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Newfriars College is a Specialist Day College committed to transforming the lives of young people with learning disabilities and additional needs through partnership, collaboration, enterprise and innovation. Preparation for Adulthood is central to our provision and informs all aspects of learning, helping students develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed for independent and fulfilling adult lives.
Our curriculum focuses on employability, independence, community inclusion and personal development. We aim to raise aspirations, build confidence and equip learners with the skills required to contribute positively to their communities and future workplaces. As our Chief Executive Officer, Rob Millington, explains, "We aim to transform the lives of our young people, build confidence, self-esteem and resilience and provide a better long-term future which we hope will be full of opportunity and happiness."
Our approach prioritises learning experiences that enable students to develop confidence, independence and self-advocacy while building the skills needed for transitions into adulthood. Learners are encouraged to develop the transferable skills required for life beyond college through a range of vocational, community and employment-focused opportunities. These experiences help students recognise their strengths, raise aspirations and become participants in shaping futures.
The Essential Skills framework is central to this vision. By embedding the Essential Skills throughout the Vocational Pathway, learners gain an understanding of their development and recognise importance of skills such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, creativity, leadership and aiming high. Essential Skills are visible throughout college life through classroom displays, learner discussions, celebration events and reflective activities.
This consistent approach has enabled learners to make stronger connections between their learning, future employment and independent living.
Overall impact
The Essential Skills framework has significantly impacted learners across the Vocational Pathway at Newfriars College. Through a consistent focus on personal development, employability and Preparation for Adulthood, students have developed a stronger understanding of the skills, behaviours and attitudes needed for success beyond college.
One of the most significant outcomes has been a shift in how learners view themselves. Students increasingly recognise their strengths, understand their potential and see themselves as future employees and active members of their communities. They are more confident discussing their aspirations, reflecting on their achievements and identifying the next steps needed to achieve their goals. This increased confidence is reflected in learner voice. One student explained, "Because of Skills Builder, I feel more confident to try and help the community and have my own lifestyle in the future."
The integration of Essential Skills within vocational learning, work experience, employer engagement and community activities has made learning more purposeful and relevant. Learners are better able to connect their current experiences with future ambitions, increasing motivation and engagement. Opportunities to practise, reflect upon and evidence their skills have supported the development of confidence, resilience, independence and self-awareness.
The framework has strengthened learner voice and self-advocacy. Students are increasingly able to articulate their achievements, contribute to reviews and transition planning, and take greater ownership of their personal development.
Celebrating achievement has played an important role in sustaining this progress. Through certificates, achievement displays, Essential Skills awards and half-termly celebration assemblies, learners have opportunities to recognise and share their successes.
Overall, Essential Skills have enhanced readiness for adulthood by helping learners understand workplace expectations and develop transferable skills valued by employers. Learners leave Newfriars College with greater confidence, higher aspirations and a stronger belief in their ability to achieve positive outcomes in employment, independent living and community participation.
Keep it simple
Essential Skills language is embedded throughout the Vocational Pathway and forms part of everyday learning at Newfriars College. Consistent use of the framework helps learners understand and discuss their personal development using clear and accessible language that supports confidence, reflection and progression.
The eight Essential Skills are highly visible across the college through classroom displays, achievement boards, learner work and learning resources. Regular celebration assemblies and awards reinforce key messages and help learners recognise their progress and achievements. By keeping the language simple and consistent, learners can identify where they demonstrate skills such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, creativity, leadership and aiming high.
Visual prompts, shared language and regular discussion opportunities ensure learners can recognise and describe their developing skills. This is reflected in learner feedback. One student said, "While my skills have dramatically improved, I am still in my relatively early days at college." This demonstrates learners’ ability to discuss their progress and identify areas for development using the language of Essential Skills.
This approach has improved learners’ understanding of how these skills relate to future employment, independence and community participation. As a result, learners take greater ownership of their development, engage confidently in discussions about their strengths and achievements.
Start early, keep going
Learners have opportunities to develop Essential Skills through dedicated sessions and wider curriculum activities. From the beginning of their journey, students are encouraged to practise and reflect on skills that support future success.
Essential Skills projects provide meaningful opportunities for learners to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, solve problems and demonstrate resilience. These experiences allow students to revisit and strengthen their skills over time rather than treating development as a one-off activity.
Reflection helps learners recognise progress, build confidence and understand their strengths.
As learners progress, they become increasingly reflective and self-aware. They gain confidence in discussing achievements, identifying strengths and recognising growth. This is reflected in learner feedback. Reflecting on development in Essential Skills, one learner said, "I have improved in my skills because I have adapted to lots of changes in the past year. I have also gained more independence and confidence in speaking out loud and am doing lots more with less help from others."
Essential Skills help learners understand that development is a continuous process. This approach has increased confidence, ambition and engagement. Students are better able to connect learning with future goals and understand how Essential Skills support employability, independence and Preparation for Adulthood outcomes.
Measure it
The Essential Skills framework has made personal development more visible and measurable for both learners and staff. Through reflection, observation, progress tracking and review discussions, students gain a clearer understanding of their strengths and areas for development.
Learners regularly gather evidence of how they demonstrate Essential Skills across different contexts, including accredited employment programmes, work experience placements, volunteering opportunities and enterprise activities. Recording and reviewing this evidence helps learners recognise progress and celebrate achievements.
The process has strengthened learner voice and self-advocacy. Students are increasingly able to explain how they have developed specific skills and provide examples to support their reflections. One student shared that "I have improved in working well in a team, solving problems, using creativity and critical thinking. This helps me prepare for my future."
By measuring personal growth in a meaningful way, learners develop greater ownership of their development and a stronger belief in their abilities. The framework provides a clear structure for recognising progress beyond qualifications alone and helps students understand the skills and behaviours that contribute to future success in employment and adult life.
Focus tightly
Essential Skills are closely linked to employability, ensuring learners understand their relevance to future employment and adulthood. The framework is integrated into accredited employment programmes, careers activities, enterprise projects and work experience opportunities, helping learners develop the knowledge, behaviours and attitudes valued by employers.
By making these connections explicit, learners gain a clearer understanding of workplace expectations and professional standards. Students recognise that communication, teamwork, leadership, resilience and problem solving are valued by employers and are essential for success beyond college. This understanding helps learners appreciate how everyday learning supports future aspirations and employment goals.
Employer encounters, workplace visits and employment-focused activities further reinforce these messages, enabling learners to see Essential Skills in action. These experiences help learners understand how the skills they develop contribute to positive workplace relationships, effective performance and future career opportunities.
This targeted approach helps learners identify where they are developing Essential Skills through vocational and employment-related experiences. They become more confident discussing their strengths and explaining how these skills support progression into Supported Internships, volunteering and employment.
Learners are increasingly able to connect educational experiences with future aspi
Keep practising
Learners regularly apply Essential Skills through authentic experiences such as work experience, volunteering, enterprise projects, employer encounters and community engagement activities. These opportunities provide meaningful contexts in which students can use and refine their skills.
Frequent engagement in varied settings allows learners to adapt their skills to different situations, strengthening confidence, independence and their ability to respond positively to new experiences.
Contextualised learning helps learners understand not only what the skills are, but why they matter. Applying skills in realistic situations enables students to develop confidence and recognise how these abilities transfer across different environments. Learner feedback demonstrates how Essential Skills are applied across the curriculum. Reflecting a student said “I have used these skills during lesson times such as English, Employability and Photography. I am able to have a conversation confidently in small groups as well as listening to what classmates have to say and I am able to handle some new changes better."
Repeated opportunities to practise Essential Skills allow students to build competence over time and become more confident, independent and prepared for future transitions.
Bring it to life
The greatest impact has been achieved through meaningful real-world experiences that enable learners to apply Essential Skills beyond the classroom. Through employer encounters, workplace visits, enterprise activities, volunteering opportunities and work experience placements, learners experience first-hand the importance of Essential Skills within employment and adult life.
These opportunities help students understand workplace expectations and identify their own strengths. Learners increasingly recognise and evidence the skills they demonstrate through vocational learning and employment-related activities.
The impact is particularly evident in preparation for Supported Internships and future employment pathways. Students demonstrate increased confidence when engaging with employers, participating in interviews and discussing future aspirations. One future SI student said, "Because of Skills Builder, I feel more confident to start my Supported Internship at Tesco in September."
Most importantly, learners increasingly view themselves as future employees. By bringing Essential Skills to life through practical experiences, students develop higher aspirations and a stronger belief in their future potential. Learners are better able to connect their current experiences with future ambitions, increasing motivation, confidence and engagement.
What's next
Building on the success of our Essential Skills programme, we will continue to embed the framework across all areas of the curriculum, ensuring that learners have regular opportunities to develop, apply and reflect on their skills in meaningful contexts. We will strengthen links between Essential Skills, employability and Preparation for Adulthood by expanding employer engagement, work experience placements and enterprise opportunities.
A key priority will be enhancing learner reflection so that students can more confidently recognise and articulate their strengths, achievements and areas for development. We will also provide targeted support for learners who require additional guidance in identifying and evidencing their skills, using accessible resources, visual prompts and personalised approaches.
To ensure continued improvement, we will gather and respond to feedback from learners, staff and employer partners, enabling us to refine our provision and address emerging needs
