Free Entry Level 3 Vocational Study Course in Dover. Classes run full-time during the day at Woodpecker Court. The course runs over 12 months and is built around your individual needs. You'll develop the skills, knowledge, and personal resilience to move forward into further study or work. The curriculum is flexible, so your learning reflects where you are and where you want to go.
Who this course is for
The curriculum is reflective of the needs of the student, the bespoke nature of Woodpecker Court enables a degree of flexibility to ensure that we remain holistic and focused upon their learning journey. Many of our students have had a previous fragmented education, our envisaged end point for them is when they are deemed to be resilient, reflective, responsible as well as respectful while being academically functional for both life and onward destination. We encourage our students to be reflective every day throughout their learning journey. We achieve this by implementing opportunities where students can reflect on their day by running a morning and afternoon briefing based under our parachute. From a teaching and learning perspective, it is essential lesson planning includes the use of starter and plenary activities to highlight key points of learning, which will encourage students to retain knowledge. Students who embark on a learning journey at Woodpecker Court will become flexible in their working nature. The curriculum offers opportunities to learn new skills within our bespoke environment working closely with our animals, caring for the woodland, and learning how to be take responsibility for the provision and greater community. We build resilience in all of students, whether that be working in a range of challenging weather conditions, to being taught how to overcome mistakes with woodwork projects in our workshop, to undertaking a range of sensitive PSHE qualifications. Students will be given guidance to see positives in every challenge they face. The curriculum aspires to set “there is no ceiling...seek the stairs” approach for every student and any barriers they face are seen as an opportunity to learn. The curriculum provides opportunities for students to stretch and challenge themselves, no matter how big or small the outcome.
What you will learn
You'll develop practical skills to support your next steps in education or work.
You'll build your ability to reflect on your own learning and progress.
You'll practise taking responsibility for your actions and decisions.
You'll strengthen your communication and everyday functional skills.
You'll explore vocational subjects relevant to your interests and goals.
You'll develop the resilience to manage challenges in study and daily life.
How you will learn
You'll learn through classroom-based sessions at Woodpecker Court. The course is tailored to your individual needs, so your programme may include practical tasks, group work, and one-to-one support. Assessment is ongoing and reflects your personal progress. Your tutors will track your development across the skills and knowledge areas covered in the course.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Woodpecker Court will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Retail assistant: entry-level customer-facing work in shops and stores.
Warehouse operative: stock handling and logistics roles.
Care assistant: supporting people in residential or community settings.
Hospitality team member: front-of-house or kitchen support roles.
Catering assistant: food preparation and service in various settings.
Classroom support assistant: helping learners in school or college settings.
What you could study next
Level 1 Award, Certificate, or Diploma in a vocational subject: a natural next step to build on the skills you've gained and move into a specific area of work or study.
Functional Skills English and Maths at Level 1: strengthens your core skills and opens more doors to employment and further training.
Level 2 vocational qualification: leads toward skilled roles and apprenticeships in your chosen area.
