Autumn Newsletter
"Chances, and the provision on offer there, has been hugely powerful for some of our most vulnerable students. They have, quite literally, transformed students that we have been unable to work with!"
Partner School Feedback
Can we help change the life of one of your students?
The end of the school year means most young people and school staff can head into August looking forward to some well earned relaxation. Many young people aren't so lucky though, with the summer holidays meaning there is no avoiding difficult home or social situations. These same situations can underpin struggles at school which can lead to the need for intervention.
If this happens and you refer your student to Chances, our aim is to get them back to mainstream education as quickly as possible. Our early intervention continues to have extremely positive results, with over 90% of our students this academic year finishing with a positive outcome. This is a phenomenal result both for young people who can productively return to their friends and communities in mainstream provision, and for their schools who welcome them back.
Read on to discover how we can support you and your students.
Kind regards,
Gary Hayes
Head Teacher
Chances Alternative Education
Alternative education as intervention
We work with you to create individual learning plans for your students.
Our successful intervention model recognises the needs of each individual, while delivering a curriculum that supports their return to school. As a minimum, students attend a full academic timetable of 5 lesson a day, including Maths, English, and Science provided by qualified teachers.
As part of individual learning plans, we add on any additional work that your school requires, including additional numeracy and literacy interventions. This broad, balanced and relevant curriculum equips students for the next stage of their development - whether that is academia or employment.
This approach encourages students to:
Achieve their potential in as many ways as possible
Develop spiritual and moral values
Obtain a variety of skills and qualifications which will prepare them for the next stage of their lives
Be part of a happy community within which all will feel secure and valued
Our extracurricular support
Students thrive when they have a familiar person to relate to, who knows them, and is trusted to meet their individual needs.
Our Key Workers support your students, their parents/carers, and your school through the development of meaningful relationships. Key Workers meet your students each week (or as often as needed) to discuss any issues around education and their emotional and social well being.
Having formed a strong relationship with a student, Key Workers are critical to support students, act as a link person for any outside agencies, give the student a voice at meetings, and provide support during any reintegration stage.
Broadening horizons alongside external agencies
We work with a number of expert partner agencies to provide specialist educational and life experiences. These opportunities broaden students' outlooks, fulfil their need for creativity and expression, and provide diverse new skills.
Personal Development
We build bespoke wellbeing packages tailored for the young people in our care. These packages are foundational in equipping students with knowledge, attitudes, skills, relationships and behaviour that can be used in and outside the classroom.
First Aid
Trained first aiders deliver a beginners' course of practical skills needed in real life situations. This gives our students both the ability and confidence to deal with first aid emergencies.
Forest School
Our in house instructor provides students with a Forest School experience. This is a child-centred inspirational learning process that offers opportunities for holistic growth through regular sessions.
Art
Local artist Peter Margerum supports students in their art lessons with projects such as creating garden features for our outdoor space.
Cooking
As a trained Chef, our Deputy Head Steve Evans is able to deliver a cooking syllabus that incorporates valuable life skills and helps our students understand healthy eating.
Music
We work with Daisi Arts Education Organisation to provide 1:1 music sessions and music opportunities that improve the outcomes for our students across their creative learning and social needs.
