At Sutton School, Skills for Life is at the heart of our curriculum. It is designed to help every pupil develop the skills, knowledge, confidence and experiences they need for life beyond school and to make progress towards independence.

We recognise that every pupil is different. Learning is personalised to individual strengths, needs, interests and aspirations, providing meaningful opportunities for pupils to practise and apply skills in real-life situations, build confidence and experience success at their own pace.

     

Skills for Life is organised into three key areas:

My Future

My Future helps pupils prepare for what comes next. Pupils develop their understanding of careers, work-related learning, next steps and vocational studies.

Through vocational learning, pupils explore different areas of work and develop transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, organisation, responsibility and working safely. Pupils have opportunities to learn about different pathways and develop the skills they may need for college, employment, volunteering and adult life.

My Options

My Options give pupils the opportunity to discover their interests and develop specialist practical skills.

Pupils can choose from a range of specialist options, including Hair & Beauty, Performing Arts, Motor Vehicle Studies, Construction, Land-based Studies, Art & Design, Hospitality, and Sport & Leisure.

These opportunities allow pupils to develop their confidence, independence and practical skills while exploring areas that may support their future interests and aspirations. Where appropriate, pupils also work towards accredited qualifications, recognising and celebrating the knowledge and skills they develop.

Alongside specialist skills and qualifications, pupils develop important transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, creativity, problem-solving and responsibility, helping to prepare them for future study, employment and adult life.

My Independence

My Independence focusses on the practical skills pupils need to manage everyday life and become as independent as possible.

Through Living Skills and Cooking Skills, pupils develop skills including managing money, keeping themselves safe, looking after their health and wellbeing, personal hygiene, looking after a home, shopping, preparing food and cooking meals.

Learning is broken down into achievable steps, with pupils having regular opportunities to practise and apply these skills in meaningful, real-life situations. This enables pupils to develop confidence and increase levels of independence.

Celebrating Achievement

We believe that every achievement matters. Skills for Life provides pupils with opportunities to demonstrate what they can do, recognise their progress and celebrate their successes.

Pupils build a record of achievements across their time at Sutton, from developing a new practical skill or completing a vocational task to taking part in work-related learning, volunteering, gaining a qualification or demonstrating increased independence in everyday life.

We celebrate individual progress as well as outcomes, recognising that success looks different for every pupil. These achievements help pupils to recognise their strengths, develop a positive sense of themselves and understand the skills they have developed for their future.

Preparing for Life Beyond Sutton

Together, My Future, My Options and My Independence provide a broad and purposeful preparation-for-adulthood curriculum. They help pupils to understand themselves, discover their strengths and interests, develop practical and transferable skills, and prepare for their own individual next steps.

Our aim is for every pupil to leave Sutton School with a growing sense of confidence, self-advocacy and independence, a record of meaningful achievements and the skills and experiences they need to continue their individual journey towards independence.