Alternative Curriculum
We know that some students don’t engage with traditional education methods. These students need an alternative approach to education which is
stimulating and engaging, allowing them to achieve qualifications and to grow and develop in a way
which is more suited to their needs. At Groundwork we offer a range of alternative curriculum programmes
delivered by experienced and qualified trainers. These programmes contribute to your school
peformance indicators and deliver improved motivation, attendance, confidence and self-esteem among pupils. They can also contribute to reduced NEET figures
and lower staff stress levels.
OUR ALTERNATIVE CURRICULUM PROGRAMME
Horticulture
Community Skills
Social Enterprise
Personal and Social Development
Introduction
For more information about any of our courses, to enrol your students orto arrange a ‘taster session’ please contact:Email: [email protected]
Tel: 0161 220 1000
For more information about any of our courses, to enrol your students or to arrange a Taster Session please contact:
[email protected] or tel: 0161 220 1000
In 2011 Groundwork Trusts organised
296,400 days of community
involvement by young people and got
2,400 schools involved in Environmental and
Sustainable education programmes.
79% Of people we worked
with said they felt more likely to return to
education or training.
Basic horticulture and construction skills including care of plants and trees, flagging, container growing, working with hand tools. Employment skills and / or PSD aspects can also be incorporated.
City & Guilds L1 Certificate and Diploma Practical HorticultureCity & Guilds L2 Certificate, Extended Certificate and Diploma in HorticultureUnits can also count towards PSD qualifications eg Open Awards, Step Up
Trafford Ecology Park or Birchcroft, Ashton-under-Lyne. Delivery on community allotments, gardens or within school grounds could also be arranged.
L1 Certificate & Diploma & L2 Certificate – 1 day per week 9.30-3.00 for 36 weeks L2 Diploma – 2 days per week 9.30-3.00 for 36 weeks
Students can progress from Level 1 to Level 2 over 2 years
Summary Content
Qualification
Venue
Duration
We have been running the horticulure alternative curriculum courses with Loreto High School in Manchester and schools in Tameside since 2010. Pupils at Loreto work towards the City and Guilds qualification administered by Groundwork. Pupils at the Tameside schools are working towards their Open Awards Step Up qualification, undertaking various units on the Tameside Alternative Curriculum Carousel. All our regular attendees last year successfully achieved the City and Guilds Level 1 Diploma and are progressing to Level 2 this year.
Key Benefits
Physical activity in an outdoor learning environment
Practical tasks which engage learners
Life skills including communication, team working, health and safety
Progression opportunities
Horticulture
Further Information
“The Groundwork Staff are excellent when it comes to motivating and enthusing pupils who may be struggling in a normal school environment” TA, Manor High School
Pupils identify, plan and deliver a community project. Examples might be decorating a community building, “grot spot” improvements and habitat enhancement. Delivery of a high profile presentation at the end of the project.
PEARL Award – Personal & Social DevelopmentJohn Muir Environmental AwardAQA Units and additional certificates such as Health & Safety
At the school and/or on-site at community projects and venues
Yr 9: 5 days per week for 6 weeks or 2.5 days per week for 12 weeksYr 10: 2 days per week for 36 weeks
Yr 11: 2.5 days per week for 36 weeks
Summary Content
Qualification
Venue
Duration
Community Skills
Key Benefits
Engaging and interactive with practical results
Builds confidence and new skills
Allows young people to engage with their community
Teaches and rewards life skills such as health and safety, attendance and punctuality.
Further Information
Between 2008 -2010 Groundwork delivered our “Breakthrough” programme with New Charter Academy in Tameside with outstanding results. At the start of the programme over half the group had zero attendance. Through the encouragement of the Groundwork staff, the attendance of the participants after the programme had risen to 67%. We achieved an 80% retention rate and 75% of learners re-engaged with education.
It’s helped me and made me try new things. It’s taught me a lot of things, it has helped my confidence and I have
even done a work placement. I’ve completed my ASDAN Bronze and First Aid and worked towards CoPE
Level 1. I’ve now started doing some SAM learning on days I’m not at
Groundwork” A student on our Breakthrough Programme
Learners will research social issues and enterprises to develop a single or on-going enterprise activity. They will generate income for a social need of their choice, analyse strengths & weaknesses of their enterprise activity and generate a simple cash flow.
Bronze SEQ L2 Award in Planning & Delivering One-Off Social Enterprise ActivitySilver SEQ L2 Certificate in Planning & Delivering On-going Social Enterprise Activity
At the school and project venue if appropriate
Assuming 5 hours per day:Bronze Award – 1 day per week for 16 weeks
Silver Certificate – 1 day per week for 26 weeks
Social Enterprise
Further Information
Summary Content
Qualification
Venue
Duration
Key Benefits
Increases awareness of social and environmental impact
Learn business skills including business planning and product and service development
Develop employability skills such as health and safety, communication and team work
This is a new programme for Groundwork which encourages and accredits young people to work for positive social change whilst gaining real employability skills.
In 2011Groundwork Manchester, Salford, Stockport, Tameside and
Trafford invovled 3,302 young people in projects
Development of new skills and confidence through Development of new skills and confidence through participation in other activities. This can include employment skills, communication skills, leadership skills, self-awareness and so on.
Various – we can deliver NOCN L1 Step Up Award, PEARL, AQA units
At the school, Trafford Ecology Park or Birchcroft (where combined with horticulture) or on a community project where part of Break-through
Dependent upon qualification delivered and links to other programmes
Further InformationPersonal and Social Development is an integral part of all our Alternative Curriculum Programmes. Young people build and develop new skills and qualifications to enable them to re-engage with mainstream education or to progress into employment or other forms of learning. We can devise a bespoke programme which meets the needs of your young people.
Summary Content
Qualification
Venue
Duration
“ It has given (my son) something to do, he’s not bored, it’s raised his confidence and self
esteem and he’s now talking about joining the Army. This time last year, he didn’t have any
ambitions but now he is proud of the qualifications he has achieved and has enjoyed
the work he has done.” A proud parent
Personal & Social Development
‘I would like to say that Jason* made huge strides in his development at Groundwork as a student, but most importantly as a young person making a breakthrough into society. His attitude and demeanour went from being closed, withdrawn and disengaged to being confident, pro active and determined. He now applies himself to tasks until completion and seeing his work as a result gave him a great sense of pride and achievement.’
John Howe, TA Loreto High School
* The name of this student has been changed, for privacy purposes
For more information about any of our courses, to enrol your students or
to arrange a ‘taster session’ please contact:Email: [email protected]
Tel: 0161 220 1000Visit: www.groundwork.org.uk/msstt
Groundwork Manchester, Salford , Stockport, Tameside and Trafford is a company limited by guarantee and registered in England. Company Registration No. 6543150. Charity Registration No. 1124508. Registered Office: Timber Wharf, 42-50 Worsley St, Castlefield, Manchester,
M15 4LD.