Overview

This one-year programme offers an alternative, hands-on study option for students who are ready to take a different path after GCSEs that focusses on practical experience, personal growth, and preparation for the world of work. Our Level 2 Pre-Apprenticeship Programme gives students the chance to learn through hands-on experience, developing vital employability skills while benefiting from the ongoing support, structure, and sense of belonging that come with being part of the Fearnhill Family.

In school, students will work towards The King’s Trust Level 2 Certificate in Personal Development and Employability Skills (PDE), a nationally recognised qualification that equips young people with the knowledge and attitudes they need for success beyond school. The course is entirely portfolio-based, with no exams, making it ideal for those who thrive in hands-on, applied learning environments. Students are assessed through practical tasks that demonstrate teamwork, problem-solving, interview preparation, and money management.

Units Covered in School

• Personal Development – Strengths and weaknesses and target setting
• Preparing for the world of work
• Managing Money
• Experiencing the world of work
• Wellbeing
• Presentation Skills

We deliver tailored sessions focused on reflection, goal-setting, and career planning. By the end of the course, students will have built a portfolio of achievements, a professional CV, and a reference from their placement provider, all invaluable assets for securing future apprenticeships, training, or employment. They will gain real-world experience, a deeper understanding of themselves and their goals, and the confidence to take the next step. The programme also includes the opportunity to resit GCSE English or Maths if required.

PSHE and Careers

Students on this programme also attend our PSHE and Careers sessions within school.

Industry Placement

Students spend three days a week on a work placement and two in school, giving them the best of both worlds. This year, we partnered with First Garden Cities Homes, a well established, local housing association. Students gain direct experience in a professional setting, working across different departments, supporting community based projects, and learning what it means to be part of a workplace team. The placements are structured, supported, and designed to build confidence, communication, and responsibility. Our placement provider is subject to change and units covered are reviewed to ensure relevance to each placement.

Units Covered on Placement at First Garden Cities Homes

• Governance, Development, Asset Delivery
• Income Recovery, Finance, IT
• Housing, Tenancy Sustainment, Community

At Fearnhill, we believe education should open doors for every student and this pathway does exactly that. It provides a supportive bridge between school and the workplace, ensuring every student can find success on a route that is right for them.