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SECOND CHANCES - Independant Pupil Referral Unit
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Second Chances is an independent school specialising in re-engaging young people who struggle with mainstream. It started 10 years ago as a project designed to reach out to the 14-19 year olds who may have been excluded from school, and could have got more out of it.
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The Vine welcomes the admission of students of all aptitudes, abilities and interests. Referrals are made via parents, schools and other agencies. A young person is then considered for placement and will be admitted, if appropriate, after interview.
• The referral process includes a student interview by staff at The Vine.
• All parties, including The Vine and the student, can refuse the placement if adequate reasons are given.
• Where possible, students will be drawn from different schools or organisations.
• Due to the composition of the client group, staff at The Vine make every effort to facilitate good group dynamics and, occasionally, a student may be refused a place or asked to defer a placement if it is felt that their presence in the group would seriously hinder their own or other students’ progress. |
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With ‘Second Chances’ those involved get to learn in small groups about things that are going to be useful to them, it helps them work out what they want to do with their life, and they get a step up into the life of college, and or work. |
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CURRICULUM
• At Second Chances we ensure that the curriculum conforms to national standards, as is determined by legislation, is informed by the National Curriculum and is centred on the needs of its students. It is our intention that all pupils learn and make progress.
• The curriculum includes a formal, planned programme, outlined in timetables and described by schemes of work and day to day lesson plans.
• The curriculum consists of activities planned to encourage and promote the growth and development of all students across different areas of their lives. These include areas of their personal, social, emotional, spiritual and physical development. Subjects will include literacy, numeracy, personal development, ICT skills and citizenship.
• Wherever possible, subjects will include opportunities to acquire skills in speaking, listening, literacy and numeracy.
• The curriculum at Second Chances reflects the school’s approach to working with young people and the ethos of the wider organisation.
• The curriculum is supported by planned, informal activities, some of which will be optional and/or outside of ‘normal school hours’. Whilst some activities may be organised through The Vine, others maybe organised through the Government’s PAYP scheme, some through the local Connexions partnership and some through other local partnership arrangements.
• The curriculum is managed and delivered effectively, giving heed to appropriate teaching and learning styles for the client group. Teaching will be assessed on a regular basis.
• Cross-curricular themes and activities are being developed, which enhance teaching and learning opportunities in a manner appropriate to the age and needs of the students.
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Achievement
Second Chances is about enabling students to ‘get back on track’ with learning and life so as to be able to function much more positively, both personally and in the wider community.
• Key targets are to increase attendance, punctuality, respect, good behaviour, participation and motivation. All students are encouraged to keep a portfolio of evidence of work.
• All students achieving well at the school, recieve ‘The 2C certificate’ outlining their achievements, at the end of their course. Staff are happy to write references, when requested.
• Students will be tested and graded on numeracy and literacy at the start, the middle and at the end of the course.
• The Vine has always excelled in and seen its primary focus as re-engagement in ‘learning and life’ – preparing students to move on to other institutions, whose primary role is that of delivering accredited academic courses.
• We currently offer the ASDAN ‘Certificate Of Personal Effectiveness’ or ‘Bronze Award’ course. Also CSCS card, Key Skills Communication and Application of Number. PSD, Employability and catering and construction NVQ’s.
• Any students entered for GCSE courses who cannot remain at school and have a short period before exams are to take place, are encouraged to bring course-work in and are given additional support when necessary.
Work Related Learning
The Vine runs a number of Social Enterprises where our students can gain real work experience
• The Vine Trust has understood that it is too big a leap for some students to go straight into the work place, further to this, potential employers are not always able to operate their business and at the same time, cater for the specialist needs our students have.
• Therefore, we have developed a number of re-engaging ‘work’ spaces, to’ incubate’ young people into the world of work, married with community based opportunities
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