Correspondence
From our gallery
Our latest news
Filter
Employability and Life Skills
“
We begin with the end in sight.
We focus on developing all the skills necessary for living an independent and fulfilling adulthood.
I hope to light the fire of aspiration by bringing Employability skills to life, inspiring our young people to set goals and equip them with the experiences and knowledge needed to achieve them.
I am passionate about our young people being given the opportunity to reach their full potential and confidently transition from education into paid employment.
Leilah Sheridan, Head of Employability and Life Skills
Supported Internships, Apprenticeships and T Levels
What is a ‘Supported Internship’?
Supported internships are a structured, work-based study programme for 16 to 24-year-olds with SEND, who have an education, health and care plan (EHCP). The core aim of a supported internship study programme is a substantial work placement, facilitated by the support of an expert job coach.
DFN Project Search
Surrey Choices
What is an Apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships are recognised formally by the Government. Apprentices must be working to a published and approved Framework or Standard, which includes mandatory off-the-job training delivered by a training provider, often a local college.
Apprentices by law must have a contract of employment and be paid the appropriate minimum wage rate.
Exploring T Levels at College
T Levels are an alternative to A levels, apprenticeships and other 16 to 19 courses. Equivalent to A levels, a T Level focuses on vocational skills and can help students into skilled employment, higher study, or apprenticeships.
Transition Pathways
Dear Undershaw students,
There are many things you can do after you leave Undershaw; you can continue your studies at college, find an Apprenticeship, apply to a Supported Internship Programme, or enter the world of work.
At Undershaw, most of our leavers will choose to go on to Post 16 after Year 11, and most choose Further Education College after Post 16. Some students will choose an Apprenticeship, Supported Internship, or go straight to work.
We have a wonderful Employability Team who are here to support you in deciding where you would like to go after leaving Undershaw.
Have a look at the opportunities below, and remember that you can talk to any of the staff here about your options. we’re all here to support you – but above all, it’s important you choose the right path for YOU.
We can’t wait to watch you fly!
The Undershaw Speech and Language Therapy Team
We believe that education is so much more than measuring the quantifiable. Our success in life, however we choose to define it, is a result of the hard and soft skills we learn on our way.
Life at Undershaw is no different. Our specialisms unite to form a multi-disciplinary offering that places equal emphasis on building self-esteem, confidence, resilience, and a sense of well-being so our young people are ready for the richness of a full and independent life beyond the school gates.
To read our latest news on our Skills Builder Silver Award and how we embed the Life Skills Programme into every corner of school life, please click here.
The Character of Undershaw
We are:
Positive
Good listeners
Ambitious
Friendly
Resilient
Creative
Articulate
Supportive
Self-confident
Motivational
Cooperative
Focussed
We are positive. good listeners. ambitious. friendly. resilient. creative. articulate. supportive. self-confident. motivational. cooperative. focussed.
Our Transition Coach
Our Transition Coach takes a key role with admissions and builds a relationship with our students and families as soon as they join the Undershaw family. As a Team this enables us to start the journey together with our families to ensure that each young person is encouraged to believe in their aspirations, and that Further Education and employment are real possibilities. We begin with the goal of successful future transition from Undershaw. We Believe.
Our Independence Coach
Our Independence Coach works alongside the Education and Therapy Teams across all age groups, as we embed essential Employability & Life Skills throughout the Curriculum. These essential skills are brought to life through practical interactions and experiences, with time for supported reflection built into each lesson, creating opportunities for our young people to recognise their own progression, feel proud, and most importantly build confidence.
Our Progression Coach
Our Progression Coach and Faculty Lead works closely with the other faculty leads to ensure that there are opportunities for cross collaboration threading through skill development, not only within school life but also in the wider community. Guided by the Gatsby Benchmarks our aim is to further inform and prepare our young people for transition to Independence, providing one-to-one coaching, group work, workplace exposure and, most importantly, parent / carer engagement.
We believe that if we shape the right individualised support during the foundation years, our young people have a far greater chance to transition successfully, fully informed, and with confidence.
Careers at Undershaw
We begin our dialogue with students about careers, their aspirations and ambitions as soon as we can, as we believe it’s never too early to start. Our students have passion and drive and our role is to show them a world where their dreams can become reality. It is often a question of lifting the veil and working alongside the student, the ambition and the pathways to bring the future to life.
The Gatsby Benchmarks
We are proud of our Careers Programme at Undershaw and the Gatsby Benchmarks underpin everything we do.
Undershaw in the Community
We provide many opportunities for our students to be included in life outside the school, while remaining comfortable, happy, and safe. Students are given opportunities to engage with the local community in a plethora of ways and contact with the outside world is part of our weekly routine. Read more about our Community Partners
It is vital that students are supported to engage with, and eventually live in, their community and not just exist in the confines of the school. We take every opportunity to thread real life experiences and learning opportunities throughout our curriculum and use these as a landscape upon which to base their learning.
This is not just school life… This is life.
