Curriculum.

Preparing for Adulthood

Preparation for adulthood is at the heart of everything we do at Woodfield Post 16.

For each student, adulthood will look different. Our role is to help every young person become as confident, independent and well prepared for their future as possible.

Students develop these skills throughout the curriculum and through practical, real-life experiences. This may include:

• preparing meals and developing household skills;

• shopping, budgeting and using money;

• developing communication and social skills;

• looking after physical and emotional wellbeing;

• making choices and solving everyday problems;

• accessing leisure and community facilities;

• developing friendships and positive relationships;

• travel training and road safety;

• work experience and employability skills; and

• learning how and when to ask for help.

Wherever possible, these skills are practised in real situations rather than only within the classroom. Students regularly access the local community so that they can apply what they have learned and gradually develop greater confidence and independence.

Our aim is not for independence to look the same for every student, but for every young person to make meaningful progress towards their own adult life and future aspirations.

Careers and Work Experience

At Woodfield Post 16, we want every student to develop an understanding of the opportunities available to them beyond school and to leave us feeling confident and well prepared for their next step.

Careers education is personalised to reflect each student's abilities, interests, aspirations and support needs. For some students, the longer-term goal may be paid employment or a supported internship; for others, it may be further education, volunteering, supported employment or another meaningful pathway into adult life.

Work Experience

Work experience is an important part of our Post 16 curriculum. Students have opportunities to experience real workplaces and working environments, helping them discover what they enjoy, recognise their strengths and develop the skills, confidence and behaviours needed for the world of work.

Placements are carefully considered according to the interests, strengths and needs of individual students. Over the years, our students have completed work experience and work-related opportunities across an extensive range of local businesses, charities and community organisations.

These have included Stripey Stork, Godstone Farm, West Central Café, Age Concern, Surrey Libraries, Merstham Mix Café, Gateway Allotment Project, The Arc in Caterham, Thors Farm, local horse stables, The Light in Redhill, SWOTS uniform shop, Priory Park & Café, Sparklers Nursery, Doble Motorcycles, Surrey County Council, Tesco, The Children's Trust Charity Shop and Canada Hall Nursery.

These varied opportunities have enabled students to gain experience in areas including hospitality and catering, retail, childcare, animal care, horticulture, customer service, libraries, charity work and community-based services.

Through work experience, students can develop skills including:

• punctuality, attendance and reliability;

• communicating with colleagues and members of the public;

• following instructions and workplace routines;

• working independently and as part of a team;

• completing tasks safely and responsibly;

• problem-solving and knowing when to ask for help; and

• developing confidence in new environments.

Students are supported to become increasingly independent within their placements wherever possible.

Preparing for the Future

Careers learning takes place throughout the Post 16 curriculum and is not limited to work experience. Students explore different jobs and workplaces, identify their own strengths and interests and learn about the different pathways available after leaving Woodfield.

Where appropriate, students also develop practical employability skills such as preparing a CV, searching for opportunities, completing applications, communicating with employers and practising interview skills.

We work closely with students, families, employers, colleges and other organisations when planning for the future. Transition planning is an important part of each student's time at Post 16, helping to ensure that their next destination is appropriate, ambitious and centred around the individual young person.

Our aim is for every student to leave Woodfield Post 16 with greater confidence, increased independence, meaningful real-world experience and a clear next step towards their future.

Assessment, Achievements and Progress. 

Assessment, Achievement and Progress

At Woodfield Post 16, we recognise that progress looks different for every student. Assessment is therefore personalised and reflects each young person's starting points, needs, EHCP outcomes and aspirations for adulthood.

We measure progress in a number of ways, including formal accreditation, curriculum assessment, progress towards EHCP outcomes and the development of wider skills for adulthood.

Where appropriate, students work towards nationally recognised OCR qualifications and accreditations. Students are entered for units and qualifications that are appropriate to their individual level and learning pathway, allowing them to build meaningful accreditation across a range of curriculum areas.

However, achievement at Post 16 is about much more than gaining certificates.

We also use our WILL tracker – Wellbeing, Interaction, Learning and Lifeskills – to recognise and monitor the wider progress that is particularly important for our students. This helps us identify development in areas such as independence, communication, confidence, relationships, emotional wellbeing, community participation and preparation for adult life.

Progress is reviewed regularly by staff and discussed with students and families, including through the EHCP Annual Review process. This enables us to celebrate achievement, identify appropriate next steps and adapt each student's programme as their skills, confidence and aspirations develop.

Our aim is for every student to leave Woodfield Post 16 having made meaningful progress from their own individual starting point – academically, personally, socially and in their readiness for adult life.

Life at Woodfield Post 16 

Learning. Independence. Community. Friendship. Experiences. Preparing for adulthood. 

Life at Woodfield Post 16 is about much more than what happens in the classroom.

Our students learn through doing, experiencing and being part of their community. A typical week can include cooking, sport, outdoor learning, travel training, shopping, work experience, creative activities and community visits alongside academic and accredited learning.

Students are encouraged to try new things, develop their independence and build the confidence to take an active part in life beyond Post 16. Learning takes place in our centre, in the local community and through a wide range of visits, activities and experiences.

We also believe that having fun, developing friendships and creating positive memories are an important part of Post 16 life. Throughout the year, students have opportunities to take part in special events, celebrations, trips and activity days, including experiences such as our annual visit to High Ashurst.

Every student's experience is different, but our aim is the same: for young people to leave Woodfield Post 16 more confident, more independent and better prepared for adult life — while having enjoyed their time with us.

Come and Visit Us 

We believe the best way to find out whether Woodfield Post 16 is right for a young person is to come and see us in action.

Rather than holding a formal Open Day, we prefer to arrange individual visits for prospective students and their parents or carers. This gives you the opportunity to look around the centre, see how Post 16 operates, meet members of the team and ask any questions you may have.

We encourage families to visit us before Year 10 Annual Reviews and Year 11 Transition Reviews wherever possible, giving plenty of time to explore whether Woodfield Post 16 could be an appropriate next step.

To arrange a visit or find out more, please contact:

Bill Jenkins
Head of Woodfield Post 16
Email: bjenkins@woodfield.surrey.sch.uk
Telephone: 01737 645 432
Mobile: 07354 468523

We look forward to welcoming you to Woodfield Post 16.