Welcome from the Principal
It gives us great pleasure to welcome students to Pathfinder at Leigh Academy Snowfields; our Sixth Form provision. As you arrive at this key point in your education, it is important you carefully consider the options you have and plan for your future.
The priority of Pathfinder College will be to provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to take your next steps in life; whether this be into further study or into the world of employment.
At Pathfinder you will be given opportunities to increase your independence, build on and nurture new skills, and prepare yourself for your future careers. Our core values remain the same and we hope that they are ones that will remain with you throughout your lives.
We look forward to supporting you in work experience opportunities, introducing you to new and exciting skills and nurturing the interests you already have and may yet discover.
Dee Pickerill | Principal of Leigh Academy Snowfields
Director of Post 16’s Welcome
Pathfinder College at Leigh Academy Snowfields aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge they will need to enter the workforce and lead useful and productive lives.
The qualifications offered will give students the opportunity to experience real world situations and apply problem solving techniques so that they feel ready to enter employment, apprenticeships or further specialised education when they leave us.
We aim to support young people to become their best selves; kind, caring and responsible members of society through a range of cultural experiences and accessing the facilities in our local community.
Pathfinder will continue to follow the ethos of the whole academy, focusing on the core values;
- Work Hard
- Stay Safe
- Communicate
- Be Kind
- Be Happy
Through these core values we will aim to encourage independence and a focus on a lifelong learning journey.
We look forward to welcoming you to our Sixth Form and working towards a bright future together.
Emily Stone | Director of Post 16 Learning
Who Are We?
Pathfinder College opened its doors to Sixth Formers in September 2023 at the Bearsted Campus. However, since September 2024 Pathfinder College has been solely based at the Cranbrook Campus in our dedicated Sixth Form Floor.
Our bespoke floor has been designed to give Post 16 students the opportunity to learn in as close to real world settings as possible. As such we have been able to create the following specially designed teaching and learning areas:
- A Sixth Form common room and fully equipped kitchen area – including washing facilities.
- An Early Years Childcare teaching suite
- A Hair and Beauty teaching suite
- A Business/Retail teaching suite
- A Hospitality teaching suite
- A specialist gaming room
- Dedicated study areas and Sixth Form teaching rooms.
FAQs
Will Snowfields Pathfinder provide A-Level and Level 3 qualifications?
No, Pathfinder will equip students with Level 2 qualifications which prepare students to leave our provision and enter employment or further training. If a student achieves their Level 2 or equivalent (GCSE 4) in English and Maths, they should consider moving to a provision that will provide them with the next steps on their educational journey.
Will my child have the opportunity to visit Post 16 provisions?
Yes, we will support students through planned trips to see Post 16 provisions. However, we recommend that as a family, you also visit appropriate colleges so that you can support your child in making the correct decision for their next steps.
What if my child achieves their Level 2 qualifications in English and Maths but they are not ready to move onto another provision?
We will look at each student on a case by case basis. If your child has achieved their Level 2s in English/Maths and a more suitable placement can offer the relevant next steps, we will work with you to manage a transition to another provision.
However, if we agree that a student is best placed in Pathfinder, then we will provide a functional application curriculum for English and Maths during those lessons.
What routes are available to my child once they leave Snowfield Pathfinder?
During their time in Pathfinder, students will be preparing for their next steps.
Students could be looking at:
- Further study – moving onto a college to access specialised Level 3 qualifications
- Apprenticeships – where appropriate we will support students in finding apprenticeships in their local community and preparing them for entering the workforce.
- Entering the workforce – where students have achieved a Level 2 qualification, they may feel ready to enter into paid employment. We will support students in writing their CV, applying for jobs and preparing for interviews.
Our aim is that all students move onto an appropriate pathway for their future aspirations.