Teaching: Life Skills

 Preparation for leaving Moor House School

During their time at Moor House School, all pupils are gradually helped to develop essential skills which they will need throughout their adult life. Responsibility for delivery of the programme is shared by teachers, speech and language therapists, residential care staff, occupational therapist, the school's careers coordinator and the Surrey Connexions PA.

LIFE SKILLS
Each pupil has an individual programme of life-skills/independence training activities and a basic skills checklist is used throughout their time at the school. The programme for each pupil is carefully devised to provide a range of experiences and assignments to prepare them for independent living. Before embarking upon assignments outside school, pupils are carefully prepared, rehearsed and practised in the communication skills relevant to each activity. Initially pupils will exercise their emergent skills in closely supervised groups; eventually, they will proceed through a series of carefully graduated activities, with the aim of enabling each pupil to achieve optimum independence and self-confidence.

WORK EXPERIENCE & WORK RELATED LEARNING
All pupils are involved in an extensive work related learning programme, which includes short work experience opportunities, taster days at local colleges and during their last year a one week block placement is arranged. The aim of work experience and work related learning is to provide an opportunity for pupils to gain an insight into the world of work, its disciplines, responsibilities and challenges. Pupils benefit greatly from the experience, which contributes to the development of their self confidence and independence. We receive very positive comments from our work experience employers, some examples below.

"He became more confident the longer he was in school. He began to use his initiative more and showed a very caring attitude towards the children. He was very willing to join in and do anything that was asked of him." - local school.

"We found her a very pleasant young lady who was keen to work and did not shy away from anything we gave her. She fitted in well amongst all the staff and it was a pleasure to have met her." - local office.

"It has been a pleasure having such a pleasant and conscientious well mannered lad, who was always punctual, happy and interested in the environment he was learning about. I am sure he will have no problems finding employment when he finally leaves school as he works well as a team member and conducts himself well. We certainly wouldn't have any hesitation in employing him if he was living locally." - local garage.

"He worked hard and quickly adapted to our kitchen. He will be a great asset to any catering department and he always had a smile". - kitchen in a local school.

CAREERS EDUCATION AND GUIDANCE

Most pupils leaving Moor House School go on to further education and training, either at a further education college near their home, or to a specialist school or college.

Programme for Years 7-11 pupils
Pupils are provided with a carefully devised programme to help prepare them for the decisions which will need to be made about their future. Their self-awareness, appreciation of their strengths and limitations and their ability to make decisions is developed. Pupils are encouraged to acquire the necessary skills to enable them to access information about college, college courses and employment and to make informed choices.  During years 10 and 11, students take part in college placements in order to prepare them for educational placements after Moor House School. Their understanding of the world of work is developed and they have an opportunity to participate in different work experience opportunities during Year 10 & 11.

Liaison with Connexions, Parents and Colleges
There is close liaison with each pupil's home Connexions Personal Advisor, parents and with local and residential colleges. A Partnership Agreement is drawn up each year with Surrey Connexions Service and their Personal Advisor visits the school on a regular basis. She delivers group sessions and holds individual interviews with each pupil to discuss further education and training. There are also opportunities for the pupils to visit local colleges and participate in taster courses*. (* College programmes can vary from year to year).

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Preparation for Leaving Day Transition to Post 16
During the autumn term we hold a Preparation for Leaving Day for Year 10 pupils and their parents, when we hope all parents will be able to attend the school for the day. The Surrey Connexions Personal Advsior gives a group talk to parents and pupils, followed by individual interviews. There are opportunities to meet representatives from further education and training colleges (day and residential) and to talk to staff. Parents are put in contact with the home Connexions Personal Advisors in their own locality.

Careers Resources and Software.

Pupils have access to a well-equipped careers resource area at Moor House School and parents are very welcome to visit this area. We also have a comprehensive range of careers education and guidance computer software which is installed on a dedicated careers laptop that can be used extensively across the school and on the interactive whiteboards.

Follow up of pupils
The school's interests in its pupils does not end when they leave. There have been three intensive follow-up studies: the first in 1969, of 10 former pupils with receptive aphasion, another in 1981, which dealt mainly with ex-pupils who had transferred to other schools, and a third study in 1984 of 23 ex-pupils with receptive aphasia.

In addition to formal follow-up studies, we routinely contact our ex-pupils and their college placements, to find out how they are progressing in their transfer schools or colleges. We are willing to provide advice for professionals working with former Moor House pupils, when they are attending their new educational establishment.

Moor House School Old Pupils' Association
Moor House has a flourishing Old Pupils' Association. All pupils are invited to join the association when they leave the school. The association produces an annual newsletter, which is circulated to all members. The annual reunion takes place at Moor House on the same day as the summer fete. Members of the association cover the whole period of the School's existence; a number of our members are from the first intake in 1947!