GROWING FUTURES

Our Orchard Post 16 provision blends real world work experience, accredited learning and hands-on training across vocational pathways, including trades and practical skills.

For many young people, this stage is about finding direction and building independence, with supportive adults alongside them as they take their next steps into qualifications, apprenticeships and employment.

POST 16 PATHWAYS & PROGRESSION

Supporting young people into adulthood through work experience, qualifications, trades and apprenticeships, building confidence and real-world skills.

Our Post 16 provision is designed for young people who are ready to take their next steps but need learning to feel purposeful, supportive and grounded in reality. Programmes are shaped around individual strengths and interests, combining accredited learning with practical, hands-on experience across vocational pathways such as trades, hospitality, farm based work and enterprise.

Through supported work experience, industry tasters and meaningful responsibilities, learners build independence, routine and self-belief. Alongside this, we focus on life skills, employability and confidence, helping young people prepare for apprenticeships, further training or employment with clarity and confidence.

This is learning with direction, rooted in the real world and focused firmly on the future.

Where it takes place: 

Onsite at Orchard Therapeutic Farm, with carefully curated work experience opportunities delivered through the Hitchcox Group. These include office administration, farm and nature based roles, events and front of house experience, The Kitchen coffee shop and expanding café, and more.

Who it’s for:
• Young people aged Post 16 who benefit from practical, hands on, work focused learning
• Learners who have found traditional classroom routes challenging
• Those developing confidence, independence and readiness for adult life
• Young people preparing for employment, apprenticeships or further training within a trauma-informed supportive environment
• Those preparing for reintegration into school or team-based settings

What it supports:

• Confidence and independence
• Emotional regulation and resilience
• Employability and workplace readiness
• Practical and vocational skills
• Communication and professional behaviour
• Routine, responsibility and motivation
• Preparation for qualifications, apprenticeships and employment
• Teamwork and trust-building