Skills Centre
Introduction
At the BBA Skills Centre we pride ourselves in guiding students through vocational qualifications that can set them up for work in the building trade. Our track record shows that the vast majority of our students gain qualifications at KS4.
Aims and Ethos of the Skills Centre
Our aim is to provide students with the vocational qualifications they need to progress into an apprenticeship or further study when they leave at the end of Year 11 or Year 13.
Our Skills Centre offers students a realistic experience of working life in construction. We also offer building site trips and work experience placements to support this. Most work is practical t and delivered in our well-resourced workshop area. We aim to provide all students with a wide ranging curriculum that takes them from Year 9 through to Year 13.
Courses have been carefully selected to suit the needs of our students’ particular learning needs, providing them with an opportunity to choose their own pathway in a preferred trade. Students have the opportunity to work in a brand new, purpose-built vocational area, which has been designed specifically with the students’ needs in mind.
Workshops
The new workshop areas are designed to suit learning across a range of trades. These consist of a brickwork workshop with ample space for students to build structures over time, a fully fitted carpentry workshop where students have the machinery, facilities, resources and space for learning, a painting and decorating workshop with individual booths for the students to work in and a well-resourced plumbing/electrical area. There is also provision for tiling and paving.
Qualifications
Our Qualifications start at Year 9 where students study the NCFE Entry level 3 in Occupational Studies in the Workplace where they gain a basic knowledge of Health and safety, Carpentry and Brickwork.
This is a very useful course as it introduces the students to a range of skills and information that they may have never otherwise been able to experience; this gives the student the opportunity to make better decisions when picking options. All units are accredited towards a qualification. Key Stage 4 Curriculum
In KS4 we offer two Level 1 qualifications in construction:
- City and Guilds: 6704 Level 1 in Construction Trade Operations
This qualification provides the student with an overview of specific trades such as Brickwork, Carpentry, Plumbing, Tiling, Painting and decorating and Handling and Storing Construction materials. It also gives the students a thorough understanding of Health and safety regulations and procedures.
- City and Guilds: 6219 Level 1 Certificate/Diploma in Construction Skills
This qualification provides a much more detailed training in a particular trade that each student may wish to study. It covers an extensive range of trades such as:
Brickwork
- Carpentry
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Painting and decorating
- Tiling
- Paving
- Construction Industry studies
- Health and safety
- Coursework
Both courses consist of practical assignments. Students are given knowledge of health and safety, tools, materials and procedures within the specific assignment. Work is backed up with photographic evidence and written work to evidence their understanding. Students study their chosen assignments that are internally assessed and verified. These go into a student portfolio that is then externally verified by City and Guilds.
Key Stage 5 Curriculum
In Years 12 and 13 we offer Level 2 qualifications in Brickwork and Carpentry over two years. We also provide work experience one day per week and apprenticeships for students to support their coursework.
Teaching and learning
The Skills Centre is run by highly qualified and experienced trade-specific staff. They are dedicated to the success of all students, ensuring they are supported with their work as they move through the courses. Highly trained support staff are available to help students with their specific learning needs in the classroom and to ensure that high order learning can be maintained at all times.
Lessons are differentiated so that all students can access the learning through their own specific needs.
All our work is externally verified by NCFE and City and Guilds. In our recent external City and Guilds portfolio inspection it was cited:
"A superb presentation and one I would be proud to use as an example to other centres."
David Cotton: City and Guilds External verifier (August 2016)
