Vocational and Alternative Provision at Newham PRUs
In addition to the curriculum delivered onsite across Newham PRUs, we seek additional curriculum opportunities for our students in response to individual
needs by working together with outside providers. We continue to explore and develop new and exciting learning opportunities, ensuring our curriculum pathways support transition and progression as well as access to appropriate qualifications.
Creating Futures Programme
As part of our 'Creating Futures' curriculum, a selection of Year, 9, 10 and 11 students, from across New Directions PRU & Tunmarsh School, have the opportunity to take part in our exciting vocational learning programme at the Beckton Skills Centre.
Every Friday afternoon selected students are accompanied by school staff to the Beckton Skills Centre where they will work alongside industry professionals and study towards achieving a formal Level 1 Award or Certificate in Motor Vehicle Maintenance. At the end of the session all students are then escorted back to their respective schools for the end of the school day.
Students remain on the programme until they have completed enough units to achieve either a Level 1 Award or Certificate. The minimum length of time to complete a programme takes approximately three months.
This opportunity is open to all students in Year 9, 10 or 11 who have an an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) it will help students to develop key transferable employability skills and subject industry knowledge, which they can then apply in other aspects of their education and future career progression preparation and planning.
Beckton Skills Centre
Beckton Skills Centre has many years’ experience of working with both school age learners, post 16 age groups and adult learners. Training courses are bespoke and can be tailored towards the learners needs, courses are hands on and delivered in either small groups or on a one to one basis. Courses are designed to teach young people key technical motor vehicle maintenance skills.
Topics include;
Health, safety and good housekeeping, vehicle electrical systems, vehicle steering and suspension systems, engine operating principles, lubrication and braking systems and vehicle wheels and tyre systems. Learners who complete the course/programme are awarded City & Guilds Entry
Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Systems Maintenance.
Introduction to Music Technology
To understand how music software works. Learn and develop skills to understand key words and
music programme systems.
- Tempo/speed
- Beats per minute (BPM)
- Patterns
- Beats and bars
Students record tracks and learn the functions of editing a demo song. The students will explore different genres of music and learn to play different instruments. They will work towards creating a final mixed song to burn onto a CD and present.
Sitting Prettie Academy
The Hair & Beauty Programme provides students with an introduction into the Hair and Beauty Sector. This qualification has been specifically designed to help students develop their practical skills and learn techniques such as; plaiting and twisting hair, shampoo and conditioning hair, hand or skincare, themed face painting, styling men’s or women’s hair, basic make-up application, nail art application, create an image using colour or hair and beauty techniques, dressing hair, photographic make-up, providing basic manicure or pedicure treatments, colour hair using temporary colour, salon reception duties, how to follow health and safety and working with others in the hair and
beauty sector, create and maintain retail displays or how to perform a head massage service. This qualification is approved and supported by the Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority (HABIA). On completion of the course, students are awarded The VTCT Level 1 Award in an Introduction to the Hair and Beauty Sector.
Building Crafts College
The Building Crafts College has a long tradition of delivering high quality education training in building crafts and building conservation. The emphasis of the work is to give all of students the opportunity to reach their full potential so expectations on students is high. The Building Crafts College offers students the opportunity to develop practical construction skills from a wide range of
different trades/specialisms. Courses include; Entry level Construction Multi Skills, Level 1 & 2 Wood Occupations, Stonemasonry Construction and Site Supervision.
UEL (University of East London) Sports Dock
The Sports Dock Centre offers students the opportunity to use state-of-the-art-gym and sports facilities to develop their fitness and sporting skills. Students can benefit from the expertise and
experience of Graduate Fitness Instructors when using the excellent services. Facilities on offer include; Sports hall for playing badminton, basketball and football, gym and outdoor football pitches.
Fight for Peace
Fight for Peace uses boxing and martial arts combined with education and personal development to help young people to realise their potential. Fight for Peace supports young people in communities affected by crime and violence by creating new opportunities for them and supporting them to make the most of existing opportunities. Students are able to attend sessions at the Fight for Peace boxing studio, where with training staff, they are able to learn how to develop boxing skills and techniques in a safe and controlled environment and develop discipline and self-control. Fight for Peace creates an enabling environment, which creates opportunities for personal growth and development of young people.
Sustainable Cycles Project with Pro Bike Service
The purpose of this work-based learning programme is to teach students bicycle maintenance skills. The project aims to deliver a range of transferable skills, educational opportunities and a growing sense of achievement within a booming sector of the micro-mobility industry. It is especially suited to those students who prefer to engage and learn via non-traditional means and who would benefit from a more flexible approach and teaching style.
The primary aim of this programme is the development and nurturing of latent talent, sharing skills and knowledge whilst rewarding achievement and reinforcing positive behaviour. The programme involves teamwork, problem solving, the use of professional tools, the ability to plan and carry out mechanical work, as well as the application of Maths, English and Engineering skills, all in a practical workshop environment. This is all achieved whilst working towards the short term goal of building a safe bicycle, utilising Pro Bike Service’s stock of new and second hand parts, in addition to donated, stolen/recovered and abandoned bikes, that have been specifically earmarked for this project.
After successfully repairing and refurbishing bicycles, these will be gifted locally to victims of cycle crime or other beneficiaries unable to access cycling due to income restrictions. Interested in bicycles? Then this is a fantastic programme for you and it’s all for a good cause. You will get to work with experts to improve your bike building skills, using professional tools at a venue in the Olympic Park. The course leads to certification with the option to extend learning and skills further with Newham PRUs and Pro Bike Service.
Equine Therapy and Mindfulness: Working with Horses
Newham PRUs is working with Equilibrium for Life (EfL) to offer this new programme that gives students the opportunity to take part in a course that allows them to work with horses. This all takes place at the stables and in a covered arena at Aldersbrook Riding School in Wanstead. Students will have the opportunity to work with mental health and equine professionals, who specialise in mindfulness and equine facilitated learning work. They will work with horses not only to develop their own mindfulness techniques, but will also develop grooming and husbandry skills. As a bonus, at the completion of the programme, students will have the opportunity to do some horse riding as well. EfL’s service focuses on individual well-being, coaching and mentoring interventions as well as ‘Equine Assisted Learning’ (EAL) and Mindfulness programmes. The team bring diverse skills, with experience in professional development and therapeutic support. They tailor their work appropriately around the student’s needs. EfL’s targeted intention is to help and support vulnerable or ‘in need’ students around London and the South-East. They offer direct learning opportunities and horse/nature based interactions which facilitate improvements to individual mental/physical health and overall well-being. Spending time with animals is extremely therapeutic and has been proven to have neurological benefits as well as settling effects on breathing and heart rates and reducing the production of cortisol. Exercises based around the care and wellbeing of the horse provide the opportunity to develop a deep connection with the student's own needs, such as self-worth and self-care, as well as developing personal emotional literacy and awareness through observation of such in others. This activity is suitable for vulnerable students as well as those with social emotional and mental health needs.
APPLE
The education provision at APPLE is Newham PRU’s Alternative PRU Programme based at Lambourne End Outdoor Education Centre, in Romford, Essex. It provides a learning programme run by a team of specialists that supports improved engagement, increased attendance and leads to positive outcomes, for pupils who are unable to engage in onsite group provisions at either of our Newham based schools. APPLE is for those pupils who present with challenging behaviours or specific individual needs whereby a targeted and specialised curriculum is more suited to their learning requirements and is ‘away’ from the PRU. APPLE accepts pupils through an internal referral process and supports pupils with challenging needs to engage positively in education. It is a student centred provision for the most vulnerable young people facing personal challenges in their lives. Behaviour management, social development, inter/intra personal skills, confidence and self-esteem are a key developmental focus. The target for APPLE is to ensure that students are challenged to improve their outcomes thus resulting in a return to the best suited onsite provision or a return to mainstream education. Local and National concerns have identified that disaffected and excluded young people are most vulnerable to the external pressures of gang/youth crime, knife crime, drug related crime, drug misuse and exploitation in various forms. By developing an engaging, flexible, student centred pathway and at the same time creating a positive culture of Learning, Respect, and Personal Development, it provides the key to changing mind sets and creating opportunities for progression. A sense of achievement and common goals within a structured curriculum around Outdoor Education, Sporting activities and other learning experiences is the priority. An experiential approach helps facilitate learning experiences within a wider curriculum on a daily basis, linked to place, real world context and vocational subjects. Our focus with this approach to learning, results in students’ re-engagement with education and allows these pupils to reflect on their behaviours and choices which is key to their development, leading to reintegration to onsite provisions and a return pathway to mainstream schools.
APPLE Team:
Elgan Prosser - SLT
Roman Kutereba - SLT
Kojo Oppong – APPLE Manager
Julia Stover - Senior HLTA and Pastoral Manager
Heather Oldham – English and Art Teacher
Ruhma Kaplan – Maths Teacher
Location:
Lambourne End – Centre for Outdoor Learning
Manor Road
Lambourne End
Essex
RM4 1NB