PREPARING FOR ADULTHOOD
Helping Young People Move Forward with Confidence
At Fast Forward School, preparing for adulthood is a central part of the school’s approach. Learners are supported to build the skills, knowledge and confidence they need for their next steps into further education, training, employment and independent living. The handbook is clear that this is not treated as an add-on, but as a key part of helping young people prepare for life beyond school.
EMPOWERING FUTURES
What Preparing for Adulthood Means at Fast Forward
Preparation for adulthood at Fast Forward includes more than career planning. It is about helping learners become more independent, resilient and ready for adult life. This includes developing life skills, confidence, communication, personal responsibility, health awareness and the ability to make informed choices about the future.
TAILORED GUIDANCE
Careers, Employability and Next Steps
Learners receive tailored careers education, information and guidance to help them understand their options and make informed decisions about what comes next. The careers programme includes one-to-one guidance, employer encounters, work experience or workplace simulations, visits to providers and transition support for college, apprenticeships, supported internships and employment. The school’s careers programme is designed to be impartial and personalised, with support shaped around each young person’s needs and ambitions.
INDEPENDANT LIVING
Building Independence and Life Skills
Independent living is embedded across the curriculum so that learners can develop practical everyday skills alongside their academic and vocational learning. This includes areas such as managing money, travel, safety, healthy routines, tenancy awareness, teamwork, problem solving and decision-making. The curriculum policy also refers to an integrated “Adulting” challenge that brings together finance, tenancy, cooking and travel skills in a practical way.
YOUR FUTURE
A Personalised Pathway to the Future
Fast Forward recognises that every learner’s destination will be different. Some may move on to further education, some to apprenticeships or training, and others towards employment or supported pathways. Through personalised planning, vocational learning, mentoring and pastoral support, the school helps young people identify realistic goals and take positive steps towards them.
Preparation for adulthood works best when school, home and wider professionals work together. Fast Forward supports transition planning through regular review, communication with families and involvement in EHCP transition processes where appropriate. This helps make sure that next steps are well planned and focused on the young person’s long-term outcomes.
For more detailed information, please view our Careers Education Information and Guidance Policy, PSHE & RSE Policy and Curriculum Policy.