Education - Achievement after school exclusion

Exactly one year ago, the government launched its white paper Back on Track, designed to overhaul alternative education and improve the life chances of young people unsuited to mainstream school.

It promised excluded pupils would no longer be deprived of an education because their needs were too complex for schools. As a result, the government is piloting new and improved alternative provision.

Meanwhile, UK Youth has developed its own solution, in partnership with private learning provider 7KS and Bolton Lads & Girls Club. Its Youth Achievement Foundations offer young people a personalised activity-based curriculum with intensive mentoring. So far, of the 600 young people in the pilot, every one has gained an accredited qualification.

"You notice such a big difference in the young people's skills," says Kevin Bradburne, head of programmes at Macclesfield Youth Achievement Foundation.

The scheme may also prove popular with teachers. Malcolm Trobe, policy director at the Association of School and College Leaders says: "Where traditional school methods have failed, it's critical we examine every avenue."

The Department for Children, Schools and Families is now funding a further 10 pathfinder foundations, four of which will start working with young people from September.

HELPED TO ACHIEVE

How three young people turned their lives around

LAURA

Laura was excluded from school because of bad behaviour. She was referred to her local Youth Achievement Foundation and asked what she wanted to do. It then organised a childcare work placement for her.

While doing the work placement, she worked towards key skills qualifications at the foundation. By the end of Year 11, she was suitably qualified to get on to a Diploma in Childcare course.

Laura was eventually offered employment at the nursery where she did her work placement. She is now planning to apply to the University of Lincoln, where she hopes to train to be a primary school teacher or children's speech therapist.

JADE

Jade was disruptive in school. She joined a Youth Achievement Foundation but was initially disengaged from the programme. She was verbally aggressive towards staff and caused criminal damage to her surroundings.

But the foundation gave her several fresh starts, and met with her parents to tailor a timetable around her needs, after which Jade slowly improved. She went on to gain five Level 1 qualifications, which got her on to an apprenticeship in hair-dressing with a local employer.

Jade completed her apprenticeship and is now in full-time employment at a local hair salon. She has also passed her driving test.

KYLE

Kyle was bullied in his mainstream school and became agoraphobic. He was taken out of school and the Youth Achievement Foundation arranged an individualised learning programme for him.

It involved small group work and practical activities such as woodwork, conservation, animal care, mechanics and horticulture. His confidence improved and the special educational needs support service recommended he return to mainstream education. Kyle's parents successfully appealed against this.

He then attained 16 recognised qualifications, including four at Level 2. He is now studying a motor vehicle course at the local college.

HOW THE SCHEME WORKS

Youth Achievement Foundations are small independent schools providing a vocational, activity-based curriculum for vulnerable young people who have been excluded from school or are at risk of exclusion.

Kevin Bradburne, head of programmes at Macclesfield Youth Achievement Foundation, says intensive support is key to its success. "We're working with at-risk young people, so they need to know we take a real interest in what they're doing. If they don't turn up, we're on the phone to them straight away."

The scheme is tailored to their needs. Every learner is consulted on his or her personalised curriculum. "We link the activities into as many different subjects as possible," says Bradburne.

Achievements are recognised using a peer-accredited scheme called the Youth Achievement Awards. Once a student has received one, they can then progress on to another qualification on the National Qualifications Framework.

Intensive support

Malcolm Trobe, policy director at the Association of School and College Leaders, says the more young people that can get a qualification the better.

He also approves of the 4:1 ratio of students to mentor. "The ratio is crucial. Even if you're working with groups of eight or 10 young people, the attention you give each one is significantly reduced."

The foundations also cost less than other options. One foundation place costs about £55 a day, compared with £70 a day at most pupil referral units.

But Dr Patrick Roach, assistant general secretary at teaching union NASUWT, urges a note of caution. He says young people should be offered the chance to learn in school where possible, and suggests alternative provision be more closely aligned with mainstream education.

"They have an entitlement to the full curriculum and to be taught by highly skilled professionals," he says.