Our alternative provision is a small, bespoke provision that primarily works with KS3 and KS4 students who require additional support with personal and social development skills, often needing 1:1 and holistic mentoring support. Although the primary needs of many of our students are not academic, this provision uses a variety of creative topics to enable students to successfully achieve an arts award qualifications at either Levels 1, 2 and 3.
Our experienced tutors are active in their specific creative industries and are trained in delivering learning to a high standard which has been recognised by recently gaining an Outstanding for Teaching and Learning, as well as an Outstanding in Leadership and Management in the latest inspection (May 2019).
We offer creative opportunities in:
Music Production:
– Drum Programming
– Instrumentation
– Sampling
– Synthesis
– FX Processing
– Arrangement
– Mixing & Mastering
Our music programmes delivers a contemporary programme that caters to all abilities. Delivered by a professional recording/performance artist, we aim to inspire and capture the creativity of our students.
We also provide industry knowledge and support in;
• Lyric Writing
• Beat Production
• Remixing
• Vocal Coaching
• Performance Skills
• Instrument tuition
Visual and Digital Art
Our arts programme enables students to explore a diverse range of techniques and learning styles, enabling every individual to find their personal flare and realise their potential as an artist.
Areas covered:
• Graphics design (branding)
• Large painting (graffiti)
• 3D modelling
• Packaging
• Garment design
• Photography
• Print making
• Illustration
• Film Making
What’s on offer?
Vocational qualifications:
Bronze Arts Award Combined (QCF – 501/0081/6) – Level 1 Award in the Arts
Silver Arts Award – Combined (QCF – 501/0081/6) Level 2 Award in the Arts
Gold Arts Award – Combined (QCF -500/9666/7): Level 3 Certificate in the Arts
Functional skills:
We do not offer a qualification but we do support Functional Skills.
Designed specifically for the effective delivery of Functional Skills, our on-line sessions use SkillsBuilder which is a unique, industry-leading suite of initial and diagnostic assessments and learning materials for English, Maths and ICT ranging from Entry Level to Level 2.
Students also take assessments in learning styles and PLTS (Personal Learning and Thinking Skills).
Written and referenced to the national standards for Functional Skills with a strong user-friendly focus, SkillsBuilder accurately identifies not only each learner’s overall working but also their spiky profile within subjects as well, identifying a learner’s skills gaps and producing a unique individual skills plan (ISP) that will signpost the resources each learner needs. The assessments are adaptive, responding to learner answers and offering correspondingly easier or harder questions. The questions are banked so a learner will never sit an identical assessment twice.
Assessments also include a built-in dyslexia/dyscalculia screener.
The benefits for learners:
• A personalised learning programme
• Bright, colourful interactive assessments with a minimum of multi-choice questions which are adaptive to individual abilities and hence provide a positive learning experience
• Personalised learning materials which match the learning gaps identified by the diagnostic assessment and are accessible from anywhere the internet is available
• Additional learning materials to help understand the application of the underlying skills to functional scenarios
• Our students also benefit from a great deal of 1 to 1 support during functional skills sessions
SEND provision:
With small group sizes and an excellent ratio of tutors to students (min 1:3), our provision is able to cater for a wide range of students. Our programme is particularly successful with disengaged students who are in need of social interaction and re-integration in to an education setting, especially those who need / prefer a calmer and smaller setting. There are opportunities for group based and 1:1 / independent work as well as flexible and adaptive curriculum content.
With our emphasis on holistic support, our provision is also suited to those with SEMH and NSA but is suitable for those with SPLD and MLD.
Therapeutic/nurture/wellbeing support:
We deliver weekly PHSE / SMSC (social, moral, spiritual and wellbeing development) session as part of our (non-accredited) curriculum. Students are regularly consulted on topics, enabling us to ensure that topics are beneficial to them. Parents / carers are also asked if there are any topics they would like us to cover.
Each student is matched up with a personal mentor who will meet with them regularly and use tools (e.g. Wheel of life) to support them with any additional PHSE and personal development needs. Any needs / barriers to reaching their potential that are identified and included in their personal action plans. Students will then receive regular on-going support through 1 to 1 mentoring and group based learning sessions which enable them to undertake tasks and explore opportunities to overcome their identified barriers.
As we take a whole family approach, we work closely with parents / carers, home schools and referral partners and other external agencies to ensure that we provide support both to the students and their parent/carer.
Additional fees: