Gateway courses

Gateway courses are designed to help 16-18 year old learners, who have no prior qualifications or have GCSEs at Grade 3 or below.  With a holistic approach to teaching and learning, Gateway courses embed employability and social development skills throughout their courses so that learners are better equipped for Further Education and employment.

Vocational Taster Information

Vocational tasters are non-accredited learning pathways that give students the opportunity to develop foundation skills and knowledge in their chosen career pathway in addition to developing key life and social skills.  Available pathways are:

Hair and Beauty

Helping people feel better about their appearance is a way of boosting their self-esteem and self-worth.  After all, true beauty and wellbeing are about how you feel, rather than just how you look. The progression route from this course is the VQR certificate in hair and beauty. You will learn:

• How to complete a professional wash and blow dry
• Product knowledge
• Professional etiquette
• Personal hygiene
• Health and safety
• Using tools correctly
• Nail prep
• Nail art
• Colour matching to skin tone
• Colour correction

IT

Computing is one of the fastest growing and developing industries. There are an array of jobs within computing and the work environment can be varied in size from large multi-national organisations to small local businesses. To work in Computing key skills are problem solving, communication skills, determination, patience and team work. From Gateway, academic progression is to the Level 2 Computing area. However, an important aspect of the programme is the delivery of essential digital skills which are needed for any future programme of study or in day to day life. You will learn:

• Essential digital skills
• Office 365
• E-safety
• Coding

Catering

Catering is one of the highly specialised fields in the hospitality industry. Catering is also a part of the hospitality industry having great career prospects. Routes for progression in catering are the Level 2 catering course. You will learn:

• Appropriate use of kitchen tools
• Health and safety
• Personal hygiene
• Measurement of ingredients
• Catering theory
• Working as a team
• Professional etiquette

Art

Art, craft and design embody some of the highest forms of human creativity. A high-quality art and design education will engage, inspire and challenge students, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. Routes for progression are Level 2 Art, Level 2 Photography, Level 2 Fashion design. You will learn:

• Colour theory
• Appropriate use of art tools
• Perspective
• Use of multi-media materials
• Printing
• 3D modelling

Childcare

By learning more about how children grow, students can help children grow in healthy ways and address challenges that might arise. In addition to learning things that can help make you a better practitioner, you can gain greater insight into how your children behave, think, learn, and feel. Routes for progression are Level 2 Children and young people’s workforce, Level 2 Health and Social Care. You will learn:

• Food and nutrition
• Child development
• Sexual health and reproduction
• Learning through play
• Communication
• Behaviour

Construction

Construction is a highly skilled job, with high demand for workers. There are several areas in which you can branch out to, to fit your preferences. Routes for progression are L2 construction course. You will learn:

• Plastering
• Bricklaying
• Painting and decorating
• Health and safety

Motor Mechanics

This course will help to develop you key skills in mechanics. Mechanics are in high demand and there are lots of job opportunities. Routes for progression are L2 mechanics or body courses. You will learn:

• Breaks
• Break pads
• Engine set up
• Lights
• MOT sheets
• Health and safety

Sports & Public Services

This course will give you an insight into health and fitness career pathway as well as Army, Fire, Paramedic and Navy career pathways. Routes for progressions are L2 sports and fitness courses or L2 Army, Fire, Paramedic and Navy courses. You will learn:

• Team work
• Communication
• Health and Fitness
• Anatomy
• Health and safety
• Course specific information
• Physical activities