Laleham Gap School
Post 16
The Post 16 provision makes use of the Phoenix building, a former residential setting, which provides the perfect environment for developing independent and life skills. Key to our success is recognising that the students’ needs are met in everything we do, emotionally, academically and socially, this is done by:
- Recognising that our students learn in different ways, and that there are many factors affecting achievement, including ability, emotional state, age and maturity.
- Addressing the needs of our students by creating an environment that empowers them and helps embed in them a willingness and readiness to learn.
- Identifying these needs as they arise and provide teaching and learning contexts, which enable every student to achieve to his or her full potential.
- Being committed to providing an appropriate and high-quality education for all pupils, that is progressive, purposeful and always moving forward.
- Providing a curriculum that is tailored to the aspirations and needs of the student.
Laleham Gap School is an exciting and engaging place to be. We have an ethos of care and support. Everyone is valued and supported in achieving their best. Our care does not end once the students have come to the end of their academic time with us as we actively engage with students and their families to support them on to their next stage. It is with this in mind that we have developed the Post 16 Provision.
We want all our students to;
- Be effective and successful learners.
- Make and sustain friendships.
- Deal with and resolve conflict effectively and fairly.
- Solve problems with others for themselves.
- Manage strong feelings such as frustration, anger, and anxiety.
- Be able to promote calm, optimistic states that support the achievement of goals.
- Recover from setbacks and persist in the face of the difficulties.
Laleham Gap School recognises and celebrates our students as individuals. Our pupils make great progress and gain a full range of accreditations by the end of year 11. We have recognised the increasing need to explicitly teach life skills, and we have developed our whole school curriculum to place increased emphasis on Personal Development. We recognise that for some students, the transition from Laleham Gap School to employment or places of further education is a huge challenge.
Our Post 16 Provision aims to prepare a small cohort of existing Laleham Gap pupils who have been identified as being at risk of becoming Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET) to be ready for one of the pathways identified above. East Kent has a wide range of post 16 education and employment opportunities. Many Year 11’s at Laleham Gap School will move into post 16 provision with ease and find immediate success. However, some clearly will need more help and preparation in this transition. Our Post 16 provision aims to prepare students for a successful transition on an individual basis. The curriculum includes a continuation in their English and Maths education as required.
However, the main focus is on their independence and the skills required to transition successfully from Laleham Gap School. The Phoenix residential building provides an excellent environment for independence and life skills training. Located at Ozengell Place it provides a safe and stimulating learning environment where the students have continuing access to the full range of facilities and therapies Laleham Gap School offers. The curriculum is led by the 14+ Lead, who works closely with other Laleham Gap school leaders. This ensures that the team benefits from extensive opportunities for professional development offered by Laleham Gap School, Thanet Inclusion Support Services and the Collaborative Learning Alliance of Special Schools.
Admissions Requirements and Process
The provision has been specifically designed and developed for our existing Key Stage 4 pupils only. The admissions process starts at the Year 10 annual review. This discussion with the family and young person continues through the Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance process in year 10 and 11. If successful the Local Authority will name Laleham Gap School Post 16 provision in Section I of the EHCP after the Yr11 Annual Review. This will state the requirements of the young person before admission into the Post 16 Provision. Unfortunately, we will be unable to offer places to all students. Places will be offered to those Laleham Gap students who the school feel are at the greatest risk of being unsuccessful in Education, Employment or Training at the end of Year 11.
This may be a difficult decision and the school will liaise with families, students, staff and other agencies before making a decision regarding which students will be offered a place. The Local Authority will then make the final decisions as it remains their legal responsibility to do so. We know and understand our pupils well, they have all come through our Key Stage 4 so the bespoke programmes will build on pupils’ prior attainment. The programme will always have sufficient challenge and will be clearly linked to the educational and career aspirations of the individual. Some of our students may have study programmes in line with Supported Internships or College Link Programmes. We have established links with a number of employers and work experience providers and will ensure that placements are meaningful.
Non-qualification activities will include travel training, enrichment, life skills, employability, emotional wellbeing and careers. Transition is tailored to the individual interest and aspirations of the pupil. We believe this will be essential to meet our target of 100% retention rates. We will assess progress in a variety of ways, which may include Strength and Difficulties Questionnaires, student and parent feedback, assessments from our staff and staff from partners such as Colleges. We will also use our Preparing for Adulthood tool when reviewing a students independence needs. We pride ourselves on taking responsibility to ensure that every young person achieves future success. We therefore track all of our leavers and if required will offer further support.
The governors reserve the right to refuse admission in the following cases:
1. Places are fully subscribed and admitting pupils over this number would be incompatible with the provision of efficient education or the efficient use of resources
2. The school would be unable to meet the needs of the pupil
3. Admission of a pupil would compromise the health and safety of pupils and/or staff within the school or would seriously compromise or disrupt the education of pupils already within the school
Pathway Information
Duration of Provision |
Total Places Available |
Rational |
Who For? |
Provision |
Progress to... |
| One Year | 8 | Support transition | For those young people who require an extra year to prepare for their onward intended destination. |
Includes: 1. Core Offer 2. Resits where possible 3. Possible college/6th form infill |
1. FE College 2. School 6th forms 3. Training 4. Alternative Post 16 Providers aspirations/needs |
| Two Year | 5 | Support transition | For those young people who may require an extra two years to prepare for their onward intended destination. |
Includes: 1. Core Offer Resits where possible. 2. Work Experience 3. Possible college infill |
1. FE College 2. School 6th forms 3. Alternative Post 16 Providers |
| Two Year | 5 | Preparation for employment | For those young people who have decided they wish to progress into the workplace at 18. |
Includes: 1. Core Offer 2. Resits where possible 3. Supported Internship |
1. Training 2. Supported Employment 3. Employment |
| Two Year | 5 | Bespoke Level 3 support package | For those where it is felt there is no appropriate Level 3 provision to match aspirations/needs |
Could include: 1. Core Offer 2. Resits where possible 3. Infill into 6th forms or colleges. 4. Use of online education platforms |
1. University |
