Group size: For groups of up to 16 children.
Timings: Full or half days; full days are preferred to allow for group lunches to be incorporated.
Duration: Short and long term programmes
There is a growing recognition that if certain young people are able to access some form of alternative education sooner, they may well get the boost they need to maintain their place in mainstream education.
Our small group Early Intervention programmes aim to re-inspire young people and re-engage them in learning, whilst developing their communication and teamwork skills.
Themes can be in woodland skills and camp craft; bushcraft and survival; campfire cooking; archery and projectiles; woodland arts and crafts; ecology; and team building tasks.
Monitoring learning and progression – We have developed our own system of daily reporting where students are assessed on their Effort, Behaviour, Engagement and Support for Others. These indicators are marked on a scale of 0 – 4, which when totalled will give an overall grade for their day. These scores can be tabulated and plotted on a graph to show overall trends, strengths or areas for improvement.
Students on long term programmes can work towards modular qualifications under AQA Unit Award Scheme . This will accredit the learning taking place and skills being developed. These awards are from Pre-Entry Level to Level 3.
Reporting – Individual reporting takes place at the end of each session, with future plans always being shared with the school before the next session takes place.
What they’re saying …
“We have been working with In Our Element since 2017 and have seen the benefits that it brings to some of our more challenging pupils. Martyn works hard to develop excellent relationships with the young people he works with and is able to keep them engaged and focussed on the task at hand, something that some of our students can struggle with during the school day. He is clearly very knowledgeable in what he does and always provides the plans for sessions in advance and a report for each session evaluating the engagement and behaviour of the young people he has been working with. Students are encouraged to work outside of their comfort zone to help build their confidence and take risks as well as work collaboratively with others.”
– Jo Bekhradnia, Assistant SENDCO KS3, Lord Williams’s School, Thame.
“I have to say I have been hugely impressed by the structure, planning and execution of the program in KS4. All the students speak highly of it and the students who struggle with their attendance always attend the Friday sessions, which is exactly the outcome we want. The area they are working in has been transformed and the students have taken pride in their work as well as working hard towards their AQA modules. This is not a short term partnership and this will continue into the future. I can’t speak highly enough about it.”
– Christan Lloyd, Head of year 11 and Alternative Provision Lead, The Cooper School, Bicester.