We offer personalised education packages for young people aged 13 -16 who thrive in a small nurturingenvironment

English

At Utopia we recognise that key skills in English such as spelling, reading, writing, and speaking and listening play a fundamental role in the life chances of our young people.

We therefore ensure that all learners reach their potential through challenging teaching and learning activities at the appropriate level. Staff maintain high levels of expectations for individuals and support learners to explore English as a subject and its wider curriculum framework.

Young people are encouraged to explore and analyse a wide range of texts, that aim to develop their individual tastes for different genres and styles. Through discussions and 1:1 support, learners gain opportunities to express themselves in a confident, creative, imaginative, and articulate manner in a supportive environment.

In their writing, learners develop their skills of sentence construction, story writing and recording of information, with regard to grammatical and structural conventions, at the same time developing a wide vocabulary and the ability to write for different purposes.

Functional Skills

At Utopia Functional Skills provides an excellent platform for learners to develop confidence within the subject and progression opportunities from entry level 1 through to level 2.

It enhances the Utopia curriculum by giving learners with a wide range of abilities the opportunity to use English and Maths in a life related context.

The course content allow learners to build practical skills that enables success in future study at a higher level. Many young people use the practical skills gained on future college courses, traineeships and apprenticeships.

Applied Science

At Utopia our Applied Science qualifications are designed for learners 14-19 who wish to achieve a vocational qualification in preparation for future study within the STEM sector.

The qualifications are designed to exemplify scientific principles in vocational contexts, leading to an understanding of how those principles are applied in practice, and can facilitate a move either onto further periods of study or into employment.

This qualification covers a range of essential scientific principles together with underlying introductions to essential knowledge and applications in chemistry, physics and biology.

Sports

At Utopia our implementation of Sport across the curriculum is flexible and diverse.

The delivery of sport is linked strongly to our Personal Development Curriculum and encompasses a range of challenging activities.

We take an alternative view to sports participation, in that activity is predominantly offsite and may include learning opportunities such as rock climbing, kayaking, BMXing or mountain biking alongside more traditional sports.

This course covers the fundamentals of sports, whereby students learn key concepts about the body and how it responds to exercise, teamwork, healthy lifestyles and leadership skills.

The BTEC Sport Level 2 qualification consists of three mandatory units, covering the underpinning knowledge and skills required for the sports sector: fitness for sport and exercise , practical performance in sport and applying the principles of personal training.

Learners will build on the knowledge gained in the mandatory units by choosing one further unit, covering areas such as: the mind and sports performance, the sports performer in action or leading a sports activity.

Media

At Utopia the delivery of our Media curriculum is designed to incorporate core ICT skills essential for use in everyday life.

We use the units for the qualification to develop key PSD related topics around the appropriate use of social media and internet safety in addition to analysing the role of media in modern Britain and the impact this has on us as individuals.

This qualification provides an engaging and relevant introduction to the world of Creative Media. Students undertake a range of units including animation, audio and video production, digital video editing and digital photography.

The BTEC Level 2 Media qualification consists of two core units and a selection of five optional specialist units.

One core unit is externally assessed with the remaining units assessed internally. The 2 core units are made up of; Digital Media Sectors and Audiences (externally assessed) and Planning and Pitching a Digital Media Product.

Optional specialist Units are; Digital Moving Image Production, Digital Audio Production, Digital Publishing Production, Website Production & Digital Games Production.

Childcare

At Utopia the delivery of our Caring for children qualification is designed to be a hands on and practical learning experience.

The course consists of combining theoretical knowledge with practical experience of working with children via our long established relationships with local childcare providers.

Business

At Utopia the aim of our Business curriculum is to give learners a rounded knowledge of the principles of business and incorporate key skills within this knowledge.

We encourage learners to develop mathematical, analytical and ICT skills in the completion of a number of core units including; Branding a Product, Finding out About Businesses in Your Area and Communicating with Customers

The mandatory units at Level 2 are: Introduction to Business, Finance for Business and Enterprise in the Business World. Learners will build on the knowledge gained in the mandatory units by choosing a further unit from three optional units, covering marketing, customer services, and business recruitment.

These optional units are: Promoting a Brand, Principles of Customer Service and Recruitment, Selection & Employment.

Home Cooking Skills

At Utopia we utilise the BTEC Home Cooking Skills course to allow learners to learn basic cooking and food preparation skills and to enrich the practical elements of the curriculum.

The qualification consists of 1 unit in which specific learning outcomes need to be met. The learning outcomes place a key focus on selecting and preparing ingredients for identified recipes, being able to use cooking skills to follow a recipe, demonstrating food safety and hygiene, reflecting on learning and sharing experience with others.

Teamwork & Personal Skills

At Ut the BTEC Teamwork and Personal Skills qualification is designed to allow learners to develop the skills and qualities needed to support their entry into employment.

Key skills such as communication, co-operation and commitment are at the forefront of the learning, in which young people take part in tasks such as problem solving, raft building or orienteering to learn important skills for life.