Teaching & Learning
The Campus is, first and foremost, a school. Regardless of how our students came to attend The Campus, once they are with us, we will have the same high aspirations for them that any good school has for theirs.
Our Curriculum
What will be on the curriculum?
The Campus will provide the national curriculum with some vocational provision. Students will need this as a minimum to have a realistic chance of progressing into education or employment. There will be an extended school day – from 10am to 7pm – and therefore we can achieve a lot in both formal and informal learning.
Most of our students will have been disengaged from education for some time before they attend The Campus. It will be a challenge, but we are determined to o achieve good and outstanding grades in teaching and learning. We will not subscribe to the poverty of aspiration. This approach is essential if we are serious about better chances for our students. We will not only need to recruit outstanding teachers and support staff, but make sure their professional and personal support is of the highest standard.
As we have extended school days and are also open at the weekend we will have the time for other activities alongside formal education. This will include work with families, therapeutic work and groups and activities that reflect the skills and interests of individual students.
How has the curriculum been designed?
The curriculum is not yet finalised. We are working with organisations with expertise of working with young offenders to design the curriculum. There is scope for this to be tailored to local need so individual Campuses may teach different things.
The curriculum will be kept under continual review, not least because of national changes. We are working with organisations with expertise of working with young people in contact with the Criminal Justice system to design the curriculum. Although the ‘subjects’ will be recognisable to those in mainstream education, the way students learn them will need to be engaging and reflect the needs of young people who are growing up with some really tough challenges.
It is important that we reflect local needs so individual Campuses may teach different things.
Are your outcomes purely educational?
We want our students to gain:
• qualifications with a currency that will mean they have a realistic chance to get a place in training and/or employment
• the aspiration to have a career of real value, even if, realistically, not all options are still open to them because of their past
• the resilience and character they will need to stay out of trouble and succeed in life once they have left The Campus
• positive changes in health and well being, and in their ability to form healthy relationships
After The Campus
We expect that students will be with us between 9 and 18 months on average and then, with support move into education, employment or training. This transition will be tricky for the student and their family, so a lot of work will go into preparing them for the changes. And for support with the – inevitable – problems that will occur after students leave.
How does a student ‘graduate’ from The Campus?
Students will graduate at the end of their sentence and when they have secured a place in education, training or a job. If a student makes really good progress we hope to have the ability to make representations to the Court to amend the Order.
Will you continue to have contact with students after they leave The Campus?
Yes. We have anticipated that there will be a need for ex-students to have mentoring support after they have left The Campus. Realistically, they will still have formidable barriers to overcome so we need to put something in place to support them.
Where will students go after they leave The Campus?
The most likely destination after Campus is into training or a job. But, there will be some students who have the ability to go into higher education, and we will encourage them to aim for that. Providing effective, realistic careers information, advice and guidance and opportunities to find work and training is an integral part of what The Campus will do.
