What are the Youth Achievement Foundations™?
Youth Achievement Foundations™ are independent centres for non-formal learning. They offer a motivating vocational and activity based curriculum of personal and social development to students excluded from secondary school at Key Stage 4 or at risk of exclusion. The Foundations are based either within schools which act as a hub for local referrals or more commonly in distinct separate buildings run by not for profit third sector organisations experienced in alternative curricular delivery.
Watch a video about what Youth Achievement Foundations are about here
Why do we need Youth Achievement Foundations™?
In the last year for which records are available over 340,000 school exclusions occurred in England and of these over 8,000 were permanent exclusions. Figures are equally significant in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The Foundations are specifically designed to meet the needs of young people for whom mainstream education is no longer working. Whilst maintaining a core delivery of basic literacy and numeracy, pupils will be offered a curriculum that is more appropriate to their personal & social development and accredit their learning from a variety of vocational areas. The Foundations therefore aim to provide a non-formal learning environment leading to formal qualifications.
They aim to offer a cost effective alternative to pupil referral and behaviour support units.
What is our track record?
UK Youth has been piloting the Youth Achievement Foundations™ model for over six years in collaboration with 7KS Enterprise College.
To date over 1000 NEET young people have benefited, 75% gaining Youth Achievement Awards, 75% gaining a Key Skill and 100% gaining accredited outcomes. A 2009 Ofsted Report called the provision ‘outstanding’. We know the model works, is cost-effective and sustainable.
How do they fit with policy?
Youth Achievement Foundations™ specifically strive to meet the recommendations within the May 2008 White Paper report “Back on Track” a strategy for modernising alternative provision for young people. This builds on the December 2007 Children’s Plan proposals to set out new strategies to transform the quality of alternative education for those who are excluded or who are unable to attend mainstream school and on the government’s 10 year strategy for young people: “Aiming High”.
Click on the links below to view UK Youth's Curriculum Development Model and a more detailed description of Youth Achievement Foundations’ educational rationale/example curriculum.
UK Youth's Curriculum Development Model
Youth Achievement Foundation Educational Rationale
Who supports the programme?
UK Youth has been awarded significant funding by the DCSF (Department for Children Schools & Families) YSDF (Youth Sector Development Fund) to support the development of the first ten of these pathfinder foundations through the period 2008-2011.The programme is also supported by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and by local authority partners.
The programme is delivered in partnership with 7KS Enterprise College, ASDAN and local partners. Expertise on community mentoring is provided to the programme by Bolton Lads & Girls Club. Foundations are required to meet Ofsted criteria as independent schools within three years of formation.
Where is there currently provision?
Currently there are six foundations open and available for placements in:
Cheshire
Gloucester
Hampshire
Bristol
Teeside
Derbyshire
By September 2010 there will be a further six foundations in:
Greenwich
Kent
Sheffield
Doncaster
Wirrall
Thurrock
If you would like to apply to be a foundation please contact either David King or Stephen Turner, details below.
Click here for pdf brochure giving more details
If you would like to know more about how you might be able to get involved then contact:
Steve Turner
Programme Director
Youth Achievement Foundations™
UK Youth
Bransgore
Hampshire
BH23 8EE
Tel: 07827 353 253 07827 353 253
Email: stephen@ukyouth.org
David King
Curriculum Development Manager
UK Youth
Bransgore
Hampshire
BH23 8EE
Tel: 07825 534 168 07825 534 168
Email: david.k@ukyouth.org
For all press enquiries please contact:
Charlotte Hill
UK Youth
Ground Floor
1 Heron Quay
Canary Wharf
London
E14 4JA
Tel: 0845 862 0155 0845 862 0155
Mobile: 07826 872 533 07826 872 533
Email: charlotte@ukyouth.org
