Step 5 - Preparing for Opportunities & Progression (Level 1 - Gateway)

Course description

This programme primarily concentrates on developing the individual needs of the learners which includes developing their independent skills and preparation for appropriate progression.

There will be core learning activities which include developing functional skills as well as personal and social development. In addition there will be a chance to specialise in a vocational area (Retail, Catering, Hospitality or a possible mixture).

This qualification will run alongside a range of additional accreditation to help prepare the learner for life and work. Please note there will be some sessions on this course which are mandatory including tutorials, functional skills, and personal and social development.

There will hopefully be a chance to participate in work experience (depending on availability of work places and the individual learner’s ability).

There will be a residential trip which is seen as an essential part of the learning experience and we would encourage each learner to attend. The trip is planned completely by the learners. It really helps develop their social skills and their independent living skills, as well as develop their problem solving skills whilst on the trip. Above all else the trip is great fun!

Final award

NPTC Certificate in Skills for Working Life (Entry Level 3).
City & Guilds Certificate/Award in Personal & Self Development (Entry Level 3).
Maths, English & ICT Functional Skills (at an appropriate level for the learner).
The qualifications on this programme are assessed mainly via a portfolio of evidence. However, some may be accessed through exams.

Entry requirements

No formal qualifications are required. All learners must attend an interview and an assessment day in order to determine their suitability for the course. The majority of qualifications taken on this course are at Entry Level 3 and therefore require a certain level of literacy to complete.

Contact details

Telephone Abingdon Campus on 01235 555585, or Witney Campus on 01993 703464 or Email enquiry@abingdon-witney.ac.uk

Additional information


*Students aged 16-18 will not be required to pay the full course fee, in most cases your fee will not exceed £150. Please contact us if you need more information regarding fees for full-time courses.

Code Campus Duration Start date Day(s)
GFAC101P Abingdon Campus 1 year Sep 2010 Everyday
GFWC101P Witney Campus 1 year Sep 2010 Everyday

Getting more information

To get more information about our courses, contact us on 01235 555 585 (A) or 01993 703 464 (W). Or email us at enquiry@abingdon-witney.ac.uk.

The application procedures for full-time courses, part-time courses and HE courses, involving a partner University, are slightly different.  Please read the relevant pages in this section.

Download an enrolment form

Part-time enrolment form    Full-time aplication form

You can find out about applying for our Business Development short courses in the Employers section.

Online Application

If you are currently at school or college in Oxfordshire you can submit an electronic application to Abingdon & Witney College. If you click on the proceed button below you will be redirected to our course listings on the online Oxfordshire Area Prospectus.  You will be able to search the listings to find the course you wish to apply for. In order to actually submit an application you will need an unlock code. You can get this code from either your Head of Year or Connexions PA in school. You can search for the course you want by using the course code.

Proceed to the online application process

How soon should I apply?

We advise you to apply early. Some courses can be over-subscribed; in other cases if a course is under-subscribed we may decide to cancel it, so don't leave it to the last minute!