Qualifications

Opportunities to gain external exams/accreditation at Key Stage 5

At Uplands School our students have opportunities to gain high quality nationally recognised qualifications and awards which support the development of independence. These include the OCR Life and Living Qualifications including literacy and numeracy qualifications.  OCR Qualifications are available at Entry Level One, Entry Level Two and Entry Level Three.

Oxford Cambridge and RSA (OCR) Examinations: Life and Living Skills
This is a credit based qualification from the Qualifications and Credit Framework that develops skills, knowledge and understanding. This qualification, which is divided into units, has been designed to encourage progression through its own structure. Students may progress upwards or laterally through the accumulation of units in a broad range of life and learning areas. The qualification is very flexible and students who have spikey profiles (strengths and needs that vary and mean learning can be inconsistent and at different rates)  may, through the rules of combination achieve an overall level through taking units at different levels.

Spiritual, Moral, Social Cultural Education is an important part of personal development and students have opportunities to gain modules as part of their qualifications.

Options

Students are also given increased choice in the sixth form through the ‘Options’ programme in order to prepare them for their next phase of education/employment.  Examples include the arts, textiles, sport, horticulture, catering, first aid, Signalong and multimedia (see KS5 curriculum options 23-24 Term 1 booklet for further information).  Students work through accreditation at an appropriate level, from pre-entry to Entry Level 3, through the ASDAN Lifeskills Challenge and Trinity College’s Art Awards programmes.    

Destinations

In July 2023, 95% of Year 11 and 100% of Year 14 leavers have progressed directly on to further education.