ASDAN Courses

Summary

The Life Skills Challenge Programme is a dynamic and enriching educational initiative designed to provide a personalised learning experience for students. This programme empowers students to engage in a variety of practical challenges tailored to their interests, while preparing them for the real-world situations they will encounter as they transition into adulthood. Covering a diverse range of subject areas, the programme ensures that learning remains engaging, relevant, and enjoyable.

Course Details

Year 10: Entry Level 3

In Year 10, students follow an Entry Level 3 curriculum, focusing on building essential life skills. Corechallenges include:

• Research Skills: Students develop the ability to gather and present information effectively, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Enterprise: This unit introduces students to the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, encouraging creativity, innovation, and practical business thinking.
• Healthy Lifestyles: Students explore the importance of maintaining physical and mental health through balanced nutrition, exercise, and self-care practices.
• Community Engagement: This challenge helps students to understand their role within the community, encouraging active participation and journeying into the local community.
• Dog Care and Basic Training: A hands-on challenge where students learn the essentials of responsible pet ownership, focusing on the care and training of dogs.

Year 11: Level 1

In Year 11, students progress to a Level 1 curriculum, building on their foundational skills while taking on more advanced, real-world challenges. Core areas of focus include:

• Journey Planning: Students gain the skills needed to plan and organise personal travel, learning about time management, route planning, and travel safety.
• Historical Research: This challenge encourages students to dive into historical topics, developing their ability to conduct research and present findings on significant events from the past.
• Planning and Delivering a Fundraising Event: Students work collaboratively to organise and execute a fundraising event, honing their project management, teamwork, and communication skills.
• Emotional and Physical Benefits of Sport: This unit explores how participating in sports can improve both emotional well-being and physical fitness.
• Participating in Discussions: Students practice essential communication skills, learning to engage in structured discussions, share their ideas confidently, and listen to others’ perspectives.

For students who demonstrate higher capabilities, additional challenges are available to stretch and challenge them to further enhance their skills. These extra challenges also contribute to an enriched certification profile at the end of the programme.

Assessments are designed to be as practical and interactive as possible, including:

• Presentations

• Oral questioning

• Observations of practical tasks

• Reflective logbooks

By completing the Life Skills Challenge Programme, students will be equipped with practical skills, knowledge, and confidence, preparing them for the next stages of their educational journey and for life beyond the classroom.

Summary

The Life Skills Challenge is a dynamic educational programme tailored specifically for students with additional needs. This personalised curriculum empowers students to take on a range of challenges designed to build their skills and confidence. In the Sixth Form, students typically engage with challenges at Levels 1, 2 and above, ensuring the programme adapts to their individual abilities and future aspirations.

The programme covers a broad spectrum of subject areas, helping students to explore their interests and develop skills relevant to potential career paths. By aligning their studies with personal interests, the Life Skills Challenge fosters a more engaging and meaningful educational experience.

Beyond academics, the programme focuses on developing critical confidence and transferable life skills that are essential for both academic success and future employment. This holistic approachensures that students are well-prepared for the demands of further education and the workplace.

Course Details

Year 12:

In Year 12, students concentrate on building foundational skills essential for adulthood. They complete three core challenges:

1. Lifestyle Evaluation: Students research the factors involved in leading a healthy lifestyle and use the knowledge that they have gained to conduct practical lifestyle evaluations of others, gaining awareness of healthy living and the importance of both mental and physical well-being.

2. Experiencing Enterprise: This challenge introduces the basics of entrepreneurship, encouraging creativity and problem-solving through hands-on projects.

3. Financial Preparation for Independence: Students learn essential financial skills, such as budgeting and managing personal finances, to prepare for independent living.

Year 13:

As students move into Year 13, the programme shifts towards real-world preparation, with an emphasis on adulthood and employability. The core units include:

1. Problem Solving: Practical problem-solving skills are honed through scenarios that mimic real-life challenges, with a key focus on raising money for charity.

2. Community Engagement: Students participate in activities that build their understanding of community involvement and social responsibility.

3. Workplace Preparation: This unit focuses on the skills needed for future employment, including communication, teamwork, and understanding workplace expectations.

Throughout the programme, students receive ongoing support and guidance as they compile a portfolio of evidence. Assessments are designed to be as practical and interactive as possible, including:

• Presentations
• Oral questioning
• Observations of practical tasks
• Reflective logbooks

The emphasis is on demonstrating abilities and real-world applications, rather than rote memorisation. This approach ensures that students are actively building the skills they need to succeed in life beyond the classroom, especially in future work environments. By the end of the programme, students are equipped with the confidence, problem-solving abilities, and practical skills necessary for success in both further education and their careers.