Harrison College is focussed on your future, we ensure that we provide you with the tools you need to move into adulthood with a prosperous future ahead
The intent of our curriculum is to develop young people with realistic and sustainable career development plans and for all of our students to secure the skills and attributes to enter employment at the end of their study programme.
We encourage all learners to be the best they can be. We provide a safe, caring and motivating learning environment where high quality learning and teaching experiences ensure a culture of success and achievement. We tailor our offer to individual needs and targets however we have a curriculum map which is centered in the 8 essential skills of the national skills builder framework and is themed around projects set by our partner businesses. This allows our learners to focus on their career development plans whilst building essential skills for employment.
Our curriculum is rooted in achieving our vision and values; to create an inclusive, business and enterprise provision where learners can thrive, placing no limits on what can be achieved no matter their background or starting point, leading to a secure and prosperous future.
Study Programme
The study programme ensures that every learner is supported to achieve their potential and transition successfully into adulthood, employment, or further education.
Skills Based Learning
Our curriculum is built and designed around an evidence based, employer-endorsed universal skills framework focusing on the development of eight essential workplace competencies:
Literacy and Numeracy Across the Curriculum
We recognise literacy and numeracy as crucial to success in both academic and professional contexts. Therefore, we embed the development of these core skills across all curriculum areas.
Project-Based, Employer Led Learning
Project-based learning is central to our curriculum design. Collaborating with a range of business and industry partners who set or co-design practical projects that reflect real-world challenges and career sector expectations, the learner’s skills development is aligned with project goals and evaluated throughout. Evaluation and assessment is based on real tasks, like presentations, products, or portfolios and provides more accurate insights into student understanding and ability. Example businesses that set projects can be seen below.
Personal and Professional Development
Our students engage in a structured programme of personal and professional development, which is directly linked to the development of essential work based skills such as planning, adapting, problem solving, leadership and self-management.
Career Internships
Every student will participate in meaningful internship opportunities tailored to their career goals. Internships are an integral component of our programme, offering:
- Hands-on experience in the student’s chosen sector
- Enhanced understanding of workplace expectations
- Application of classroom learning in a professional context
- Networking opportunities and potential employment pathways
Example businesses are shown below:
Qualifications
Pearson Functional Skills English Level 1 & 2
- Speaking and Listening, Reading, Writing
Pearson Functional Skills Mathematics Level 1 & 2
BSC ICDL Digital Skills
- Using ICT, Finding and Selecting Information, Developing Presenting and Communication Information
BTEC Level 2 Award in Work Skills
This qualification allows learners to develop capability that is needed for work either immediately or in the future. It will also help to develop skills such as employability and personal and social skills, and provide an opportunity to explore occupational areas. We encourage you to be mutually respectful and tolerant in the work place allowing for democracy and rule of law to guide your decision making.
- Developing Work Related Skills and Behaviours
- Working as Part of a Team
Planning and Participating in an Internship
Whilst on internship learners will work towards the development of key employability skills; self-management, working with others, communication and problem solving, making decisions, team working skills, creativity and working under pressure. Before internships commence, learners complete a package of CPD accredited courses to prepare them for the workplace, these include:
- Health and Safety in the Workplace
- Manual Handling Safety at Work
- COSHH Risk Assessments
- DSE Risk Assessments
- Introduction to First Aid
- PREVENT for Students
Industry Related Short Courses
We have a range of cross-sector CPD certified short courses and programmes, all of which are delivered and assessed online, are designed to support learners with their continued professional development. These extensions to a learner’s study programme is bespoke and based on their own career development planning. The short courses include but are not limited too:
- Leading and Motivating a Team
- Understanding Leadership
- Prepare to Deliver Excellent Customer Service
- Understand the Principles of Exercise and Fitness
- AAT Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Accounting
- Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
- Level 2 Certificate in Event Planning
- ILM Level 3 Certificate in Principles of Leadership and Management
- Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment
- Level 2 Certificate in Improving Personal Exercise, Health and Nutrition
Active Leaders – CIMSPA
Active Leaders is a programme which develops confidence, employability and leadership skills. Trainees learn to plan and lead fun, physical activity sessions and run events, with signposting towards follow-on work experience and community volunteering. The programme also includes Basic First Aid and is accredited by CIMSPA.
Duke of Edinburgh Award
Through a DofE programme young people have fun, make friends, improve their self-esteem and build confidence. They gain essential skills and attributes for work and life such as resilience, problem-solving, team-working, communication and drive, enhancing CVs and university and job applications. Top employers recognise the work-ready skills Award holders bring to their business. There are four sections to complete at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold. They involve helping the community/environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, planning, training for and completing an expedition and, for Gold only, working with a team on a residential activity.
