Making Connections

LIFE, COMMUNITY AND WORK

Your Complete LCW Package!

A complete, ready-to-use package for delivering the new LCW specification with confidence.

Making Connections is carefully designed to support meaningful learning while ensuring assessment success.

Making Connections Student Textbook and Portfolio cover for the Folens LCW programme

Combined Textbook and Student Portfolio

The write-in approach supports students
to document participation, reflection and
application as learning happens, creating
authentic evidence for the digital portfolio
and the Portfolio in Action

Folens Making Connections LCW Book Chapter

Structured to support confident teaching

Units broken down into lesson-size sections, with:
• Learning outcomes
• Learning intentions
• Key term

Designed for clarity and ease-of-use

Clear, accessible, student-friendly layout
Relatable examples provided throughout.

End-of-chapter support

Chapter summary
Written questions to check learning
Structured reflection opportunities
ALT-aligned scaffolded activities

Making Connections Teacher's Resources Book cover for the Folens LCW programme

Teacher's Resource Book

The Teacher’s Resource Book provides clear, practical support for delivering the course with confidence, including:
• Planning guidance to support sequencing & pacing
• Additional activities and resources to extend and differentiate learning
• Clear information on assessment

Digital Resources

Digital materials to complement classroom teaching, including:
• PowerPoints to support lesson delivery and discussion
• Podcasts to support understanding, revision and accessibility

Meet the Author

Caroline McHale is the trusted name in Life, Community and Work. As the author of the market-leading LCVP title, Making It Happen, She has a proven track record in preparing students and supporting teachers for success, and brings subject expertise and clarity to the new LCW specification.

Watch the Webinar & Access Resources

Join Caroline McHale, author of Making Connections Life, Community and Work, as she guides you through the new LCW specification. Caroline shares practical insights, helpful strategies and support to make LCW work.

View the slides

Frequently asked questions

How should LCW be timetabled in schools?

Schools must schedule a minimum of 120 hours of class contact time for LCW. There may be different approaches to timetabling, depending on the school, but this minimum contact time must be met.

Can LCW be taught in 40-minute classes twice a week?

Schools will need to ensure students receive the required minimum of 120 hours of class contact time. Where 40-minute classes are used, schools should check that the full allocation is met across the course.

Will planning and schemes of work be provided?

Yes. Making Connections includes planning supports and schemes of work to help you get started. These are available in print and online, with editable versions so you can adapt them to suit your own class.

How will I know what to cover in year one?

Follow our plans. They are designed to support teaching, learning and assessment across the course and will help you cover the required learning in a clear, manageable way.

What should students include in their digital portfolio?

Students should use their digital portfolio to gather their own evidence of learning in a multimodal way. This could include written work, photographs, mind maps, reflections, plans, feedback, screenshots, videos, voice recordings or examples from school, work experience and community activities.

Is the digital portfolio submitted for assessment?

No. The digital portfolio is not submitted for assessment. However, students will need to refer to it in their AAC, so it is important that they build and organise their evidence as they go.

Will digital templates be available?

Yes. Digital templates are available, including reflection and feedback templates. These can support students as they build evidence and develop their portfolio work.

How does Making Connections support the written examination?

The written examination is worth 40% of the overall grade, so students need regular practice with these types of questions. Making Connections includes exam-style questions to help students build confidence and prepare throughout the course.

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