01603 622288
admissions@rbnorwich.org.uk
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ASDAN

Welcome to ASDAN Vocational Learning
ASDAN courses are hands-on, student-led programmes that offer an alternative pathway for learners who thrive in practical, real-world environments. Whether it’s Animal Care, Cooking, Sport, or one of our other vocational options, ASDAN is about building confidence, independence, and real-life skills that matter.

What Are ASDAN Courses?
ASDAN qualifications are structured around short, manageable units that are project-based and practically focused. Students complete tasks, collect evidence, and reflect on their progress at their own pace, often working as part of a small team. The courses are designed to be flexible and tailored to the interests of the learners, giving them a voice in how and what they study.

Lesson Plans

Further Information

What Will Students Do?

Students choose from a wide range of vocational areas, such as:

Animal Care – hands-on learning with animals, from handling to basic health and welfare.

Cooking – developing kitchen skills, meal planning, and food safety.

Sport & Physical Activity – learning through coaching, participation, and fitness.

Each course includes practical activities, personal goal setting, and opportunities for self-reflection and teamwork.

What Do Students Achieve?

By the end of the course, students will:

Receive an official ASDAN certificate or qualification, which can support progression to college, training, or employment.

Build a portfolio of work and evidence showing what they’ve learned and achieved.

Gain valuable life and work-related skills, such as communication, teamwork, time management, and responsibility.

Why Students Love ASDAN

Many students find ASDAN a refreshing and rewarding part of their timetable—it’s practical, meaningful, and led by them. It’s a place where they can shine in different ways, make choices about their learning, and develop confidence in their abilities.

Skills development

Ability to learn – students will manage their personal learning and development. They will plan and work towards targets to improve their performance and review their progress.

Teamwork – students will work with others when planning and carrying out activities to get things done and achieve shared objectives. This will involve working with a group of people.

Problem solving – student will use their ability to recognise problems and do something about them. They will use different methods to find a solution and check to see if they work.

IT skills – student will make the best use of computers and other items such as printers, scanners and digital cameras.

Literacy – students will talk to people; they will find ways of finding out information and let other people know about their views and opinions. Students will use all aspects of writing and reading.

Numeracy – students will use and develop various numeracy skills; for example, measuring and or calculating.

 

Some of the Short Courses on offer:

ANIMAL CARE

This course consists of seven modules, each containing activities based around a different aspect of animal care:

Animal investigation
Safety around animals
Looking after animals
Animals in trouble
Animals in the media
Animals and the law
Careers in working with animals

GARDENING

The Gardening Short Course contains eight modules:

  • Planting in the garden
  • Growing food on the allotment
  • Working under cover
  • Wildlife in the garden
  • Using your produce in the kitchen
  • Construction in the garden
  • Art in the garden
  • Careers in gardening

CONSTRUCTION

This vocational taster contains six modules, corresponding to different aspects of construction:

  • General construction operations
  • Bricklaying
  • Carpentry and joinery
  • Painting and decorative finishing
  • Health and safety in the construction sector
  • Careers in the construction sector

HAIR AND BEAUTY

This Vocational Taster contains six modules, corresponding to different aspects of hair and beauty:

  • Customer service
  • Nail services
  • Basic hairdressing techniques
  • Basic facial treatments
  • Health and safety in hair and beauty
  • Careers in hair and beauty

Lesson Journey