Learning For Life

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Our sensory Learning for Life programme is for young people with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) and aims to help support the development of skills for independent living .

The programme uses the RARPA (Recognising and Recording Progress and Achievement) framework that focuses on independence and communication.

The average class size is one teacher to six students and support is provided in line with your Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). 

As a Learning for Life student you will access physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy through activities embedded in the study programme as well as through direct input from a fully qualified therapist – if funded through your EHCP.

You will be allocated a dedicated progress coach who will oversee reviews of progress and liaise with the team around you at college: teachers; support staff; mentors; nursing; clinical team; therapies; safeguarding and job coaches.   

Your progress coach will organise and attend EHCP reviews, liaise with any external agencies or professionals continuing to work with you and act as a single point of contact for your family.

The Learning for Life programme is based in the heart of the college and students are supported to access all areas of the wider campus, including . 

Learning For Life brochure

You will develop communication skills at a pace which suits your individual needs through all senses communication techniques (sign language, objects of reference, communicators, sensory cues, body sign, intensive interaction).

We also ensure communication skills such as sensory massage, music and touch sessions, sensory stories, choice making activities and trips out are all embedded into the curriculum.

Ongoing partnerships with home and care services are also important to ensure the skills developed are used in all areas of your life.

Cognitive skills are developed and embedded throughout the curriculum and you will also have regular access to an occupational therapist. These skills are developed in fun and practical ways including:

  • Problem solving throughout the day including at break and social times with one to one support from staff.

  • Participation in activities such as art, cooking and drama to explore different areas.

  • Sequencing skills using ICT and switch-based activities.

You will learn about body awareness, develop fine and gross motor skills and work on your mobility through:

  • Weekly sessions with the physiotherapy team

  • Personal independence and fitness sessions such as sound and touch, sport and drama

  • Access to a sensory room for both relaxation and learning.

You will develop relationships inside and out of college, understand personal care and develop a sense of self through:

  • Visits in the local community to increase social skills.

  • Taking part in college activities such as fayres, shows, celebrations and enterprise projects.

  • Participating in lessons with other learners on the Foundation Pathway.

  • Working to targets for developing personal care and understanding.

Core elements of the programme

 

  • Daily: ‘wake up sessions’ designed to embed your physio and OT targets into learning activities.

  • Daily: access to a sensory room where experienced staff will use intensive interaction approaches, sensory massage (Flo Longhorn) and TACPAC to develop communication and choice-making skills. You can access deep pressure massage and use weighted blankets to help with regulation and provide proprioceptive feedback.

  • One day per week: accessing the community to have an opportunity to explore hobbies that will add enrichment to adult life, e.g. visits to the transport museum, garden centre and cafés. Social stories are used to prepare you for trips out and about and scrapbooks are used to reflect on the day’s activities.

  • One day per week: sensory arts with creative themes linked to celebrations or  planned community activities, e.g. growing plants from seeds linked to engagement with the local garden centre.

  • One-and-a-half days per week: independent living skills where students are provided with opportunities to go out in the community and take part in life skills activities at college such as cooking, shopping and household chores.

  • Weekly: ‘music and movement’ session led by a performing arts teacher.

  • Communication is developed through everyday activities - washing up, drying up, bagging up, choosing snack and paying for snack. Students will also develop their use of assistive technology in the home, e.g. use of switches to learn about cause and effect and to support making choices.

We routinely engage students in…

 

  • Sensory walks – designed to encourage learners to be more independent in mobility; if appropriate eg.  self-propelling a wheelchair or  using a walker

  • Sensory stories – using the interactive whiteboard, PECS, objects of reference and sensory cues to develop communication and choice making skills.

  • Use of switches and the interactive whiteboard with ‘Help Kids Learn’ – to develop problem solving and concentration in learning activities

  • Repetitive learning – to enable tracking of  progress against engagement levels, anticipation and choice making.

Bespoke learning and support plans

“Teachers have a detailed understanding of the starting points of learners with high needs. They use this information effectively to develop learners’ individual learning and support plans. Teachers and support staff work closely with the clinical team to put in place appropriate therapies and adjustments. As a result, learners participate in a bespoke curriculum that supports them to achieve to the best of their ability.”

Ofsted report – June 2023

Find out more about the Learning for Life pathway by contacting our Admissions team at admissions@hereward.ac.uk or 02476 426120.