Foundation Learning Courses

Foundation Learning Courses

Foundation Learning Courses

Your programme will promote independence and enable you to make good progress towards employment, independent living, good health and participating within the community.
The Foundation Learning Department offers specialist support for a wide range of learning difficulties and disabilities for students with an Educational Health Care plan (EHCP) and students courses are individually planned to suit individual needs.

Foundation Learning - Package

Course Summary

The Entry programme aims to develop independence, well-being and employability skills. At QMC you will have a programme which is aimed at supporting you on your first steps towards becoming an independent adult. We have a friendly and committed team of staff who provide support and reassurance when you need it and empowerment when you want to do things for yourself.

We have our own dedicated classrooms based in the modern Spectrum building and we also make use of the wide range of facilities available in a large mainstream college. This includes excellent sports facilities such as fitness suite, sports hall, swimming pool and sports pitches. We also have our own theatre. Basingstoke town centre is only ten minutes away, giving us lots of opportunities to participate in the local community.

Your programme will promote independence and enable you to make good progress towards employment, independent living, good health and participation in the community. You will study literacy and numeracy at an appropriate level and will also build up a work experience portfolio. You will study a range of accredited units which are part of the BTEC suite of entry level qualifications.

Specific Entry Requirements

Students will start an Entry Level 1.

This is not suitable for Pre-entry Level learners.

Progression Skills and Opportunities

After this programme you could progress to other Foundation Learning programmes:

  • Pathways to Employment
  • Progression

You could also progress onto apprenticeships, Supported Internships, Traineeships or employment.

What topics will I be studying?

  • English and Maths
  • Horticulture   
  • Creative arts
  • Fundraising and event planning   
  • ICT
  • Catering   
  • Independent living skills
  • Health and Wellbeing
  • There is also the opportunity to do swimming, PE, drama and art

Fact File

  • Five days a week
  • English and Maths at an appropriate level
  • Work experience

Foundation Learning - Progression

Course Summary

The Progression course aims to develop your experience of vocational studies. The programme is aimed at building the skills and confidence to enable you to move on to mainstream Level 2 courses or into employment. The course includes accredited units at Level 1. These units will be part of the BTEC Vocational studies suite of Level 1 qualification. You will also study English and Maths at an appropriate level and build up a work experience portfolio.

The programme will also enable you to make good progress towards employment, independent living, good health and participation in the community. There will also be an emphasis on study and employability skills which will support you to make the next step in your life. The course will consist of a number of elements including tasters of some of our level 2 subjects (Media, Art and Design, Business Studies, Health and Social Care and Performing Arts).

Specific Entry Requirements

We would expect students to have completed some study at an Entry 3 Level.

Progression Skills and Opportunities

After this programme you could progress to Level 2 mainstream courses, the Foundation Learning Pathways to Employment course, Supported Internships, Traineeships or employment.

How is the course assessed?

You will study English and Maths at an appropriate level.

You will also take BTEC qualifications as part of your programme.

What topics will I be studying?

  • English and Maths
  • Business Studies
  • Health and Social Care
  • Media
  • Employability

Foundation Learning - Pathways

Course Summary

The Pathways programme is aimed at building the skills and confidence to enable you to move into employment, an Apprenticeship or a Supported Internship. The course includes working towards AQA Award certificates in various work / life skill such as CV writing, mock interviews and using ICT,  in addition to developing independence, well-being and community participation. You will also study English and Maths at an appropriate level and build up a substantial work experience portfolio.

You will have the opportunity to experience different work placements for 1 day a week.

We have our own dedicated classrooms based in the modern Spectrum building and we also make use of the wide range of facilities available in a large mainstream college. This includes excellent sports facilities such as fitness suite, sports hall, swimming pool and sports pitches. We also have our own theatre. Basingstoke town centre is only ten minutes away, giving us lots of opportunities to participate in the local community.

The programme will enable you to make good progress towards employment, independent living, good health and participation in the community. There will also be an emphasis on developing employability skills which will support you to make the next step in your life.

Specific Entry Requirements

There are no specific entry requirements for this course.

Progression Skills and Opportunities

After this programme you could progress to an Apprenticeship, a Supported Internships, Traineeships or employment.

How is the course assessed?

You will study English and Maths at an appropriate level.
You will also take AQA Award certificates to create a portfolio of skills.

What topics will I be studying?

  • English and Maths

  • AQA Award certificates in:
  • CV Writing
  • ICT skills
  • Mock interviews
  • Presenting to a group
  • Team building
  • Rights and responsibilities in the work place
  • Social Enterprise project

Foundation Learning - Level 2 Advance Art and Design skills

Course Summary

Pearson BTEC Level 2 in Art and Design skills enables learners to explore key fundamentals of art and design practice, learning how skills are integrated to create work. They will learn about creative investigation, communicating ideas, practical skills and productive approaches to working.

Students will also complete 3 hrs of related work experience and employability skills training each week.

Specific Entry Requirements

Working towards GCSE English / Maths

Progression Skills and Opportunities

After this programme you could progress to an Apprenticeship, a Supported Internship, Traineeships or employment.

Also further study in Level 2 in complementary subjects or Level 3 in Art and Design.

How is the course assessed?

You will study English and Maths at an appropriate level.

Learners will develop a full art and design project, using creative practices. 

Their skills will be assessed by firstly:

  • Exploring methods of  investigation, communication, practical art practices, development processes and productive approaches.

They will then be required to:

  • Carry out investigations, use communication and practical skills to develop and produce an Art and Design project

What topics will I be studying?

The course will incorporate a range of media and materials, techniques and processes across different disciplines.

  • Image and Mark
  • Textiles
  • Graphic and digital communication

Rebecca Luff

I came to Queen Mary’s College to explore the opportunities and further my education. In Foundation Learning I enjoyed Cooking, Enterprise, English, Maths and Employability. My next step is to progress to Level 2 Health and Social Care. In the future I would like to work in a nursery for my career. The College has given me more confidence and independence, as I can do a lot for myself and ask the teachers when I need to. I feel good about my achievements and learning new things about life. – Samuel Cody Sports School

Any Questions?

The Head of Department, Shellie Rashbrook will be happy to help.

Send an Email