experiences are a key bonus for your CV that employers will like.As part of the course, you will need to spend at least 20 hours on work placement. We endeavour to keep all work placements local and easily accessible by public transport. To help in this, we will also provide you with a bus pass.There are a variety of assessments methods used to provide you with positive and constructive feedback. We use both verbal and written feedback to ensure that you know what your targets are and how we can support you to meet them. Through our etrackr system both you and your parents can track your progress and get regular updates from tutors on your performance.The username and password to access your targets will be provided at the start of the year.We use peer assessments and a buddying system to help build your confidence.Your progression is tracked fortnightly so you are never more than two weeks behind.There are exams at the end of the course for maths and English (summative). For all other units/ modules you will build a portfolio of evidence of all your course work. EmployabilityFrom writing a CV to applying for the job you want, Gateway courses give you the skills to prepare you for work and life.Practical Industry SkillsIndustry placements and field trips offer a more engaging and realistic way to learn the practical skills and knowledge needed for a job in your chosen industry. Your experiences are a key bonus for your CV that employers will like. What will I learn?There are several career pathways to choose from. Each pathway will take you to the next level of your ability, and get you closer to realising your career dreams. If this means you need to develop your maths & English then we will support you to achieve this.EmployabilityWe can help you build the key employability skills and confidence, which will support you on the road to you chosen career path or dream job. As part of the enrolment process we will work with you to decide your most appropriate progression route. We want all of our students to realise their hopes and aspirations. Our door is always open, so please take every opportunity to come and talk to us. We hold regular open days and ‘Meet the Expert’ events which give you the opportunity to talk to specialists in your chosen vocation. Industry Placement and Field TripsAs part of the course, you will need to spend at least 20 hours on work placement. We endeavour to keep all work placements local and easily accessible by public transport. To help in this, we will also provide you with a bus pass.Learning and Teaching MethodsThere are a variety of assessments methods used to provide you with positive and constructive feedback. We use both verbal and written feedback to ensure that you know what your targets are and how we can support you to meet them. Through our etrackr system both you and your parents can track your progress and get regular updates from tutors on your performance.The username and password to access your targets will be provided at the start of the year.We use peer assessments and a buddying system to help build your confidence.Your progression is tracked fortnightly so you are never more than two weeks behind.There are exams at the end of the course for maths and English (summative). For all other units/ modules you will build a portfolio of evidence of all your course work.Expert TutorsAll staff involved in the delivery of further education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice. How will I learn? From writing a CV to applying for the job you want, Gateway courses give you the skills to prepare you for work and life.There are several career pathways to choose from. Each pathway will take you to the next level of your ability, and get you closer to realising your career dreams. If this means you need to develop your maths & English then we will support you to achieve this.We can help you build the key employability skills and confidence, which will support you on the road to you chosen career path or dream job. As part of the enrolment process we will work with you to decide your most appropriate progression route. We want all of our students to realise their hopes and aspirations. Our door is always open, so please take every opportunity to come and talk to us. We hold regular open days and ‘Meet the Expert’ events which give you the opportunity to talk to specialists in your chosen vocation. Expert tutorsAll staff involved in the delivery of further education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice. Entry RequirementsTo do this course you should be between 16 and 18 years old with no previous qualifications other than English and maths at grades lower than a 3/D (GCSE) or level 2 (Functional Skills).If you have an Education, Health and Care Plan and you are aged between 19 to 24 you may also apply for this course. However, as above you must have no previous qualifications other than English and maths at grades lower than a 3/D (GCSE) or level 2 (Functional Skills).You can also apply for this course if you are an ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) student.All 16-18 year old applicants will be invited to attend an interview to meet a tutor and ask any questions they may have about the course.Essential Skills – English and MathsIf you achieve a grade 3 in GCSE Maths or English you will have to work towards re-sitting these subjects as part of your main study programme. At B&FC, this won’t delay your career journey because you’re working towards these subjects at the same time as your chosen subject.I didn't get grade 3 at school...Gateway courses are designed to give young people a second chance to achieve and offer the opportunities to progress in work and life.I have an EHCPGateway Campus is specialised in supporting students with EHCPs or additional needs from 16 - 24 years old How will I be assessed? How will I be assessed?All of the modules on this course are linked to Personal and Social Development and the Prince's Trust Achieve Programme. These will be assessed through portfolios of evidence, which you will build throughout the course.We use a variety of assessments methods to provide you with positive and constructive feedback. We provide both verbal and written feedback and we will record your targets so you track your progress yourself either at home or at College.We also use peer assessments and a buddying system to help with confidence-building.The course incorporates Functional Skills Maths and English, which are assessed by exams at the end of the course.