Independent living
Building confidence and equipping our students with skills for life after college.
Our approach to independent living
Our whole curriculum is based around preparation for adulthood. Helping our students to become more independent is a big part of what we do.
Independence looks different for everyone. Each student works with their tutors to set bespoke targets, tailored to their individual needs. Independent living brings together things that we all do every day, including making a bed, recognising coins or budgeting for a full week’s shopping.
Our experienced and supportive staff will help you to further develop your skills.
We believe that it’s important for our students to see themselves out in their local and wider communities and how they integrate into different communities, whilst remaining safe. That’s why we offer travel training sessions as part of the pathway groups, smaller groups or on an individual basis. Designated Travel Training staff give students the opportunity to explore the local area and feel confident when it comes to using public transport and planning journeys.
Facilities
New for the 24/25 academic year, St Ann’s house gives students the perfect opportunity to learn and practice the skills they need to maintain and upkeep a house. Cooking, cleaning, gardening, washing, ironing and budgeting will be areas of focus throughout the year. St Ann’s house has been designed with accessibility for everyone being the priority. Adapted equipment and work areas have been incorporated throughout the building to ensure that students are comfortable while they learn.
Independent Travel Training
The aim of travel training is to help students become more independent. Students learn how to travel safely by foot and using public transport; but we also enjoy trips to the shops and to places like Conisbrough Castle!
We learn how to identify safe strangers and students are given the opportunity to practice these skills in the wider community.
Financial Awareness
To prepare students to be more independent, they need to be confident when handling money, know where money comes from and also make choices and decisions on how they will spend it. We focus on budgeting, bills involved with running a home and handling money in shops and social events.