Introductory Foundation Learning

This programme is for students with moderate to severe special educational needs and aims to assist in providing students with the skills that are required to support them in employment and to improve and develop their own personal skills.

2024/25

11049

Downpatrick, Lisburn, Newtownards

Full-Time

Further Education

Skills for Life & Work

Course Overview

This course is available in Newtownards, Downpatrick and Lisburn campuses. If there are sufficient numbers it may also run in Bangor.

This course will involve working towards OCN NI Award in Entry Level 3 Vocational Skills.

Students will participate in completion of The Duke of Edinburgh Award throughout their time on the programme. To support completion of expedition, adjustments can be made where assessors feel it is necessary. However, we can only make adjustments that allow students to still demonstrate the 20 conditions for expedition.

Confirmation of a place on the course cannot be made until Special Educational Needs evidence is provided. On provision of appropriate evidence and completion of a taster session, places will be allocated and enrolment completed.

Due to the nature of enrolment on these non-compulsory educational programmes, timetables will not be available until mid to late August as we are still enrolling. They should be available before the start of the academic year of enrolment. Classes will commence on Monday 4th September 2023. However, timetables are subject to change up until the end of September.

For further information please contact;

Ards Campus - Claire-Louise Kanhye Crawford, Course Co-ordinator / Tutor or Andrew O'Connor Course Co-ordinator / Tutor - Tel: 02891 276817 / 0345 600 7555

Downpatrick Campus - Carole Darling or Maria McElroy, Course Co-ordinator / Tutor - Tel: 02844 615815 / 0345 600 7555

Lisburn Campus - Adele McAteer, Laura Flynn, Martin Breen or Declan McClure - Course Co-ordinator / Tutor - Tel: 02892 677225 / 0345 600 7555

The Duke of Edinburgh/Joint/Gaisce Award

Modules may include;

Accessing the Local Community and Facilities
Exploring Local History
Interpersonal Skills for the Individual
Skills in Customer Service

You have special educational needs and want to develop life skills.

How to be more independent and confident.

Our friendly teaching staff who are there to help you every step of the way.

Successful completion and attendance on this one year programme can enable you to progress to Intermediate Foundation Learning.

Progression, however, is not automatic on completion of this programme, it depends on the student's ability to maximise attendance and demonstrate motivation and application to all areas of the programme. Progress is not automatic on the complete of this programme. Decisions regarding progression are made by the course team and based on their ability during the year to engage on all parts of the Introductory Foundation Learning programme. Some students may have the option to progress onto Skills for Life and Work Level 1 TfS programmes.

To provide evidence that you have a Special Educational Need to confirm a place on this course. All applicants will be provided with a form to be completed prior to the start of the course. This form will require a signature from either a G.P., Social Worker, Psychologist, Psychiatrist or School Representative along with a letter regarding the applicant's Special Educational Need.

For more information or help with this course send us an enquiry and a member of our team will get back in touch.

Available Sessions

Sorry you cannot currently apply online for this course.

For more information or help with this course please complete an enquiry form.

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Terms & Conditions

Students will be required to comply with SERC's Terms & Conditions of study.

We strive to ensure the description of courses on SERC's website and in publications is accurate. However, for various reasons there may be occasions when the College may need to change arrangements or be unable to deliver classes due to circumstances such as reduced funding. If there are insufficient numbers applying for a course it may not be viable to deliver the class.

Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.

Further Education

If you have just completed your GCSEs, Further Education is most likely the option for you. FE covers qualifications from entry to higher level qualifications such as Awards, Certificates, Diplomas, NVQ, BTEC and Apprenticeships.

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