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Gateway to FE - Level 1

Summary

16-18 (19- 24 with EHCP)  year old? Worried that you did not get your grades? We're here to give you a second chance and get you back on track.

The course that you will be doing is a 1-2 year course. You will be assessed for the right level. Being assessed at the right level means that the course will not be too easy for you and it will not be too difficult either. It will be at a suitable level with challenges to keep you motivated.

You will be doing Maths, English and Skills Progression (L1) or Skills Preparation (E3) qualifications no matter what vocational options you choose. You will have a session on Work Experience where we will try and get you a placement to get you job ready.

There will be some volunteering opportunities as well. It is important that you continuously improve your Maths and English because more and more employers are now asking for suitable qualifications in Maths and English for the job applied.

We aspire to support all our entry levels students to keep progressing in their levels to reach level 1 and level 2.

Under the Skills Preparation and Skills Progression package you will be working towards in-house certificates in Skills Developmental, Skills Preparation or Skills Progression Programmes.  These programmes are customised to your vocational and employment area.

You will work on improving your life skills, independent skills, working in a team, communication skills and much more.

The class sizes are small and you will have support wherever it is required- in class, out of class, meet and greet, at interviews or in workshops.

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
01 Sep 2025
Gateway Campus
1 Year

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

There are over 10 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 get you to the next level of your Maths & English.

If it is confidence and employability that you lack to get that dream job then we will help you fill those gaps.

You will be given you progression route when you enrol with us and discuss your ‘hope and aspirations’ at the time of your initial meeting with us.

Please take every opportunity to come and talk to us at ‘Meet the Expert’ evenings or any other Open events, we want to get to know you better and get you on the right course.

Key information

Entry Requirements

All 16-18 years Students with no prior qualifications, grades lesser than a D in maths in English, Functional Skills under Level 2 and ESOL students are eligible to apply for this course.

Students with EHC Plan who are 19-24 year olds are eligible to apply for this course as long as they meet the above criteria (no prior qualifications, grades less than D in maths/ English or below Level 2 Functional Skills)

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.

Tuition Fees

Students who are 18 or under  pay no course fees. Read our tuition fees guide for students 19 and over.

Other Costs and Equipment Needed

Most of the equipment required is provided to you on the course.

 In Catering you will be provided with apron, hat, gloves and all ingredients.

 For hair & beauty we provide the uniform that is required to be worn in your salon sessions.

If you have chosen  Automotive (Motor Mechanics) you will need  to buy your own safety shoes (steel toe capped boots) and overalls to protect your clothing.

 In construction workshops you will need to buy your safety boots. College will provide hard hats and hi-viz jackets for the workshop  sessions.

For Sports, Child Care, Business & Administration. Travel & Tourism, IT, Performing  Arts & Music, Visual Arts resources are available at B&FC and are not required to be purchased by the student.

If you will struggle to buy your PPE/ equipment such as boots or overalls then you must let us know and we will try and support you (any financial support  will based on means tested assessment) 

There are no other cost for 16-18 year old (19-24 year old if you have a EHC Plan the course is free) 

Terms and Conditions

Read our full terms and conditions for more information.

What will I learn?

Essential skills: English and Maths

If 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 speakers

The sessions will mostly be delivered at the Gateway Campus. Some vocational delivery will be at Bispham Campus such as Sports, Automotive, Construction (Friday) and Hair & Beauty (Wednesday)

If you are re-sitting your GCSE Maths and English the delivery is at University Campus. These sessions are mandatory if you have already got a D in Maths and English. This is a great opportunity to improve your grade to a C.

We endeavour to work with students and employers and keep the work placements local and within easy reach by public transport. If you are successful at securing a work placement we will make sure you are given a buss pass to access your work experience.

We work closely with URPotential to secure work placements for you.

Work Experience session is mandatory in your programme of study. This is an opportunity to prepare your CV, get interview skills, get support from your work experience tutors to prepare you for a work placement, and there will be opportunity to gain some work experience if you are job ready.

The focus of your course is job readiness.

We apply a wide range of diverse teaching methods. We are wholly aware that all individuals are different and their learning methods are different too. So if one learner might like to be taught through clear instructions, someone else might prefer to have a demonstration and another learner would prefer to be left alone for a bit to figure out for themselves.

There is always support available in whatever you will be doing. But the ultimate goal for each learner, no matter how they learn, is to achieve all their targets and qualifications and be successful.

There are workshops, practical sessions, classroom sessions. 1:1 tutorials, independent study sessions, trips, enterprise activities, team building sessions, group tutorials, clubs and all these sessions will help you with your learning and reaching your goals.

The maths and English Functional Skills course is delivered at Entry 1, Entry 2, Entry 3, Level 1 and Level 2. If you come to us with a D grade in GCSE you will be resitting your GCSE with us. We will support you with GCSE classes and workshops.

If you have no prior qualifications in Functional Skills we will best place you at the right level by assessing you through BKSB Initial Assessment.

Our Functional Skills are accredited by City & Guilds

The other Main Programmes on your Study Package is built in-house to enable to personalise it to your needs.

You will get 1:1 tutorials supported by a named Progress Tutor.

We also have a designated team to help you get a work placement, work experience or volunteering placement if we feel you are job ready. 

Industry Placement and Field Trips

The sessions will mostly be delivered at the Gateway Campus. Some vocational delivery will be at Bispham Campus such as Sports, Automotive, Construction (Friday ) and Hair & Beauty  (Wednesday)

If you are re-sitting your GCSE maths and English the delivery is at University Campus. These sessions are mandatory if you have already got a D in maths and English. This is a great opportunity to improve your grade to a C.

We endeavour to work with students and employers and keep the work placements local and within easy reach by public transport. If you are successful at securing a work placement we will make sure you are given a buss pass to access your work experience. We work closely with URPotential to secure work placements for you. 

Work Experience session is mandatory in your programme of study This is an opportunity to prepare you CV, get interview skills, get support from your work experience tutors to prepare you for a work placement, and there will be opportunity to gain some work experience if you are job ready.

The focus of your course is job readiness

Learning and Teaching Methods

We apply a wide range of diverse teaching methods. We are wholly aware that all individuals are different and their learning methods are different too. So if one learner might like to be taught through clear instructions, someone else might prefer to have a demonstration and another learner would prefer to be left alone for a bit to figure out for themselves.

There is always support available in whatever you will be doing. But the ultimate goal for each learner, no matter how they learn, is to achieve all their targets and qualifications and be successful.

There are workshops, practical sessions, classroom sessions. 1:1 tutorials, independent study sessions, trips, enterprise activities, team building sessions, group tutorials, clubs and all these sessions will help you with your learning and reaching your goals. 

Expert Tutors

All 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?

The Maths and English Functional Skills course is delivered at Entry 1, Entry 2, Entry 3, Level 1 and Level 2. If you come to us with a D grade in GCSE you will be resitting your GCSE with us. We will support you with GCSE classes and workshops.

If you have no prior qualifications in Functional Skills we will best place you at the right level by assessing you through BKSB Initial Assessment.

Our Functional Skills are accredited by City & Guilds

The other Main Programmes on your Study Package is built in-house to enable to personalise it to your needs.

You will get 1:1 tutorials supported by a named Progress Tutor.

We also have a designated team to help you get a work placement, work experience or volunteering placement if we feel you are job ready.

Expert tutors

All 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 Requirements

All 16-18 years Students with no prior qualifications, grades lesser than a D in maths in English, Functional Skills under Level 2 and ESOL students are eligible to apply for this course.

Students with EHC Plan who are 19-24 year olds are eligible to apply for this course as long as they meet the above criteria (no prior qualifications, grades less than D in maths/ English or below Level 2 Functional Skills)

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 Maths

If 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.

 

How will I be assessed?

How will I be assessed?

There is a variety of assessments methods used to provide you with positive and constructive feedback. We use verbal feedback, written feedback by marking your work; we will record you targets so you track your own progress.

This can be done at home or at College. The username and password to access your targets will be provided at the start of the year.

We use peer assessments and buddying system to help build your confidence.

Your progression is tracked fortnightly so you are never more than two weeks behind.

There is 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.