Welcome to the Heath Farm College
Heath Farm College is situated in Maidstone and will eventually grow to support up to 58 students. The provision facilitates a professional post 16 provision for students with EHCPs who are not ready for a large FE college or large school/academy 6th Form provision.
Heath Farm School and Heath Farm College are part of the Acorn Care and Education group, in turn part of Outcomes First Group, (OFG). The vision of OFG is to ‘build incredible futures by empowering neurodiverse students to be happy and make their way in the world’.
Heath Farm School and Heath Farm College both share the same values of Love, Commitment and Opportunity.
Our vision, as in the rest of Heath Farm School, is one of:
A place where students can thrive in an environment whereby their personal wellbeing and development is shown through unconditional love, regular and effective interventions, therapies and support.
A place where students can exceed expectations through a well-chosen, appropriate, challenging and relevant programme of study with levels of challenge and resilience to promote the very best outcomes.
A place were students are expected to rise to the challenge of a variety of enrichment opportunities, visits and activities which aim to promote high levels of perseverance and resilience in preparation for a successful adulthood.
Philosophy and Ethos
We provide a small, professional environment for 16 – 19 year olds to learn and develop skills for life. The curriculum and programme of study are under frequent evaluation, however, you will see from the Programme of Study information the qualifications students are presently taking.
We provide a holistic setting whereby we consider all aspects of wellbeing, personal, social and academic development hold equal weighting.
Through our company we are able to refer students to psychotherapy, S< and OT as and when required. Our college has a psychotherapist assigned for the post 16 students, and our students can make a self-referral.
The students benefit from staff who are well trained in a wide range of complex needs and, although the school and college are primarily SEMH provisions, as time has moved on we have complex and overlapping needs. Both the school and college staff are trained in ‘Trauma Informed Practice’ alongside a wide range of other pedagogies and strategies as would be the case for any school, academy or college.
Our aim is to prepare students for the world of work or further education and our success rates are building each year. We expect students to develop independence and take ownership of their learning and development for adulthood. We expect students to engage in all of their sessions and any additional input such as S< and OT or therapy if required.
We have a large proportion of students who are in care or assisted living and we are proud of the work we facilitate as students cross the 18+ threshold. We have good working relationships with social care across a wide range of counties and London boroughs.
The Programme of Study
The College Programme of Study is made up of the following:
- Literacy for Life (inc L1, L2 Functional Skills)
- Numeracy for Life (Inc L1, L2 Functional Skills)
- PSHCE
- SRE
- NCFE L1 Certificate in Personal and Social Development
- NCFE L1 Certificate in Managing Money
- NCFE L2 Certificate in Equality and Diversity
- NCFE L2 Certificate in Employability
- Preparation for Adulthood Activities (non-examined)
- Tutorial Programme for Lower and Upper 6th Form students (which includes a range of AQA Unit Award Scheme accreditations)
- WEX wherever possible for a half day or one full day a week
Qualification option pathways:
- NCFE L1,2,3 Certificate in Creative Media: Music Technology
- NCFE L1,2,3 Certificate in Creative Media: Photography
- NCFE L1,2,3 Certificate in Creative Media: Graphic Design
- NCFE L1,2,3 Certificate in Games Design and Development
- Edexcel Functional Skills English (all levels) – all students who have not achieved Level 2 have to study this
- NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills in English for Everyday Life
- Edexcel Functional Skills mathematics (all levels) – all students who have not achieved Level 2 have to study this
- LIBF L2 Certificate in Finance
- Open Awards L2 Award/Certificate / Diploma in Skills for Further Learning and Employment
- Edexcel L2 Higher Project Qualification
- Edexcel Level 1 Project Qualification
- AQA Unit Awards: various, including Art Units (from September 2024 there will be a Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 Art qualification available)
- LAMDA
- Bronze and Silver Arts Awards
- Vocal Coaching and Examinations
- Edexcel BTEC Level 1 Introductory to Public Services
The Environment
The college will replicate the business-like, professional approach of the the adult world and as such the students can wear their own clothes, will abide by the Code of Conduct devised by students and be expected to take a full and mature responsibility for their learning, wellbeing and engagement in opportunities.
The students will be expected to take on board a different style of relationship and attitude to their daily programme of study. The ability to manage portfolios and meet tight deadlines will be supported and developed throughout the autumn term.
Students and staff are provided with a free breakfast, lunch and snack as part of their daily routine.
The transition to being a young adult is always going to be a challenge, however, the complete equality between the ‘love, commitment and opportunity’ aspects of their provision combined with a strong team and clear leadership will provide a secure grounding for the next stage of their lives.
The Timings of the Day
9.00am – 9.15am – Arrival, breakfast and preparation for the day
9.15am – 10.00am – Tutorial
10.00am – 11.00am – Session 1
11.00am – 11.30am – Break
11.30am – 12.45pm – Session 2
12.45pm, – 1.30pm – Lunch
1.30pm – 2.20pm – Session 3
2.20pm – 2.30pm – Housekeeping and evaluation
2.30pm – End of day
As stated earlier, these timetables are then personalised across the week to fit in student therapies, WEX and alternative learning.
If you have any queries surrounding the Heath Farm College provision please contact Sharron Humphrey on shumphrey@heathfarmschool.org.