At Park Community Academy Sixth Form we provide a nurturing environment in a strong pastoral setting. We utilise a holistic learning approach to maximise inclusivity and we provide real opportunities for students to develop those all important employability skills. Our mission is to provide students with outstanding teaching and learning that will prepare them for the start of their adult life.
Students follow one of our 3 Learning Pathways depending on their attainment levels when they join our 6th Form. Each Pathway ensures that the students educational journey is tailored to meet their needs as well as to challenge them. Our aim is to equip the students with the skills they will need to become integrated members of their communities.
The curriculum is enriched by a range of creative and physical education programmes and opportunities, including extra-curricular activities and residentials.
A well established and thriving work related learning programme and work experience opportunities, alongside college link courses, supports the students growing independence and readiness for life after school.
The PCA Admissions Policy applies to admissions into Westbury Sixth Form Centre.
Volunteering:
Students at PCA 6th Form have the opportunity to take part in a number of volunteer projects throughout the year. This can sometimes count towards a BTEC unit of work that the students may be undertaking. In the past we have proudly worked with the charity GroundWorks and made some great contributions to local areas such as the Bispham Nature reserve, the North Lancashire Pond Trail and the public access areas to the back of Stanley Park and Blackpool Zoo.
College Links:
With our strong links to Blackpool and the Fylde and Myerscough College, our students have an excellent opportunity to make full use of all the facilities available at both Colleges.
Myerscough College offers our students course in Horticulture, Small animal welfare and Farm animal welfare.
Blackpool and the Fylde College offer our students courses in Construction, Childcare, Media, Catering, Photography and Car Mechanics.
Health and Fitness:
Remaining active and sustaining a healthy lifestyle after Sixth Form is hugely important for our students. Our curriculum offers a diverse range of physical pursuits that are tailored to meet the specific needs of our learners.
Work Experience:
Each student has a well-planned and unique work experience placement based on their aspirations for their own future. Every pupil undertakes two internal work placements within the school; acting as SSA’s, Catering Assistants, Assistant Clerical Offices and Assistant Site Managers.
Every year each student completes Work Experience in the Community. Previous placements have included – Pizza Hut, Burtons Biscuit Factory, Devon Hair, Cancer Research shop, Nibbles Café, Toy Land, Morrisons, Animal Grooming and CJ Cycles. Students also have access to the new enterprise trailer whereby they can put their skills to the test in real life functional situations!
Independent Living:
With our unique provision at Westbury Sixth Form Centre our students are able to focus on developing those essential life skills that they will rely upon when they move out into the wider world. As the sixth form continues to grow and we expand into our new planned premises at The Oracle Blackpool our students will have a greater opportunity to develop their life skills in the on site cafe and exceptional space that the new building will deliver.
Next steps in Education and moving on to adult life
We ensure that all student information is readily available to any new setting. Transition meetings also help by ensuring we communicate clearly with another setting everything that should be in place.
Our students move on to a variety of service providers, in particular with Project Search, Blackpool Gateway and Myerscough College. This process is completed in partnership with: pupil, parents and carers; Blackpool SEND Team, The Careers Service, The Transitions Team, The Learning Disability Team and College or Service Provider representatives to ensure a smooth transition.
Throughout their time in Sixth Form we ensure all pupils have the opportunity to attend Careers fairs and conventions; participate in Employability Skills, World of Work programme, mock job interviews and engage with external providers.
How do we judge the support we offer has had an impact?
Continual assessment takes place throughout the student’s time at Westbury Sixth Form. This is to ensure progress is mapped and built upon. This is shared with parents and carers on an ongoing basis through telephone conversations, parents meetings and through the school review process. Parental input is vital.
We have established external links with adult provision and have 100% success rate in helping students transition into appropriate provision of further Education or employment. We keep in touch with ex-students via Youth Club and contact with their next destinations.
Sixth Form Curriculum
| Initial destination | After 3 years | ||||||||||||
| Number of Yr 11 leavers | FE College | Supported training into employment / apprenticeship | PCA Sixth Form | Alternative SEN School | Out of area | No destination / home | NEET / Unknown | PCA Sixth Form | Sixth Form at alternative SEN provision | In training or employment | Left the area | ||
| 2012-13 | 25 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2015-16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 4 |
| 2013-14 | 18 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2016-17 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 5 |
| 2014-15 | 21 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2017-18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 |
| 2015-16 | 22 | 7 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2018-19 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 5 | 3 |
| 2016-17 | 19 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 2017-18 | 20 | 6 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 2018-19 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||