Community learning has been developed to encourage our year 14, Pathway 1 students, to gain the skills, confidence, and independence they need to lead fulfilling adult lives beyond Market Field College. We encourage students to take an active role in their communities.

A key part of this involves travelling within the community. Students learn how to navigate safely on foot, in a variety of environments, with road safety being a major focus. We also regularly use public transport, particularly the bus service, and practise several aspects of travel training. This includes scanning a bus pass, understanding appropriate behaviour, boarding and exiting at the correct times, and staying aware throughout the journey. Students also learn how to plan routes using apps such as Konnect or Google Maps. 

We aim for students to transition into independent travel training but, these skills are hugely valuable even if this is not the case. Students have wider access to the community and we would love to see a reduction in support workers needing a driving license. 

We also work on developing social skills by accessing local community groups and activities. These include Wheels for All inclusive cycling, Essex Rise chair sports, the therapy gym, and public swimming sessions. 

Students explore local services such as town halls, hospitals, GP surgeries, the job centre, and Citizens Advice. They learn what the services provide and how to access them. We also visit religious sites to support students in developing and understanding and respect for other people's views and beliefs. 

A wide range of community-based activities are used to build practical life skills and support wellbeing. We visit local town centres and retail outlets to practise navigating new areas and to find what we need. It also helps us to learn about budgeting and money! Students also completed an art course at Clacton Art Gallery, designed to build confidence, support sensory processing and communication, and strengthen fine motor skills. 

Students are encouraged to be as independent as possible in every aspect of community learning.

We have seen student confidence grow and their independence strengthen. Most importantly, they genuinely enjoy these experiences, and their pride in what they have achieved shines through.