Welcome to

Independence Year 11 & Post 16

About Independence

Welcome to Independence Year 11 & Post 16

The Independence iCollege is located at Richmond House, Bath Road, Newbury RG14 1QY and provides learners with a complete a curriculum. We are able to provide a balanced curriculum for the majority of learners in small groups and are also able to work with learners who require a more 1:1 support.

Meet the Pastoral staff

Angie Palmer
Lead Teacher

Marie Lacoste
Pastoral TA

Emma Dodridge
Inclusion Manager

On entry Pastoral staff will welcome students to Independence. After an initial interview and tour of the unit, students will be required to complete baseline assessments to allow for teaching at an appropriate level and also to help fill in any gaps in their learning. Our Inclusion Manager will also work with students to assess for any Exam support needs. Students will then be allocated a timetable either Bespoke or in one of 5 main groups.

How to apply

Year 11   Students have to be funded to attend iCollege and so mainstream schools will need to apply via Pupil Placement Panel (PPP) and appropriate funding agreed.

Post 16  Students should have an EHCP to apply using the Post 16 application form which can be downloaded from the website. Students with EHCPs would also need to apply for approval and go via the SEN panel for funding.

Getting to Independence

Year 11   Students more than 3 miles from Independence may be helped with transport in the form of a bus or train pass or a taxi if far from a main public route. Transported pupils will need to be ready for 8am or 1 hour prior to arrival time at Independence and drivers will only wait for 3 mins before leaving to avoid other students in the same vehicle being late for school. The West Berkshire Home to School transport policy and appeals information can be found on https://info.westberks.gov.uk

Post 16   EHCP Post 16 students may apply for transport if more than 3 miles away but currently contribute £804 a year to the scheme. More information can be found on the West Berkshire Council- School Transport website.  https://info.westberks.gov.uk/post16sen

Curriculum @ Independence

Curriculum Offer 

Each learner has a timetable based on individual needs, and ‘Core’ group learners are offered at least 8 ‘learning opportunities.  

• Maths, Science (Biology), English Language, Art and Design and Business Studies 

• Digital Skills 

• Home Cooking 

• PSHE, Citizenship and Careers  

• PE 

• Occupational Studies (Horticulture) 

• Childcare 

Our curriculum is based around each learner and incorporates the following 6 learning areas:

Accreditation Opportunities 

• Maths, Biology, English Language, Art and Design and Business Studies GCSE 

• Functional Skills Level 1 and level 2 in Maths, English, and Digital Skills. 

• B-Tech Home Cooking Level 1 and 2. 

• Certificate level courses in Childcare. 

• On-line courses are available including Food Hygiene. 

In addition, learners can choose from a range of enrichment opportunities which include PE, Food and Driving theory. 

Bespoke packages include access to: Photography; Outdoor Academy; ACE Sports; Boxing & Gym; Autoskills; Community Furniture Project; Reading Football Club; Growing 2Gether and RAW mentoring. 

Personal Development and Wellbeing 

PSHE is central to the curriculum offer at Independence, equipping learners with the knowledge and skills to keep themselves safe and healthy, develop resilience, and prepare for life beyond school. It follows the PSHE Association’s recommended themes and includes statutory relationships and health education, ensuring compliance, inclusivity and relevance. 

The spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of Independence learners and their understanding of the core values of our society is woven through the curriculum. A strong focus is placed on teaching British Values, and committed staff strive to enable learners to achieve and develop into productive citizens of the future. To this end, and with the aim of developing work and life-skills, learners not only have a dedicated citizenship lesson but also a weekly timetabled careers lesson. 

The careers programme aligns with the updated Gatsby Benchmarks and provides learners with accurate, up-to-date information on the full range of education, training, and employment pathways. It is delivered through teacher-led group sessions; guest presenters; employability workshops; work-experience activities; employer visits; careers events and individual guidance appointments and enriched using ‘Unifrog’- a high-quality online careers platform. 

Rooted in the CDI Career Development themes, the curriculum offer ensures that all young people are equipped with the knowledge, confidence, and insight to make informed, aspirational decisions about their futures.  

CDI Career Development themes 

• Grow Throughout Life 

• Explore Possibilities  

• Manage Career 

• Create Opportunities 

• Balance Life and Work  

• See the Big Picture 

Opportunities are available for learners to visit places of employment such as Sovereign Network Group, The Watermill Theatre, Rebound Electronics, West Coast Ltd., and Thatcham Research centre. Learners are also encouraged to attend Employer exhibitions such as iCollege Careers & Community Engagement Event and ‘Destinations EXPO’ exhibitions held in Newbury and Reading which provide inspirational experiences for future careers. 

At Independence, a strong emphasis is placed on supporting young people’s mental health and well- being where there are attentive staff available to talk to. In addition to this, iCollege has its own family support worker along with a qualified counsellor who can be accessed via referral. 

Post 16 

Context 

This is a provision for very vulnerable learners with EHCPs to continue their education into Post 16 in a safe, nurturing environment where the staff team at Independence aim to help learners feel valued and support them to begin to trust enough to engage in further academic work. Its purpose is: 

• to provide a logical extension of KS4 curriculum and provision 

• to encourage those who cannot and will not benefit from FE provision immediately post 16 

• to support learners who would otherwise be NEET 

• to provide an opportunity to gain further skills and qualifications to improve employability opportunities 

Independence believes in providing all Post 16 learners with an appropriate academic, vocational and self-confidence- building package to suit their specific needs and aspirations. To this end, Post 16 learners at Independence are offered the opportunity to study a broad range of GCSEs or equivalent qualifications via bespoke timetables which are individually designed to allow learners to choose a combination of GCSE, Functional Skills Level 1 and 2 courses, and vocational courses.  

Each learner will also develop social skills and self-confidence with a ‘Personalised Learning Path.’ Such a path could include attending ‘Life-skills’ lessons, ‘Outdoor Academy’ sessions and the opportunity of studying for a driving theory test. 

Curriculum Offer and Accreditation Opportunities 

Independence’s Post 16 curriculum includes GCSES in: 

English Language, Maths, Art and Design, Business Studies, English Literature, Photography and Science (Biology) 

Other qualifications include: 

• Functional Skills Maths, English, and Digital Skills 

• Certificate level Childcare 

• Btech Home Cooking Level 1 and 2 

Enrichment: 

All Post 16 learners are provided with the option of participating in PE / sports activities, Life Skills and Driving Theory, Food Hygiene and French conversation. These enrichment activities are planned to support individual confidence, independence and inclusive participation. 

Personal Development and Well being 

Careers advice: see offer for KS4. In addition, extended work experience is strongly encouraged, and placements can be sourced.