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An alternative curriculum placement offers young people a
different approach to learning in Years 10 & 11, which may
include working at a college or on a special programme in
preparation for work or further and higher education.
The courses offer nationally accredited qualifications and are
equivalent to full time education in a mainstream school. Each
student will receive a personal development plan with clear targets
and a timetable.
The young people whom we target are disaffected and disengaged
and are at serious risk of underachievement. Conventional
mainstream education has failed to engage them.
The Alternative Provision needs to be educationally and socially
inclusive and to re-engage young people with the world of education
training and work while not replicating the school curriculum and
mainstream education methods but instead searching for innovative
and creative approaches.
Alternative Provision within Kent County Council means
continually striving to raise and maintain the high standards
expected in personalised learning and the
strategic plan.
This will be achieved by:
- identifying a positive match between innovative programmes and
the young people's learning and social needs
- targeting and action planning for the personal development of
young people both educationally and socially
- offering a variety of programmes designed to support and
develop life and social skills, learning and vocational skills and
boosting the young people's self esteem and confidence.
What is personalised learning?
"Personalised learning means:
- high expectation of every child
- when careful attention is paid to their individual learning
style, motivations and needs
- rigorous use of target setting linked to high quality
assessments
- lessons well placed and enjoyable
- pupils supported by partnership with others well beyond the
classroom."
(from a speech by David Milliband, Minister of State for School
Standards at North England Education Conference, 8/1/04)
Kent County Council's Education and Libraries
Strategic Plan 2004-7 states:
In Key Theme 1: "we will improve the
educational achievement of all learners; narrow the attainment gap
by tackling under-achievement of particular groups"
In Key Theme 4: "innovative approaches … will
raise the achievement of underachieving groups of students and
fully extend the potential of others'.
Transport
National Legislation requires the LA to meet the travel costs of
any pupils attending their nearest appropriate school where that
school is over 3 miles (by the nearest available walking route)
from their main home residence for over 8's or over 2 miles for
under 8's. This may relate to pupils on alternative curriculum
provisions.
AEN Travel
Pupils with statements may be granted travel to any provision
where it is more than 3 miles (by the nearest available walking
route) from their main home residence, but this will be for the AEN
department to agree and arrange.
Risk Assessment
Before admitting a young person, a provider may ask you for a
risk assessment. This would normally be where there has been a
particularly aggressive incident recorded on the referral
papers.
Leaving Process for Year 11 leavers
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the statutory school
leaving date for all Year 11 pupils is always and only the last
Friday in June. This applies to every child regardless of status
and placement and attendance (or lack of it).
Continuing Monitoring
The Connexions service should continue to monitor the progress
of our young persons and to provide statistics.
Additional Educational Needs
Every AEN section has information packs for parents explaining
the statementing process.
A statement is a legal contract between the LA and the parent
agreeing to provide support additional to the "normal" national
provision commensurate with their child's "special" need.
This contract goes right across the board regardless of where the
child is educated (private school, education otherwise, county,
special schools or Alternative Curriculum). The written statement
will outline exactly what additional support the child will need
and in what type of educational provision the child should be.
Pupil Education Development Plan (PEDP)
We have asked our providers to ensure that a personal education
development plan is in place for every child within 6 weeks of
their admission.
The PEDP is an ongoing review/monitoring document that should be
shared and discussed with both the pupil and the parent.
European
Social Fund (ESF) Co-financing "Inclusion in Learning" - Provider
Summary |