Life Ready is a mandatory 25-hour course designed to prepare and support senior students as they encounter situations related to health and safety as they become more independent and gain more responsibilities.
It focuses on offering opportunities for students to build the functional knowledge and skills for life post school. The content of the school’s Life Ready program should be based on the needs and interests of students. This means that each year, every school should develop a program that is relevant to the particular group or cohort of senior students. The planning, delivery and evaluation of Life Ready should be guided by student learning needs and community context.
Involving the school community, including students, in this process is key to success. As individual students will respond in different ways and potential sensitivities around the issues, it is essential that program content be approved by the school’s Principal before being implemented and comply with the Department’s Controversial Issues in Schools Policy, ensuring parents and carers are informed about the participation of the children in the Life Ready program.
Life Ready prepares students to:
- confidently and successfully transition to post-school employment, training or further education as well as participation and independence in the community
- lead healthy, safe and meaningful lives which promote respect, responsibility, enjoyment, inclusion and social justice for self and others.
Skill development is central to learning in Life Ready. The development of the following skills will empower students to take positive action to be healthy, safe and well; promote positive and respectful relationships and transition confidently to post school independence, and participation in the community.
Life Ready focuses on 6 areas:
- Independent Living
- Mental Health & Wellbeing
- Healthy Relationships
- Sexuality & Sexual Health
- Drugs & Alcohol
- Safe Travel
A strong research base underpins Life Ready, guiding its contemporary principles and content. The intent is that the seven evidence-based principles provide the foundation for the effective delivery of Life Ready in NSW government schools, visit the 7 Principles for more.