Frequently Asked Questions

What are the criteria for attending Woodfield Post 16?

Students attending Woodfield Post 16 are aged 16–19 (Years 12, 13 and 14) and have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Students can join us after Year 11 from a range of schools. Most of our students come from schools within Surrey, although we have also welcomed students from neighbouring local authorities, including Kent and Croydon.

Placement at Woodfield Post 16 is considered as part of the EHCP transition and consultation process.

How long can students attend Woodfield Post 16?

Most students attend Woodfield Post 16 for two years, although this is personalised according to each young person's needs and future plans.

Some students attend for one year and feel ready to move on to their next destination. Others may benefit from a third year to continue developing their independence, confidence, knowledge and skills in preparation for adulthood.

How do we apply for Woodfield Post 16?

The process for Post 16 placements is managed through the EHCP transition process and your Local Authority caseworker.

Surrey has advised us that caseworkers will contact families regarding an updated EHCP naming the proposed Post 16 destination, following discussions and planning through the Year 11 Transition Review process.

We strongly encourage families who are considering Woodfield Post 16 to visit us before the Year 10 Annual Review and Year 11 Transition Review, where possible. This gives students and families an opportunity to see the provision and consider whether it may be an appropriate option for the future.

Can we come and look around Woodfield Post 16?

Absolutely. Visits to Woodfield Post 16 are highly encouraged.

Rather than holding a general Open Day, we prefer to welcome students and their parents/carers individually. This allows you to see Post 16 during a normal day, meet staff and students, ask questions and get a genuine feel for how the provision operates.

To arrange a visit, please contact:

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

What do you mean when you say the curriculum is life-skills based?

Our curriculum is designed to help students develop the knowledge, confidence and practical skills they need for adulthood.

Life skills enable young people to become as independent as possible, participate in their communities, develop positive relationships, maintain their wellbeing and prepare for their next steps after Woodfield Post 16.

Academic learning and accreditation remain important, but learning is placed within meaningful, practical contexts wherever possible. Our curriculum particularly focuses on three key areas:

Daily Living Skills

These are the practical skills students need to become increasingly independent in adult life, including:

• Money: using money, shopping, budgeting, paying for items and developing an understanding of banking.

• Household skills: cleaning, organising and carrying out everyday household tasks.

• Self-care: developing independence with personal care, hygiene, clothing and presentation.

• Safety: recognising potential dangers, making safe choices and understanding what to do in an emergency.

• Food and cooking: shopping for food, storing it safely, preparing meals and developing healthy eating habits.

Social and Community Skills

These skills help students develop relationships, communicate effectively and participate in their communities, including:

• Self-awareness: recognising emotions, understanding individual needs and developing strategies for managing stress and wellbeing.

• Relationships and social responsibility: respecting others, understanding boundaries and developing appropriate behaviour in different situations.

• Travel and community access: becoming increasingly independent when travelling and understanding how to stay safe in the community.

• Problem-solving: recognising difficulties, considering possible solutions and knowing when and how to ask for help.

• Communication: developing speaking, listening and other communication skills to interact effectively with different people and in different situations.

Preparing for Employment and the Future

We want every student to develop the skills and confidence needed to move towards a meaningful adult life and, where appropriate, employment. This includes:

• Workplace skills: punctuality, attendance, following instructions, working with others, completing tasks and understanding workplace expectations.

• Exploring employment: learning about different jobs, identifying individual strengths and interests, and exploring realistic employment opportunities.

• Applying for work: developing skills such as completing applications, preparing a CV and practising interviews where appropriate.

• Work-related learning: taking part in vocational learning, workplace visits, work experience and other opportunities to develop employability skills.

Ultimately, our aim is to prepare each student for their own version of a successful adult life. For one student this may mean progressing towards employment and independent travel; for another it may mean becoming more confident communicating their needs, preparing a simple meal or accessing their community with greater independence.

Success looks different for every young person, and our curriculum reflects that.