The Foundation Studies department provides further education for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, who are aged between 16 – 25 years. The three pathways are designed to provide a personalised learning programme that will support learners with a range of special educational needs and disabilities. Please speak to a member of the team to see if this opportunity might be right for you.
STUDENT OF THE YEAR
Declan P
Foundation Studies - Student of the Year 2021-22 |
The sessions we offer are designed to provide a personalised learning programme for every student.
Support is made available to enable equal access to our courses by students who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities. They are able to assess individual needs and advise on matters concerning the welfare, education and social development of our students.
We pride ourselves on creating a supportive and friendly atmosphere. This comes from the strong relationships which exist between staff and students creating a college community where each person is valued and can flourish.
Students follow individual timetables that have been designed specifically to suit the students abilities and areas of interest. The programmes are intended to develop both independent living and employment related skills, in a wide range of vocational and academic subjects. |
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There are three pathways that are designed to provide a personalised
learning programme. They are: Pathway to Independence: This programme of study is focused on preparing you for adulthood offering you the opportunity to develop a range of skills that will allow you to live as independently as possible and achieve your aspirations. Pathway to Further Education: This programme of study is focused on preparing you for progression to one of our vocational programmes. This course will provide you the opportunity to develop a range of vocational skills and Maths and English qualifications to progress to the next level of study in the vocational area of your choice. Pathway to Employment: This programme of study is focused on preparing you for progression to employment and to help you achieve your aspirations in the workplace. Take a look at our "What can I study" page for more information. |
Support Available:
- Personal Tutors - Additional Learning Support - Health & Well being Team - Careers Advice - Employability Team - EHCP Co-ordinators - Work Placement Officer For more information on Foundation Studies pathway courses visit: Riverside College.ac.uk/Foundation Studies |
Welcome Back
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Hello and welcome,
We are looking forward to meeting all our new students and reconnecting with last years returning groups. We hope you adjust well and enjoy your experiences here at Foundation Studies. If you do struggle, that's ok. Many students feel anxious or overwhelmed by new situations and people. Just remember, other students will feel the same and our staff are here to guide and support you. |
College re-opens:
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In total we raised £5,795.03 for Cancer Research UK
Everyday someone in the UK is diagnosed with cancer. Support through events like Race for Life is what helps Cancer Research UK continue working to see more people surviving cancer. Cancer Research UK are world leaders in finding new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. They receive no government funding for research and rely solely on the funds raised by events like this.
Foundation Studies would like to thank all staff and students who took part to help raise money for this amazing charity. Thank you all. For more pictures, visit our Flickr Gallery For more information, visit Cancer Research UK 
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Sponge Throwing
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Foundation Studies - This year
Here's a quick look back at some of our activities this year. If you would like to see more pictures, visit our FlickR page. There are hundreds of photos added over the last few years. Showing many different activities we offer our students everyday at Foundation Studies.
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As part of our pathway to independence, students have been raising awareness of climate change. Providing fun and useful advice on how to make little changes in everyday life to help benefit the environment. Saving the planet, one step at a time.
Recently they have recycled old halloween pumpkins into bird feeders and created a guide to composting video. Click below for more More pumpkin pictures Composting Video |
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Our students have been working as part of a larger team to help renovate community spaces in the local area. They have been hands on gardening, painting, clearing rubbish and debris to make the community better for everyone. Click below for more Church Project Wilmere Garden Project Old Town Bloomers |
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Animal Management
New this year to Foundation Studies is our land based/animal management programme. As part of our pathway to further education, students have been exploring animal behaviour and learning the essential skills needed to work with animals in the workplace. Students have been working as part of a larger team at our Cronton campus. To meet the specific and varied needs of all the animals, students are required to organise duties and assign job roles. Students will feed the animals, learn to handle them safely and maintain all the different habitat facilities.
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Here at Foundation Studies
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Pathway to Construction Trades including Engineering
Students benefit from having practical sessions in the trade workshops in our Kingsway campus working with vocational specialists. Lessons give students an insight into how these industries operate and provide the students with practical, hands on skills that prepare them for further study. The programme gives students the opportunity to experience six different trade areas: brickwork, joinery, painting & decorating, plumbing, motor vehicle and engineering. Students can then make well informed decisions about their future, based practical experience. |
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Many students achieve and are able to progress to the next level of study. We are also able to be flexible for students who are not quite ready. Supporting them to continue studying at Foundation Studies, while also working with vocational tutors to achieve their goals and continue to further education.
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Health and Fitness
Here some of our students on the Pathway to Independence programme are taking part in a Health & Fitness session, using the Multi-gym at our Cronton Campus. Our Multi-gym sessions gives the students the opportunity to use a wide range of exercise equipment in a fully supervised gym setting. Each students will have an individual set of targets they are working towards to improve health and physical fitness. |
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Pathway to Catering and Hospitality
Here some of our students are learning cooking/service skills in the professional kitchens at our Kingsway Campus. Our learners have a number of challenging practical sessions to learn and demonstrate their Preparation and cooking skills Theses session give the students a great insight into what it is like working in a busy kitchen hot noisy kitchen and develop important work skills. |
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Cooking
Students on our Pathway to Independence programme at our Foundation Campus, are learning Independent living skills. Students learn how to cook a simple meal using fresh produce and keeping to a set budget. As part of this session students will visit various local supermarkets in a small team. This will enable students to learn how to purchase ingredients and develop communication/social skills whilst at the same time learning money management skills. |
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WELLBEING AND SUPPORT
These are uncertain and difficult times for students. Foundation studies would like to say thank you for your patience and understanding. We want to provide you with any and all the support you need, to gain the skills to lead happy and successful lives.
If you are feeling anxious or stressed, the first thing you need to do is let us know. Speak to your tutor or learning support and tell us how your feeling.
We have 1 to 1 rooms that provide a calm environment where you can speak privately with staff, about any issues you would like to talk about. We also have a sensory room and specially designated quiet areas for students to relax between sessions.
During college sessions it is common for students to take a small break, just to be calm if they may be upset.
If full time learning is too much, or the thought of college is overwhelming. We can arrange a limited schedule starting with a single session, maybe progressing to a day in college when you feel ready.
Anyone can have a bad day. Everyone can feel stressed and anxious from time to time.
Let us know, we want to help.
If you are feeling anxious or stressed, the first thing you need to do is let us know. Speak to your tutor or learning support and tell us how your feeling.
We have 1 to 1 rooms that provide a calm environment where you can speak privately with staff, about any issues you would like to talk about. We also have a sensory room and specially designated quiet areas for students to relax between sessions.
During college sessions it is common for students to take a small break, just to be calm if they may be upset.
If full time learning is too much, or the thought of college is overwhelming. We can arrange a limited schedule starting with a single session, maybe progressing to a day in college when you feel ready.
Anyone can have a bad day. Everyone can feel stressed and anxious from time to time.
Let us know, we want to help.
For more information:
Think Wellbeing Halton - Free NHS service that provides support for those with anxiety and depression
Hub of Hope - Provides information for local support available based on your post code or town name
Think Wellbeing Halton - Free NHS service that provides support for those with anxiety and depression
Hub of Hope - Provides information for local support available based on your post code or town name
The website is constructed and maintained by Foundation Studies students and staff
