We specialise in providing alternative

education for the needs of the individual

For a list of what we offer please see the back page.

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An alternative approach to education
What is The Alternative School?
Now in our fourth year, The Alternative School (known as TAS) was
set up to offer a fun, challenging yet relaxed alternative education
programme for young people.

We are different because we are able to offer a totally unique and

flexible programme that is tailored around the specific needs of each
individual young person.

Referrals come from a variety of sources including Parents, Schools,

Young People’s Service, PRU’s, Police, Youth Offending Team, Social
Services, Family Support and often self referral after hearing positive
feedback from friends or relatives that have already attended TAS.

Each young person that attends TAS Full or Part-Time will design their
own timetable, decide which qualifications they would like to work
towards, what new activities they would like to try and will set their
own goals for the forthcoming year. The timetable will vary greatly for
each young person and will include a high percentage of one-to-one
work, team projects and activities and small more formal taught
workshops all aimed at building individual confidence, self esteem,
team working and important social skills.

At TAS we take a more holistic approach to learning and support both

the individual and educational needs of young people, helping them to
overcome a wide range of barriers and develop over a period of time
into well rounded young adults.
 Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze, Silver or Gold Award

Why not encourage your group to add The Duke

of Edinburgh’s Bronze, Silver or GOLD Award to
their achievements?
Can be delivered in school / college as an enrichment activity, as part of BTEC Sport or as a stand alone option.
Available too as an after school club, as part of a Personal Development Programme, during Summer Holidays, Weekends or Evenings.
Please ask if you would like us to deliver The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award to your group of young people.

Bronze Award min age - year 9, approx. 6-9 months to complete

Silver Award min age - year 9, approx. 9-12 months to complete
Gold Award min of 16 yrs + approx. 18 months to complete

All young people completing the Duke of Edinburgh’s award will receive a certificate for each section completed, a framed final certificate, photographic evidence for their
portfolio, Duke of Edinburgh badge, portfolio of work and will be invited to a D of E presentation evening.
Attending FULL-TIME at TAS
What might an Individual timetable include?
•1:1 support
•TAS Curriculum Modules (Maximum class size of 4)
•Qualification in English,Maths,ICT. (Edexcel Accredited)
•BTEC Sport, at least one full day dedicated to Sporting Activities
•Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Bronze or Silver
•The Art’s Award, Bronze or Silver
•Personal development and life skills
•Career guidance, college visits and applications to college
•Mentor Support, access to counselling if required
•Lots of fun activities (AQA Accredited)
• e.g. Abseiling, Canoeing, Kayaking, Archery, Caving, Mountain Biking, Street Dance,
Fishing, Raft Building, Rock Climbing, Gorge Scrambling, Football Skills, ‘DJ’ing and
Kick Boxing.

Attending PART-TIME at TAS

What might an Individual timetable include?
Ideal as a support package for pupils who are “wobbling” in school or as part of a
reintegration package for pupils moving back into school.
Available for years 9,10 and 11. (Available for younger pupils in specific cases)

•1:1 support with class work / homework

•Option to gain additional qualifications
•Confidence & Self Esteem building
•TAS Adventurous Activities Programme
•Counselling, Bullying, Mediation Work-Shops
•Peer Mentoring Programme
•Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
 This is a picture of Michael, ex TAS pupil, now studying
full time at Burnley college and also working towards
his Gold Duke of Edinburgh award. Michael is also
supporting TAS as a mentor on the TAS Bronze Duke
of Edinburgh award.

TAS Adventurous Activities

Ideal for any group of young people wishing to try
new activities.
Text - Can be booked for a specific group, term or activity
- Can also be used as evidence for BTEC Sport Modules
- Collection and Drop off in TAS minibus
- TAS Qualified Staff Ratio 1:4 pupils
- Includes all equipment, clothing hire, lunch
- Accredited Qualification (AQA / Sports Leaders Award, D of E)
- Portfolio of work & evidence

Activities available as an introduction course or can be booked by each

activity leading to progression in that area.
(Schemes of Work and Lesson Plans available)

•Caving
•Abseiling
•Canoeing
•Kayaking
•Archery
•Safer Cycling Course
•Mountain Bike Leadership
•Raft Building
•Rock Climbing (inside and out )
•Gorge Scrambling
•Walking (Geocache Trails)
1:1 Tutoring / Study Support
Why not excel in your school work or
try something new?

1:1 support with homework

Help with Maths & English
Gain an additional qualification as well as your chosen options
Prepare a professional C.V. and apply for part-time jobs
Access to I.C.T.
Learn new skills
Write and produce a mini film with your friends
Learn how to set up your own business with our Young
Entrepreneur work-shop
Mountain Bike Leadership,Advanced Skills

Specific courses written to encourage

Leadership, Skill Advancement and
SAFER cycling both on and off the
roads for all ages, groups of friends,
families etc.

Options available -

•Advanced Skills training

•Bike maintenance course using own bike
(AQA accredited)

•Bike ability course (Cycling Proficiency)

(accredited)

•Mountain Bike leadership course (accredited)

The above to include bike hire,
helmets, transport to and from
different mountain bike tracks /
locations.
Community Workshops

Creative Workshops
delivered to groups
within the community -
Graffiti Art, Mosaics, Face Painting, Pottery Painting, Glass Painting, T
Shirt Design, Kite Making, Jewellery Making, Henna Tattoos, Knitted
Bags, Candle Making, Sewing, ICT Skills, Film Making, Indoor Games,
Fun Exercise, Oil Painting, Card Making + lots, lots more.
(Please ask us if you have any other requests..)

Encourages -
- Community Cohesion - Well Being
- Confidence - Friendships, Meeting New People
- Self Esteem - Learning & Sharing New Skills
TAS Family Activities and Camping
Activity days with the aim of
building and improving family
relationships
All activities planned with specific aims and objectives to
meet the individual needs / requirements of each family
circumstances

Initial assessment meeting and getting to know one

another (family & instructors)

Can be organised as a one day course, or series of days

Confidence building, team work, self esteem activities /

workshops

Can be booked for groups or individual families

Collection and Drop off in a minibus

TAS staff + AALA accredited activity instructor

Includes all equipment, clothing hire, lunch professional

photo, summary of the day, suggestions for how to
continue to build and improve family relationships

Indoor and Outdoor activities / camping available

“ TAS helped me to sort my life out and get me
back on track, I don`t know where I would be
without them.”
(Bradley ex TAS pupil 2008/9 – now mentoring at TAS)

What else did we do at TAS?

Film Production, Camping, Streetdance, City Visits, Pottery,
Volunteering, Football Coaching, Graffiti Art, Photography,
Professional Photo Shoot, Fashion Project, Informative Work-
shops, Independence Skills

“We all learnt how to feel good about ourselves, be

confident

and had FUN doing it”.

Our Mission Statement
Our Inspiration and Vision
The Alternative School is inspired by a belief that we can make a difference to every young person we work with by listening to them and raising their aspirations.
We believe in the potential of every young person, no matter who they are, what they have done or what they have been through.

Our Approach:
We believe our success is a combined approach of listening, no labels, individual and flexible learning, starting with a clean sheet as well as a more holistic approach helping
young people manage their often chaotic lifestyles in a more positive way.

Our Principles
The TAS strategy is built on five principles:
1) Support
We will stick with helping young people even when they are at their most challenging. We will hang in there and support and guide them into making positive life choices.
Sometimes it is a long process and young people need to know that we will always be available to support them.

2) Educate
We will provide a unique, individualised, FUN and enjoyable, yet challenging and rewarding education experience of the highest attainable standard.

3) Encourage Independence
We will concentrate on encouraging young people to take responsibility for their own learning and personal development by helping them to build their own unique portfolio
of achievements, experiences, enabling them to see their own true worth. We will support all TAS young people through the difficult transition stage from school onto life post
16, whether into full-time education, training or employment and will continue this support throughout their journey for as long as it is required.

4) Inspire and Motivate

We believe that ALL young people can achieve fantastic results. We will help to facilitate this by providing relevant qualifications that are recognised by both employers and
further education providers, supported by a wide range of adventurous outdoor activities and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award that will help ensure TAS young people progress
into a positive place upon leaving. We believe in `life long learning` and will support this ethos by providing flexible and supportive learning packages, available for all young
people, from all backgrounds.

5) Partnership Working
We can not do all of this on our own, but need to work with and through others in order to multiply our impact.

The statements below define the activities we will undertake in pursuit of our vision-

We will:
Create and deliver an alternative curriculum for young people which is innovative, holistic, encourages positive progression and promotes independence.
Provide advice and support to young people, sign posting to other agencies whilst hand-holding through this process.
Work only with organisations which work with young people to ensure they are listened to and their individual needs met.

Copyright © The Alternative School Ltd 2010

 Why not encourage your child / young people to work towards
additional qualifications which could help their future college /
apprenticeship applications?
Can be studied as part of enrichment, evenings or
weekends.

For more information please contact -

info@thealternativeschool.co.uk / www.thealternativeschool.co.uk
01282 851800 or Kirsty-Anne - 07717 525 306