Personal Development

What Is The Course About?

At Warrington and Vale Royal College every learner is put first and we truly believe that everyone should be given the opportunity to raise expectations within themselves.

Personal and Social Development is a great way to begin your college journey and will support and encourage you to gain confidence, independence, communication & social skills while developing a wide range of key employability skills in a friendly and nurturing environment. It is about where you want to be in the future and how we can help you to achieve those goals.

Why should I choose the course?

Personal and Social Development (PSD) is for young people aged16-19 who may have an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP/HN) or it may simply be that you need a gentler introduction into college life and feel anxious about starting college and want to explore and develop skills for life, independence and work and prepare for adulthood.

As a PSD college student, you will be supported to widen the opportunities available to you to help you move on to employment, a supported internship, independence or further study whilst gaining accredited qualifications at entry level and level 1.

As a unique individual we will work closely with you to identify your long-term destinations and set targets along the way so that you achieve as much independence as possible.

WVR is a great choice for local young people, living and learning where you live, developing friendships and being ambitious about your future.

The course duration can be anything from 1 year to 3 years.

What Will I Learn?

Through a combination of interactive sessions, practical activities, trips and visits you will develop a strong foundation equipping you for the future.

You will complete an Open Awards qualification in Skills for Further Learning and Employment that includes a range of interesting and relevant topics designed to help you problem solve, communicate and lead, be creative and innovative, use your initiative and ensure that your mental and physical well-being and health play a key role.

Taking part in enriching activities in college and in the community will be a focus to enable you to be a part of your local community where you will live and work as independently as possible.

As well as developing your maths and English skills, throughout the year you will take part in a range of vocational experience days to give you a taste of what you might want to do the following year.

These may include: construction and motor vehicle, health & social care, hair and beauty, graphics, media & ICT, art & performing arts, sport & public services and hospitality & catering.

What Will The Course Lead On To?

The majority of our students go on to study on a second year at E3 or Level 1 programmes, however, just because this an Entry level course it doesn’t mean you have to do level 1, some learners skip a stage and are accepted on to Level 2! Preparation for Employment and Supported Internships are a popular progression route for PSD students and we are happy to discuss this option with you.

What Support Is Available?

You will be allocated a Progress Coach in addition we can offer the following if applicable;

• 1:1 in class support

• Lunchtime and breaktime supervision

• Meet & greet on entering and leaving the college

• Mobility support

• Exam access arrangements

• Orientation Modification of learning materials

• Specialist resources

We also have a welfare team that are on hand to offer guidance, support and help when needed. Additionally, eligible students can access a wide range of finance and funding support to help you during their time at college.

Why should I choose to study the course at Warrington & Vale Royal College?

There are many providers who offer ‘similar’ courses, but what they can’t offer is the wide range of opportunities that will be available to you:

• Up to 5 days a week in college

• Individualised curriculum

• Internal and external work placements

• Enrichment activities, trips and visits

• Links with local employers

• Vocational experience days

• Independent living skills

• Running a café

• Excellent progression routes

• A team of dedicated staff with over 70 years of combined experience