Heywood Academy

Heywood Aspirations is a nurturing and bespoke Post 16 educational provision for young people with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN). As part of the New Bridge Multi Academy Trust, we have a shared vision: “Creating Meaningful Futures” and this is at the heart of everything we do.

Young people at Heywood Aspirations have a choice of two pathways, the Digital Leadership Pathway or the Creative Leadership Pathway.

Young people following the Digital Leadership Pathway will have the opportunity to gain a qualification in E-Sports. Through this pathway, they will develop a wide range of transferable skills, including teamwork, strategic thinking, communication, and problem-solving. They will also build digital literacy and technical expertise, while learning how to lead and collaborate effectively in competitive environments. This experience will prepare them for future careers in the digital sector, enhance their confidence, and support creativity and resilience in a rapidly evolving technological world.

Young people following the Creative Leadership Pathway will have the opportunity to gain a qualification in Art or Photography. This pathway encourages them to explore their creativity while developing essential skills such as visual interaction, analytical reasoning and creative thinking. They will learn how to express ideas through different artistic mediums, build confidence in presenting their work, and collaborate effectively on creative projects. This experience will equip them for careers in the creative industries and supporting innovation, resilience, and adaptability in an ever-changing world.

Both pathways will follow The Leader’s Curriculum. The Leader’s Curriculum supports young people working towards Preparation for Adulthood, The Gatsby Benchmarks and ‘Being Independent’.

This consists of the following compulsory areas:

Outdoor Education

Food Skills

BTEC Personal Wellbeing

Work Experience

Digital Enterprise

Maths and English

Outdoor Education

The Outdoor Education lessons are designed to help young people build independence and confidence by safely accessing their local community. Through structured travel training, they will learn how to navigate public transport and move around safely. The lessons also focus on developing practical life skills such as shopping, budgeting, and making informed choices. In addition, young people will explore leisure opportunities, understanding their importance for health, wellbeing, and social inclusion. These lessons equip young people with the skills and experiences they need to thrive in everyday life and participate fully in their communities.

Food Skills – Life Skills (Shopping and Preparation)

The Food Skills curriculum focuses on teaching essential life skills through practical food preparation. Young people will have the opportunity to build on and further develop the knowledge and skills gained during the secondary curriculum. Lessons will cover planning, shopping, and preparing meals, helping learners understand nutrition, budgeting, and safe food handling. This pathway is designed to prepare young people for independence and equip them with the confidence and practical abilities needed for adulthood.

BTEC Personal Wellbeing

All young people will have the opportunity to achieve a BTEC qualification in Personal Wellbeing. This qualification focuses on developing essential skills for maintaining physical and emotional health, building resilience, and making informed lifestyle choices. Through this program, learners will explore topics such as healthy living, personal safety, and emotional wellbeing, equipping them with the knowledge and confidence needed to lead balanced, independent lives.

Work Experience

All young people at Heywood Aspirations will have the chance to gain valuable work experience across a range of sectors, including Horticulture and Forest School, Videography and Photography, Administration, Leisure and Enterprise. We have strong partnerships with a variety of local businesses, enabling both internal and external placements. These opportunities are designed to help learners develop practical skills, build confidence, and prepare for future employment by experiencing real-world working environments.

Digital Enterprise

Digital Enterprise will be an exciting addition to the curriculum at Heywood Aspirations. Young people will work collaboratively as a team to design and deliver an enterprise project of their choice, giving them the freedom to be creative and innovative. Through this hands-on experience, they will develop a wide range of skills, including project management, teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and digital literacy. This opportunity encourages entrepreneurial thinking and prepares learners for future opportunities in business and technology by supporting confidence, leadership, and adaptability.

Maths and English

Where necessary, young people will be able to re-sit maths and English with the following qualifications on offer:

iGCSE English Language and/or Functional Skills English
OCR GCSE maths, Functional Skills maths and/or LIBF Finance Qualification

Destination Champions

With high expectations for all our children and young people, aspirational destinations are identified early to support children and young people achieve their full potential and reach their desired destinations, such as:

• Being Independent

• Working with support in my community

• Volunteering in my community

• Playing a part in my community

• Taking control

• Taking part

• Being involved